Why residents want the Bellarine to break away from City of Greater Geelong

A push for the Bellarine to have its own municipality has reignited, with some residents calling for the region to break away from the City of Greater Geelong. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Whether the Bellarine should have its own municipality is once again a source of debate from residents. Picture: Alan Barber

A push for the Bellarine to form it own municipality has reignited, with some residents calling for the region to break away from the City of Greater Geelong.

In recent weeks, the city has come under fire over its funding of public libraries, the planned closure of Kardinia Pool over the winter and questions over the council’s ability to fulfil major projects, from both residents and the state government.

Growing dissatisfaction among residents has seen crowds and protests at council meetings, with residents have become concerned the city is stretched too thin.

A Change.org petition calling for the Bellarine to secede from the City of Greater Geelong, started by Samantha Wilson, has received 49 signatures

“The City of Greater Geelong has become too big. They have too much power over too large an area and population.” Ms Wilson wrote.

“We propose to separate from the City of Greater Geelong and form a Bellarine Council.”

Supporters of the petition voiced similar concerns.

“The population in the Bellarine is now large enough to warrant its own council area,” respondent Joe Russell said.

It is not the first time in recent years the question has been raised.

In early 2022, the Combined Bellarine Community Association (CBCA) tabled a discussion paper asking its members whether they would support the push for an independent Bellarine municipality and included a number of options for the municipality including a stand-alone Bellarine Council or a merger with Surf Coast Shire.

The paper cited “substantial cultural and demographic differences” between the Bellarine and metropolitan Geelong.

“It is often remarked that Geelong can afford a multimillion-dollar floating Christmas tree on Corio Bay while many parts of our towns don’t have footpaths,” the report read.

“In many respects, CoGG administration has been tone deaf to rising levels of dissatisfaction from the Bellarine.”

The Geelong Advertiser understands that the CBCA has not reached a consensus on the issue among its member organisations as of its May 2023 meeting.

Overdevelopment of the Bellarine has been a recurrent issue, with the release of the state government’s Bellarine Distinctive Area and Landscape (DAL) plan in October

The plan sets out which areas new homes can be built, where in-fill development can occur and protections for the farming-residential divide.

Former Bellarine MP Garry Spry has been vocal in his support of an independent Bellarine municipality.

“The experiences of the ensuing 30 years (since amalgamation) however, have left many residents in the separate, thriving townships and districts of the peninsula with a feeling of

being merely rate-revenue raising ‘milking cows’ for the needs of the adjoining

and dominant metropolis of Geelong,” Mr Spry wrote.

“The boundaries of local government have always been dynamic in accordance

with naturally evolving shifts in population.

“Discontent with the current situation has reached the point where, I believe, a thorough review would be warmly welcomed.”

The City of Greater Geelong did not comment when asked about calls for the Bellarine to secede nor whether council had considered whether changes to its borders could help its current financial troubles.

Originally published as Why residents want the Bellarine to break away from City of Greater Geelong