Our municipality’s biggest sporting event celebrates its 30th birthday this month.
 
Upwards of 1500 swimmers are expected to line up for Rip View Swim Classic on Saturday December 30. 

"It's great timing this year, just betwen Christmas and New Year when a lot of people are in town, so we're expecting good numbers," said Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club president Mathew Ponsford. 

"I would expect the big guns to be in it again because they use it as a training swim before the Pier to Pub." 

Commenced by social swimming group the Gruesome Groyne Gropers in 1989, the event – initially called the “Springs to Swings Classic”  - is now one of the biggest open water swims in the state, boasting 1.4 and 3.8 kilometre courses. It is also the PLSLSC's biggest annual fundraiser.  
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Registrations are open for both swims

FOOTBALL - Queenscliff's senior footballers have sweated it out in 30-plus degree conditions, in early preparations for a fresh assault on next season's Bellarine Football League premiership.
 
With new coach Steve Clark at the helm, a squad of more than 40 were put through their paces in a  series of gruelling time trials and skill drills on the first night of training last month. 

The former Leopold premiership coach said the strong turnout was a sign of positive season ahead. 

"The roll-up has been fantastic. There's 46 here tonight and there was a dozen apologies, so that's a great effort on the first night," Clark said. 

"The competition for spots will no doubt drive the squad that little bit harder... with the numbers being around, the training steps up and  the enjoyment steps up."  

Among the new faces was new recruit Ben Carmichael. The classy midfielder followed Clark from the Lions. 

Other recruits include Nick Aringo (Waubra), Mitch Butteriss (Leopold), Tim Connolly (Leopold), Nathan Monk (Lake Wendouree) and Brayden Warren (Ocean Grove). 

"At this stage it looks like there could be nine new players," said Clark.

"All the boys that have come here now have played some pretty good senior footy and they should be capable of doing that this coming season. 

"But the most improvement you always get from your list comes from within, so someone from within will be the biggest surprise packet, putting in a big pre-season or playing in a new position or whatever it will be. 
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'The flip side I hope none of these blokes get too comfortable  because then they'll probably have a comfortable year," Clark said.    
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Queenscliffe is set to become the first municipality in Australia to have almost entirely LED street lighting.

Councillors have voted to replace more than 400 existing mercury lights in coming weeks, in a move expected to significantly reduce energy costs. 

“The decision to transition to LED street lighting is both financially and environmentally sound,” said Mayor Tony Francis. 

“LED technology produces up to 75% less carbon emissions than the mercury vapour lights currently used, and has the potential to save Council up to 50% per month in operational expenditure.”

Street lighting is the single largest contributor to electricity use within the Borough of Queenscliffe, generating 206 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2016-17. 

Council pays all operating costs for 325 streetlights and a further 117 on VicRoads-managed highways and roads. 

Seven of the 325 Council street lights feature a style of fitting for which there is currently no approved LED equivalent available. Council has been advised that there may be an approved fitting available for these lights in the near future and will continue to pursue a complete transition to LED technology.
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“Based on discussions with specialist consultants in the field, we believe that the Borough of Queenscliffe will be the first municipality to use LED technology for all Council street lighting,” said Cr Francis.

The Victorian Government has threatened  to take control of the Queenscliff Recreation Reserve redevelopment, following revelations the project’s costs have blown out by 40 percent. 

Bellarine MP Lisa Neville said she is “extremely upset” and “annoyed” with the Borough of Queenscliffe’s handling of the project to date. 

The senior government minister, who played a pivotal role in securing $3.15 million for the stage two works ahead of the 2014 state election, says she has asked the Sports Minister's office to carefully monitor its progress going forward.

“All along the Council wanted this funding to be provided in our first budget as they were ready to go,” Ms Neville said.

“I have once again raised concerns with the Minister for Sport’s office about the slow progress [and] I have asked them to intervene as a matter of priority.” 

​In August last year a clearly frustrated Ms Neville pledged new netball courts and cricket nets – key elements of the redevelopment – would be ready by 2018 or she would “dig them herself.” 

A civil works contract has been awarded but construction is yet to commence.

Council has committed in recent days to have the facilities finished within the next five months -  a deadline the government will be enforcing, Ms Neville said.  

“I am concerned that part of the delays relate to the council pursuing other projects and not being able to project manage all of those at once,” Ms Neville said. 

“This is a critical project for the community and must take priority over any other project.

“I share the community’s anger about this and will continue to push the Council and seek ministerial intervention if the project does not commence works by December.” 

Council has blamed higher than expected carpark drainage works for the blowout. It has denied its decision to tie the reserve project to its Destination Queenscliff plan – incorporating a cabin development and tourist activities on nearby Shortland’s Bluff - is responsible.

“The civil construction program indicates that the netball courts, car park (and associated drainage works) and cricket nets will be completed by April,” it said in a statement.

“The budget for the project has increased based on the detailed design, quantity survey and market response through a public tender. Council is working hard to identify project savings without compromising objectives of the project.

“The eco-cabins plans have not impacted the delivery of the sport precinct project.”

The Borough will take money from other budgeted projects to fund the shortfall, including
■ $150,000 in loan borrowings proposed for LED light replacements
■ $75,000 earmarked for lighting the path between the pier and ferry, and 
■ $180,000 from the Borough’s asset renewal fund. 
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Around $400,000 of the $3.15 million grant has been spent on lights, solar panels, goal netting and project designs, Council said.