A LABOR Government will spend up to $290 million to complete the second and third stages of redevelopment at Wonthaggi Hospital.
 
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews made a surprise visit to the hospital this morning to make the announcement in the new Wonthaggi Hospital Expansion, which is due to open in early November.
​
The second stage will add two new 32-bed wards, a medical ward and a sub-acute ward, in a new three-four storey building with an outpatient and day therapy area (including a new dialysis centre) on the bottom and first floors.

​“THIS is the right building in the right place,” Cr David Rooks said as councillors unanimously approved a three-storey mixed commercial and residential development at 150 Thompson Avenue, Cowes.
 
The site currently houses a small surf shop and former retro shop and shed. They will be demolished and replaced by ground floor retail space and 22 apartments over two levels (15 two-bedroom and seven one-bedroom) and a rooftop garden for tenants.
 
The officers’ report noted the redevelopment of an existing commercial site within Cowes was encouraged by planning policies, in particular directing apartment style development within the main commercial precinct.

BASS Coast is one of Victoria’s fastest growing regional municipalities, with the shire forecast to have a population of close to 48,140 by 2036.

Mayor Michael Whelan said the predicted population growth presents a challenge for the council with 10,000 additional dwellings required.

“Not only will we need to adequately plan for it but we also need to ensure that appropriate planning policies and controls are in place to protect the valued attributes within our townships, where a new development is proposed.”

Now the council wants to know what we value about our neighbourhood to help inform its new Housing Strategy.

By Catherine Watson

The Liberal Party has taken a punt with today’s announcement of $42 million for an aquatic centre on Phillip Island if the Coalition wins government at the November state election.

The Bass Coast Shire Council advocacy list has a Phillip Island aquatic centre at the top – but in concert with a new Bass Coast aquatic centre in Wonthaggi. The council is seeking $79.3 million in state and federal funding to deliver both.

Instead the Liberal Party has announced more than half that amount for one pool and zero for the other.

MORE than 1000 people walked across the bridge from San Remo to Millowl (Phillip Island) yesterday in a monumental display of support for reconciliation by the Bass Coast community.
​
The walk was led by Traditional Owners and members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, followed by hundreds of school children and allies. 

By Catherine Watson
 
WHEN you note a cavalcade of senior politicians on the Bass Highway, you know we’re living in a very marginal electorate. And that’s good news for Bass Coast with the prospect of a political bidding war before the November state election.
 
With visits by the leaders of the Labor, Liberal and National parties in recent weeks, it’s clear that the seat of Bass is in the balance. 

By Catherine Watson
 
Bass Coast Shire Council has expressed shock at the Planning Minister’s decision to approve a massive expansion of a Grantville sand mine despite more than 70 objections.
 
Richard Wynne’s approval this week permits Dandy Premix to clear 13 hectares of vegetation in a Western Port Woodlands biolink for a new pit and to massively expand its current pit, including digging below the water table.
 
As part of the planning permit conditions, the company will be permitted to increase truck movements from 120 to 240 a day; to operate for longer hours – until 2am on weekdays and 10pm on Saturdays despite residents living within 300 metres of the site. ​

BASS Coast Health board director Mim Kershaw knew all the statistics about COVID 19 – but she really didn’t understand the impact until she caught it herself.

She had heard about the policies, the numbers, the strategy and the toll it has taken on the BCH team who have been front and centre for more than two years.
 
She heard the BCH team talk about how COVID can affect normally healthy people, but only realised the full impact when she suffered the COVID disease herself. ​