https://thegoldenplainsbrief.news/2026-08-09T06:10:13.641ZToday: Council commits extra funds to reopen Pollocksford Road Bridge, two policy items from the 28 July meeting, featured planning proposals at Bannockburn and Barunah Park, plus regional advocacy, school bushfire funding and weekend football.https://thegoldenplainsbrief.news/story/council-commits-extra-700-000-to-pollocksford-road-bridge-upgrade-7c6ebb83/2026-08-09T06:10:13.492Z

Golden Plains Shire has agreed to contribute an additional $700,000 towards the upgrade of Pollocksford Road Bridge at Gnawarre, following a vote at the 28 July council meeting reported by the Golden Plains Times. The bridge sits on the boundary with Surf Coast Shire, which manages the structure while Golden Plains contributes half the renewal and upgrade cost; revised tender costings lifted the total project cost to about $3 million on top of the $800,000 already allocated in the 2026/27 budget. Cr Des Phelan moved the motion, seconded by Cr Dom Cook, with the Times reporting the additional funds drawn from $410,000 in unspent capital allocations and $290,000 from federal Roads to Recovery funding. Cr Gavin Gamble was the sole vote against, arguing Council should delay and seek state election funding commitments.

https://thegoldenplainsbrief.news/story/feedback-open-on-draft-special-rate-and-charge-policy-until-31-august-ee028cbd/2026-08-09T06:10:13.492Z

Council says it is inviting residents to comment on a Draft Special Rate & Charge Policy, which would set out how property owners who directly benefit from new or upgraded infrastructure could contribute to its cost, with Council covering wider community benefit. The agenda for the 28 July meeting recommended endorsing the draft for consultation from 3 to 31 August 2026, along with a communications and engagement plan and community information sheet. Council notes the policy is not intended to fund maintenance activities such as road grading or drain maintenance, which are funded through general rates, and that a previous draft was not adopted in July 2024 after community feedback. Submissions close 5pm Monday 31 August 2026, with hard copy surveys available at the Bannockburn and Smythesdale customer hubs.

https://thegoldenplainsbrief.news/story/community-asset-policy-adopted-after-two-rounds-of-consultation-40164f74/2026-08-09T06:10:13.492Z

In a media release, Golden Plains Shire Council says it adopted the Community Asset Policy at its 28 July 2026 meeting, following two rounds of community consultation in March and April–May 2026. The policy covers approval processes, current and future cost implications, maintenance responsibilities, and public safety and amenity for community-owned assets installed on Council-owned or managed land, such as public art, memorials and other community infrastructure. Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said the policy provides clarity and consistency for community groups and volunteers. The adopted policy is published on Council's website.

https://thegoldenplainsbrief.news/story/featured-proposal-service-station-and-convenience-restaurants-at-201-geelong-road--273054ba/2026-08-09T06:10:13.492Z

A featured planning application lodged with Golden Plains Shire Council (reference P25021A) proposes the use and development of land at 201 Geelong Road, Bannockburn for convenience restaurants and a service station. The proposal also includes subdivision of the land into four lots, creation of a carriageway easement, business identification and illuminated signage, native vegetation removal, and access and subdivision adjacent to a road in a Transport Zone 2. PlanningAlerts records the application as found on the planning authority's website on 31 July 2026. This is a proposal only and no decision is recorded in the available evidence.

https://thegoldenplainsbrief.news/story/featured-proposal-exhibition-centre-at-barunah-park-d0a6bc2d/2026-08-09T06:10:13.492Z

An application lodged with Golden Plains Shire Council (reference VS26056) seeks use of land at 1620 Cressy-Shelford Road, Barunah Park as a place of assembly (exhibition centre), together with associated buildings and works, in the Farming Zone. PlanningAlerts records the application as found on the planning authority's website on 4 August 2026. The application is a proposal and no outcome is recorded in the available evidence.

https://thegoldenplainsbrief.news/story/g21-seeks-10-5m-for-river-trails-and-playspace-projects-6e730813/2026-08-09T06:10:13.492Z

The G21 Alliance has called for a $10.5 million state government investment in community outdoor spaces along the lower Moorabool and lower Barwon River corridors, the Golden Plains Times reports. The funding would support the Barwon River Loop Trail and the Moorabool River Reserve Playspace, both priorities under the Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut masterplan, a 10-year environmental and recreational strategy launched in February 2024. G21 members, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority gathered on the banks of the Moorabool River on Friday in support of the projects. Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey described the masterplan as a shared regional vision strengthening connections between people, place and Country.

https://thegoldenplainsbrief.news/story/linton-and-woady-yaloak-primary-schools-share-bushfire-safety-funding-c446a3f3/2026-08-09T06:10:13.492Z

Linton Primary School ($18,956) and Woady Yaloak Primary School ($22,129) are among about 330 schools across 344 campuses sharing in more than $8 million in state government vegetation clearance funding, the Golden Plains Times reports. The funding is for removing vegetation around school buildings and obtaining safety advice, with schools on the Bushfire at Risk Register also receiving two visits every three years from an accredited Bushfire Planning and Design expert and a Vegetation Management Plan. Premier Ben Carroll said it was never too early to prepare for bushfire season.

https://thegoldenplainsbrief.news/story/meredith-history-group-marks-decade-in-old-shire-hall-with-open-day-3b12ef9c/2026-08-09T06:10:13.492Z

The Meredith History Interest Group will hold an open day on Sunday 23 August to mark 10 years based at Meredith's old shire hall, the Golden Plains Times reports. The group, operating since 2008, holds about 3,650 records including maps, books and photographs, and assists with family history, property research and mining history around the district including Steiglitz. The open day runs from 10am to 3pm at 31 Staughton Street, Meredith.

https://thegoldenplainsbrief.news/story/meredith-newsletter-says-50th-year-could-be-its-last-without-a-new-editor-17d21d5d/2026-08-09T06:10:13.492Z

In the July edition of the Meredith & District News, chair and editor Jim Elvey writes that the newsletter's 50th year of publication may also be its last. He says the publication has advertising support, a capable committee and distribution arrangements for 1,000 copies each month, but efforts over the past 18 months to recruit a new editor have yielded no offers and he does not wish to continue beyond the end of this year. The committee is inviting expressions of interest and ideas, including for a suitable replacement, via news@meredithnews.com.au, and says some funding could support a new initiative.

https://thegoldenplainsbrief.news/story/bannockburn-accounts-for-inverleigh-at-victoria-park-f9eccdc6/2026-08-09T06:10:13.492Z

Bannockburn defeated Inverleigh 9.21.75 to 7.11.53 in the Geelong & District Football Netball League on Saturday 8 August at Victoria Park, Bannockburn, according to official league results. The match was listed for a 2:00pm start and is recorded as final.