12496497-CG22-21
July 3, 2026
FREE DIGITAL EDITION
Ü¡
SIG N U P N O W!
Emerald Isle beckons for La’Moza
(Ivan Kemp) 562621_04
Lara’s La’Moza Velisha and her steed Pash are off to Ireland later this month to represent Australia in the FEI Eventing Under 25 World Championships. The 19-year-old equestrian is currently ranked second in the world among Young Rider Eventing athletes, but didn’t start riding until she was 12. Eventing, or event horse riding, is an equestrian triathlon that tests horse and rider across three disciplines: dressage (predetermined movements), cross-country and show jumping. La’Moza and Pash will make the journey to the Emerald Isle, but the trip is entirely self-funded. Factoring in accommodation, vehicle hire, training facilities, competition entries, veterinary support, insurance and travel costs, it adds up to a hefty sum. It is anticipated that the trip will cost more than $100,000. Read La’Moza’s story in Jena Carr’s Friday Feature on page 6.
Data discontent grows By Matt Hewson Local responses to news of the new data centre set to be constructed in Lovely Banks have ranged from concern over process to outright opposition. From Geelong council to the hundreds of residents who have signed a petition, community discontent has grown in the week since reports indicated Australian data centre operator NextDC had purchased 169 hectares in Lovely Banks previously earmarked for thousands of new homes. Last November premier Jacinta Allan announced she wanted Victoria to be “the data centre centre…the national leader in data centre investment”, along with a 5.5 million Sustainable Data Centre
Action Plan. Geelong councillor Andrew Katos said this week the Victorian government needed to release its strategy guiding such developments “as a matter of urgency”. “The City supports investment in data centre infrastructure, recognising its role in strengthening the region’s competitive advantage and attracting high-value industries just as our rail, port and airport infrastructure has done,” he said. “Data centres are significant pieces of infrastructure with long-term impacts on local communities, energy networks and surrounding land use. Decisions about where they are located cannot be made without a clear framework, genuine local input, and a coordinated approach to land use planning.”
He said the government needed to ensure local communities were partners in such decisions, “not spectators”. “The Victorian government must provide certainty to councils and communities by outlining where data centres are appropriate, including ensuring they are directed to suitable locations, and setting clear expectations for community engagement,” he said. “Communities have a right to be heard on developments that will shape their neighbourhoods for decades, and councils must have a seat at the table from the outset.” Local independent candidate for Western Victoria Aleta Moriarty has begun a petition calling for an immediate moratorium on new data centre approvals
Introducing Dr Mahwash Masood to our practice
in Western Victoria until regulations around such developments are legislated. “There is a serious lack of transparency surrounding these developments,” she said. “The Victorian government has created planning pathways that shortcut many of the normal approval processes, yet the due diligence underpinning these decisions remains hidden from the public. “None of the environmental or social assessments supporting the already approved Corio data centre appear to be currently publicly available, despite the site being located in a bushfi re risk zone. “Communities cannot have confidence in decisions when they cannot see the evidence on which they are based.”
Happy Dental 116 Shannon Ave, Geelong West VIC 3218 Ph: 03 5229 6668 www.happydental.com.au
Dr Neha Raman
Dr Sai Archana Marri
Please call or book online. 12812287-KF42-25