Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey has joined the “long wait” at the Bannockburn bus stop, drawing attention to the ongoing challenges residents face due to the town’s limited bus services.
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) are inviting residents to share their experiences with local buses as part of the Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula and Bannockburn Bus Network Review, which lists Bannockburn as the sole township in Golden Plains Shire.
Council is using the Bus Network Review to advocate for significantly improved public transport connections between Bannockburn and central Geelong. With only four weekday services currently running from Bannockburn to Geelong — and even fewer options on weekends — Council is calling for a substantial boost to service frequency. The proposal includes hourly buses during peak times from 7am, services every two hours during off‑peak periods, and an expanded weekend timetable to better support the growing needs of the community.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said limited bus services make it difficult for residents, particularly families facing financial constraints, older residents, young parents and people with disabilities to reach essential services.
At the moment, residents are having to rely on their cars just to get to work, access education and training opportunities, see loved ones or even enjoy a simple shopping trip in Geelong — and that dependence can put real strain on households under financial pressure.
Our ageing residents deserve to stay independent and connected, yet without adequate bus services many are effectively cut off from essential health care and community life. That’s simply not good enough for a growing regional community.
And if people can’t move around easily, it becomes harder for small towns to attract workers, tourists and new families. As highlighted in our Growing Places Strategy, there is a clear need, a clear desire and a clear opportunity for more diverse, accessible and sustainable transport options across the Shire.
Council encourages residents to have their say on the Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula and Bannockburn Bus Network Review by visiting https://engage.vic.gov.au/Geelong-bus.
For further information, contact Council’s Communications & Engagement team at [email protected] or call 5220 7111.