50 years ago

 GLENELG Regional Committee leaders say they fear for the future of the Western District’s regional representation and planning. The committee may ask the Premier, Mr Hamer, to review plans for Town and Country Planning Board regional authorities, which are now forcing long-established regional committees out of existence. The planning board authorities will include municipal council representatives and will have power to set revenue-raising rates. Under the board scheme, Hamilton, Warrnambool and Portland and the south-western area are in a region with Geelong as its base. Glenelg committee secretary, Mr. Neville Baldy (Ararat City), says he is amazed Western District municipalities failed to protest over being placed in a Geelong-based region.