ABC News Geelong

07/09/2026

Two new Spirit of Tasmania vessels are set to launch in October, replacing Spirit I and II, which were launched nearly 25 years ago.

But there will be eight days during the changeover when no paying passenger ferry services will run between Tasmania and the mainland.

Ferry operator TT-Line also says it is discontinuing day sailings.

The Spirit of Tasmania ferry service between Tasmania and the mainland will take no paying passengers for a week in late October as new ships are tested.

04/09/2026

Authorities have revealed the deadly H-5 bird flu has now been detected in mammals in Victoria for the first time.

The animals are on the Surf Coast with a red fox found in Torquay confirmed to have the virus, while a dolphin found dead in Lorne is suspected to have contracted it.

So far there have been 212 birds infected in Victoria.

Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Cameron Bell says while the mammal detections are concerning, it's not unexpected.

"To date testing of samples from affected mammals in Australia has found no evidence that the virus has further adapted to allow it to more easily infect mammals so the virus is still mainly or primarily adapted to birds," he said.

03/09/2026

Op shops are feeling threatened as thrift company Savers expands its second-hand retail stores across Australia.

Savers opened its latest store, in Geelong, on August 27.

During its opening, people have driven hours to line up outside and enter the new retail store.

Read here: https://ab.co/4gGL1HG

31/08/2026

For generations, moving out meant finding your own place.

But rising house prices, tight rental markets and the cost-of-living crunch are prompting some to reconsider.

More: https://ab.co/4x1StmX

31/08/2026

Prisoners in Victorian jails would work on road maintenance as part of Labor's plan to fix the state's roads, if re-elected.

More: https://ab.co/4gs4soL

31/08/2026

A seal that washed up on Geelong's waterfront under Wangim Walk last Tuesday has tested negative to H5N1 bird flu.

Authorities took samples from the seal and had them tested at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness only a few kilometres away.

It comes after the first case of bird flu in a mammal was confirmed in a long-nose fur seal found at Beachport, on South Australia's south-east coast.

27/08/2026

A Victorian coroner has recommended the state's second supervised injecting centre could be set up in Geelong to address a spike in he**in-related deaths.

He said he**in overdose deaths in Geelong far eclipse any other regional area.

Read more: https://ab.co/3UqCgKi

27/08/2026

Do you know where this sculpture is?

Police say it was stolen from West Park near Pakington Street sometime between Sunday and Tuesday (Aug 23-25).

The sculpture is called Helping Hands and commemorates Thomas Ambrose Bowen, who developed the Bowen technique in Geelong in the 1950s.

The City of Greater Geelong says there has been an increase in the theft of brass plaques from public spaces.

It's been replacing brass fittings with cast aluminium or engraved stone, which are less attractive to thieves.

26/08/2026

Firefighters have extinguished a fire in a house on the corner of Myers and Yarra Streets in the Geelong C*D.

Traffic has been blocked nearby so probably best to avoid the area if you can.

20/08/2026

Prabin Gautam was travelling at 85 kilometres per hour on the Princes Freeway between Melbourne and Geelong when his electric vehicle suddenly slowed down and stopped moving.

When Mr Gautum eventually got hold of the company that sold him his XPeng EV, the news was not good.

It was a drive-motor problem.

Full story: https://ab.co/4grO1rm