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It was a sad day on Monday when the final milk tanker drove through the gates at Dennington's Fonterra factory. The last production run overseen by 70 staff was a far cry from the plant's glory days of about 800 workers during the 1970s.
Staff at the site, which has housed a milk factory for more than 100 years, will continue on until the end of the month. But for them, Dennington and the broader community, it is the end of a significant era.
The closure, like the demise of Warrnambool's 20th-century textile icons Fletcher Jones and the woollen mill, is a blow to the region's economy, jobs market and social fabric.
But the city didn't die when Fletcher Jones and the mill closed. Our economy diversified. Ironically it was the dairy industry which grew; tourism, health and meat processing also expanded.
Are renewable energy projects, wind, solar and hydrogen the future growth areas? Could fishing make a resurgence when the city's boating facilities are upgraded? The rise of nature-based tourism and the World Heritage Listing of Budj Bim are also expected to boost the economy.
Some other key developments this week play into the narrative.
Warrnambool's property market is surging. This week we revealed developers were looking to build 93 apartments on Mortlake Road in the city's north. Today we reported rural land prices are also roaring along after a $2million-plus auction at Woodford.
Throw in German retail giant Kaufland's announcement earlier this year that it is looking to open in the city's east, the $11m Reid Oval redevelopment and $20m city library project and the economy's future looks bright. Don't forget that all this comes after the city's car dealers invested more than $30 million in recent years. One door closes, another opens.
There's a lot to be optimistic about despite the other big news of the week - the acrimonious mayoral election that didn't paint the city in a good light. Councillors need to remember their actions can impact Warrnambool's standing and residents' confidence in their ability to manage the city's progress. Opportunity knocks.
Rebuilding the Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic is gathering pace. This week's launch of the 2020 event included the announcement of some exciting additions, especially the Sunday criterium races at Warrnambool's foreshore.
Cr Peter Hulin has long believed the city needs to get more bang for its buck from the classic and a cycling festival has been on his wish-list. The local organising committee headed by Shane Wilson is pedalling hard to lift the famous race's standing on the cycling calendar. Organisers are on the right track. Photographer Anthony Brady captured the above image of national criterium champ Brenton Jones, who was in Warrnambool for the launch.
Thanks again to all those who entered last week's giveaway for Port Fairy Show tickets. The winners were: Louise Parlour, Adam Jones, Kristy Cram, John Meade and Jay Stuart.
This week we are giving away free tickets to the Spirit of the Rolling Stones concert featuring Tumbling Dice and Stone La Femme! at Warrnambool's Wannon Rooms next Saturday (November 9). For your chance to win one of five double passes, click here. Entries close Tuesday.
Here's a selection of stories that made headlines this week.
Until next week