Rain arrived at Cowes on Friday night as crowds gathered for MotoGP at the Thompson Avenue Mall, which had been closed to cars since Thursday. Earlier, the temperature was still 30 degrees, and visitors enjoyed drinks, food and live music. Local singer Imogen Price was performing when clouds gathered over the bay and showers and lightning sent people scattering before the Laing Brothers were due on stage. Within minutes the temperature fell 13 degrees, and the cooler weather became the new normal for the weekend.
Wildlife campaigners want kangaroo leather banned from motorcycle racing and will press their case at Phillip Island's final MotoGP this weekend. Advocacy groups Kangaroos Alive and LAV will campaign trackside and in Cowes on Saturday, marking World Kangaroo Day. They want leading manufacturers, including Alpinestars and Dainese, to switch to animal-free materials by 2027. The campaigners say synthetic suits pass the same safety tests. Adelaide hosts the event from 2027.
Cowes' Harmony Bells on Phillip Island remain silent, according to Bass Coast Shire Council, which says there are no plans to alter the installation or move the bells. Resident Darren Callesen questioned the decision at a recent council meeting, asking why the village's voice had been silenced and suggesting mallets be fitted or the bells relocated. Council CEO Greg Box responded on the council's behalf after consulting the artist, Dr Anton Hassell. The bells were stolen in 2021 but recovered by police before being shipped overseas.
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Bass Coast Shire Council has unanimously refused McDonald's a planning permit for a restaurant in Cowes, on Phillip Island. Councillors said the application was inconsistent with the local planning scheme, despite a recommendation from council officers to approve it. More than 5,800 people signed a petition opposing the plan, citing traffic concerns and the threat to small businesses. McDonald's can appeal the decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. McDonald's Australia has been contacted for comment.
Bass Coast Shire Council has unanimously rejected a $3.4 million McDonald's restaurant proposal in Cowes. The vote went against the recommendation of the council's own planning department. Councillors cited inconsistency with local planning policies, the site being zoned residential, and traffic and pedestrian safety near a primary school. Almost 1500 written submissions opposed the development, and many objectors attended the meeting. Councillor Ron Bauer said the council should be prepared to take the matter to the Supreme Court if necessary.
Doubts have emerged over whether Bass Coast Shire Council can properly adopt its annual report at its meeting on Wednesday, October 21. Council watcher Graham Jolly argued the statements must be included before adoption, rather than delegated to the chief executive. Councillors had proposed delegating the task to CEO Greg Box, who said the matter would be addressed later in the meeting.
Phillip Island Community Hospital has officially opened in Cowes, with patients already receiving some services that once required travel off the island. Dialysis and day surgery are now available locally, reducing travel for patients who previously had to leave the island several times a week. The hospital also offers diagnostic imaging, pathology and specialist outpatient appointments. A 24-hour Urgent Care Centre has expanded capacity, and a pain clinic will open soon. Oncology and chemotherapy services are expected to begin towards the end of this year or early next year.
Bass Coast Shire Council will decide on a planning application for a McDonald's restaurant in Cowes at its meeting on Wednesday, October 21. An officer's report recommends that the project go ahead. The recommended motion is to issue a notice of decision to grant a planning permit, subject to conditions. Councillors could still propose an amendment to refuse the application.
Residents in several Victorian and South Australian towns are fighting proposed McDonald's developments. Opponents raise concerns about health, traffic, family businesses and local identity. On Phillip Island, plans for a store near a primary school have drawn strong objections. McDonald's says the proposed Phillip Island outlet will create up to 120 jobs, though critics question this. A public health professor says the wider food environment and marketing shape diets. Victoria is considering a private members' bill that would let councils reject fast-food outlets on public health grounds.
Phillip Island businesses and residents are preparing to host the final MotoGP at the island's cliff-side track later this month. The race moves to Adelaide from 2027, and many locals say the loss has hit them emotionally and financially. Destination Phillip Island says more than $80 million in annual economic activity is linked to the World Superbikes and MotoGP. Tourism leaders say the island must develop new events, and candidates for the Bass seat at the November state election stressed tourism's importance.
Final preparations are underway for the last Phillip Island MotoGP, with the Cowes streetscape project nearing completion. The $9.6 million upgrade includes new plants, drainage, and decorative rocks. Local trader Rosa Scarlato expresses mixed emotions about the event's end but hopes for a successful final race. The event features three days of racing, live music, and scenic coastal views. The Bass Coast Shire Council reports most works are finished ahead of the October 23-25 event.
A five-bedroom home in Sunderland Bay, Phillip Island, offers coastal outlooks and is just a short walk from the beach. The property, at 3 Ozone Court, sits on an 847 square metre allotment and features multiple living zones, an open-plan kitchen, and expansive decks. It includes a private balcony adjoining the main bedroom, a separate shed, and generous outdoor entertaining areas. The home is suitable for permanent living, weekend escapes, or a holiday investment.
A diverse range of properties captured Australian homebuyers' attention in September, with listings spanning coastal retreats, suburban estates, and heritage restorations. Courtney Adamo's Byron Bay-inspired holiday home near Coffs Harbour topped the list, while a sprawling Perth residence and a Phillip Island property from The Block 2024 also drew significant interest. The late architect Iwan Iwanoff's distinctive family home in Perth's Floreat suburb was another standout. Victoria led the most-viewed properties, followed by New South Wales and Western Australia. With housing prices declining and borrowing capacity constrained, buyers appear to be seeking properties that combine character, space, and value.
