In the money

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April 24, 2018

ROMSEY Primary School is the big winner in the news that the Victorian Budget 2018/19 will invest $19.6 million across the Macedon Ranges towards building and upgrading schools.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas visited the Romsey Primary School to announce funding of $3.2 million for the Romsey Regeneration Project.

The project will investigate expanding Romsey Primary School from a P-6 to a P-9 and to upgrade and modernise facilities.

“At the moment students from Romsey must leave town to undertake their secondary education. Upgrading the school to year 9 would mean that local children will be able to commence their secondary education in familiar surrounds close to their homes,” Ms Thomas said.

“This is an incredibly exciting day for local students, families and teachers. The upgrades to Romsey’s facilities will make sure our hard working students and teachers have access to the best classrooms and the best facilities,” She added.

School principal, Loren Peavey, was ecstatic when she and her staff received the news from Ms Thomas of the $3.2 million funding – given that she was expecting an announcement of a $20,000 funding application.

“The funding will take our students and their studies into the 21st Century and deliver quality outcomes for their education,” Ms Peavey said.

Nearby, Riddells Creek Primary School will also share in the spoils with $2.2 million to upgrade and modernise facilities at the school.

$10 million was also announced for the Gisborne Primary School to upgrade and modernise facilities at the school including the demolition of the current, under-sized school gym, and replacing it with additional modern classrooms and a state of the art new competition grade gym.

“The massive budget boost to regional school funding will upgrade classrooms and school facilities across Victoria, helping teachers and giving more students the support they need to get the 21st century education they deserve and I look forward to seeing these upgrades being completed,” Ms Thomas said.

The Victorian School Building Authority will now start working with schools to determine the scope of their upgrades and how they can best be delivered.

Light it up

The North Central Review

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April 24, 2018

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By Joshua Wells

WHITTLESEA is one step closer to having the lights on Church Street upgraded with North Ward Councillor Tom Joseph set to move a motion to have $160,000 allocated to the township at tonight’s draft budget meeting.

The City of Whittlesea is meeting tonight to discuss the draft budget at council chambers where Cr Joseph confirmed to the Whittlesea Review he would move the motion.

NewsXpress owner and Whittlesea resident Robyn Ritchie said traders along Church Street were hoping the motion would pass tonight for the sake of their ‘unique’ community.
“New, upgraded lights would give us safety first and would allow people to cross the road at night and be seen,” she said.

“It would also allow for our junior staff to catch a bus home at night… we won’t have any young workers sitting at bus stops in the dark.

“If the motion doesn’t get passed, we would be severely disappointed because we want to see more consideration for the ‘uniqueness’ of our township.

“We are surrounded by the Green Wedge, we still have a country aspect to our town and we are very different to the rest of the municipality and these issues need to be considered.”

The lighting upgrade will see additional light poles placed between existing poles to increase the light levels.

A similar set up is being used in Laurimar.

Cr Joseph said lighting in the region was an ongoing issue and funding would be an important step forward.

“I will move a motion to have $160,000 in the budget to upgrade the lighting on Church Street, Whittlesea, and I hope to help increase security and help traders, in turn bringing a financial boost,” he said.

“It will give the town a facelift and will be a chance for community groups to utilise the street as well.

“This was one of the biggest concerns raised to me when I was campaigning to be elected onto council… I think what has happened, this is an issue ongoing for a number of years and previously council has failed to address this issue.”

Health of mums and bubs varies by where they live

Health

The North Central Review

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April 23, 2018

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Health of mums and bubs varies by where they live

THE health of Australia’s pregnant women and their babies has improved across a range of health indicators, with infant death rates and the rate of women smoking during pregnancy on the decline, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

The report, Child and Maternal Health, presents findings on four indicators measuring the health of babies and their mothers: infant and young child deaths, the rate of newborn babies who are of a low birthweight, mothers smoking during pregnancy, and mothers attending antenatal care services during the first trimester of their pregnancy.

The report shows that despite generally positive results across these indicators nationally, these positive trends are not seen equally across Australia’s 31 Primary Health Network (PHN) areas.

“For example, while nationally there has been a consistent decrease in the proportion of mothers smoking during pregnancy—falling from about 1 in 7 mothers in 2009 to 1 in 10 in 2015—rates in some PHN areas are nearly 18 times as high as in others,” AIHW spokesperson Anna O’Mahony said.

“The other indicators also varied, but to a lesser extent, with rates up to 3 times as high in some PHN areas”.

Northern Sydney PHN area (which includes the suburbs of Manly, Hornsby and Avalon) recorded the lowest rates for three of the four health indicators: low birthweight babies (4 per cent of all births), mothers smoking during pregnancy (1 per cent of mothers) and deaths among infant and young children (2 deaths per 1,000 live births).

In contrast, Northern Territory PHN area (which covers the whole of the Northern Territory) had the highest rates for two indicators low birthweight babies (8 per cent of births) and infant and child deaths (8 deaths per 1,000 live births).

The Western NSW PHN area (which includes the Bathurst, Dubbo, Broken Hill and Orange) had the highest rate of mothers smoking during pregnancy, with almost one in four mothers smoking at any time during pregnancy (23 per cent).

In general across all indicators, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies and those outside metropolitan areas recorded poorer results.

“For example, metropolitan areas had a rate of almost 4 infant and young child deaths per 1,000 births. The rate was around 1.4 times higher in regional areas with about 5 deaths per 1,000 births,” Ms O’Mahony said.

“While about 1 in 10 Australian mothers smoked during pregnancy overall, the rate was much higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers, of whom almost half (46.5 per cent) smoked at some point during their pregnancy.”

The AIHW reports on a range of topics relating to the health of mothers and their babies, but Ms O’Mahony noted that there is more to learn.

“This includes improving data on mothers” experiences with domestic violence, mental health issues, and alcohol consumption during pregnancy,” she said.

The AIHW will next month be releasing its first report on the health and wellbeing of teenage mothers and their babies.

Man arrested after allegedly causing Whittlesea crash

The North Central Review

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April 20, 2018

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Man arrested after allegedly causing Whittlesea crash

By Joshua Wells

A 32-year-old Nunawading man was arrested in Whittlesea this morning following an accident on April 8 along Plenty Road.

Police allege the man’s car had been erratically overtaking a number of other vehicles along the road, causing a couple to crash with one taken to hospital.

The man will front Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on September 12 charged with reckless conduct endangering life, driving in a manner dangerous, unsafe overtaking and leaving the scene of an accident without rendering assistance.

“Another car, which had been travelling along the same road, swerved to avoid a collision with the vehicle and subsequently crashed into a culvert,” a police report revealed.

The North Central Review understands the arrest relates to the same crash involving Whittlesea residents Tia Vandermeulan, 21, and her partner Adrian Ballinger, 24.

Ms Vandermeulan was transported to hospital with cuts and bruises and concerns over her lower back.

She said after the crash she felt lucky to be alive.

Active in business

The North Central Review

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April 17, 2018

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LOCAL business achievers have the chance to be recognised in the 2018 Bendigo Bank Macedon Ranges Business Excellence Awards.

Mayor, Cr Jennifer Anderson encouraged businesses of all types to enter the awards, which celebrate business excellence and innovation.

“It doesn’t matter if a business is large or small, home-based or not-for-profit, if you know a business or individual working in a business that deserves recognition, nominate them today,” she said.

Cr Anderson said council was pleased to once again partner with Bendigo for the awards, which focused on the many contributions local business makes to the community.

“The Macedon Ranges has a range of innovative and successful businesses that provide quality services and jobs that boost our local economy and deserve recognition,” she said.
Bendigo Bank, which has community bank branches in Lancefield and Romsey, is excited to be major sponsor of this year’s awards.

Andrew Towner of Braeside Mt Macedon Country Retreat, the 2017 Business of the Year, said taking part in the awards had been beneficial.

“I have found participation in the awards to be a worthwhile exercise as it has provided me with the opportunity to take time out from the busy day-to-day operations to take stock of our business and review the way forward,” he said.

The awards are open to all businesses based in the Macedon Ranges Shire and recognises outstanding service to the community and beyond in the categories of excellence in agribusiness, customer service, health and wellbeing, hospitality, new business, professional services, retail, tourism, trades, construction and manufacturing. There is also a not for profit/public sector award.

Meanwhile, the Romsey Region Business and Tourism Association (RRBATA) is holding its innaugural business dinner this week (Thursday, April 19).

The event to be held at Glen Erin, Lancefield will celebrate the exciting future for Romsey and the region. The dinner commences at 7pm.

Recently appointed Macedon Ranges Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Margot Stork, will be the keynote speaker.

Other presentations will look at local visionary projects such as the Romsey streetscape enhancement, the former Romsey Primary School site transformation and private initiatives such as the Mintaro restoration.

Members of the community are invited to join with RRBATA at Glen Erin for a two course meal and some inspiration to build on the region’s momentum.

Tickets are $50pp for RRBATA members and $55pp for non-members. Bookings: www.trybooking.com. Enquiries: Jenny Stillman Ph. 0412 349849 or email jennystillman@optusnet.com.au

Track sabotaged

Ian Blyth

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April 17, 2018

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track inspection — Investigating: Kilmore Racing staff and stewards inspect the track following the discovery of two steel stakes at the 400 metre mark. Photo: Racing.com

POLICE are currently investigating an alleged case of sabotage at the Kilmore racecourse after two metal star pickets were found driven into the turf on Thursday (April 12).

Stewards discovered the stakes during a routine inspection prior to the first race. The meeting was subsequently abandoned.

It is believed that the stakes were driven into the track on the Wednesday night prior to the meeting. The metal star pickets were found two metres off the running rail near the 400-metre mark, one of the highest traffic spots on the track.

The incident has created waves throughout the Kilmore racing community with all condemning the incident as a contemptable act of sabotage.

Kilmore Racing CEO, Ben Murphy, told the North Central Review that he was thankful that a catastrophe had been averted and horses and riders were safe.

“We are fortunate that Racing Victoria and the (Kilmore) Racing Club have processes in place to ensure the track is safe prior to any meeting,” Mr Murphy said.

“It is incomprehensible to think that an individual has done this to the track in what we can only assume is a deliberate act,” Mr Murphy said.

Kilmore trainer, Annie Goble, who had a horse in the first race, added her concerns.
“I find it disgusting that a person would sabotage a race meeting and put the lives of horses and riders at risk. It is unbelievable,” Ms Goble said.

She added that she hoped that Kilmore Racing and Racing Victoria would offer a substantial reward that would lead to police solving the case.

The racing public who attended the meeting were also upset the events that unfolded. Graham Laing and his wife, Pauline, who regularly attend Kilmore’s midweek meetings shared their concerns on the incident.

“We were here with our grandchildren and were both surprised and concerned when we heard what had happened. Kilmore is a lovely track and you don’t expect that sort of thing to happen here, or anywhere for that matter,” Mr Laing said.

Country Racing Victoria, Chief Executive Scott Whiteman, said that his organisation, like all racing participants, customers and supporters, is ‘sickened by the events’ surrounding the abandonment of Thursday’s races at Kilmore.

“We all know the risks involved in thoroughbred racing and the bravery required of our jockeys every time they saddle up to ride. It is incomprehensible that anyone would seek to endanger them or their mounts,” Mr Whiteman said.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be left anonymously.

Andrews must act

Roads & Transport

The North Central Review

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April 17, 2018

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Middle Gorge issue

LOCAL groups have combined to send a combined community letter to the Premier, Daniel Andrews, regarding the renaming of Marymede Station on the Mernda railway extension project.

As reported in last week’s Whittlesea Review the community has shown its strong disapproval for the new name of Middle Gorge and has decided to take the matter directly to Spring Street.

The letter co-signed by the South Morang and Mernda Rail Alliance, Friends of South Morang, Public Transport Users Association and Neil Johnson, Lost Mernda Historical Group and Dr Crystal Legacy, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning School of Design, University of Melbourne calls the premier to take action on the issue.

In their introduction the signatories noted that North Melbourne Station will soon be renamed West Melbourne Station to better reflect where it is located.

“It is in this spirit that we write to you, for when you alight at a station, that’s where you would expect to be,” the authors noted.

While praising the ‘exceptional progress’ being made on the construction of the Mernda railway extension project, the consortium made its concerns known over the re-naming of Marymede Rail Station to Middle Gorge.

“As you are aware, the choice of the name ‘Middle Gorge’ has caused major protest among the great majority of residents due to the fact that the location is several kilometres from the station.

The consortium has also expressed its concern that there was no community consultation about the name Middle Gorge.

“There have been many public information sessions and at not one of them has it been said that Marymede would be renamed. Even our member contacts on the Mernda Rail Community Reference Group have confirmed that no name change was discussed during any meetings,” South Morang and Mernda Rail Alliance spokesperson, Darren Peters said.

The consortium closed the letter with the wish that Mr Andrews can ‘come to the rescue’ and show the community that he is willing to listen.

The Whittlesea Review contacted the office of Member for Yan Yean, Danielle Green and was told that Marymede was only an ‘interim name’.

The office the Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio. Ms D’Ambrosio responded. “The naming of the train stations must follow particular protocols. They cannot be named after people or businesses as this could be seen as promotional,” she said.

“I am confident our community will understand and accept the rationale and will enjoy this fantastic new project.”

Paradise with Golf Course views

News

The North Central Review

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April 16, 2018

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8 Parkside Rise, Wallan

This is one of the most sought after properties in all of Wallan, with a courtyard location, a fully usable acre, a famous front garden and has views over the 11th fairway of the Hidden Valley Golf Course from the rear yard. The floor-plan is super flexible and could accommodate an extended family, with two ensuites and two WIRs, leading off two main bedrooms downstairs, one with a private living area, and two more good sized bedrooms upstairs and a further kids’ retreat or 5th bedroom. At the front door, you are greeted with a formal entry, a formal lounge with cathedral ceilings and wood heater. Step through to the Baltic Pine kitchen, which has a high quality Neff oven and Meile gas cooktops – fantastic for the entertainer.

There is enough space for a seperate living area adjoining the kitchen meals area as well. Car and boat accommodation is plentiful, with a two car garage for everyday use, and a further shed space to fit another 10 cars plus there is a concrete forecourt of a total of approx. 750 m2.

Inclusions:

Boat shed (11x 4.8m) 4.8 H
Workshop shed (18 x 7m)
22,500 L water tank
260 feet bore water
Sprinkler system (front back garden grass)
Cathedral ceilings
Wood fire heater in formal living area
Electric fire place in second living area / rumpus
Westinghouse Dishwasher
Surround sound speakers in ceiling
Spa bath upstairs
3 phase power in main garage
Split system cooling and heating in kitchen area
Gas ducted heating
Telephone point in garage
Grey water recycling system
Flood lights to front and rear of house
Rear storage area with roller door access
Bird aviary
Landscaped gardens
Large outdoor undercover entertainment area with water feature
12 car garage space
Enclosed dog / chicken house
Connected to Town water supply, gas and electricity

High stakes

The North Central Review

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April 13, 2018

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POLICE are currently investigating the placing of two star pickets on the turf at the Kilmore Racecourse on Thursday (April 12).

Stewards discovered the stakes during a routine inspection prior to the first race. The meeting was subsequently abandoned.

It is believed that the stakes were driven into the track on the Wednesday night prior to the meeting

The metal star pickets were found two metres off the running rail near the 400-metre mark.

The incident has become a police matter in what appears to be an alleged deliberate act.

The North Central Review print edition will contain a full report on the incident and an update on investigations on Tuesday, April 17.

Silence of the ramps

Ian Blyth

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April 10, 2018

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FUTURE development of Mitchell Shire towns in the Urban Growth Boundary are being compromised by inaction and broken promises that are seeing releases of residential land stalling due to lack of access infrastructure.

The towns of Beveridge and Wallan are carrying the brunt of the delays that are restricting the development of the existing communities.

With a large portion of projected growth in the Wallan and Beveridge areas, pressure needs to be put on government agencies to address the issue sooner rather than later. Of particular concern is the Watson Street and Hume Freeway Diamond Interchange in Wallan.

The project, which was first announced close to 18 years ago, includes the construction of southern ramps and upgrade of the existing interchange to the Hume Freeway into a full diamond interchange.

Land developers, businesses and local residents have been vocal on the construction of entry and exit raps on the south side of the Hume Freeway-Watson Street interchange urging that it would dramatically reduce congestion on the existing Northern Highway exit that is struggling to cope with increased traffic loads.

A panel hearing into amendment C96 to the Mitchell Planning Scheme back in 2014 provided an indication that construction and any relief to traffic congestion was in the distant future with comments by a VicRoads representative putting the construction of the ramps “within the next ten years”.

A stumbling point for funding for the construction is the increasing VicRoads reliance on funding for the construction works coming from developers.

While there is general agreement that developers should contribute to infrastructure such as public open spaces within a development, contributions towards projects that are essentially state infrastructure are seen as the responsibility of the government.

It is this sticking point that has in part contributed to delays in projects like the Watson Street interchange.

At that time Mitchell Shire Council also advised the panel that it did not support the VicRoads’ request for to introduce developer contributions towards the interchange ramps agreeing that the ramps were indeed state infrastructure.

The residential development at Wallara Waters is one development in the area that has experienced delays in land releases due to holdups in in approvals from authorities – in particular VicRoads.

A 2009 agreement between the developer, council and VicRoads required the preparation of a traffic impact assessment, after 553 residential lots had been constructed. This was to assess the potential works for construction of the south-oriented Hume Freeway ramps on Watson Street and other upgrade works.

However discussions between the parties appeared to stall mid 2017 with the traffic impact assessment and agreement on future road access works failing to gain consensus.

A dispute on the Wallara Waters project was scheduled to go to VCAT last December with the applicant seeking a review and a decision on the suitability of the traffic impact assessment that was holding up the release of some 70 residential lots that VicRoads, as the referral authority, was not giving approval.

In December an order from VCAT advised that the developer had withdrawn the application as the matter had been settled allowing the development to proceed with a revised traffic impact assessment provided.

Back in May 2017 there seemed to be some movement in Watson Street when the Member for Yan Yean, Danielle Green, announced $3.8 million to kick start road projects including the southern ramps at the Hume Freeway and Watson Street interchange and duplication of the Northern Highway from the Hume Freeway to Wallan Secondary College.

“These upgrades will improve access to the developing residential areas East of Wallan as well as Wallan train station, while also providing a vital alternative Hume Highway access point. Northern Highway duplication would significantly reduce traffic congestion, improve travel times and make it safer for drivers to access Wallan during peak periods,” Ms Green said at the time.

Minister for Public Transport and Major Projects Jacinta Allan was a little less committed. When the North Central Review asked her to provide details on the possible cost and progress on the Watson Street interchange, Ms Allan’s office responded with the obvious.

“The upgrade of the Watson Street interchange and southern ramps onto the Hume Freeway will relieve traffic congestion on the Northern Highway and provide alternative access to the Hume Freeway,” the response from Ms Allan’s office stated.

“This project along with the upgrade of Watson Street and duplication of the Northern Highway south of Watson Street are part of a package of works planned to help cater for the future growth of Wallan.” There was no response to our request for a timeline for works planned.

Mitchell Shire Mayor Cr Rhonda Sanderson said that cCouncil is advocating strongly for the Hume Freeway to connect with Watson Street through the construction of on and off ramps.

“We’re also calling for Watson Street and the Watson Street bridge to be duplicated, including a reconfiguration of the Watson Street Northern Highway intersection,” Cr Sanderson said.

These works are expected to cost approximately $80 million, with Council calling for $20 million immediately to design and start construction of the diamond interchange.
“Council is also calling on VicRoads to progress plans to investigate duplication of the Northern Highway at Wallan,” she added.

Meanwhile at the southern end of the Urban Growth Boundary, work is underway on the O’Herns Road upgrade with stage 2 of the project comprising a new diamond interchange at O’Herns Road and the Hume Freeway.

Despite being mooted several years after the Watson Street project, O’Herns Road has attracted federal and state government funding under the $3 billion Victorian Infrastructure Package. Completion is due in late 2019.