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Crime rise concerns

The North Central Review
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Crime rise concerns

by Jackson Russell

A ROMSEY business owner is growing frustrated after a spate of break-ins in the area.
Thieves made off with chainsaws, nail guns and other tools during two break-ins four weeks apart.

Romsey Hardware owner Nick Waldhauser said the offenders broke through the front door the first time, stealing chainsaws and other tools before cutting through the back door with an angle grinder weeks later to steal nail guns and other tools.

“The same day after they had broken in and stolen stuff, they came back a couple hours later and had another crack at it,” he said.

“It’s across the board, it’s not really just commercial or just power tools. There’s been a car stolen. The crime rate has just gone through the roof at the moment.”

A Victoria Police spokesperson said there has been an increase in family-violence related crime, motor vehicle thefts and burglary offences.

“While police will continue to work hard to deter this crime and hold offenders to account, it is a timely reminder to the community to be vigilant with home and vehicle security,” the spokesperson said.

Neither Romsey nor Lancefield are 24-hour stations, leaving the towns open to crime in the small hours of the morning and the nearest 24-hour station is in Kyneton, around half an hour away.

Victoria Police said it is constantly reviewing police numbers, offences and peak times when police are required in order to keep the community safe.

“We know it is more effective to have our members mobile – investigating and attending scenes of crime rather than sitting behind a desk at a police station,” a spokesperson said.

“Local police are confident they are providing an effective policing response to the community, supported by specialist units that work across the wider Macedon Ranges Police Service Area and Bendigo Division.

“Despite these recent short term increases in some crime categories, the workload data shows no demonstrated demand for Romsey or Lancefield to operate as a 24 hour station, however this is continually reviewed.”

Statistics released recently show crime in the Macedon Ranges has fallen but residents and businesses in Romsey and Lancefield aren’t convinced.

The statistics from the independent Crime Statistics Agency said the crime rate in Macedon Ranges Shire decreased 7.3 per cent to June 30, 2018 while burglaries and break-ins have declined by 9.6 per cent.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas welcomed the latest statistics but also said more work needs to be done to continue to drive crime down further.

“Our unprecedented investment in Victoria Police, is making a real difference, with the crime rate continuing to fall across the state as more frontline police hit the streets,” she said.

“Decisions about the staffing of stations and allocation of police resources across the state are appropriately made by police command”.

More funding for Wallan projects

The North Central Review
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More funding for Wallan projects

AN innovative $2.17 million relocatable Early Learning Centre in Wallan East on the corner of Wallara Waters Boulevard and South Station Street is one of a raft of projects announced last week.

The centre will consist of three kindergarten rooms for 33 children, two maternal child health consulting rooms, administration area, amenities, carpark and outdoor play spaces. The Early Learning Centre will support families living and moving into that growing community.

In announcing the funding, Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the relocatable centre was part of a program that would see similar facilities placed in areas of rapid population growth.

“The concept enables services to be delivered to families in growing areas much earlier than waiting for a permanent centre to be built,” Ms Symes said.
More than $3.1 million will be spent across Mitchell Shire with funding provided by the Growing Suburbs Fund.

Speaking at the announcement, Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green said the Growing Suburbs Fund provided communities like Mitchell Shire with assets and infrastructure that benefited residents.

“By investing in Mitchell Shire areas through the Growing Suburbs Fund. The new investments in Wallan will provide important services and wellbeing opportunities for the area,” Ms Green said.

In addition to the Early Learning Centre, $645,789 has been provided to establish a Wallan Youth Services Hub to deliver and facilitate the co-location of best-practice youth mental health and wellbeing services, the former council kindergarten building in Wellington Street will be refurbished to house the Hub.

Ms Symes praised Mitchell Shire Youth Mayor Lachlan Mathews-Gunn for his advocacy for the youth hub.

“Lachlan has lobbied council and members of parliament for a youth hub to be established in the area to ensure there is help available locally so young people can access vital services close to home,” she said.

A further $175,000 will be spent on play spaces at Danaher Reserve and Botanical Avenue Reserves in Wallan, including half-court basketball areas, sitting and picnics amenities, pathway improvements and landscaping.

Both Hadfield Park in Wallan and Hudson Park in Kilmore will benefit from $142,301 to install outdoor exercise stations including steppers, cycling, chest press, leg press, rubber matting surfaces, extra seating and pathway improvements.

The play spaces and outdoor equipment will provide opportunities for local families to be more active and stay healthy.

The projects will be delivered by Mitchell Shire Council which has also contributed financially. The works will commence in 2019.

Whittlesea inspiring women

The North Central Review
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Whittlesea inspiring women

WOMEN and girls living through the City of Whittlesea are being urged to share their stories in an attempt to get people talking.

The aim of the initiative is to help participants gain more confidence to take health into their own hands as outside factors continue to influence people’s lives.

The City of Whittlesea is inviting local women and girls to share their favourite ways to get active for an upcoming campaign Whittlesea Girls Can.

Inspired by the “This Girl Can” campaign in the UK, and recently in Victoria by VicHealth, the Whittlesea Girls Can campaign aims to motivate women to get active.

Mayor Kris Pavlidis said Whittlesea Girls Can will feature positive images and stories of local active women – regardless of their background, ability, age or body shape.

“We’re banding together to celebrate the stories and experiences of all kinds of local women and girls, so we can continue to break down mainstream stereotypes around what active or sporty bodies look like and give others the confidence to take health into their own hands,” she said.

“If you feel that your story will give other women and girls the confidence to get out and have a go, we would love to hear from you.”

Recently, health organisations have been trying to get women back into physical activity.
VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said the campaign is achieving its goal of empowering women to smash their fears of judgement and intimidation holding them back from being active.
“Before the campaign, our research showed more than half of Victorian women were worried about being judged while exercising – for 41 per cent this fear of embarrassment was so bad it stopped them from getting out and active,” Ms Rechter said.

“We’ve heard incredible stories from women who would only exercise at night because they felt too embarrassed to go out during the day; women who’ve been heckled while on their bikes or at the gym, who now stare down their inner and actual critics and get active anyway.

“We want all women – no matter how sweaty they get, how red their face is or how good they are – to feel comfortable about getting out there and giving physical activity a go. That’s what This Girl Can – Victoria is all about.”

To share your story visit whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Sports boost

The North Central Review
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Sports boost

FOUR Macedon Ranges sports clubs are set to share in over $9000 of grant funding in the first round of the state government’s Sporting Club Grants Program.

Gisborne Soccer Club, Woodend Hesket Football Netball Club, Riddells Creek Junior Mixed Basketball Association (RCJMBA) and Hanging Rock Cricket Club are among 512 clubs across Victoria to share in $815,000 to boost their equipment, skills and administration.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas announced that clubs were recipients of the grants that provide up to $1,000 for new uniforms and equipment, up to $2,000 for training coaches, officials and volunteers, and up to $5,000 to improve operational effectiveness.

Gisborne Soccer Club, who was successful in their bid for two grants, will purchase new equipment and a first aid kit and implement a strategic planning to help increase participation.

Woodend Hesket Football Netball Club will use its grant to develop and improve the skills of committee members and club administrators, to help maximise the potential of the club to increase participation in low participation groups.

RCJMBA will use their grant to purchase new jerseys to be used for various age groups throughout the season.

Hanging Rock Cricket Club will use its grant to purchase new one day shirts for their senior men, junior and Under 15 female teams.

The Sporting Club Grants Program is part of the government’s commitment to make sport more accessible and inclusive, increase local participation, stimulate local economies, and build sustainable sport and recreation and volunteer opportunities.

The commitment builds on the state government’s investments in community sport, including more than $4 million to upgrade the Macedon electorate’s grassroots facilities.

Ms Thomas said sport is an integral part of the Macedon Ranges and these grants will increase participation and help more people play the sports they love.

“The state government continues to invest in Macedon Ranges sport and recreation, working hard to encourage and enable people from across our region to embrace a more active and healthy lifestyle.”

Romsey education up for discussion

The North Central Review
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Romsey education up for discussion

THE ROMSEY community will soon be able to have its say on the future of education in the town.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas announced Wednesday that community consultation on the possible expansion of Romsey Primary School to Year 9 will begin in the coming weeks.

The expansion would make up part of the state government’s $3.2 million investment into Romsey through the Romsey Regeneration Project.

The community consultation will give those living in the area the chance to voice what is most important to them.

The consultation period will run from October 8-22 and includes a community drop in session and online portal where families and residents can have their say.

Feedback from the community will help architects deliver and shape future works at the school and also inform government on long-term secondary provision needs in the area.

Community members can visit engage.vic.gov.au/romsey-school-project or attend the community drop-in sessions at the school from 2pm to 3.30pm or 7pm to 8.30pm on Wednesday, October 10.

Romsey Primary School principal Loren Peavey said it’s important for the community to be totally involved.

“We want the community totally involved and we’re provisioning for what the area needs,” she said.

“The more voices that are heard and more people that participate, means we know what people are saying and what they need and that’s going to be married with data on growth in the area.

“It’s still at a stage where we work out what provisioning looks like for the next 15 or 20 years.”

Ms Thomas said she invited Romsey families to get involved and help shape the future of education in Romsey.

“I know Romsey families are concerned that their kids have to leave town to go to high school, that’s why the state government is investing $3.2 million in the Romsey Regeneration Project.”

“This investment will provide the state-of-the-art facilities our students need for science and technology, as we also consult with the community on expanding the school to Year 9.”

Get into voice for Christmas

The North Central Review
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Get into voice for Christmas

WITH just three months until Christmas the community carols choir is warming up its vocal cords for the annual Carols by Candlelight.

The community carols choir is looking for singers to start rehearsing for the area’s major carols event.

Mayor Kris Pavlidis said anyone who likes to sing can join the choir.

“The community choir brings together signers of all ages and backgrounds, from as young as six years old to 80 years young,” Cr Pavlidis said.

“The choir is a great way to meet new people, make friends and have a fantastic time. You only need to be able to hold a tune, enjoy singing, and love Christmas to join the choir.”

Rehearsals begin on October 8 at 7pm in the Fountain View room at council offices, 25 Ferres Blvd, South Morang.

The choir will perform at the City of Whittlesea’s annual Carols by Candlelight which will be held on the terrace lawns at the council offices on Friday, December 14 from 7pm.

To apply to be a member of the Community Carols Choir visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/events

Challenges in the north

The North Central Review
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Challenges in the north

AROUND 40 local business and community leaders joined Member for Yan Yean, Danielle Green, and the Treasurer, Tim Pallas at a business lunch that focussed on issues and achievements in Melbourne’s north.

Mr Pallas addressed the group outlining plans for meeting needs for infrastructure growth in the interface councils of Whittlesea, Mitchell and Hume.

The treasurer outlined the ambitious rail loop promise and the North East Link stating that both were integral to the continuing development of the area.

“The Victorian economy is the fastest growing economy in the nation. We see it creating more jobs than anywhere else with the biggest infrastructure program ever,” Mr Pallas said.

While presentations to the treasurer were planned to be delivered by Cr Lawrie Cox and Whittlesea CEO Simon Overland and the mayors of the other councils represented – the opening section of the program ran over and these had to be cancelled.

This unfortunately was a valuable opportunity for the community to provide feedback to Spring Street on exactly what was needed in a developing municipality, lost.

The presentations were to include in depth outlines on growth and infrastructure requirements in the North including, infrastructure priorities, growth management strategies, business strategies and how there could be supported by the state government.

One issue raised during the question session while the treasurer was in attendance was the lack of connectivity in the new and emerging communities with road links very much in the spotlight.

“We have real issues on Epping road and the O’Herns road project – the delays in the way this project is progressing is making it very difficult for motorists using the era and it is only going to get worse,” one questioner stated.

Environmental approvals we cited as a reason for the delays and mid 2020 was given as the estimated completion of the project.

“One thing we do need in the future and I acknowledge this, is a more mature relationship with councils and developers,” Mr Pallas said as he closed his section of the meeting.

Upgrades for notorious road

The North Central Review
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Upgrades for notorious road

A TROUBLESOME section of Lancefield-Kilmore Road is among a number of roads that will be fixed as part of a roads blitz by new country roads body Regional Roads Victoria.

The blitz is the first project from the new, dedicated country roads body that will oversee more than $54 million of improvement works across the region’s 3800km road network.

As the weather warms up, the deteriorated 1.2km section of Kilmore-Lancefield Road near Lancemore Hill will be fixed thanks to a $1.9 million upgrade to improve road surface on the busy connection to jobs and schools.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said these works are only the beginning of improvements to regional roads.

“I share the frustrations of motorists who rely on this stretch of road after federal government bureaucracy stalled the works,” she said.

“As a major thoroughfare between Lancefield and Kilmore, the state government is getting on with delivering these vital improvements for the residents of these two towns.”

Other key connections will also be improved with surface improvement works on Aitken and Robertson Streets in Gisborne and Main Street in Romsey.

The works add to significant investment in Central Victorian roads with upgrades ahead for Barry and Main Street intersection and crossings in Lancefield, Riddles Creek and Romsey.

As the weather warms, crews will be out in force completing upgrade works on the roads that local communities and industries rely on every day, as part of the record $333 million state-wide maintenance package.

More than 376 kilometres of road will be repaired, rebuilt of resurfaced, improving the quality of the regional road network that services the regions’ growing tourism and freight industries.

Victorians will now be able to find out what works are underway or planned across the state via the new website – regionalroads.vic.gov.au – or through the new, dedicated, Ballarat-based call centre 133 RRV (778).

For the first time, the community can view and keep track of the annual program of maintenance works and projects thanks to a new interactive state-wide map.

“We’re making sure regional Victorians have safer, smoother roads to connect them with families, friends and jobs,” Ms Thomas added.

“The massive program of works is just the beginning – we’ll have more to say about road rebuilds, resurfacing and further upgrades as the maintenance season ramps up.”

Member for Euroa Steph Ryan said country roads need to be maintained all year round.

“If the state government was serious about fixing Kilmore’s roads, it would take urgent action to fix the intersection of Kilmore-Lancefield Rd and Conway St where thousands of students attend school each day,” Ms Ryan said.

Timely gift

The North Central Review
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Timely gift

THE bland stonework of the Mill Street Mall is to be given new life with the gift of a Kilmore town clock by the Southern Mitchell Rotary Club.

The club has come up with a proposal to install a heritage theme pole clock in Mill Street and this was met with considerable enthusiasm at the September meeting of Mitchell Shire Council.

Cr Annie Goble moved a motion at the meeting tat council accepts the Rotary Club’s offer and that the clock be the proposed 4.7 metre model and not the smaller three metre model as recommended by council officers.

“The clock will make a bold statement in the town centre and that would be greatly lessened if the smaller version was accepted by us,” Cr Goble said.

Cr Fiona Stevens agreed in seconding the motion.

“It’s a very big clock and it will add considerable community interest to this space,” she said.

“The Kilmore Heritage committee has given it a tick of approval and, importantly, the design matches the existing lamp bases on Kilmore’s heritage street lamps,” Cr Bob Humm added.

Following the meeting, Rotary president, Ian Dempsey said that he was pleased with council’s decision to accept the club’s offer.

“The Clock is a gift to the people of Kilmore, and we look forward to continuing discussions with council to bring the Mill Street clock to reality,” Mr Dempsey said.

The clock will be funded through the Rotary Club’s community asset program. This Program is dedicated to delivering enhancement projects for Mitchell townships, improved community amenity with many project that compliment council’s capital works program.

Community asset program co-ordinator, Gordon Hastie, said that it was the intention of Rotary to gift clocks to towns within the Southern Mitchell Rotary Club’s catchment.

The clock will be designed and manufactured for Rotary in the USA by Verdin Design Group and will include a header that reads ‘Kilmore Est.1843’. The clock face measures 1.13m.

Wallan reserves unsuccessful

The North Central Review
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Wallan reserves unsuccessful

by Jackson Russell

THE Wallan Magpies reserves were the last shot at premiership glory for a club that’s been near the top of the league in just about every grade of the RDFNL this season.

Unfortunately, they were unable to bring silverware home to Greenhill Reserve, going down to Diggers Rest by 31 points in their grand final on Sunday.

It was a tight contest throughout, with just three goals kicked between the two sides in the first half.

Diggers drew first blood with a goal inside the first minute. It would take the Magpies 12 minutes to respond, with a goal from Matthew Traynor to bring Wallan to within two points at quarter time.

The Burras would kick the only goal of the second term at the 16 minute mark, while keeping Wallan scoreless to take an 11-point lead into the long break.

Diggers Rest was able to continue its momentum into the third quarter, with goals at the five and 10 minute marks before Wallan got back on the scoreboard with a goal to Brenton Hanson at the third quarter siren bring the Magpies to within three goals at the final change.

Facing an 18-point deficit, the Magpies weren’t out of the game just yet, but goals to Diggers Rest at the three and 13 minute marks sealed the premiership for the Burras.

Wallan coach Matt Bell said his team was simply outplayed on the day.

“To be honest, we were pretty ordinary all day. We were outplayed by a better, more disciplined side and we didn’t bring our best on the day,” he said.

“The only positive was our back six. they worked well all day as they have all year. Without them, the scoreboard could’ve looked a lot worse than it did.

“We needed 22 players but there were only five or six who could’ve walked off the ground and say they gave it their all.

“The whole season is still a positive. To make a grand final is a big achievement, that’s two years in a row now. Hopefully next year we can go again, we’ve got the under 19s coming up and hopefully we can make that next step.”

RDFNL Reserves Grand Final

Wallan 2.1.13 defeated by Diggers Rest 6.8.44

WALLAN

Goal Kickers: B. Hanson, M. Traynor
Best Players: B. Hanson, L. Lucas, M. Traynor, J. Wright, J. Morris, J. Ruth

DIGGERS REST

Goal Kickers: C. Thompson 2, S. Sims, M. Lawton, R. Peters, D. Hannan
Best Players: C. Thompson, J. Heritage, S. Fogarty, J. Rowan, K. Marsh, J. Ryan

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