Karting in Wollert?

The North Central Review

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July 24, 2018

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by Joshua Wells

THE Ultimate Karting Experience (TUKE) has had a ‘productive’ meeting with officers from the City of Whittlesea as the embattled organisation fights to keep its doors open past August.

While nothing is set in stone, Wollert could become the new home for a go kart facility after the council advised the owners land could become available.

TUKE owner Joseph Taormina recently revealed to the Whittlesea Review he would have to relocate his go kart track to another region if the shire could not provide a suitable site to move to.

“The meeting was productive. They wanted to chat about what we want to do and gave us a few places to look at,” Mr Taormina said.

“Wollert has a new precinct we can look at, there is a good property but we need investigative work… we have been here for a long time and want to stay.”

Mr Taormina said it would cost about $4 million to completely build a new track at a different site but costings are not a stumbling block for the TUKE.

After developers purchased TUKE’s South Morang block, the business was told to shut up shop by August – prompting the owners to begin a search for a new site.

City of Whittlesea Advocacy, Communications and Economic Development manager Sean McManus said the officers are working with TUKE as best they can.

“Council supports a wide range of businesses and can provide advice on appropriate locations for business relocations and help connect business owners with property owners and real estate agents,” he said.

“Ultimately it is up to the individual business to identify an appropriate site and to negotiate with a landowner to lease or purchase a site that is suitable to their needs and meets planning requirements.

“We have advised TUKE that industrial land does exist in Wollert and we understand the owner is investigating his options. We can also connect the owner to real estate agents and are happy to answer any questions he has about planning regulations and the like.”

In the money

The North Central Review

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July 24, 2018

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THE Pyalong Primary School playgroup now has a new facility thanks to a generous donation by the Kilmore and District Community Bank.

The bank’s representatives, Customer Relations Officer and Kate Boulton, Community Engagement and Marketing Officer visited the school last week to present a cheque for $3,400 to fund a storage unit to house the playgroup’s equipment.

Students, mums and school staff welcomed the visitors to celebrate the bank’s sponsorship that will ease the crowded conditions in the old school building that have been experienced since the Department of Education ‘repossessed’ a portable classroom that housed the playgroup and other school activities back in 2016.

“We are pleased to sponsor this important project for the school and to support the school community in its valuable work within Pyalong,” Ms Boulton said.

Super trains on the way

The North Central Review

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July 24, 2018

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SEVERAL railway bridges in Mitchell Shire will be either replaced or modified to make way for the arrival of the double stack container super trains that will run on the Inland Rail network.

The rail Bridge at Wandong and three bridges in Broadford at Hamilton and Short streets and on Marchbanks Road are impacted. There will also be infrastructure enhancements to the Hume Highway at Tallarook and to the Seymour-Avenel Road Bridge and Hume Highway at Seymour.

The double stacked freight trains will be 1.8 kilometres long and will carry double stacked containers from the Tottenham freight terminal in Melbourne to Albury and ultimately on to Brisbane.

There are around 60 sites in Victoria that will be either replaced or modified along the Inland Rail that is being constructed by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).

The ARTC is currently looking at options to provide the clearances required in Wandong and Broadford.

A spokesperson for the ARTC told the North Central Review that Tottenham to Albury section of the Inland Rail project is one of 13 projects that complete Inland Rail.

“This section of Inland Rail is planned along 305km of existing rail corridor from metropolitan Melbourne to the Victoria-NSW border at Albury-Wodonga. The project will see enhancements of existing structures and increased clearances along the rail corridor,” he said.

The ARTC is holding an information night at the Broadford Golf Club tomorrow (Wednesday, July 25) from 6pm to 8pm.
It is believed that ARTC staff have already spoken with impacted property owners in Wandong regarding the replacement of the existing bridge.

Project works include track lowering in over 20 places, potential road or pedestrian bridge modifications or replacements where the track can’t be lowered and signal structure modifications at around 20 sites.

To date the ARTC has undertaken preliminary field studies such as ecology and geotechnical studies to gain an understanding of the existing environmental features, technical challenges and opportunities.

ARTC shares the rail corridor with V/Line’s passenger operations, the Sydney-Melbourne XPT, and suburban trains closer to Melbourne.

Locally the Inland Rail project is currently at the feasibility and consultation stage. Construction is expected to commence on section of the project in Queensland this year with the double stack freight trains up and running by 2025.

Man allegedly travels 155km/h with child in the car

The North Central Review

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July 20, 2018

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Man allegedly travels 155km/h with child in the car

The State Highway Patrol is still patrolling on the region’s roads and have been able to take one more dangerous driver off the road.

The crew nabbed a 27-year-old after he was allegedly caught travelling at 155kph on the Hume Freeway, near Clonbinane, around 9.50am on Wednesday morning.

His wife and two-year-old child were also in the car.

The car was impounded and he was billed $1125 for towing and storage.

He is expected to be charged on summons and will be appearing at Seymour Magistrates Court at a later date.

Meanwhile, Wallan Police would like to speak with anyone who was travelling on the 12.52pm train from Southern Cross to Shepparton on Monday, June 18.

A man had become rowdy and disruptive on this train, arriving at Wallan, where he was spoken to by police.

Senior Constable Penni Clark would like to speak with anyone who witnessed the man’s behaviour.

She can be contacted on 5783 0400.

Man charged following Lancefield truck theft

The North Central Review

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July 19, 2018

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A 24-year-old Greenvale man has been charged following the theft of a truck and trailer from outside Lancefield Bakery Tuesday morning (July 17).

Hume Crime Investigation detectives charged the man with theft of a motor vehicle, driving dangerously while being pursued by police, failure to stop on police request, two counts of reckless conduct endangering serious injury, recklessly exposing a police officer to risk by driving, possession of methylamphetamine, possession of cannabis, possession of proceeds of crime, two counts of resisting police, possession of a controlled weapon, and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.

It is believed the white Isuzu truck was stolen via Kilmore-Lancefield Rd about 6.15am.

Witnesses sighted the vehicle driving erratically while travelling South on Melbourne-Lancefield Rd through Romsey township a short time after the theft.

The truck and trailer were seen in Seymour, leading the Victoria Police Air Wing and undercover officers to follow the driver to Essendon then Watergardens Shopping Centre in Taylors Lakes.

The man appeared at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

A 31-year-old Kyneton female was released pending further enquiries.

Police investigating Broadford car fire

News

The North Central Review

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July 18, 2018

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THE Mitchell Crime Investigation Unit is investigating a car fire that took place in Broadford yesterday morning, Tuesday, July 17.

Emergency services were called to Snodgrass Street following reports of a car on fire around 4.30am.

Investigators have determined the car was an outstanding stolen Holden Captiva and have deemed the fire as suspicious.

Broadford Urban Fire Brigade spokesman Jay Martin said the car was engulfed by flames when they arrived at the scene.

“At the scene, the car was fully involved in fire. We extinguished it and Seymour police arrived to check it out,” he said.

“Explosions could be heard, which is normal for a car fire with tyres and plastics popping.”

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police release images after Wallan servo hold up

The North Central Review

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July 18, 2018

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Police release images after Wallan servo hold up

MITCHELL Criminal Investigation Unit Detectives have released images of a man who they believe can assist with their investigation into an alleged armed robbery at Wallan on Tuesday, July 17.

The incident occurred about 4.45am when a man, wearing a scarf and hooded top and armed with a hunting knife, went to the Northern Highway, Wallan, service station and made demands for money.

An amount of money was handed over with the alleged person arriving and leaving the scene in a black Mercedes Benz sedan.

The four door Mercedes had tinted windows with the left front fog light not operating.

updated knife robbery — The car used in the incident.

The man is described as being Caucasian, with a medium build, approximately 172cm tall, wearing a white windcheater with black arms, a black hood and black track pants with two white stripes down the side.

Fortunately, the console operator was not physically injured in the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Senior Constable Ian Porter at Mitchell CIU on 5735 0216 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via website www.crimestoppers.vic.com.au

Trampolines fly as BOM issues wind warning

The North Central Review

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July 17, 2018

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Trampolines fly as BOM issues wind warning

TRAMPOLINES are flying and trees are falling, and it could still get worse later tonight.

In Riddells Creek, Ellen Mitchell had just completed a job for work on Station Street when she noticed a tree had been blown down by the strong gusts.

And then, as she was heading down the road, she found a trampoline on the road.

The destructive winds are reaching eye-watering speeds and Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) senior forecaster Richard Carlyon said the wind will only get stronger.

“The wind has been steadily increasing throughout the morning,” he said.

“We have had some very decent gusts through the north central region of Victoria… A Kilmore gust has recorded a speed of 87km/h… further south near Melbourne Airport there was one of 81km/h.

“We do expect them to keep increasing through the afternoon and the gusts may get to 100km/h with a cold front coming through tonight. We might not have seen the worst.”

A BOM warning has been issued for all residents across the north central region to remain careful.

Breaking: Wallan servo held up, truck stolen in Lancefield

The North Central Review

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July 17, 2018

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Breaking: Wallan servo held up, truck stolen in Lancefield

UPDATE: A truck has been stolen from Lancefield Bakery, heading towards Kilmore.

More to come.

EARLIER: Police are investigating an armed robbery at a Wallan service station this morning, Tuesday, July 17.

Victoria Police confirmed to the North Central Review investigators have been told a man armed with a knife entered the High Street premises about 4.50am before fleeing with an amount of cash.

No one was injured during the incident.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

School’s back in

Education

The North Central Review

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July 17, 2018

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THE first stage of the old Romsey Primary School site redevelopment has completed, with a community health centre and adjoining park almost ready to open to the public.

Cobaw Community Health and Romsey Ecotherapy Park (formerly the Greater Romsey All-Abilities Park committee) worked with Macedon Ranges Shire Council to transform the 150-year-old property, while funding also came from the federal and state governments.

The federal government provided nearly $1 million for the combined project, the state also chipped in with $733,000, council contributed $215,000 and Cobaw Community Health contributed $50,000.

The new community health centre will provide the full suite of Cobaw’s health and wellbeing services in early childhood, youth, families, adults, aged and disability.

With the opening of the Cobaw facility, residents in Romsey and Lancefield will no longer have to travel to Woodend or Kyneton.

The Romsey Ecotherapy Park is the result of a community-led initiative to build an inviting and accessible passive recreation open space for local people and visitors.

The design placed an emphasis on engaging people of all ages and abilities with nature to provide a unique sensory and therapeutic experience.

The active nature play space along the Main Street frontage of the site forms the first stage of the park and includes landscaped areas, seating, paths and nature-based play elements.

Romsey Ecotherapy Park president Raelene Mottram said this first stage is directed at the younger demographic while later stages will attract the wider community.

“At the moment, it’s what we call the active nature space and within that there are elements like a flying fox, climbing logs and a basket swing. All of these things are probably directed at a younger demographic but anyone can get on it,” she said.