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MITCHELL Shire Council has had a major win in its quest to score a new train station in Beveridge, while also scoring in its quest to duplicate the Upfield Line further into the Shire.
This came after the release of Infrastructure Victoria’s 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy, in which recommendation 12 outlines how train infrastructure can be upgraded.
The recommendation outlines the “duplication of single-track sections of the Upfield line and upgrade power and signalling for more train services” and resolves to “build a new station at Beveridge on the Seymour line”.
A future option is also suggested to extend and electrify metropolitan trains to Clyde and to at least Kalkallo to improve access in new suburbs.
The report also highlighted the need for public transport, citing that Victorians may use the service less if there aren’t enough daily services to meet needs.
“Public transport, walking and cycling help ease traffic congestion and can sometimes be faster than driving. This is especially the case for inner city workers who catch public transport. But in some parts of Victoria people have few alternatives to driving. They also might be delayed by road repairs or construction of big transport projects,” it read.
“It can be hard for people to reach jobs in middle and outer suburbs, such as for people working in retail, hospitality, schools, hospitals and factories. People typically have fewer public transport services to reach these jobs. If people cannot or do not drive, some might struggle to get to work, services or education.
“Victorians might not make a trip at all if public transport has few services each day or if the fare is too high. Some people, including some women, young and older people, might not use public transport if they do not feel safe. Many Victorians can only use infrequent and indirect bus networks to get to jobs, services, education and recreation.”
After these projects were initially left out of the draft plan, the inclusion in the final report highlights a major win for Council, which has continued to lobby hard for a new station in Beveridge.
After outlining its policies to push for support ahead of next year’s state election at last month’s Council meeting, which included passionate discussion regarding the building of a train station in Beveridge, Mayor John Dougall said the recognition of these projects was a major win for Mitchell Shire and its residents.
“This is a really positive outcome for our community. The need for a train station at Beveridge and duplication of the Upfield Line has been central to our advocacy for years,” he said.
“Beveridge is one of the fastest growing areas in Victoria, and people moving here deserve access to reliable public transport. A local station will make a huge difference for families, workers and students who currently rely on driving to other suburbs just to catch a train.
“With the support of Infrastructure Victoria, we hope to see funding for this station committed at next year’s state election.
“The duplication of the Upfield Line will also help ease congestion, increase capacity and improve reliability across the northern corridor. Together, these projects will unlock better connections and create more opportunities for our region.”
Cr Dougall said the strategy showed that Infrastructure Victoria had listened to the needs of growing communities.
“We’re pleased to see Infrastructure Victoria recognise what our community has been saying – that growth areas need real investment in transport, health and education,” Cr Dougall said.
“This report highlights the need not only for better rail infrastructure, but also more buses, community facilities and planning for a future hospital in the outer north. These are the building blocks of a liveable, connected community.”
Mitchell Shire Council will continue to work with the Victorian Government to ensure these recommendations are translated into funded projects that deliver lasting benefits for residents.
THE Whittlesea community came together on Tuesday last week to honour those who served and sacrificed for their country, with a moving student-led Remembrance Day service held at Whittlesea Secondary College.
Originally planned to take place at the town’s Memorial Arch, the ceremony was moved indoors to the school due to wet weather, but that did not dampen the spirit of remembrance and respect that filled the room.
The event was led by Whittlesea Secondary College students, who guided proceedings with poise and reflection. They were joined by students from Whittlesea Primary School, who laid a wreath on behalf of their school, symbolising the gratitude of the next generation.
Residents, RSL members, councillors, parliamentary representatives, local schools, community groups and former soldiers attended the service, demonstrating the town’s enduring commitment to honouring Australia’s servicemen and women.
RSL president Raymond Long addressed the gathering, delivering a heartfelt speech that reminded everyone of the importance of remembrance and community spirit. He reflected on the sacrifices made by those who fought in wars and conflicts across the world, and on the continued service of veterans and active personnel today.
“The freedoms we enjoy today were secured by the bravery and sacrifice of those who came before us. It’s important that we continue to pass on their stories to ensure their memory lives on,” Mr Long said.
Wreaths were laid by local veterans, school students, councillors, and members of the community before attendees observed a solemn minute of silence to mark the moment the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War.
As the community stood united in silence, one message resonated clearly, Remembrance Day is not only about looking back, but also about recognising the ongoing contributions of those who continue to serve their country and communities.
Despite the rain forcing a change of venue, the Whittlesea service stood as a powerful reminder that remembrance lives strongest in the hearts of those who carry its message forward, the students and community of today.
THE Lancefield Gift was run and won on Saturday, with a host of new names adding themselves to the winners’ list in the Victorian Athletic League.
The main races saw both men’s and women’s Gifts contested across 400 metres, a unique structure, given many Gifts around Victoria are run over 120 metres.
However, this gave athletes the chance to test their wares around the surrounds of Lancefield Park.
The men’s 400 metres saw Will Adams add his name to event folklore with a sensational run in the final.
After winning his opening heat with a time of 48.706, Adams completely blitzed the field running off 22 metres in the final, dropping 1.2 seconds off his heat time to score victory in a time of 47.590.
Mitchell Mullens was second, sitting five tenths back with a 48.021, while Sean Davison scored third by the barest of margins, his 48.303 just one thousandth ahead of Lachlan Shanks in fourth (48.304).
The women’s 400 metre race was the race of the day, with an exciting finish wowing the crowd.
Ashleigh Palmer had delivered a big run in the heats to score what was clearly the fastest time of the afternoon in the heats, with her 54.805 over a second ahead of anyone else in the heats.
However, Palmer had to dig deep in the final to deliver victory, having to hold off a charging Grace Carter.
Palmer did enough, her 54.746 just enough to win by eight tenths from Carter, who dropped 1.6 seconds from her heat time to run a 54.829, while Lucy Zotti was third with a time of 55.270 seconds.
Other events around the Gift saw an exciting conclusion to both men’s and women’s 120 metre finals.
Jack Wolff was the winner of the men’s final by running the fastest time of the day when it mattered most, scoring a big victory by running 12.341, taking victory by just under a tenth of a second.
Joshua Lotsu finished second in an impressive run from 3.25m, 12.427, while Daniel Sammut finished third in a time of 12.470.
It was a similar story in the women’s race, with Charlotte Nielsen putting in a thrilling run to blitz the field in the final.
Running off 8.75m, Nielsen passed a large majority of the field and blew the competition away in the final stages to win with a superb time of 13.642, with Clea Clifford finishing second with a time of 13.803 and Georgia Mills finishing on the podium with a time of 13.909.
The 70m open saw Cooper Smith take victory in a very close call in the final, with his time of 7.742 just enough to win from Marcus Schafer, who was a gallant runner-up with a time of 7.770, highlighting just how close the competition was, Hamish Hopkins finished third, running 7.781.
Another thrilling race was the 120m over 35 final, with Luke Robertson just holding out the competition running off 14.75m, winning with a time of 13.352.
Mohamad Zeed was just one hundredth behind, running 13.362, while Leigh Bennett was third with a time of 13.470.
Joshua Sait had a terrific run in the 1600m open final, scoring victory by 1.7 seconds with a time of 4.21.038. Glenn McMillan was second, running 4.22.715, while Stefan Catalano was third, running 4.23.191.
Similarly, Kyle Hilson was unchallenged in the 800m open final, running 1.54.472 to blitz the field by 1.2 seconds. Robbie Petrie was second, running 1.55.691, while Adrian Bender finished third with a time of 1.57.046.
The 300m over 35 final saw Neale Gunning put in a good run, scoring victory with a time of 37.420, holding off Emma Zalcman in second (37.589) and Robert Mayston in third (37.894).
Finn Polkinghorne was the first winner in the junior categories, saluting in the under 14 competition with a time of 14.785, winning from Mia Brown in second (14.962) and Frankie Mayhew-Sharp in third (15.001).
The under 18 120m boys and girls finals were also run and won.
Perry Watson took the boys’ final with a time of 12.785, winning comfortably from Christian Pasquali (13.051) and Leo McMeel (13.076).
Mikala Shannon was a comfortable winner of the girls’ final, scoring in a time of 13.883, with Mia Hetherington second with a time of 14.071, while Abby McTernan ran 14.233 for third.
While McMeel scored a podium in the 120 metres, there was no such problem in the 400-metre final as he saluted with a time of 49.862. Mayhew-Sharp continued his impressive day by running second with 50.223, while Hetherington ran third with 51.647.
Athletes will now have a week off before reconvening for the Warrnambool and Terang Gifts on the weekend of November 29 and 30.
THERE was plenty of action across the Diamond Valley Cricket Association in a wild one-day weekend.
Mernda are up to second in the Money Shield competition after recording a terrific 34-run victory away from home at Eltham.
Batting first, Gareth Sharp’s 70 set the tone for the Demons, before Max Russell added to the work with 66 to ensure the Demons made 6/219 off their 40 overs.
While Eltham made a good start with the bat, Lachie Taylor and James Baker would slow the run rate sufficiently with a steady stream of wickets, with Taylor finishing with 3/31 and Baker 3/34 as the Panthers could only muster 9/185 in response.
Laurimar stayed in the race for Mash Shield finals with a much-needed six-wicket victory over Mill Park at Laurimar Town Park.
Joel Regan was dominant with the ball for the Power, taking 4/22 as Mill Park was restricted to 8/136, before Jonathon McAleer scored 55 and Noah Key 39 to help the Power take a straightforward victory, scoring 4/137.
South Morang had a tense one-wicket win over Lower Eltham at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
Batting first, three wickets each from Ricky Lee and Theiveekan Theivanesan helped roll Lower Eltham for 106, but in response, the Lions were 4/15.
Good batting from Lachlan Gatherer, who scored 21, and Seyon Uruththiran, who scored 22, helped get the Lions back on track, but a 24-run final wicket partnership between Benjamin Zychla, who scored 13, and Theivanesan, who was unbeaten on seven, helped get the Lions home in a tense finish.
Whittlesea’s first XI was no match for Banyule at Burkitt Oval.
Batting first, the Eagles were powerless to stop a constant stream of wickets, with Lathindu Kandage top scoring with 22 and Susipsara Dehigaspitiya scoring 21 as part of the Eagles’ 123.
While the Eagles got off to a dream start with the ball, taking two wickets before Banyule had even scored, the Bears soon settled and eventually chased down the target with five wickets to spare.
In the lower grades, Laurimar had a mixed weekend.
Its D grade team had a comfortable eight-wicket win against Mill Park, while the Power’s fourth XI also scored a strong 20-run win over Mernda, but there were close losses for their third XI, losing to Research Eltham by one run, while the fifth XI lost to Eltham by six wickets.
Mernda took two wins from its five over games, with B grade recording a very comfortable 10-wicket win over North Eltham, while the sixth XI scored an eight-wicket win over Greensborough. However, there were losses for Mernda’s third, fourth and fifth XI against Greensborough, Research Eltham Collegians and Laurimar respectively.
South Morang could only muster one victory from its five lower grade games, despite scoring well in many of its games, with the fifth XI saluting over Macleod by 34 runs.
Whittlesea’s second XI fell just 18 runs short of scoring a win over Panton Hill, its 129 not enough to overcome the Redbacks’ 5/147.
In the North Metro Women’s competitions, Laurimar Black and South Morang Blue fell short in the Lorraine Ireland competition.
Phoebe McKenna’s 35 and Kyra Rule’s 32 helped Laurimar set a competitive 4/116 from its 25 overs, but North Balwyn proved too strong in scoring 4/117 in response.
Bianca Addamo top-scored for South Morang with 24, but wickets fell around her as the Lions were rolled by Heidelberg for 96.
Despite Tahnee Pevitt putting in a good effort with the ball, taking 3/18, Heidelberg was too strong and took a four-wicket victory.
In the Heather Baillie competition, South Morang Maroon and Laurimar Teal took on one another in a blockbuster local meeting.
South Morang batted first, and thanks to 31 runs from Yashoda Jonnalagadda, was able to make 5/108 off its 30 overs.
Ann O’Gorman led the way with the ball for Laurimar, taking 2/3 off five overs.
The Power had a dip at chasing down the target, with Danielle Toull scoring 13 and O’Gorman making a late bid for victory with an unbeaten 15, but it was not quite enough as the Power fell four runs short, scoring 7/104.
Kylie Kreuzer-Pierce took 2/13 to lead the way for the Lions.
WORKS are beginning to build a roundabout on the Northern Highway and Epping-Kilmore Road in Kilmore to help meet the town’s growing population and the accommodation of heavy vehicles.
It’s a project that will be constructed over the next year, with a completion date slated for late 2026 depending on weather.
Motorists will be asked to respect the reduced speed limits and lane closures when required.
The new roundabout has been designed as a dual-lane roundabout, and will improve safety in four different ways, by improving the traffic flow, safer turning opportunities from Epping-Kilmore Road, drivers slowing down and improving visibility of the intersection with new lighting provided.
There will also be same native, non-native trees and vegetation removed, but landscaping will utilise local indigenous plant species during construction.
THE Macedon Ranges Shire Council is in damage control as they seek to appoint a new Mayor following Mayor Councillor Dom Bonanno’s revelation that he had been caught speeding and drink-driving in the Mayoral car in Gisborne.
Cr Bonanno has since said he will not seek reappointment to the mayoral position, taking personal leave for the next two weeks.
Cr Bonanno, in a media release, said he had a significant error in judgment.
“I need to tell the community that I have let myself, my family, the Council and my community down for a major lapse in judgement, which I take full responsibility for,” he said.
“On the evening of Friday 31 October 2025, I was caught speeding on McGeorge Road in Gisborne South, but worse, with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit, while driving the mayoral vehicle. I will be disqualified from driving for six months from the end of November.
“I appreciate that my family, fellow Councillors, Council staff and the community put their trust in me, which I have breached, of which I sincerely apologise.
“I can’t turn the clock back, but I will work each day to re-build this trust in me over the months and years ahead.
“I am very disappointed in myself, and I have given my all to be a good Councillor and Mayor and always listen and strongly represent our residents and broader community.
“I have returned the mayoral car, which was neither impounded or damaged during the incident.
“I have taken personal leave and will return on Tuesday, November 25 at 11am, which is the annual Council meeting to elect the Mayor. I will not be standing for re-election to this position.
“As I work through what is a difficult and challenging time for me and my family, I ask for your forgiveness and to please respect our privacy.”
Kilmore Police intercepted a grey 2004 Holden Commadore Station Wagon that was travelling North on Wandong-Epping Road in Wandong.
Police observed the male; and believed he was intoxicated.
The driver was taken back to Kilmore Police Station, for an evidentiary breath test which produced a result of 0.193.
The driver was served with a Notice of Immediate Driving Ban for 12 months and had his vehicle impounded at a cost of $1445.
Burglary: Clonbinane
At approximately 6am on November 6 unknown offender/s accessed a shed at Doctors Creek Rd, Clonbinane, stealing dirt bikes and various tools.
Theft from Motor Vehicle: Wallan
Between 7pm November 3, and 9am November 4, unknown offender/s damaged tyres and stole a medicine bag from a Mazda 3 parked at Hogan’s Hotel in Wallan.
Fatal accident: Puckapunyal
Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding a fatal crash in Puckapunyal on Friday, November 7 when a car crashed into a tree off Seymour-Tooborac Road.
The driver, a 45-year-old Junortoun woman, died at the scene. Two children who were passengers of the vehicle, were airlifted to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators have identified the driver of a B-double truck in the area at the time of the crash and he is assisting with enquiries.
NEWCOMER to the Don Dwyer stable, Oriental Dane got off to a flying start at her first run for the stable at the Yea picnic meeting on Saturday. Having only been in the stable a week, the 4 year old Sir Prancealot mare scored over 1300 metres lumping a 70kg impost.
Last start Healesville winner, Voriah had to be satisfied with a 2nd placing in the 0-55 rating contest, having only made the field on Friday afternoon after scratchings.
Dwyer’s evergreen galloper Pine Valley scored a narrow win over 2140 metres. The massive chestnut has had 21 starts for Dwyer for sux wins, eight seconds and three third placings. These Boots had to settle for a third placing, having won his first three starts for Dwyer.
Newcomer to the training ranks, Tim Eurell trained his first winner at Moe Racecourse on Sunday.
Having only held his trainers license since March, the son of leading trainer Greg Eurell has been based out of Seymour. Tim’s first win came with the promising gelding Taxing in a maiden 1600 metre event, winning by a comfortable 1.25 lengths with Thomas Stockdale aboard.
