WHILE the Inland Rail project has been shuttered off from the New South Wales town of Parkes onwards in a dramatic Federal Government announcement on Wednesday, Inland Rail has confirmed that there will be no effect to local construction, including the Beveridge Intermodal Precinct, and recent works in Broadford and Wandong.
Inland Rail confirmed that the project will continue as normal in a media release on Thursday.
“Inland Rail has been focusing our construction activities on the Beveridge to Parkes section of the project since a staged approach to delivery was recommended by the independent review into Inland Rail in April 2023 and has made substantial progress towards delivery,” they said.
“The Government also confirmed that it is focused on working with the Queensland and New South Wales Governments to preserve the rail corridor north of Parkes. We are working through the details of this currently with the Federal Government.
“This hugely important work will be led by our new permanently appointed Chair of the Board, Dr Collette Burke, and by our incoming Chief Executive Officer Dr Sean Sweeney, who will begin with Inland Rail on 1 July 2026.”
Inland Rail’s Brent Hooley confirmed the works specific to the local area will continue as normal.
“The Beveridge to Albury project is part of approved works and will continue as planned,” he said.
The confirmation of Beveridge remaining unchanged was also confirmed by a National Intermodal spokesperson.
“The announcement regarding Inland Rail reinforces the importance of Beveridge as a long‑term, world‑class intermodal precinct. National Intermodal’s delivery of this project remains unchanged, with Stage 1 construction underway and progressing as planned,” they said.
“The Australian Government has confirmed its focus on the existing freight network, continuing the Inland Rail project to Parkes while preserving the long‑term corridor and future intermodal terminal opportunities in Queensland.
“Planning will continue in key locations, including Parkes and south‑east Queensland, to ensure future options remain open, alongside targeted investment in upgrades to the existing rail network.
“National Intermodal continues to play an important role in supporting Australia’s supply chain resilience.”
The funding for the $45 billion project was axed on Wednesday and will stop at the central New South Wales town to connect freight from Melbourne to Perth.
The construction between Beveridge and Parkes will still be due to be completed by the end of next year, where $1.75 billion has been re-allocated to the project, allowing double-stacked freight trains to travel.
The news that the Beveridge Intermodal Precinct will continue as normal will be a relief to local employment as it powers on through the first stage for a mid-2028 opening, where 70 per cent of 17,000 slated jobs could be filled by workers from the Mitchell Shire and City of Whittlesea areas.
The project will be the first terminal in Melbourne to receive and service double-stacked Inland Rail trains.
CONSTRUCTION is progressing on one of the largest new sports reserves in Melbourne’s north, with Stockland and Hume City Council providing a first look at the Kalkallo North Active Open Space in the growing Cloverton community.
Spanning more than 93,000 square metres, equivalent to about four MCG playing fields, the precinct represents a significant investment in community infrastructure, designed to support local sport, active lifestyles and everyday recreation.
The update comes as Melbourne’s northern growth corridor has become one of the fastest growing regions, with Hume City’s population forecast to grow by more than 125,000 people by 2046 and Cloverton expected to be home to about 30,000 residents.
Works are now under way on key sporting facilities, including two cricket ovals and four soccer fields, with the broader precinct set to include multi-use courts, a large destination playground, dog parks, waterplay, parkour and picnic areas.
Stockland Development Director James Hawker said the milestone reflects growing demand for community infrastructure as Cloverton takes shape.
“As Cloverton continues to grow, access to high-quality open spaces that support organised sport as well as everyday recreation needs to keep pace with the community. Kalkallo North Active Open Space is being delivered at a scale that matches the growth we’re seeing and will become a major asset not just for Cloverton residents, but for Melbourne’s north,” Mr Hawker said.
Delivered in partnership with Hume City Council, the project includes a $450,000 contribution from the Victorian Government towards a district-level waterplay area, highlighting the shared commitment to delivering family-friendly community spaces.
State Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence said the space would deliver plenty for residents.
“As Cloverton grows, its vital families have access to quality local spaces to play, stay active and connect. This major new sports reserve shows what strong partnerships can deliver for our fast‑growing community,” she said.
Mayor of Hume City, Cr Carly Moore agreed.
“This precinct is a positive development for our growing community, providing a place for people to be active and come together,” she said.
“While projects like this are important, we know there are broader infrastructure challenges in our growth area communities, particularly with heavily congested key roads like Donnybrook Road, and we will continue advocating strongly to ensure our community gets the investment it needs.”
The Kalkallo North Active Open Space will open in stages, with playing fields anticipated from 2027. Timing for additional features, including a council-delivered clubhouse and waterplay area, will be confirmed as planning progresses.
Progress on the sports precinct follows the recent opening of Lumin Boulevard Reserve, a new sport-themed neighbourhood park in Cloverton featuring inclusive play equipment, outdoor fitness stations and a multi-use court for everyday recreation.
AN incredible pitching effort from Lachlan Ruyter led the Mitchell Majors to a 7-4 triumph over Melbourne University at Minnitt Park on Saturday afternoon.
After not having much luck last week, the Majors were keen to bounce back against a similarly placed Melbourne Uni outfit who had started the season with two wins from three games.
Player-coach Ruyter took it upon himself to kick the game off, and a shaky start placed runners at first and second with no outs.
But that quickly changed thanks to the brilliance of Steve Bertucci at short stop who collected a ground ball hit to his right, stepped on the bag at second base and lasered one to Ben Owen at first to make a double play.
DOUBLE PLAY: Steve Bertucci perfectly executed his role at short stop, removing two of Melbourne University’s runners in a single play.
Not to be outdone, less than a minute later Ben Harkom leapt to pull down a screamer that prevented Melbourne Uni from scoring and ended the innings.
The Broadford-based club were also in a good position during its first at-bat, but couldn’t capitalise on a bases-loaded, no-out situation.
The Majors continued to be stingy in the field throughout, restricting the visitors to just four runs for the game thanks to the efforts of Ruyter on the mound.
He threw more than 120 pitches across the game, trusting his own arm to hold Melbourne Uni’s big hitters at bay as his own team put the scoreboard pressure on.
It was a team effort from all batters to get the side in front, and sharp running proved to be a defining factor to hand the Majors a three-run win.
In the A4-grade matchup, the home side were no match for an impressive Melbourne Uni who piled on 16 runs despite being held to just two through the first four innings.
Stuart Partridge did what he could on the mound, using his excellent arm speed to blow pitches by his opponents.
Unfortunately for the Majors, low numbers this season have forced the team to pull their E-grade side.
But the remaining two teams will hit the park again this Saturday, travelling to Watsonia to take on the Saints who are languishing at the bottom of the A3-grade ladder.
THEY SAY when it rains it pours, and that’s exactly what happened for the Mitchell Rangers as both its senior teams got on the winners list for the first time this season.
The winning ways kicked off in the State League 7 Men’s fixture against Footscray on Saturday with a gritty 2-1 victory for the Rangers’ seniors.
The bottom of the table clash looked to be all in favour of the travelling Rangers early, putting two past Footscray’s goalkeeper in the first half hour through Cameron Leffley (3’) and last week’s goal scorer Stuart Clothier (24’).
The home team pegged one back 10 minutes into the second half to bring it back to a 2-1 lead in favour of the Rangers, and it was a tense finish with five yellow cards and a red handed out in the dying stages.
However the visitors were able to hold their opponents off to notch a rousing first win of the year, albeit seven rounds in.
On Sunday, it was the women’s XI hosting Diamond Valley in their home opener at Broadford Secondary College.
Much like the men’s side, the Rangers got on the board early through Sarah Warren in the seventh minute and they held their 1-0 lead into half time.
The second half was played largely in the midfield as neither team could break through. Charlette Edmonds did her best to provide an option up forward while Louisa Jones and Mikayla Gibbons thwarted any attacking efforts from the visitors.
The dogged efforts of the home side were rewarded when the ref blew the final whistle with no further score added in the second half.
The men’s reserves couldn’t quite make it three from three for the Rangers at the weekend, fighting out a 1-1 draw after Leffley netted one in the ninth minute to kick off his brilliant day.
The men’s seniors will host La Trobe University in another winnable matchup this Saturday, while the women’s side will head to North Balwyn to take on the winless Boroondara.
A GREAT DAY: North Central Review journalist Michael Thompson (right) pictured with Collingwood great Tony Shaw (left).
It was great to be able to score a big gig at my beloved Mernda on Saturday as I was invited to give a great one-on-one interview with Collingwood great Tony Shaw for the Demons’ sponsors day and president’s lunch. Shaw is one the greatest captains the Magpies have ever had – a hard worker who made the most out of his smaller frame to have the know-how to win the ball, and a great natural leader who, of course, famously won the Norm Smith Medal in the 1990 grand final. And who kicked five goals that afternoon? It was Essendon, of course.
THE RACE TO 100 IS ON!
Laurimar’s Patrick Fitzgerald was close to 100 goals last year – in some ways, it was a surprise that he didn’t quite get there but his presence was still very much a positive for Laurimar as the Power made it back to the grand final after relegation in 2024.
Fitzgerald has been firing on all cylinders so far this season – a haul of 15 against Kinglake the clear highlight, but he added another eight on Saturday against Heidelberg West to take his tally to 35 off just five games at an average of seven per game.
Is this the year the man they call ‘Doita’ finally gets his century?
Stealing the show a little bit over the last couple of weeks though is fellow Power forward Hayden Trim. The youngster had a great battle with fellow impressive young Whittlesea forward Caden Allen for the under 19s goalkicking in division two last year as they both tied for the award.
As I’ve written about previously, Allen has gone on with it at senior level for Whittlesea this season, but Trim is really coming into his own, and has kicked nine goals in two weeks.
Sitting in second position on the division 3 goalkicking list is Epping’s Daniel Rakhlin. Another young player who knows where the goals are. He’s a great talent and it’s pleasing to see him get rewarded.
IVANHOE MAKING HISTORY
Wayne Schultz’s men are just the second team this century to win four games in a row by 100 points or more – even if they only just managed the feat by winning by an even 100 points against Epping on the weekend. The other team who have managed the feat is Lalor in 2004, but Ivanhoe have done it in each of its first four games.
Still, the game showcased two things. First of all, Epping’s young team look impressive – noted by Ivanhoe on the weekend that if they are given a couple of years, they will be dangerous in the division 3 competition.
The other was that, despite sitting only five goals up midway through the third quarter, Ivanhoe simply have a gear that is extraordinarily hard to match.
The Hoers’ next assignment is Old Eltham.
STARS ON THE UP
Fitzroy Stars have put division 2 well and truly on notice in the last fortnight with two ultra-impressive victories, showing that its style of play very much holds up in what is a tight competition this year.
The win over Whittlesea was noteworthy enough away from home. To back it up against last year’s grand finalists, Macleod, even more so.
The manner in which they won suggests they have quickly learned lessons in a short amount of time. The Stars had their opportunities to take wins against Northcote Park and Lower Plenty, but small mistakes meant they missed out on potentially being 5-0.
This time around, the Stars didn’t panic when Macleod hit the front in the last quarter, and it was a goal from inspirational leader Kain Proctor in the final minute of the game that allowed the Stars to win by five points.
Also from the Stars on the weekend caught their senior women’s game against Ivanhoe on Sunday at Ivanhoe Park. The performance of Amina Keegan was mesmerising – her ability to create leading lanes, win the football and showcase her nous, run and dash inside 50 was solely the difference, and she finished with eight of the Stars’ nine goals as they won comfortably by 38 points.
GOOD DIVISION 1 FOOTY
Had a look at Hurstbridge and Bundoora at Ben Frilay Oval on Saturday afternoon. The game can best be described as one that was a real defensive affair, but it’s a credit to both teams that they can each stop the ball that’s moving so quickly around the ground, particularly on a smaller ground like Hurstbridge’s.
Bundoora had its chances, but probably utilised one too many handballs in their forward thrusts and were repelled by the Bridges, who ended up taking a 13-point win.
Still, the Bulls have been a nice story so far this season. They finished second last last year, narrowly avoiding relegation, but had many games they could have won. This year, so far, they have been able to turn the tables a bit, but it will be a tough outing this week against Heidelberg.
MONTMORENCY STARTING TO FIRE
Monty were a team I had pencilled in as the next best behind Heidelberg, but it was a difficult start to a season that seemed like the Magpies expected so much from.
Still, the best thing for them is we are only at round five. The last couple of weeks have delivered 100-point wins over West Preston and Banyule respectively, and things are just starting to click. There’s still a long way to go yet, even in a competition where many teams will jockey for top five spots.
The best thing for the Magpies is that boom off-season recruit Kamdyn McIntosh hasn’t had to play an enormous role, while Nash Holmes, after such a big health scare, is getting better and better with each outing, and kicked three goals on Saturday.
THE REAL DEAL (AGAIN)
South Morang clearly expected to be back among the division 2 contenders this season, even though there was a large amount of turnover.
That familiar bugbear that runs through many clubs – injury – has admittedly hit the Lions quite hard in recent weeks, but that has not fazed coach Matt Penn, who is doing a stellar job after a round one loss to Whittlesea.
Wins over Northcote Park and Thomastown over the last couple of weeks have meant the Lions currently sit just percentage behind the Cougars on top of the table.
CRUCIAL GAMES THIS WEEK
With the ladder starting to take shape, there’s already a number of crucial games that could very well shape the final ladders in each of the three grades.
West Preston and Diamond Creek meet in a huge game for both teams in terms of their division 1 future.
The Roosters are desperate for a win, having gone winless so far, and have lost both of their last two games by over 100 points each.
After a great start to the season, Diamond Creek have come back down to earth just a bit, and have now lost their last two, while scoring the fewest points in the competition to go along with it.
Panton Hill are desperately seeking a scalp in division 2, and although coming close to both Old Paradians and Whittlesea at home, couldn’t quite get it done. They now have to travel to Macleod, still as the only winless team, but the pressure is well and truly on for their future in the division.
In division 3, a big opportunity to jump into the top five might be afforded for either Kilmore or Epping, who meet at Epping Recreation Reserve.
Kilmore had a good win over a plucky Old Eltham outfit last week, while Epping, as alluded to above, played well for two and a half quarters against Ivanhoe before the class of the premiership favourites showed.
THE City of Whittlesea and CERES celebrated sustainability, food and community spirit at the annual Olives to Oil festival on Saturday at the Civic Centre in South Morang.
The free community festival brought together residents to celebrate the local olive harvest with music, food stalls, face painting, children’s gardening activities and Compost Week celebrations.
Visitors were also encouraged to learn more about reducing food waste through the Scraps to Soil program, which shares practical tips on composting, using food and garden waste bins and growing sustainable home gardens.
The festival is part of the wider Olives to Oil initiative, which rescues olives from backyard trees and transforms them into locally produced olive oil. Each year thousands of kilograms of olives that would otherwise go to landfill are collected by residents and volunteers.
CERES worker Nase, who has been involved with the program for four years, said the initiative was created to preserve cultural traditions while reducing environmental waste.
“The idea behind this event is that a lot of people from the Mediterranean came over with olive trees, grandparents who planted them, but a lot of that knowledge with what to do with the olives has died out,” he said.
“That became a problem, as a lot ended up in landfill, and food waste in landfill creates a lot of methane gas, and that’s even worse than CO2, so this all started as a way to divert them out of landfill.”
Last year, the program helped save more than 3.1 tonnes of olives from landfill, producing about 440 litres of olive oil. Last week alone, they collected seven tonnes of olives.
Nase said the quality of the olives was important, with mouldy fruit capable of ruining an entire batch. Volunteers and residents at the event spent a lot of time going through the batches of olives to ensure the olives were good to go.
Community feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with one resident saying the oil “tasted just like my relatives’ oil in Italy”, while another described the experience as “an amazing opportunity to connect with nature and the community, giving a genuine sense of achievement and self-worth.”
Participants who secured drop-off bookings will be able to collect their freshly pressed olive oil from the CERES Preston warehouse on Sunday, July 12.
Residents who missed out on the opportunity on the day can still participate in an Olive Pickling Workshop on May 14, where they will learn how to preserve olives at home and reduce food waste. For more information about harvesting olives visit whittlesea.vic.gov.au/Olives-to-Oil
WITH the Victoria budget out of the way last Tuesday, today the attention shifts to the Federal Budget.
THE Housing Industry Association (HIA) has urged the Federal Government to use the Budget, being delivered at the federal Parliament tonight, to directly address Australia’s severe shortage of skilled tradespeople and apprentices, warning that housing supply targets will not be met without decisive action.
“Australia simply cannot meet its housing needs without a significantly larger and more sustainable construction workforce,” HIA Chief Executive, Industry and Policy, Simon Croft said.
“Workforce shortages are now one of the biggest constraints on home building, renovations and the delivery of housing across the country.
“Speak to any builder anywhere in Australia and they will tell you the same thing – the single biggest challenge to delivering more homes is access to skilled workers and apprentices.
“HIA’s Federal Budget submission highlights that demand for skilled trades has consistently outstripped supply, with acute shortages in carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing, electrical trades and other critical residential construction occupations.
“At the same time governments are seeking to dramatically increase housing supply, the industry is grappling with an ageing workforce, falling apprentice commencements and growing competition for skilled labour across multiple sectors.
HIA has called on the government to prioritise practical, targeted measures in the budget to rebuild the residential construction workforce, including:
Boosting apprentice commencements and completions through stronger employer incentives, improved wage support and reduced regulatory complexity for small and medium businesses.
Expanding and fast‑tracking skilled migration pathways for residential construction trades, with occupations lists, visa processing and qualification recognition aligned to industry needs.
Increasing investment in vocational education and training, including industry‑led job‑ready training and ‘try‑a‑trade’ pre‑apprenticeship programs, and
Reducing the cost and risk of employing apprentices, particularly for small builders and tradies who train the majority of apprentices but face rising cost pressures.
“Around 90 per cent of residential builders are small businesses. If we want more apprentices, we must better support the employers who take them on and reduce the financial burden and red tape associated with training,” Mr Croft said.
“HIA is also calling for a coordinated, long‑term workforce strategy that aligns housing policy, infrastructure investment, migration settings and training systems.
“Stop‑start policies and short‑term funding announcements do not build a workforce. A credible housing supply strategy requires a sustained commitment to growing skilled trades over the next decade and beyond.
“The Federal Budget will be a critical test of the government’s commitment to boosting housing supply and the Budget must deliver real, practical solutions that get more apprentices on site, attract skilled workers to Australia and back in the employers to take on more workers.”
A $38.88 MILLION deal has delivered an offshore investor the prime Kilmore shopping precinct with Coles and ALDI as the main occupants.
The investor is set to pocket a bonanza of fully leased net operating income estimated at $1.96 million a year, as the two stores enjoy long leases with options for extensions.
It has been sold by Looop, a private equity and venture capital group, with Stonebridge Property Group (SPG) conducting the expressing-of-interest process.
The SPG said the key highlights of the sale in the high growth corridor include dominant dual-supermarket configuration anchored by Coles (new 10-year net lease) and ALDI (20-year lease), representing about 69 per cent of total gross income.
It says the secure income profile is underpinned by 100 per cent national and blue-chip tenants including McDonald’s, Viva Energy, Amplifon and Bakers Delight.
The investment on the 1.86-hectare Commercial 1-zoned corner site has frontage to the busy Northern Highway and Clarke Street and is positioned next door to Kilmore Village. The vacant land opposite the site is also a plus as it offers further retail development potential.
“Highly efficient 5264 sqm centre GLA (gross lettable area) has 248 on-title car spaces and minimal landlord complexity via freestanding and pad-site configuration. There is potential 50 per cent stamp duty savings, subject to purchaser circumstances,” the SPG said.
SEYMOUR residents now have new access to Free TAFE IT training, with GOTAFE expanding its Certificate III in Information Technology delivery to the Wallis Street Campus.
This means reduced travel and increased access for regional learners and greater workforce relevance for the wider region.
These tangible benefits are already arising from the expansion of course offerings across GOTAFE and Wodonga TAFE, improving access to education across the region.
GOTAFE now delivers IT training at Wodonga TAFE’s McKoy Street Campus as well – part of several expanded courses resulting from the amalgamation of the two institutes under Northern Victoria Institute of TAFE.
A further increase to the offerings at Seymour is also on the horizon, with the Certificate IV in Community Services, Certificate III in Pathology and Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance all planned for Semester 2.
“By listening to our community, responding to industry need and maintaining a strong focus on student experience and outcomes, my goal is to position the Seymour campus as a trusted regional hub for skills, pathways and opportunity, supporting both individual success and long-term regional growth,” Chief Education Delivery Officer – Service Industries – and Seymour Regional Lead Fiona Maher said.
Yea resident Samuel Dean began studying at GOTAFE’s Fryers Street Campus in Shepparton last year but was grateful for the opportunity to move closer to home in 2026.
“Now that it’s offered from Seymour it’s less travel,” he said.
“Particularly nowadays with the cost of fuel, that made it a bit easier to continue studying this year, less travel and less time on the road.”
Heathcote’s Georgia de Totto was equally excited to find out that GOTAFE would be offering IT in Seymour this year.
“When Seymour came up as one of the campuses offering IT in my area and also under the Free TAFE offering it was perfect timing honestly, so I applied right away.”
WITH A black spots fix, Mitchell Shire residents can expect better safety on roads.
Council has received funding through the Federal Government’s Black Spot Program for targeted road safety upgrades across the municipality.
The long-running Black Spot Program initiative funds safety treatments at high-risk locations, based on crash history or identified risk.
These projects were developed by the council’s traffic and road safety team with consideration of crash statistics, community road safety concerns and other stakeholders and assessed through a state-based panel process.
The projects are:
Botanical Avenue, Wallan, near Watergum Way ($260,000): The funding will be used for the Installation of a raised pedestrian priority crossing, along with lighting upgrades and improved line marking and delineation to make it safer and easier for people to move through the area.
Darraweit Road, Wallan, between Pretty Sally Drive and Roulston Way ($1.293 million): Upgrades will include pedestrian refuge islands and new median turn lanes, supported by a shared user path, improved lighting, signage and line marking to better manage traffic flow and improve safety for both drivers and pedestrians.
Darraweit Road, Wallan, from Old Sydney Road through to the Mitchell Shire boundary near Simons Hill Road ($248,000): Works will focus on reducing risk along the route, with active curve warning signs, centreline audio tactile line marking and upgraded delineation to improve driver awareness and road conditions.
Mandalay Circuit and Golf Links Drive, Beveridge ($1.156 million): A range of traffic calming and pedestrian safety improvements, including priority crossings, raised safety platforms, speed cushions and updated delineation to support safer movement through the area.
Lithgow Street, Beveridge, between the freeway off ramp and Mallaig Drive ($1.569 million): Will be upgraded with raised safety platforms and pedestrian operated signals, along with an extension of the shared user path and lighting improvements to support safer movement through this growing area.
Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall said the funding would support practical improvements at known risk locations across the shire.
Cr Dougall said road safety is a key priority for the community, and these projects focus on areas where targeted upgrades can make a real difference.
“These works are about reducing risk – whether that’s improving visibility, slowing traffic or making it safer for pedestrians to move through busy areas.”
To nominate a black spot location for future rounds of funding, visit investment.infrastructure.gov.au/resources-funding-recipientsand follow the links
