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Wallan man dies in crash

The North Central Review
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Wallan man dies in crash

Police are investigating a fatal crash north of Whittlesea on Sunday.

Police have been told a ute was travelling along Whittlesea-Wallan Road when it left the road and crashed into a tree at about 4.30pm.

An 89-year-old Wallan man, the driver and sole occupant of the ute, died at the scene.

The Whittlesea-Wallan Road was closed to traffic for several hours on Sunday.

The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, with dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Free festival for Whittlesea music lovers

Jordyn Grubisic
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Free festival for Whittlesea music lovers

The Whittlesea Country Music Festival returns this weekend with a vast mix of musical styles, food trucks and carnival rides.

The festival is at Walker Reserve, in Laurel Steet, Whittlesea, from 3.30pm to 10pm with free entry.

Attendees can bring a rug or chair and enjoy their own picnic or purchase food from the food trucks while enjoying the atmosphere.

Ross Wilson will headline the night, alongside performances from Shanae Watson, a Whittlesea singer who appeared on The Voice last year, Cush Ryder, Independent Country Music Award’s Most Popular Female Artist winner Hayley Jenson, and Golden Guitar nominee for Male Artist of the Year Andrew Swift.

Organiser Tony Holding said he hoped for a great turnout.

“The more people that turn up just shows there’s a need for a free music event in the north of the City of Whittlesea municipality,” he said.

“It’s a free, family-friendly event. You can bring your own food and there’s also food trucks and a few stalls but not too many because we focus on the music really.”

The event has been entertaining the Whittlesea area since 2000 and has been free for the past 10 years.

“We’re supported by the community groups so without the local community group support – like from the cricket club, bowls club, agricultural society, committee of management for example – we don’t exist,” Mr Holding said.

“It’s for the community by the community.”

Whittlesea Bowls Club will also host a country music event on Friday night, in conjunction with the festival, featuring Long and Short of It, and Alan Fletcher.

More information on the festival is available at whittleseacountrymusicfestival.com.au or via the Whittlesea Country Music Festival Facebook page.

Schools unite to create Epping community mural

The North Central Review
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Schools unite to create Epping community mural

Students of Al Siraat College, Edgars Creek Secondary College and Wollert Secondary College have united to create a significant public mural at Y Leisure City at Epping.

Renowned Melbourne Street artist Baby Guerrilla was commissioned to lead the students, and together they co-designed paste-up walls reflecting the four pillars of Y Leisure City Epping – community wellbeing; community contribution; sustainability; and justice, while also incorporating the values of their schools. 

In response to feedback from local school student representative councils, the initiative was led by the City of Whittlesea to help enhance connections of young people to sports and recreation spaces, while also highlighting the talent and innovation of youth in the community.

Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the collaborative project was a great demonstration of young people working together to create a significant piece of art.  

“We are thrilled to see the wonderful mural that has been created as a result of the months of hard work from students of the Epping North and Wollert areas who came together to work with their local sports and recreation centre,” she said. 

“This collaborative effort has resulted in vibrant artworks with important messages about our community and our shared values.” 

Baby Guerrilla commended the partnership between teachers and students.  

“Both teachers and students were amazing to work with on this project. Their skills, enthusiasm, and work ethic has blown me away,” Baby Guerrilla said.

“The artworks celebrate and encourage artistic diversity transforming the Y Leisure City with beautiful art. The initiative fosters awareness and participation in local sport and recreation, enhancing civic pride and community connection.” 

Partnerships with key organisations, including the Y Leisure City, Lendlease, The Koori Academy of Excellence, and the City of Whittlesea’s Youth Development team, played a part in the success of the project. 

To discover further opportunities for young people within the City of Whittlesea, visit whittlesea.vic.gov.au/youth. 

Library opens at Mernda Town Centre

The North Central Review
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Library opens at Mernda Town Centre

The Mernda Library has opened its new doors from Monday to Saturday. 

Located at the Mernda Town Centre, close to the train station, people will now be able to take a trip to the library with their regular errands such as grocery shopping. 

The purpose-built space contains a range of books and other resources, including public computers, free wi-fi, seated areas for reading, study or work and a self-checkout. 

The library’s services also feature a ‘click and collect’ service where members can order items from the library’s catalogue either online or in person and arrange to pick up from the library. 

Delivered by City of Whittlesea’s partner Yarra Plenty Regional Library Corporation, the library will join a network that includes libraries at Lalor, Mill Park, Thomastown, and Whittlesea.

Additionally, residents are served by a library hub at Galada Community Centre in Epping and a soon-to-open library hub in the Kirrip Community Centre in Wollert.

City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said libraries had developed over the years to become more than places to borrow books.

“Libraries provide a range of educational, recreational and social services that have benefits for residents of all ages and backgrounds,” she said.

“We’ve seen significant demand for library services in the City of Whittlesea and Mernda Library reflects our commitment to meeting the needs of residents of all ages and cultural backgrounds, today and into the future.”

Last year council reviewed its library services to make sure it could meet the demands of the growing community. 

The number of visits to libraries in the City of Whittlesea is expected to grow from 489,000 in 2022-23 to 550,000 in 2023-24.

The Mernda Library is located at Shop MM3, 16/180 Riverdale Boulevard, Mernda. 

For more information about the Mernda Library or to become a member, visit www.yprl.vic.gov.au.

Free sustainable workshops planned across Whittlesea

The North Central Review
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Free sustainable workshops planned across Whittlesea

City of Whittlesea’s Sustainable Communities Workshop Series is returning, offering a range of free face-to-face and online sessions allowing participants to meet others and connect with individuals who care for the environment. 

Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the free workshops were a chance for residents to make a difference in their lives and the broader community.  

“Council is excited to bring this workshop series to the community, where local residents will not only have the chance to learn different hands-on elements of sustainable living but also create a lasting environmental impact with their new skills,” she said. 

The events showcase a variety of new do-it-yourself projects, giving participants the opportunity to create things they can take home.  

The free workshop series has a wide range of topics to explore: 

Saturday, February 3

Discovering Biophilia: Mindfulness and Observation in Nature: Nature sketching and meditation, observing nature outdoors, and creating a handicraft. 

Saturday, February 10

Practical and Low-Cost Home Energy Efficiency: Renters can discover easy ways to stay comfortable in their homes despite the weather. 

Thursday, February 22

Practical Home Energy Efficiency: Home-owners can learn to reduce energy costs and increase comfort through upgrades. 

Wednesday, March 20

Going All Electric: Learn how to convert gas home appliances to electric.

Sunday, May 5

Basic Grafting: Explore how to graft your own fruit trees and extend your season. 

Saturday, May 11

Pickling and Curing Olives: Learn how to preserve green and black olives and take home some jars for your pantry. 

Saturday, May 18

Seed Saving: Discover how, when, and which seeds to save and store.

Friday, June 7

Designing Your Home Food Garden: Design a food garden for maximum yield with minimal effort. 

Wednesday, June 12

Produce Gardening for Renters: Learn about growing produce while renting or with little outdoor space. 

Workshop participants will gain a certificate and can show their learnings and creations at the Series Wrap-up Celebration and Showcase on November 16.

In addition, those who attended all sessions will have increased chances to win a prize at the end of the series. 

For more information on each session and to sign up, visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/events.

Any questions or recommendations for future workshops can be sent to sustainability@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.

Free home broadband on offer for students

The North Central Review
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Free home broadband on offer for students

With the return of the 2024 school year, Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell is encouraging families to check if they are eligible for free home broadband through the Federal Government’s School Student Broadband Initiative, SSBI.

To ensure more Australians school students have access to broadband, the government is investing $8.8 million to connect up to 30,000 eligible families with school-aged children to the NBN.

“As students around Australia prepare to go back to school, it is essential they have access to reliable, fast home broadband to fully engage in online learning and connect with teachers and peers,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Not only does this initiative support educational outcomes, it benefits entire households who can access essential digital services like telehealth and banking from home.”

The initiative has been extended through to December 31, 2025.

More than 6000 households have already been connected to free internet through the SSBI, and a further 18,000 vouchers have been issued to eligible families to get connected.

To be eligible, a family must:

  • Have a child living at home and enrolled in an Australian school;
  • Have no active home broadband service over the NBN network;
  • Live in premises that can access a standard NBN service.

Families interested in the SSBI can contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610, Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm, to have their eligibility assessed.

The government is considering options to further support participating families at the end of 2025, including asking the NBN Low-Income and Digital Inclusion Forum to examine discounted products.

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Mitchell Shire’s Beveridge plan re-costing continues

Jordyn Grubisic
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Mitchell Shire’s Beveridge plan re-costing continues

Mitchell Shire Council will submit an amended Mitchell Planning Scheme to the Minister for Planning, updating controls within Beveridge’s original township to address increased development pressure.

The original township is classified as being about 85 hectares, comprising 88 larger rural residential or vacant lots, and 203 conventional residential lots, with the 100 Minton Place subdivision in the north of the township.

The scheme proposes to update planning controls to give statutory effect to the Beveridge Township Development Plan 2022 and the Beveridge Township Development Contributions Plan 2022 and facilitate integration of Beveridge Township into Mitchell’s urban growth area.

Cr Bob Cornish said significant work needed to be done to roads and drainage near the Beveridge Primary School to ‘bring it up to scratch’.

“Hopefully when this is all finished it’ll be a good outcome for the people in this part of the town,” he said.

Following a Minister for Planning implemented panel, council will re-cost the road bordering Beveridge Primary School using bespoke costs instead of standardised costs due to steep topography.

Mitchell Shire Council chief executive Brett Luxford said council had engaged a consultant to prepare the revised costing.

“They are still being prepared and have not yet been received,” he said.

“The revised costs are anticipated to have a higher construction cost for this road than the exhibited cost of $628,000.

“No specific estimate can be provided at this time.”

The plan allows council to collect funds or require works-in-kind for necessary infrastructure from developers that will benefit the surrounding area.

The plan as advertised will collect $10,677,420 for infrastructure projects and $738,458 for community infrastructure.

It also proposes a per hectare contribution rate of $280,837 per hectare – lower than the two adjoining PSP areas with Lockerbie North $395,000 per hectare and Beveridge Central ICP $322,000.

Council also established a development plan estimating an ultimate development scenario of 500 to 600 dwellings and an estimated ultimate population of 2100 to 2500 in the township.

The plan identifies land suitable for conventional residential development, roads and infrastructure upgrades necessary to service development.

Retaining lower density residential adjoining and near to the future Camerons Lane interchange and along Spring Street, north of Lithgow Street, is identified as appropriate due to site constraints such as topography and future amenity impacts of the change.

Council has adopted the planning scheme amendment but must wait for re-costing to submit it for approval.

“In line with the council resolution from December 2023, the amendment will be submitted to the Minister for Planning once the revised costs have been received and reviewed,” Mr Luxford said.

Art in focus at upcoming Macedon Ranges events

The North Central Review
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Art in focus at upcoming Macedon Ranges events

A jam-packed program of arts and culture events is set to be rolled out in the Macedon Ranges this year, with shows and activities that are sure to keep people entertained and inspired.

Tickets are now on sale for a diverse mix of performances and activities ranging from musical acts and comedy through to theatre performances and workshops.

The program kicks off in February with Ross Wilson and the Peaceniks playing live at Kyneton Town Hall and celebrating 50 years of hits, including all the Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock favourites.

In March, Kyneton Museum will launch Unmasked, an exhibition on loan from ‘Her Place Women’s Museum Australia’ that celebrates nursing and midwifery in the Macedon Ranges and beyond.

Throughout April, a range of local bands and artists will perform in the inaugural ‘Live and Local’ series across the shire’s community halls as part of the 2024 Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival, while children can also burn some creative energy during the school holidays with the Creative Kids School Holiday Program.

People keen to be part of a community collaboration can join the Heart Songs Community Choir Project where participants will learn a repertoire of songs over a 10-week period culminating in a live performance at Kyneton Town Hall.

May is set to welcome back the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow showcasing the finest talents from the 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

In July, Garage Girls – a theatre production set in 1920s Melbourne that tells the story of Alice Anderson: the trail-blazing, pioneering, go-getting founder of Australia’s first all-girl garage – will be presented by Three Birds Theatre and The Shift Theatre.

The July school holidays will bring another interactive workshop for children with Shadowland, a workshop for children to design, create and play with their own shadow creature inside the different shadow worlds of 10 domed tents set up inside Kyneton Town Hall.

In August, ‘A Day At A Time in Rhyme’ offers theatre enthusiasts a unique experience crafted by industry veteran Jane Clifton.

Children and adults can join renowned storytellers Bunk Puppets in September for the entertaining theatre production ‘Hello Red Planet’; a satirical information session laying out a daring escape plan from Earth to Mars when Earth’s problems seem too hard.

September brings more school holiday fun with ‘Creating Junk Journals’ – a workshop where young artists will be guided through the art of Gelli Plate printmaking.

or call 1300 888 802.

$100 million injection into Kilmore’s Broadstead estate

The North Central Review
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$100 million injection into Kilmore’s Broadstead estate

Land developer Jinding will inject more than $100 million into new and upgraded infrastructure as part of its Broadstead Kilmore community, following Mitchell Shire Council approval of its masterplan.

Jinding is set to start construction in mid-2024 on the new community, located off Quinns Road, with 93 per cent of the 35 lots in stage one sold for close to $12.2 million.

The second stage of 41 lots was recently launched, with blocks ranging from 574 to 1186 square metres and priced between $376,000 and $415,000, with the first waterway-fronting home sites due to be released early next year.

Council approved the Broadstead Kilmore masterplan in December 2023, paving the way for Jinding to add to its $197 million Kilmore estate.

Jinding will inject $23 million into works external to the project masterplan, including extensions to Tootle Street and McIvors Road, sewer and drainage infrastructure to service the greater precinct, shared cycling, and walking paths, as well as the preservation of native vegetation at Quinns Road Reserve.

Jinding developments general manager Andrew Ashwood said the council’s approval was a key milestone for the new community, enabling Jinding to start work on the masterplan.

“We’re pleased to now move into the next phase of development, delivering a new community that complements this picturesque location and sought-after neighbourhood, appealing to residents looking for a semi-rural lifestyle,” he said.

“The upcoming waterway-fronting lots will be a unique feature, sitting adjacent to the waterway winding its way through Broadstead Kilmore, enhancing the community’s beauty and activating connections to surrounding green space.”

Dr Ashwood said the infrastructure works built upon the company’s continued community engagement, with $10,000 in grants delivered this year to seven Kilmore groups as part of the Broadstead Kilmore Community Grants program, which would return in 2024.

Jinding has also entered into a partnership with independent not-for-profit social enterprise Homes for Homes whereby 0.1 per cent of the sale price of each lot at Broadstead Kilmore, about $197,000, will be donated to the charity to deliver social housing in the broader community.

Jinding also supports community events and sporting clubs such Kilmore Football and Netball Club.

“We’re committed to making a positive contribution to the region with our new community,” Dr Ashwood said.

“Kilmore’s unique heritage buildings and strong sporting spirit is something that makes it a special area, which we’re proud to contribute to.”

Dr Ashwood said buyer interest had predominately come from people living in the northern growth corridor, with nearly half of purchasers seeking to upgrade to a new and larger family home.

Home sites purchased to date have achieved a median price of $352,200 and median lot size of 787 square metres.

The 60-hectare Broadstead Kilmore site includes 11 hectares of greenspace and waterways and adjoins a proposed government primary school site, future sporting ovals and connections to town buses.

Fun, food and goodies at Doreen Twilight Market

The North Central Review
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Fun, food and goodies at Doreen Twilight Market

People are invited to make their way to the Laurimar Wetlands for a night of community fun at the free Doreen Twilight Market on February 9. 

The City of Whittlesea is preparing for an evening of free family entertainment, including live music and entertainment, market stalls, face painting, reptile encounters and more. 

Discover the Nanna Market – full of stitched, knitted, crocheted and hand-baked goodies, with plenty of fun activities and performances for children to enjoy. 

People can pack a picnic, grab takeaway food from nearby shops, enjoy the food trucks and sausage sizzle, while also be entertained by Melbourne’s pop-up kerbside mobile jazz club, The Band Wagon, and have a dance. 

City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson encouraged people to enjoy the activities with their community and support small businesses at the market. 

“Local events such as this are a great way for our community to get together and connect. With lots to see and do, there’s something for everyone to enjoy,” she said.   

“The Nanna Market is sure to be a hit too, showcasing the hand-crafted work of local small businesses.” 

The Doreen Twilight Market will be from 5pm to 8pm on February 9, at the Laurimar Wetlands, on the corner of Hazel Glen Drive and Painted Hills Road.  

For more information and updates, visit arts.whittlesea.vic.gov.au.

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