New nets for softball clubs at Mill Park

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January 16, 2024

New nets for softball clubs at Mill Park

The Northern District Softball Association, NDSA, can now benefit from a $300,000 upgrade to the softball practice nets at the Mill Park Recreation Reserve.

City of Whittlesea chief executive officer Craig Lloyd joined Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio as she threw the ceremonial first pitch to officially open the new nets on December 20.

With council’s $120,000 contribution to the project, and $180,000 from the State Government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, the result was the installation of three practice lanes – two to be used exclusively by the member clubs and one available for schools and the public.

Two of the lanes are enclosed to ensure that training can continue in wet weather, which was previously not possible, and new lighting means sessions can go into the evening.

Mr Lloyd said the redevelopment would provide the NDSA and its member clubs with confidence to promote the sport and attract new participants.

“The City of Whittlesea is committed to helping residents lead active, healthy lifestyles and providing fit-for-purpose community sporting facilities is a key part of that,” he said.

NDSA president Chaminda Fernando said the redevelopment would support the three member clubs – the Cheetahs, Rebels and Monarchs – with recruitment.

“Before we had no shelter or lighting so kids would turn up and if it was raining, we’d have to cancel,” he said.

“But now we can run batting sessions and fielding sessions because we’ve got a roof and lights and that’s going to make a huge difference.”

New intersection for future Mernda sporting precinct

The North Central Review

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January 16, 2024

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New intersection for future Mernda sporting precinct

Mernda is a step closer to having a regional sports precinct after the City of Whittlesea awarded a construction contract to create a new intersection.

The contract is to extend Everton Drive in Mernda about 100 metres east to connect with Plenty Road, creating a new intersection that will not only help to reduce congestion around Mernda, but provide access to the sports precinct via Everton Drive.

The road project is the first stage of the precinct, expected to begin in early February.

Work on the sports courts is expected to start in the 2024-25 financial year.

In July, council appointed COX Architecture to design and construct the second stage of the development, featuring netball, basketball and other courts for club and community use.

City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the courts would help serve a deficit in quality sporting facilities across the growing northern suburbs.

“Council is committed to ensuring residents have access to the sport and recreation facilities they need to lead physically active and healthy lives,” she said.

“These new multi-purpose courts will help to boost participation rates across all ages in sports such as netball and basketball.

“One of the biggest impediments to participating in sport and leisure activities is ease of access, with travel being a common deterrent for time-poor families.

“But when the Plenty Road-Everton Drive intersection is finished, it will deliver a convenient way for people to access the precinct.”

Plenty Road will remain open for the duration of the works, which are expected to take about 12 months, but motorists will experience changed traffic conditions, such as a reduction in the speed limit.

More information about traffic arrangements will be communicated closer to the project’s start date.

For more information on the project, visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/plentyroadintersection.

Mulholland calls for Kalkallo footbridge

Jordyn Grubisic

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January 16, 2024

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Mulholland calls for Kalkallo footbridge

Shadow Minister for Outer Suburban Growth and Liberal Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Evan Mulholland has called for the State Government to invest in a footbridge in Donnybrook.

In the legislative council meeting last month, Mr Mulholland asked the government to invest a portion of the $90 million owed to the Hume Local Government Area from the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution, GAIC, Fund to build a footbridge connecting Kalkallo residents to Donnybrook Rail Station.

Donnybrook Station is used by the many residents living in Kalkallo, Donnybrook and Mickleham however it remains inaccessible for many Kalkallo residents by foot or bicycle as there is no point of access over the Merri Creek – separating Kalkallo estate with Donnybrook.

Mr Mulholland said the people of Kalkallo had been overlooked by the State Government when it came to investment in infrastructure.

“Kalkallo residents can see Donnybrook Station from their homes but can’t walk there. It’s madness that there is no direct path,” he said.

“This project is a no-brainer and an essential way for residents to access public transport without having to sit in the car for an hour just to get out of their estate and around to the train station.”

Mr Mulholland said developers had contributed to the GAIC to fund community infrastructure projects but instead of using the money when homes were built, the government had hoarded half a billion dollars for over two and a half years.

“The Labor Government scrapped the law allowing developers to pay their tax contributions in-kind to build vital infrastructure at the times homes are built, instead the State Government continues to hoard these funds in Treasury meaning areas like Kalkallo struggle to access the most essential of transport services,” he said.

The population of Kalkallo has increased from 106 people in the 2016 census to an estimated population of 7000 as of 2023.

Mr Mulholland said Kalkallo residents faced traffic and transport chaos as ‘the lack of investment in infrastructure has exacerbated challenges and pressures within this rapidly growing suburbs’.

Weed control in Mitchell Shire spotlight

Jordyn Grubisic

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January 16, 2024

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Weed control in Mitchell Shire spotlight

Mitchell Shire councillors unanimously supported a request for a report into council’s current weed control practices.

Cr Bill Chisholm presented the notice of motion requesting council officers provide a detailed report on current weed control practices across the shire, identifying areas of most concern, and the level of success achieved.

The report will also include future plans to improve weed control and levels of success residents should expect.

Cr Chisholm said there were significant areas of weeds across the shire but especially in the south.

“This is an important one for everyone across the shire. We’ve been spending money for years trying to keep weeds under control in Mitchell and I think it’s paramount we actually find out how we’re going and what we can do in the future,” he said.

“This is another aspect where it’s really important to have community involvement and I’d like to see how our staff are going to engage with the broader community in tackling these problems.

“Landcare do a lot of good work on trying to reduce weeds, but especially in the south, you have developers and public authorities that actually have a lot of weeds on their patch.

“Hopefully with the report requested we’re going to find out how we’re going to tackle the problem in the future.”

Cr Nathan Clark said he was looking forward to the report’s findings.

“I’m a landowner as well and weed management is very important – it’s up there with pest control,” he said.

“It has been very disappointing to watch the establishment of several gorse farms around Mitchell Shire, which are just an absolutely terrible outcome.

“Private landholders do have a responsibility and I’d really like to see people really step up and take better control and use of their land.”

24/7 access to quality drinking water in Mitchell Shire

The North Central Review

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January 16, 2024

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24/7 access to quality drinking water in Mitchell Shire

A series of 30-degree days has announced summer’s arrival and Goulburn Valley Water, GVW, is celebrating community partnerships that now give residents and visitors access to high-quality drinking water 24 hours a day.

All 13 towns with a GVW drinking water supply in the Mitchell and Strathbogie shires now have permanent hydration stations in a community space, delivered through Price Plan 2018-23.

In the past year, four new stations have been installed, including at Pyalong Recreation Reserve and Waterford Park Recreation Reserve, in partnership with councils and community groups.

Goulburn Valley Water managing director Steve Capewell said delivering a station to every town with a drinking water supply was an important promise under GVW’s 2018-23 Price Plan.

“Summer months mean more people are out and about so ensuring there is access to free water in community spaces will help people stay hydrated and drink more water in warmer weather,” Dr Capewell said.

“Using these hydration stations also helps us reduce single use plastic by encouraging people to bring their own reusable bottle to fill up while they are out and about.

“More than 373 million plastic bottles go to landfill every year across Australia, so these stations create an easy way for us to make more environmentally friendly water refill choices.”

Community groups have partnered with GVW to install several hydration stations in the region, including Seymour’s King’s Park Reserve Committee of Management and Wandong’s LB Davern Reserve management committee.

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Ray Carroll’s ‘From the Boundary’: January 16, 2024

The North Central Review

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January 16, 2024

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Cummins the champion

There is no doubt Australian cricket skipper Pat Cummins deserves to be ranked alongside the great fast bowlers of Australian legend- the likes of Ted McDonald, Charlie Turner, Ray Lindwall, Keith Miller, Dennis Lillie, Jeff Thomson, and Glenn McGrath.

The handsome ‘boy from the Blue Mountains’ is a once in a generation star of the game.

It is rare for a fast bowler to lead Australia but Cummins has the chance to become also a legend in that role.

But he should take ownership of an often lamentable over rate – something the hopelessly weak International Cricket Council is too gutless to address.

Many Aussie captains have been bold leaders such as Richie Benaud, Ian Chappell and Ricky Ponting. They realised the paying public deserved value for their money and would not have condoned the crowd-killing batting of Khawaja, Labuschagne and sadly of late, Steve Smith.

These guys are not in the World War trenches, they are playing a game that in the now crowded modern sports market must entertain.

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Some thoughts on the cricket summer to date:

Crowds have been good and will be huge when India is here next year and the Poms in 2025-26.

The Big Bash is also back after a decline in the COVID years.

Dave Warner deserved his massive farewell to the Test arena in Sydney. He was always a brilliant entertainer who drew spectators through the gates.

Pakistan, though beaten 3-0, was always competitive and played some great cricket. Their innings on day one at Sydney was the most thrilling opening day at the famous ground for many years.

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When is Australian selector George Bailey and his panel going to start planning for new players to replace ageing members of the current side?

The general public would like to see a couple of the following introduced quickly – Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Matt Short, Lance Morris and Spencer Johnson. All would do well and be great crowd pullers.

***

The pink Test day is a wonderful annual part of the Sydney Test. This time round it raised in excess of $6 million for the Jane McGrath Foundation, which has put hundreds of breast cancer nurses across rural Australia.

***

Young Phoebe Litchfield, from Orange, New South Wales, is fast establishing herself as a superstar of women’s cricket.

A brilliant century and player of the series in the recent ODI’s in India she has won high praise for the humble ‘bush’ product who first hit the headlines as a 16-year-old.

She joins the long list of Aussie cricket stars who have come from country areas across Australia.

Varia

Many of the services once taken for granted are fast disappearing.

Banks no longer exist in hundreds of regional towns across Australia. Cheques are on the way out as we head towards a cashless society.

Post offices will soon be restricting deliveries to every second day and rural communities will inevitably suffer.

The scene below depicting a young girl posting a letter at the village post box will be no more.

This is the price we pay for progress in a modern world where we become susceptible to scammers and cyber criminals more and more.

Premier Jacinta Allan praises Seymour’s efforts amid floods

Grace Frost

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January 9, 2024

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Premier Jacinta Allan praises Seymour’s efforts amid floods

UPDATE: January 15, 2024

Community members can access one-off relief payments through the Personal Hardship Assistance Program, PHAP.

The payments are fixed and not calculated based on income; $640 per adult and $320 per child up to a maximum of $2,240 per eligible family. The payments are designed to help cover the costs of essential items such as food, clothing, medication and accommodation.

To be eligible for a relief payment, a person must have unmet immediate relief needs; their principal place of residence is, or was, in an evacuation warning area, and the floods or storms have damaged their home; or their home has flooded above the floor. People can access a relief payment by visiting an Emergency Relief Centre or calling their council.

January 9, 2024

Premier Jacinta Allan announced in Seymour this morning that she will push for Federal Government assistance for flood-affected communities.

Homes and businesses are being protected by a combined 6500 sandbags as Seymour faces its second severe flooding event in 15 months.

While many Seymour residents and business owners remain wary of receiving support after feeling recovery grants lacked post the October 2022 floods, Ms Allan today assured she would push for fair funding as floods once again sweep the region.

The sentiment followed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s announcement of $20 million in flood relief grants for south-east Queensland early this morning.

The Premier was questioned if she would advocate for Victoria to receive similar support.

“Victorians can absolutely expect that we will push the Federal Government for a fair share of funding for affected communities and indeed for issues that affect Victoria,” she said.

“We will always be very strong advocates to the Federal Government on those matters.”

An evacuation order was issued for parts of Seymour yesterday before floodwaters rose to 6.8 metres last night, leaving Goulburn Park, Kings Park and local caravan parks submerged in water.

Levels did not exceed the October 2022 floods, which peaked at 8.26 metres.

An anticipated 10 to 12 properties have been inundated by the floods, with numbers to be confirmed in the coming days as impact assessments are conducted.

Floodwaters receded to 5.8 meters by 12pm today, and VicEmergency notified residents that it was safe to return home just before 3pm.

Support available

Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes joined the Premier in Seymour this morning to detail support available to people in flood-affected communities across Victoria.

The already-established Seymour Flood Recovery Hub will extend its operating hours from three days to five days to strengthen further recovery efforts.

“It’s so unfortunate that two communities [Rochester and Seymour] that have been so recently impacted have been impacted again, but a slight positive of that is that we have the services already on the ground in our recovery hubs,” Ms Symes said.

“A recovery hub is often set up about six months after an event. We have the situation here in Rochester and Seyour where that service already exists.”

Personal assistance grants for anyone impacted have also been activated, accessible via local relief centres, while the flood recovery hotline is now operational once again.

Ms Symes announced the Federal Government had agreed to treat the weather event from December 26 and the current flooding event as one event to streamline the ability of local councils to access financial assistance for damages.

The State Government has contacted 13 flood-affected councils likely to need to funding support, which is understood to include Mitchell Shire Council.

Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said the town needed the security of long-term support.

“I know there’s a lot of comments around the fact that we’ve got the resources on the ground with the flood hub – it’s still temporary,” she said.

“What we need is some security that we’ve got this ongoing support long term.”

Ms Symes said there was ‘no doubt’ that better flood mitigation was needed.

“When you’ve got communities that have been hit twice in 15 months, I know that those conversations after this emergency event are very quickly going to turn to mitigation and they are conversations that are happening at both a local level but also along the national agenda,” she said.

Praise for emergency response

Ms Allan praised emergency response to the ongoing situation in Seymour, thanking the crowd of State Emergency Service, SES, volunteers, Victoria Police and Country Fire Authority personnel at the press conference today.

Seymour SES Unit responded to 50 callouts yesterday, excluding calls for sandbags.

“I also want to extend my great thanks and appreciation to communities who have learned the really difficult lessons, particularly from the October 2022 floods, and have responded by being prepared,” Ms Allan said.

“The volunteers here have also acknowledged the way the community has worked with them, has supported them, and that goes to the strength and the resilience of these country communities.”

Lake Eildon ‘misinformation’

Ms Symes denied concerns that Lake Eildon had played a role in this year’s Goulburn River flooding.

While water released downstream from Lake Eildon has caused flooding in Seymour in previous years, Ms Symes said she had confirmed it was not the case this time.

“There was no releases from Eildon prior to the events that happened over the last 24 hours,” she said.

“It was because it rained a lot in this region and the creeks fed into the Goulburn and that’s what led to the water rising.”

Flood insurance qualms

Ms Symes acknowledged accessing insurance in flood-affected communities remained difficult.

She said conversations to address the issue with the Federal Emergency Commissioner and at state and federal meetings was ongoing.

“It’s not a simple answer – insurance companies have a risk model and they need to be able to run a business,” she said.

“We’re acutely aware that that affects individuals and we want to make sure that we have got national policy state policies that can perhaps address those issues, but it is complex and I don’t have an answer for you on that today.”

Lingering concerns

Ms Cleeland said a further damaged road network was causing great concern, with fears of casualties on the roads.

“We’ve got some of the most dangerous roads in the state – this is amplifying that,” she said.

“We’ve got councils that are really struggling to deal with their roads so I hope to see that funding they’re fighting for from the Federal Government and the State Government is going to see a massive injection of funding into our road network.

“It’s too dangerous and we’re going see some of the casualties of these floods on the roads.”

She also urged community members to refrain from swimming in flood waters despite the temptation amid hot summer weather, with the strength of the river causing concern.

Evacuation order for Seymour, flooding hits Mitchell Shire

Lauren Duffy

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January 8, 2024

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Evacuation order for Seymour, flooding hits Mitchell Shire

An emergency warning to evacuate has been issued for parts of Seymour due to flooding after Victoria was hit by widespread heavy rain overnight.

There is flash flooding in most towns across the region, including Beveridge, Wallan, Kilmore, Broadford, Tallarook and Seymour, along with surrounding districts.

Certain sections of the Hume Freeway are also impacted by flooding, as is the Northern Highway south of Wallan, and Goulburn Valley Highway at Whiteheads Creek, Seymour, and south-west of Seymour through Trawool and Yea.

An evacuation order is also in place for parts of Yea, including Miller Street, Loan Street, Whatton Place and Court Street. A relief centre has been established at Yea Shire Hall in High Street.

Flood waters are rapidly rising in Seymour, and VicEmergency has advised that major flooding is expected in the Seymour area, slightly higher than the 1993 flood level.

People who live, work or are holidaying in the streets listed should evacuate immediately: Emily Street, Tierney Street, Lesley Street, Tallarook Street, Wallis Street, High Street, Elizabeth Street, Butler Street, Alexander Street, Edward Street, Station Street, Tristan Street, Hanna Street, Jubilee Street, Industrial Court.

Goulburn Park is already under water, and Kings Park and local river caravan parks are also expected to be impacted.

Emergency services are attributing the Seymour flooding to local tributaries, not the Goulburn River flows from Lake Eildon.

There is moderate flooding occurring along the Goulburn River, near Yea.

Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said the Goulburn River was expected to peak at seven metres at about 7pm tonight.

Ms Cleeland said it was expected that potentially 50 homes could be impacted by flooding and 140 isolated.

She encouraged people with the capacity to assist to help Seymour State Emergency Service, SES, with filling sandbags.

“An order has been put into the Defence (Australian Defence Force) to reach out to Puckapunyal for assistance,” she said.

Mitchell Shire Council has opened an Emergency Relief Centre at Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre, Chittick Park in Pollard Street, for those people across the Mitchell Shire who are affected by flooding and cannot stay at home.

Toilets, showers, emergency accommodation and basic food is available for those who require it. There is also some power to help charge devices and free wifi.

Seymour experienced a severe thunderstorm overnight, with 81mm of rain since 9am on Sunday.

Other rain totals in the Mitchell Shire up until 9am, according to the Bureau of Meteorology:
Kilmore Gap: 95.6mm, plus 27.4mm up until 1.30pm today
Puckapunyal – Lyon Hill: 85mm, plus 23.8mm up until 1.30pm today
Puckapunyal – West: 121.2mm; plus 4.6 up until 1.30pm today.

VicEmergency also reported that Tallarook received 56.2mm of rain in the six hours to 11am today; while there was 61.8mm at Hilldene.

Bidstrups Bridge at Sugarloaf Creek, north of Broadford.

Council advised this morning the following shire roads were closed due to flooding:

Broadford: High Street (near the Island park and bowls club)
Glenaroua: Ashes Bridge Road
Hilldene: Seymour Pyalong Road
Pyalong: Sandy Creek Road, Seymour Pyalong Road, Whitegate Road
Seymour: Delatite Road, Telegraph Road
Sugarloaf Creek: Sugarloaf Creek Road
Sunday Creek: Gerards Road
Waterford Park: Ryans Road.

Kilmore SES Unit reported this morning that it had responded to more than 70 requests for assistance due to flooding, fallen trees and road accidents.

There were several road accidents overnight and early this morning, including a falling branch crashing through a truck window on the Kilmore-Broadford Road, near Broadford.

Several incidents of flash flooding have occurred in Wallan and Kilmore, while the Sunday, Dry and Sugarloaf creeks near Broadford have burst their banks causing widespread flooding into paddocks and across roads.

Sandbags are available from Kilmore and Seymour SES units for residents requiring assistance.

Emergency services are advising people to stay at home, and not travel unless absolutely necessary.

An increasing number of roads are being closed, with up-to-date listings at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au.

Other roads in the region listed to be closed include Broadford-Flowerdale Road, Strath Creek to Whittlesea-Yea Road, Flowerdale; and Simons Hill Road, Darraweit Guim.

Whittlesea Showgrounds have also been impacted by flooding, causing the cancellation of today’s Whittlesea Monday Market.