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March 2, 2021

MACEDON Ranges Shire Council will apply for additional funding of $2.2 million as part of the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Extension.

At its ordinary meeting last week, council discussed notification of $2,281,225 being made available to council, in addition to the $1.44 million granted in 2020.

The LRCI Extension is managed by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communication.
Council confirmed its priority list of projects, including: road reconstruction and widening at Chintin Road Monegeetta; footbridge reconstruction at Margaret Street, Macedon, Station Road, Gisborne, and Forest Street, Woodend; LED street lighting upgrades on minor local roads; electric vehicle charging stations at Woodend, Kyneton and Hanging Rock; LED street lighting on major roads; footpath at Baynton street, Kyneton; a bus stop shelter at Reynolds Grove and Main Road Service Road, Romsey.

Eligible road projects that involve construction or maintenance of roads managed by local governments could include: traffic signs; traffic control equipment; street lighting equipment; a bridge or tunnel; a facility off the road used by heavy vehicles in connection with travel on the road (for example, a rest area or weigh station); facilities off the road that support the visitor economy; and road and sidewalk maintenance, where additional to council’s normal capital works schedule.

The projects must deliver benefits to the community, such as improved accessibility, visual amenity, and safety.

Examples of eligible works include closed circuit TV (CCTV); bicycle and walking paths; painting or improvements to community facilities; repairing and replacing fencing; improved accessibility of community facilities and areas; landscaping improvements, such as tree planting and beautification of roundabouts; picnic shelters or barbeque facilities at community parks; playgrounds and skate parks (including all ability playgrounds); noise and vibration mitigation measures; and off-road car parks (such as those at sporting grounds or parks).

The grant aims to create local job opportunities and assist local governments to deliver local road and community infrastructure projects in order to assist communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information on these works, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au.

Vanilla slice delight

The North Central Review

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March 2, 2021

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By Aleksandra Bliszczyk

WHITTLESEA Bakehouse’s vanilla slice has been named best in the state for the second year in a row.

At the Victorian Baking Show, hosted by the Baking Association of Australia at Shepparton late last month, 45 bakeries entered the vanilla slice category to be judged blind.

Each slice was cut, tasted and scored on the crispness and evenness of the puff pastry, the thinness of the icing, and the flavour and mouthfeel of the custard – the silkier the better.

Whittlesea Bakehouse’s winning recipe from 2020 held up for a second consecutive year, which bakery manager Adrian Caporetto said was the result of years of experimenting.

“It’s been enhanced, improved, tweaked, a couple of little modifications here and there, little secrets and it’s just really stepped up a notch,” he said.

“What makes it so good is that creamy velvety custard, nice crisp pastry, thin shiny icing; it’s just a complete package.”
The bakery’s pastry chef of more than 20 years Michael Valenti makes each element from scratch, and bakes the slices every day to ensure crisp pastry.

Mr Caporetto and Mr Valenti worked ‘through the night’ to get everything ready before the show, which was nerve-racking for the pair.

“The judges have a very straight pokerface, you can’t make them out, you don’t know, and then of course you’ve got to sit there and wait for the dinner and presentation and you find out, so it’s one of those nail-biting days,” Mr Caporetto said.

“It’s great to get that recognition from people that are in the industry – that have been in it for a long, long time. It was just overwhelming, it’s fantastic.”

Mr Caporetto said business has been booming since they posted a photo of the trophy to the bakery’s Facebook page, which he said was a joy after last year’s lockdowns.

“It was a pretty sombre year last year and it’s great to have a bit of spark again,” he said.

Police arrest driver after hit-and-run

The North Central Review

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March 2, 2021

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GREENSBOROUGH Highway Patrol officers have arrested and interviewed a woman after a school crossing guard was struck by a car last week.

At about 9am last Monday morning, the crossing guard, a 58-year-old South Morang man, was packing up at a school crossing on Findon Road near its intersection with Meadow Glen Drive when he noticed a small silver sedan approaching in the eastbound lane.

The crossing guard, who was midway through crossing the road, waved at the driver of the sedan to stop, but the side of the car collided with him, causing him to fall onto the road and roll into the gutter.

The driver of the sedan stopped a short distance away before fleeing the scene.

Greensborough Highway Patrol Sergeant John Henderson said it was lucky the outcome of the collision was not worse.

“The crossing supervisor was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He’s got no broken bones but they’re still going to do some scans to see if there are any more extensive injuries. He had some pre-existing injuries as well,” he said.

“It’s [pretty average] to see a person drive off after hitting someone, especially at a school crossing. If it had happened 20 minutes earlier it could have been devastating with kids crossing the road.

“It’s not like he wasn’t visible. He had all his reflective gear on and he was packing all his gear up, so he was technically still on duty as a crossing supervisor.”

On Friday police arrested a 50-year-old woman from South Morang in connection with the incident.

The woman was interviewed and released pending further inquiries.

Sgt Henderson said police were still searching for witnesses to the incident.

“We’re looking for anyone with dashcam footage or who witnessed the incident,” he said.

Investigators have received information that a female driver in a maroon/burgundy coloured vehicle was driving directly behind the offending vehicle.

The woman, believed to be in her 40s, stopped to assist the school crossing supervisor but was unable to remain before police arrived.

She is described as having dark brown shoulder length hair, possibly of European descent and told other witnesses that she was on her way to work.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, has dashcam footage or CCTV from nearby is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Wollert ‘super lots’ proposal rejected

The North Central Review

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March 2, 2021

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A PLANNING permit application for the development of four ‘super lots’ on Bindts Road, Wollert has been rejected by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Dahua Epping Development Pty Ltd challenged the City of Whittlesea at a hearing last month over the subdivision of the large plot of land east of the Wollert township and west of Plenty Gorge Parklands.

The developer proposed a staged subdivision of two sections of the land into 205 residential lots and four ‘super lots’, the creation of reserves for open space, vegetation removal and demolition of various heritage elements.

The proposal area covered 30 hecatres alongside the Darebin Creek.

Both parcels contain dry stone walls associated with the land’s farming history, and native and introduced vegetation is scattered throughout.

Council said its key concerns related to what it determined were the proposal’s failures to meet mandatory requirements of the Quarry Hills Precinct Structure Plan, which have been incorporated into the Whittlesea Planning Scheme to guide the development of the new residential area; respect the heritage significance of buildings and dry stone walls; address bushfire risk; and provide adequate supporting information.

VCAT upheld council’s decision and did not grant the planning permit for several reasons, including insufficient bushfire management and the demolition of various heritage elements.

VCAT found insufficient regard had been given to the historic and aesthetic significance of dry stone walls in the permit zone. Dry stone walls date back to the gold rush and can be found across Victoria. They are often made from local bluestone, basalt, honeycomb or scoria stones.

VCAT also reasoned it was unclear how the subdivision layout had been designed to properly respond to bushfire risk, given the extent to which neighbouring public land would be relied upon for the provision of suitable buffers.

It ruled that reliance upon neighbouring public land for the mitigation of bushfire risk was not an acceptable management response when such land is set aside for biodiversity conservation purposes.

The verdict forces Dahua Epping Development to redraw its planning permit application, which council’s director of planning and development Justin O’Meara said it would work through with the developer.

“We respect decisions handed down by VCAT and will be re-engaging with the developer to work through the particulars of this decision to ensure any future development proposal has appropriate consideration to the historical significance at this site, as well as mitigating bushfire risk,” he said.

“Our experience with VCAT is that all applications are considered thoroughly against the relevant planning legislation.”

NCR (2021-03-02)

North Central Review

The North Central Review

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March 2, 2021

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WR (2021-03-02)

Whittlesea Review

The North Central Review

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March 2, 2021

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South Morang school crossing supervisor hit by car in Epping

Lauren Duffy

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February 25, 2021

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GREENSBOROUGH Highway Patrol officers have appealed for a hit-and-run driver who struck a school crossing guard in Epping on Monday to come forward.

At about 9am on Monday morning the crossing guard, a 58-year-old South Morang man, was packing up at a school crossing on Findon Road near its intersection with Meadow Glen Drive when he noticed a small silver sedan approaching in the eastbound lane.

The crossing guard, who was midway through crossing the road, waved at the driver of the sedan to stop, but the side of the car collided with him, causing him to fall onto the road and roll into the gutter.

The driver of the sedan stopped a short distance away before fleeing the scene.

Greensborough Highway Patrol Sergeant John Henderson said it was lucky the outcome of the collision was not worse.

“The crossing supervisor was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He’s got no broken bones but they’re still going to do some scans to see if there are any more extensive injuries. He had some pre-existing injuries as well,” he said.

“It’s [pretty average] to see a person drive off after hitting someone, especially at a school crossing. If it had happened 20 minutes earlier it could have been devastating with kids crossing the road.

“It’s not like he wasn’t visible. He had all his reflective gear on and he was packing all his gear up, so he was technically still on duty as a crossing supervisor.”

Sgt Henderson said police were now concentrating on finding the driver of a small silver or grey sedan, who was described as a woman of Caucasian appearance and about 50 years old with light brown hair.

“We’re looking for anyone with dashcam footage or who witnessed the incident or knows of someone with a silver car that has recent damage to it,” he said.

“Most importantly, we want the driver to come forward. They’re aware something has happened, but I don’t know if they know the extent of what has occurred.

“It’s hard to say whether they weren’t paying attention or were distracted by a phone or anything like that. We won’t know until the person comes forward.”

Investigators have received information that a female driver in a maroon/burgundy coloured vehicle was driving directly behind the offending vehicle.

The woman, believed to be in her 40s, stopped to assist the school crossing supervisor but was unable to remain before police arrived.

She is described as having dark brown shoulder length hair, possibly of European descent and told other witnesses that she was on her way to work.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, has dashcam footage or CCTV from nearby is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

$96.4 million armoured vehicle simulation centre set for Puckapunyal Military Area

Lauren Duffy

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February 24, 2021

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$96.4 million armoured vehicle simulation centre set for Puckapunyal Military Area

A THREE-STOREY armoured vehicle simulation centre is the centrepiece of a $96.4 million Federal Government investment in the Puckapunyal Military Area.

In addition to the new centre, works at the base will include a modernisation of training and support facilities for the Puckapunyal School of Armour, including nine additional workshop bays.

Driver training facilities and tactical simulators for the Australian Army’s armoured fleet will also be upgraded.Work at the base is expected to commence in March.

The government estimated the construction workforce required to build the new centre would peak at 200 people a day and inject money into the local economy.

Member for Nicholls Damian Drum said the project showed the government’s intent to support regional businesses.

“The fact that 85 per cent of the workforce is going to come from the areas surrounding this project shows exactly how serious we are,” he said.

“The Federal Government’s investment in regional Victoria is helping ensure the economy continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price said the project would deliver world-class facilities at Puckapunyal.

“The construction at Puckapunyal will be of great benefit to the Victorian economy and generate exciting opportunities for local businesses, showing once again that we have the backs of small business,” she said.

“The program will also deliver workshops and supporting infrastructure that is designed to be able to maintain the suite of armoured fighting vehicle platforms both now and into the future.”

Construction company St Hilliers was awarded the head contract to deliver the new facility as part of the government’s $235 million Fighting Vehicle Facilities Program Stage One works, following the announcement of a related package of works at Lavarack Barracks in Queensland.

Ms Price said the government was committed to delivering jobs and infrastructure to support training and maintenance of Australia’s fleet of armoured fighting vehicles.

“Our investment will support the upgraded M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank and incoming LAND 400 and LAND 8160 vehicle fleets,” she said.

“Training for these next-generation vehicles includes networked, high-fidelity training simulators in new, future-ready training centres.

“This upgrade will modernise the Australian Army’s armoured warfighting capability and their associated training systems.”

Work on the project is expected to finish in late 2022.

Further information is available at the Armoured Fighting Vehicle Facilities Program webpage.”

The announcement marks the second Federal Government investment in the Puckapunyal base in recent weeks.

In early February the government announced it would provide $38.9 million for a state-of-the-art health and wellbeing centre at Puckapunyal.

Tight at the top

The North Central Review

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February 23, 2021

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By Colin MacGillivray

SEYMOUR District Cricket Association’s four A Grade finalists will enter Saturday’s semi-finals in excellent form after each recorded wins at the weekend.

Broadford sewed up the minor premiership with a big home win against Alexandra, Kilmore cruised to victory against Seymour to finish second, third-placed Tallarook easily accounted for Eastern Hill and Yea Tigers downed Pyalong to claim fourth.

Broadford’s 6/207 to 85 win against Alexandra delivered the club its first A Grade minor premiership since the 2017-18 season.

After winning the toss and batting, the home side seized the initiative with a strong opening partnership between Riley Mason and skipper Ash Wood.

Mason survived a tough early period to patiently build an innings of 44, batting first with Wood and then with first drop Mitch Collier (36) after Wood was bowled by Alexandra’s Will Ellis, also for 44.

Evan Mills pushed the run rate up in the middle order by blasting an unbeaten 51 from 37 balls, bringing Broadford’s total above 200 from 45 overs.

With a large score to bowl at, Broadford’s attack kept the pressure on Alexandra.

Taylor Shell had one of his best outings of the season with figures of 3/2 from six overs, while fellow opening bowler Jack Connell kept Alexandra’s run rate down from the other end.

With the pressure growing on the visitors, Broadford spinners Braden Hickey (4/20) and James Jones (1/12) ripped through the Alexandra tail to finish the match inside the 37th over.

“It was a good tune up [for finals]. We played reasonably well, did what we went out there to do and got the result,” Wood said.

“We’re playing some good cricket, but the other three sides in the top four are also playing well and all had wins on the weekend, so I think it’s going to be a really close finals series.

“We’re looking forward to taking on Yea and it should be a good game of cricket on Saturday.”

Tallarook was equally clinical in its eight-wicket win against Eastern Hill at the weekend.

Blake Coyle starred with the ball after Eastern Hill elected to bat, removing most of the top order as he claimed 4/11 from nine overs.

Coby Schulz (2/27), Kalon Winnell (2/15) and Mitch Itter (1/11) were also among the wickets, while Leigh Irving bowled well for no reward in his nine overs.

Jake Sutherland (15), Brayden Speechley (13) and Matthew Collard (10) were the lone Eastern Hill batsmen to reach double figures in an innings of 79.

Tallarook reached its target in just over 20 overs, with opening batsman Cameron Muir’s dismissal, caught and bowled for a duck by Ben Bryant, one of the only stumbles.

Matthew Martin fell for 29, leaving Lachie Watts (29) and Irving (9) to make the winning runs for Tallarook.

An innings of 74 by opening batsman Dale Tassone set up Kilmore’s impressive 6/206 to 116 win against Seymour.

Tassone did the damage early before a middle-order knock of 57 by Ben Dawson gave the home side a huge total.

Rhys Melville (28) and James Voogt (26) made runs late for Seymour, but the visitors never had a chance to get back into the match.

Josh Buttler (4/14) and Robert Hanson (3/10) were the main wicket-takers for Kilmore.

Pyalong was outclassed in its 123 to 3/125 loss to Yea Tigers despite a knock of 44 by batsman Jamie Pryor.

Daniel Sowden (20*) was the only other Pyalong batsman to stick around at the crease, and Yea breezed through the run chase in only 27 overs.

This weekend’s semi-finals will feature Broadford host Yea Tigers and Tallarook visit Kilmore, with the winners of each match to square-off in the grand final.

Basketball sides set for finals

The North Central Review

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February 23, 2021

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SEYMOUR Blasters will play Wodonga Wolves in a Country Basketball League north-east conference semi-final this weekend after dispatching Mitchell Shire rival Wallan on Saturday.

Saturday’s game was the only CBL match played in men’s or women’s competition at the weekend as all other teams enjoyed a pre-finals bye.

The game had been rescheduled after two Wallan players were forced to self-isolate while awaiting COVID-19 test results earlier this month.

The match itself was dominated by the Blasters, who won 79-59 on their home court.

Tyler Best led the way for Seymour, scoring 21 points and putting Wallan defenders under pressure with strong moves to the basket.

Jordan Hockley contributed from the outside, netting a team-high three three-pointers on his way to 17 points.

Luke Liesegang tried his best for the Panthers with 14 points, and Jordan Sullivan and Sebastian Villegas had 11 each.

Seymour will play Wodonga Wolves in Saturday’s semi-final at Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre at 7pm with a spot in the grand final on the line.

Wallan Panthers men’s team finished sixth on the ladder, missing out on a finals’ berth.

In the women’s competition, Wallan and Seymour will play off in a semi-final of their own at Wallan’s RB Robson Stadium at 7pm on Saturday.

The Panthers finished second on the ladder, while Seymour finished third.