Panthers still perfect

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January 14, 2020

By Jackson Russell

Wallan Panthers’ men started off 2020 the same way they finished 2019 – an 11th-straight win maintaining their perfect record.

The Panthers cruised to a 107-68 win over cellar-dwellers Wodonga Wolves at RB Robson Stadium on Saturday night.

A dominant 31-12 first quarter gave the Panthers a 19-point lead and set up the win.

Wodonga stemmed the bleeding in the second period, holding the deficit to 19 points at half-time after a 23-23 quarter.

Wallan put its foot back on the throttle in the second half, widening the margin to 27 points at three-quarter time after a 24-16 third period.

With the win already locked, the Panthers put the game away with a 29-17 fourth quarter for a 39-point win.

Nearly two-thirds (66 points) of the Panthers’ baskets came from inside the three-point line while they made 23 free throws.

Max Viitala dropped 37 points in the win, including a 14-point first quarter while Jaak Ponsford chipped in with 15 points.

The Panthers’ men are now four wins ahead of second-placed Myrtleford Saints, who have two games in hand, and will look to extend their lead when they face the Saints on the road on Sunday.

Unfortunately, the Panthers’ women weren’t able to get off to the same start, going down 76-58 to the still undefeated Wodonga Lady Wolves.

The loss is Wallan’s second for the season with the Panthers second on the ladder, two games behind Wodonga.

After a tight 21-19 first period, Wallan trailed by just two points.

The Panthers kicked it up a notch in the second quarter, outscoring the Wolves 17-8 to take a seven-point lead into half-time.

Wallan’s wheels fell off coming out of half-time as Wodonga put up a 28-5 third quarter to take a 16-point three-quarter time lead.

Wallan led by three points with 5:55 left in the third before Wodonga started its game-winning run.

The Panthers weren’t able to eat into the lead, with a 19-17 fourth quarter sealing their fate.

The Panthers’ women also travel to Myrtleford on Sunday to face the 4-5 Saints.

Call for deers to be classed as pests

The North Central Review

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January 14, 2020

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By Evelyn Leckie

MACEDON Ranges Shire Council will again write to the Premier of Victoria and several ministers to request the immediate listing of deer as a pest animal in Victoria.

Council’s director of planning and environment Angela Hughes said rising numbers of feral deer have had a negative impact in the Macedon Ranges.

“Deer destroy native vegetation, reduce biodiversity, and cause financial hardship for local agricultural producers,” Ms Hughes said.

“There is also a high risk of human injuries and deaths from deer-vehicle collisions.”
Peri-urban regions like the Yarra Ranges, Cardinia, Nillumbik and Manningham councils have also urged the State Government to consider deer as pests.

Deer species like the Sambar, Fallow and Red Deer occupy the southern part of the shire and across the Macedon Ranges, including the Macedon Regional Park, Lerderderg National Park and Wombat State Forest.

They are currently listed as a protected ‘game’ species under the Wildlife Act rather than a ‘pest’ species.

The State Government has resisted the request, releasing a draft deer management plan in 2018, which opened up 90,000 hectares of the Alpine National Park for deer hunting as a way to tackle population numbers.

The government’s resistance to labelling the species a pest, leads to higher costs that fall on local government.

“Effective control of deer require co-ordination across public and private land, which is resource intensive and beyond council’s capacity without significant support from other levels of government,” Ms Hughes said.

Council staff deployed to assist

The North Central Review

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January 14, 2020

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Council staff from both Mitchell and Macedon Ranges shires have been deployed to Victoria’s north-east to assit with bushfire response and recovery.

Mitchell Shire Council staff have joined many other local government staff to support councils to assist people in the Wangaratta, Alpine and Towong shires through providing a range of skills, expertise and manpower to meet the needs of the response and recovery process.

The decision to send staff was weighed up with the current needs of Mitchell Shire.

Mitchell Shire Mayor David Lowe said the council’s Emergency Management Team ensured that the council remained ready if an emergency was to occur within the shire.

Cr Lowe said council staff were providing on-ground co-ordination of local government response operations, relief centre assistance and providing support at an animal relief centre.

“The fires in the north east of our state have been swift and intense and Mitchell Shire is ready to provide assistance to our neighbours during this difficult and challenging time,” he said.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has deployed two emergency management staff to Towong Shire.

Acting chief executive officer Karen Stevens said council’s experienced and skilled staff would be based at the council offices in Tallangatta, which was outside the current fire area.

She said the council had the capacity to assist last week and the weather was milder, which reduced the likelihood of bushfires in Macedon Ranges.

“We are pleased to be able to offer assistance to councils affected by the bushfires and share our expertise and knowledge with them,” Ms Stevens said.

Acting Mayor Mandi Mees said council was always keen to assist where possible when other councils were affected by bushfires and other emergencies.

“We know how devastating bushfires can be to a region, and we want to help in whatever way we can to assist our fellow councils to help their communities following these terrible fires,” she said.

Memorial to mark 75-year anniversary of plane crash

The North Central Review

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January 14, 2020

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Memorial to mark 75-year anniversary of plane crash

A MEMORIAL to mark a plane crash that took the lives of 10 passengers will be unveiled in Spring Plains on the event’s 75th anniversary.

Spring Plains is located between Tooborac and Redesdale, south of Heathcote.

In 1945, two pilots and eight passengers were flying from Essendon to Broken Hill in a Stinson aircraft when a fatigue crack in the plane’s left wing caused it to separate from the aircraft’s body.

The plane ‘Tokana Vhuyy’ was only 21 minutes into its journey and was flying at 1000 feet, 304 metres, before a sharp crack was reportedly heard from witnesses on the ground.

The aircraft broke apart and spun violently to the ground before crashing, causing an explosion of flames.

Pilots Alan Murn and Orville Openshaw were flung out of the cockpit during the plane’s descent, their bodies were found unburnt and close to the wreckage.

The wreck was scattered along Spring Plains Station where the Stinson Memorial Unveiling will take place on January 31.

Event organiser Robert Chapman said the idea to mark the crash site had been a long time coming.

“We initially had support from the Federal Government for the memorial, but that was dropped,” Mr Chapman said.

“The community have completely funded this project.”

Mr Chapman said the crash was a tragedy for the area, with some of the community drawing links to World War Two sabotage.

“Because it was war time, a lot of people thought there was a disquiet about it,” he said.

“Some thought it was mishap and some thought it was sabotage.”

Mr Chapman said the Tokana Vhuyy was one of four Stinsons imported in 1936 by Airlines of Australia, and it was the third Stinson to crash and the fourth ‘Vhuyy Binana’ had its certificate of airworthiness suspended.

Mr Chapman made contact with witnesses and the victim’s relatives, some of whom were expected to attend the memorial.

The Stinson Memorial Unveiling will begin at 9.30am, Friday January 31 at the Burke and Wills Track, Spring Plains – Mia Mia, next to the Duigan Flight Monument.

Members of the Kyneton Aeroclub will conduct a fly over at 9.50am.

Roundabout to improve safety

Roads & Transport

The North Central Review

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January 14, 2020

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By Jackson Russell

Work has begun on a new $4.7 million roundabout at the intersection of Main and Barry streets in Romsey, which will improve safety and traffic flow.

Construction of a second roundabout is also underway at Melbourne-Lancefield Road and Gisborne-Kilmore Road in Monegeetta, as part of the next stage of major safety upgrades for Melbourne-Lancefield Road.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said construction on the Barry Street roundabout project was expected to be completed by June 2020, weather permitting.

The roundabout works come after the installation of new pedestrian lights on Main Street.
“In coming months, contractors will remove the existing road, kerb and channel to construct a new roundabout, a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists, street lighting and landscaping and relocate power lines underground,” Ms Thomas said.

Traffic management will be in place with speeds reduced to 40km/h for the safety of the community and workers.

All traffic will be able to pass through the intersection during construction however Barry Street could be closed at times to allow the project to progress.

The package of Melbourne-Lancefield Road works are expected to be complete by mid-to-late 2020.

Further works getting underway to improve safety on Melbourne-Lancefield Road include a northbound overtaking lane and new flexible safety barriers between Monegeetta and Romsey.

The barriers will be installed centreline and on the roadside in high-risk locations to reduce the likelihood and severity of head-on and run-off road crashes.

Ms Thomas said the roundabout projects follow after community concern regarding traffic issues in Romsey.

“We’ve listened to the community and are making sure these high-risk intersections are much safer by building two new roundabouts – which are proven to drastically reduce the risk of crashes,” she said.

Romsey Region Business and Tourism Association president Jenny Stillman said the roundabout would result in a safer entrance to the township and possibly encourage more traffic to stop.

“Regardless of which option is preferred, the end result will be a safer intersection and traffic being slower as it comes into the town centre,” she said.

“There’s also the opportunity of vehicles maybe taking the time to stop as well.”
While businesses near the intersection will be affected, business owners acknowledged something had to be done.

Romsey Hardware owner Nick Waldhauser said he would lose most of the car parking in front of the store but it was better than having to attend to crashes at the intersection.
“In the past, there are some weeks where we’ve had to take notepads [for people to take insurance details] out twice a week. There are that many accidents,” he said.

“We’ll probably lose eight or nine car parks out of it, which is basically the entire front of the store and you won’t be able to park as easily at the side because of the roundabout.
“Something had to be done, whether this is the right option I don’t know but it was a dangerous intersection.”

WR (2020-01-14)

Whittlesea Review

The North Central Review

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January 14, 2020

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NCR (2020-01-14)

North Central Review

The North Central Review

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January 14, 2020

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Giving thanks

The North Central Review

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January 14, 2020

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By Evelyn Leckie

GOVERNOR of Victoria Linda Dessau visited the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Northern District Office on Thursday to thank emergency services and listen to residents affected by the Plenty Gorge suburban fire.

Ms Dessau visited the burnt gorge with City of Whittlesea Mayor Emilia Sterjova and affected resident Simone O’Hare, before addressing CFA members, police officers and community members.

“It does impress upon me, when I look at the houses right nearby, what an extraordinary job the emergency services did that day,” Ms Dessau said.
“We tend to forget those who help quietly in the background – police, evacuation services and traffic control.”

The Victorian Governor personally thanked the quick-thinking emergency services and said she was there to listen to people affected by the incident.
“It’s re-traumatising for this community to have any further interaction with fires that are so threatening,” she said.

“I want you to know we’re very conscious of the fact it’s been a difficult time – we have a long, difficult summer ahead.”

City of Whittlesea Mayor Emilia Sterjova also thanked emergency services for their efforts.
“Something great to see in the middle of this crisis is our community coming together to help,” she said.

“The fires we’ve experienced were small in respect to the country, but they weren’t small to our community.

“Luckily our emergency services were there within minutes and the situation was remedied immediately.”

Affected residents Sim Pin and Sam Joseph said they felt safe knowing the CFA were protecting their properties.

“I could see the fire coming, I had my grandchildren with me when I rang emergency services,” Ms Joseph said.

“As I rang I could see the police, fire brigade and a helicopter began bombing water over the park.”

“The CFA were there and in control – on the streets to look after the houses,” Mr Joseph said.

Prepare a fire plan

The North Central Review

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January 14, 2020

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With bushfires continuing to rage across south-eastern Australia, Mitchell Shire Council is urging residents to be fire-ready and have a plan.

The council reminded residents of that bushfire survival plans were critical to all households across the shire.

And for those you already have a fire plan, the council advises people to re-visit those plans to make sure they are current and can be acted on.

Mitchell Shire Mayor David Lowe said everyone living, working or visiting the Mitchell Shire should have a fire plan.

“Leaving early is crucial to your safety for you, your family and your animals. Heed warnings and listen to the CFA,” he said.

“We are well into summer, but it is important for people to continue to review and revise their bushfire survival plans.

“So that if anything does happen, you will know what to do when you’re and your animals are at risk of fire. Just as every family or household is unique, every fire plan will be different.”

Cr Lowe said important information would be updated in real-time via the VicEmergency App, so people should download the App to stay up to date.

“I strongly advise people download the VicEmergency App and stay up to date with all alerts issued by the CFA. And most importantly, leave early,” he said.

Important details to consider in fire plans include looking after pets, keeping across emergency alerts and updates, and knowing where Bushfire Places of Last Resort – Neighbourhood Safer Places were located.

The following locations are Neighbourhood Safer Places:

Broadford: Harley Hammond Reserve Oval and car park, bounded by Hamilton, Gavan and Powlett streets.

Kilmore: Kilmore Racing Club, bitumen car park and overflow grass carpark, J Kelly Pavilion, East Street. Trackside Function Centre is not an NSP.

Pyalong: Recreation Reserve Hall, Pyalong Recreation Reserve Building, Northern Highway near corner of West Road.

Seymour: Chittick Park Oval, Pollard Street.

Tallarook: CWA Park, Corner Main Street (Upper Goulbourn Road) and Railway Place.
Tooborac: Recreation Reserve Public Hall, Northern Highway.

Wallan: Hadfield Park, bounded by Northern Highway, Wallan-Whittlesea Road, Windham Street and Queen Street.

Cr Lowe said the best way to support people in fire-affected areas was by a monetary donation through www.vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal.

“I would like to thank our local emergency services and DELWP staff for their considerable work supporting Mitchell Shire and the wider community. They are real-life superheroes and we cannot thank them enough,” he said.

For more information can be found on Mitchell Shire Council’s and the CFA’s websites.

Family living on a large scale

News

The North Central Review

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January 13, 2020

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Immaculately presented for contemporary family living, this beautifully presented home showcases generous interiors with stylish in/outdoor flow.

This home oozes quality and offers four good size bedrooms with the master having twin vanity, large shower, spa and walk in wardrobe. The other three bedrooms have built in wardrobes.

The Living space is well catered for with a large rumpus room to the front of the home perfect for theatre, living room as part of the kitchen/dining/family hub and separate lounge. For the chef of the house the bright kitchen provides all you need including Caesar stone bench tops, 900mm cook top, step in pantry, dishwasher and fridge plumbing.

Other features include plantation shutters & roman blinds throughout the home, a huge fully concreted outdoor entertaining area, main bathroom with bath, powder room, glazed porcelain floor tiles and high quality carpets throughout, neutral colour scheme, ducted gas heating, evaporative cooling, ducted vacuum, mains gas point for barbecue out the back, circular driveway, and oversized 8m x 7m double remote garage with room for work shop, internal access and rear roller door.

The land is flat and the rear yard offers plenty of room for a generous garden, orchard, or veggie patch- or you could even have a pony! There is also ample car parking space and side access to yard, perfect for extra car, caravan. boat or trailer. While this home ticks all the boxes for design and features, the quality and presentation send it to another level, making it a true gem in Hidden Valley.

This one will most certainly go quick so be sure to book your inspection today!