PRIME Minister Scott Morrison announcing funding for Ballarto Road before the federal election in 2019. Picture: Supplied
Promised project on the road to nowhere IN February 2019, Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited Ballarto Road in Skye to announce that it would receive $30 million in funding for upgrades. Nearly two years has passed since that announcement and contruction has not begun. Dunkley MP Peta Murphy has called on the government to update the community on the project. “For almost 20 months, we haven’t heard a word out of the federal government about this upgrade, our community needs and deserves certainty,” she said. “We know the Morrison government is always there for the photo op, let’s hope they are there for the follow up.” The upgrades were expected to be funded through the federal government’s urban congestion fund, a program which shadow infrastructure minister Catherine King says was
“underspent by $572m last year alone, with only $148m of the promised $720m getting out the door”. The upgrade plans were not finalised when the Prime Minister made the announcement last year, but they were expected to include works at Greenwood Drive, Dion Drive, and Potts Road (“Cash splash on busy Ballarto Road”, The News, 11/2/19). The 2020/2021 federal budget was announced last week, featuring new funding announcements for a number of local roads. The budget included millions of dollars in taxpayer funds toward works on South Road, Western Port Highway, Hall Road, and Narre Warren North Road. The federal government says that $84.5 million will be spent on Hall Road in Skye and Cranbourne West to increase traffic lanes, bike paths, and safety measures. Narre Warren Road
was provided a sum of $31 million for additional lanes and safety features. $27.15 million was put aside for the enhancement of Western Port Highway roundabouts at Ballarto Road and Frankston-Cranbourne Road, while $22.5 million was set aside for new turning lanes, traffic lights and safety features at South Road in Moorabbin between Nepean Highway and Warrigal Road. “Commuters in greater south-east Melbourne will benefit from reduced travel times due to improved traffic flow and improvements in road safety due to these road upgrades,” Victorian Senator David Van said. The federal government touted 264 jobs would be created as a result of the works, which are expected to be completed over the next four years.
Woman of the year nominations open
One COVID-19 case in Kingston
THE search has begun to find Kingston’s 2021 woman of the year. Nominations are now open for the award, which launched in 2019. Last year’s winner, June Rea, said “to have been chosen as the winner from such an outstanding field of nominees is very humbling.” “I strongly encourage you to consider nominating deserving women of Kingston who are making great contributions across many varied fields within their community.” Kingston Council CEO Julie Reid says that “these are women who make incredible contributions to their community every day, are passionate and extraordinarily devoted to what they do.” The winner will be announced at an event on 5 March, 2021. Nominations close 30 November. To nominate someone visit kingston.vic. gov.au/kwa
JUST one case of COVID-19 is active in the Kingston local government area, as of 12 October. A total of 300 cases of the virus have been recorded among Kingston residents since the onset of the pandemic. An outbreak at Chadstone Shopping Centre has pushed up the state’s total number of cases. There are 19 active cases linked to the shopping centre, and have been 33 in total. A statement from the Department of Health and Human Services read that “anyone who visited Chadstone shopping centre between 23 September and 8 October should get tested – if they have even the mildest of symptoms. Testing is available at Chadstone car park drive through – Level 2 Chadstone Carpark, outside Coles and a walk-in clinic is open for staff only at Central Amenities on the ground level.” There are 191 cases of coronavirus currently active in Victoria.
KINGSTON mayor Georgina Oxley with the 2020 woman of the year award nominees. Picture: Supplied
Laura Green
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Be seen everywhere. Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
14 October 2020
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