Plan to blow up the pokies Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au
THE planned route for the suburban rail loop project. Picture: Supplied
Big bill expected for rail loop THE first stage of the suburban rail loop project, between Cheltenham and Box Hill, is projected to cost more than $30 billion to complete. The business case assessing the project was released last week. When complete, the rail loop will link every major train line and provide a connection to Melbourne Airport. The proposal starts at Cheltenham. The business case quoted the cost of SRL East from Cheltenham to Box Hill at between $30 billion
and $34.5 billion. That section is expected to be complete by 2035. The state government says that the full project will deliver “up to $58.7 billion in economic, social and environmental benefits to the state, with a positive benefit-cost ratio range between 1.1 and 1.7.” Suburban rail loop minister Jacinta Allan said “Victorians voted for Suburban Rail Loop and we’re going to get on with it – it’ll change the way our city travels, ensuring every Victorian has access to hous-
ing, education and jobs as our state continues to grow.” “The City Loop, West Gate Bridge, City Link and Western Ring Road are all projects that have shaped Melbourne and where people have been able to live and work. Now it’s time for Suburban Rail Loop to help shape a better future for our growing city and state,” she said. The full business case can be read at suburbanrailloop.vic.gov.au/Library/BusinessandInvestmentCase
A PLAN to reduce the impact of gambling on the local community has been put out to consultation. Kingston Council’s draft gambling action plan was approved by councillors at a meeting this week. The measures council are likely to advocate for include reducing the hours local gaming venues operate to 10am to midnight, reducing the local electronic gaming machine cap down to 945, calling on the state government to remove designs from machines that contribute to gambling harm like linked jackpots, and the introduction of a $1 bet limit per button push on pokies. The reduction of the cap would mean that no more EGMs could be installed in Kingston, as there are currently 945 licensed in the municipality. Kingston gamblers regularly rank among the biggest losers statewide. In the last financial year in which gaming venues operated year-round, Kingston gamblers lost nearly $86 million on EGMs (“Punters pour money into pokies” The News 7/8/19) Kingston mayor Steve Staikos said that he had written to and met with gaming minister Melissa Horne to discuss the proposed changes. “Under our current cap levels, a further 268 licensed EGMs could be allowed in Kingston, this is exces-
sive and will only lead to further harm for those families and individuals already suffering. We have asked the minister to support a reduction in the Kingston EGM cap to its current level of licensed EGMs of 945,” Cr Staikos said. “In June I travelled to Canberra and met with MPs Michelle Rowland and Mark Dreyfus to raise concerns over the impact of gambling harm in our community. “We are continuing to work through the minister for gaming’s office to lobby for a reduction in the number of licenced poker machines in Kingston.”
Upcoming roadworks SECTIONS of Centre Dandenong Road and Springvale Road will close this week to allow for more works on the Mordialloc Freeway. Centre Dandenong Road between Boundary Road and Tootal Road will close from 7pm to 6am on Thursday 26 August while line marking works are undertaken. There will be detours via Old Dandenong Road and Lower Dandenong Road. From 8pm to 6am, 26 August, the southbound carriageway on Springvale Road between Pillars Road and the Mornington Peninsula Freeway entry ramp will close. Foundations for freeway directions signs will be put in. Springvale Road between Wells Road and Pillars Road will then close in both directions between 8pm and 6am on 3 and 4 September. Barriers on the bridge over the road will be installed. Motorists will be made to take detours via Wells Road and Governor Road during the closures.
FEVER OR COVID FEVER? The only way to be sure is with a test at the first sign of any symptom.
For testing locations, visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
25 August 2021
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