Ranges
3 Tuesday, 3 March, 2015
Trader
The Patch Fatality
8
Covering the Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges & Cardinia Shires
Knox Weekend
A Mail Newspaper Group publication
21-23
Sports of all sorts
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
â– Residents successfully protest against Tecoma Ambulance building site...
People power By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
Tecoma Ambulance building site protest pays dividends. Front right is Andrew Macpherson, behind from left, Bill Brindle, Carol Allen, Jill Duke, Photo: ROB CAREW Barbara Crisp, Cecilia Cheek, Lynne Lambert and Kate Gustke. Behind are David Taplin and Richard Lambert. 135106 significant concern for local residents,� Mr Merlino said. “The health minister in the previous Liberal Government simply refused to address this issue.� He confirmed to residents that he had engaged in talks with the incumbent health minister, and persuaded her to reconsider the site.
“I’ve raised this matter with Health Minister Jill Hennessey, and the minister has agreed to look at alternative site options.� Ambulance Victoria acting general manager Regional Services Mick Stephenson acknowledged that the site was under negotiation. “Ambulance Victoria is in discus-
sions with the Department of Health and Human Services about the best location for the new Belgrave branch,� Mr Stephenson said. “We remain committed to building a new branch for the benefit of the community and will continue to provide a 24-hour emergency response from our existing Belgrave branch.�
FAMILY LAW SPECIALIST
KALORAMA BINS www.kaloramabins.com.au 1008519-RMB38-11
0458 665 590 OR 9761 9171
WE SERVICE YOUR SPECTACLES
• Gas Ducted Heating • Split Systems • Evaporative Cooling • Ducted Refrigeration • Add on Air Conditioning
For Life
AAB Lawyers can assist clients with: > Asset protection > Property division > Parenting arrangements and disputes > Family violence 450280-SH18-10
1128441-DC15-14
Your local Bloke!
2m3, 3m3 and 5m3 SKIP BINS
In the meantime, Ms Cheek said the residents would hold firm. “The station is an essential community service and we need to make sure it’s in the best possible position to service the people of the area,� she said. “That place is certainly not Rocksleigh Avenue.�
9763 4577 9762 2252
Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Rowville 89 Boronia Road, Boronia Shop 2, Dorset Sq, Boronia
2-8 Main Rd Monbulk
9756 7400 1164462-LB47-14
Anna Bulner B.A., LL.B. Accredited Family Law Specialist The only accredited Family Law Specialist in Emerald and surrounds First consultation free for the first hour P (03) 5968 5221 E anna@aablawyers.com.au 398 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald 1/56 John Street, Pakenham (by appointment only) aablawyers.com.au
(0(5$/' 6DOHV 5HQWDOV
For your red carpet experience
1175106-CG10-15
HEALTH Minister Jill Hennessy will search for an alternative site to build the new Tecoma Ambulance branch, in what residents are hailing as a win for their cause. Construction was due to begin in coming weeks on the building situated on Rocksleigh Avenue, Tecoma - a site that drew significant protest from residents of the street. The property was viewed by several community members as inappropriate due to its dimensions as well as its location on a quiet, narrow street with only one opening. Positioned between two traffic bottlenecks, the station would not be staffed on days of extreme fire danger due to the high risk. In late February, Monbulk MP James Merlino confirmed with residents that he had asked the health minister to consider more appropriate sites. Cecelia Cheek and husband Andrew Macpherson have lived on Rocksleigh Avenue for the past 28 years and have been part of a strong movement of residents to stop the new station. Ms Cheek said the previous Health Minister David Davis misled the public regarding the application process. “The process involved a false written statement from Ambulance Victoria to the residents of Rocksleigh Avenue, claiming that planning law would be followed,� Ms Cheek explained. “This undertaking was broken by Ambulance Victoria when they decided to use Section 16.� Section 16 refers to a special exemption that gives certain government services the ability to build without permits. Mr Merlino acknowledged the concerns of the residents. “This proposed location has caused