MAY 19, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Teens takeover Melton council has partnered with the national broadcaster to tell the stories of local teens – and they’re calling for storytellers. The ABC is going across the state to tell the stories of high school students as part of Takeover Melbourne. Melton has joined 31 other councils to help ind amazing stories to tell. High school students, and those outside of formal education aged 12 – 18, are encouraged to share a written or recorded short story about part of their life. Judges will then select 32 winners to have their stories featured on the ABC. Melton mayor Lara Carli urged local teenagers to share a story about an interesting part of their life or an issue that affects them. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for local young people to have their perspective represented in the media and to help shape our city’s future,” she said. Entries to Takeover Melbourne are open until Friday, June 26. Entrants are advised to submit either 300-400 words or 2-4 minutes of audio/video. Details: abc.net.au/takeover
Melton Secondary College student Veronica, 17, wearing a traditional garment from Kongo. (Damjan Janevski) 208524_09
Ewen McRae
Soil bid: Council ‘shut out’ By Ewen McRae Moorabool council says it has been shut out of the decision-making process, ater Maddingley Brown Coal asked the state planning minister to amend its permit to allow it to store contaminated soil. MBC has made an application to Planning Minister Richard Wynne to approve its proposal to store, categorise and dispose of contaminated soil from the West Gate Tunnel project. he move efectively bypasses the council, with Mr Wynne to decide whether to approve or deny the permit.
Moorabool mayor David Edwards said the council has felt shut out of the decision-making process by MBC since the proposal was irst conirmed. He said further consultation was needed before any decision could be made. “he lack of transparency shown by the proponents to date has put the minister in an impossible position,” he said. “he minister has long been a supporter of council and community consultation and it will be extremely disappointing if he chooses to intervene without further input. “Council has been professional throughout this process and has never stated a position for
or against this project. We simply want to be aforded the right of proper consultation so that we can understand the risks to our community and our assets. Instead, the minister now risks making an ill-formed judgment, under a highly pressurised environment, based largely on information provided by project proponents and government agencies tasked with getting the West Gate Tunnel project built.” Western Victoria MP Bev McArthur has also slammed MBC’s decision and called on Mr Wynne to listen to the local community. “his is a shocking development, yet again MBC have gone behind the backs of the
Bacchus Marsh community and Moorabool Shire Council,” she said. “It is clear that no proper consultation can happen while current social distancing restrictions remain, and MBC haven’t even tried. “Instead of delaying the application, they have gone straight ahead in their demand to Minister for Planning Richard Wynne, efectively asking him to bypass the local decision-making process. It would be a sham. I’ve seen at irst-hand how strongly the community in Bacchus Marsh feels, and to see that overridden by a politician … would make a mockery of the whole process.”
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