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Helping kids get active St Albans Primary School pupils’ physical and mental health will benefit from a $30,000 active schools grant. The school is one of 96 across the state to receive a grant to encourage children to become more active. Principal Joanne Richmond said the timing of the grant couldn’t have been better. “Obviously during COVID we couldn’t come into school,” she said. “There was the extended absence and restrictions in place. A lot of the children have forgotten to be active and exercise. “For a lot of children this is the only place they exercise … They all missed being out in the playground.“ Ms Richmond said the school was considering using the grant to install synthetic turf near its soccer pitch. “It would be a space that would be interchangeable and inclusive,” she said. “The synthetic pitch would have different markings and we want it to be interactive and we want to incorporate the nearby sandpit.” St Albans East and Stevensville primary schools, Sunshine College and Lakeview Senior College in Caroline Springs also received grants. JESSICA, VY AND HAREEM
Tara Murray
Albion flyover anger By Tara Murray Albion residents protested a proposed rail flyover which would pass close to the suburb’s historic John Darling Mill buildings on Sunday. Community groups, including Albion & Ardeer Community Club (AACC), organised a rally in response to residents’ concerns about the concept plans for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link. The plans include a new bridge over the Maribyrnong River and elevated twin tracks between Sunshine and Albion Junction. The elevated tracks will be next to the mill site, which is slated for conversion into
a transport-oriented development centred around a 100-room Mercure Hotel. There is no mention of previously promised upgrades to the Albion area or the Sunshine Super Transport Hub in the plans. AACC member Neil Head labelled the plans “disastrous” for the area’s future. “We were looking forward to seeing how [the rail link] would improve our neighbourhood. “The flyover right over Albion station is high in the sky and will have an adverse impact on the John Darling Mill buildings. “They are a beautiful icon in the history of Brimbank … It’s one of the main attractions for the west and the rail folk are putting an air
rail right in front. “The airport rail folk have to be careful in the design as it will be there for a century.” Mr Head said the lack of detail around upgrades to Albion station and the surrounding area in the rail link plans was something residents were also concerned about. He said many people describe Albion as the worst station in Melbourne and believe the station and surrounding area should be upgraded at the same time as the rail link. “It’s in shocking condition and we were hoping the Darling Mill redevelopment and the airport rail link would see that change.” The group also fears that the elevated tracks
could limit opportunities to upgrade the Ballarat Road and Anderson Street intersection in the future. Mr Head said they would prefer for the new rail line to go underground. He and the AACC said the area was significantly historic and that needed to be taken into account. At a recent council meeting Mr Head, on behalf of the AACC, asked the council to give consideration to initiating a UNESCO World Heritage listing for Albion, including the Darling Mill area. ■ For
more on the airport rail link: Page 9
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