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25 MAY, 2021
12496404-AV22-21
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Soil protest at Parliament
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Angry residents fighting plans to dump toxic soil from the West Gate Tunnel project in Bacchus Marsh have taken their protest to Parliament. Scores of protestors lined the steps of Parliament last Thursday as the state government prepared to deliver its annual budget, hoisting banners and placards opposing contaminated tunnel spoil being trucked into the Bacchus Marsh and Sunbury areas. Moorabool Environment Group president Jodie Valpied said organisers were very happy with the turnout and that the protest sent a clear message that the community “will not tolerate being dumped on”. “Instead of cutting corners, we need to find a proper solution away from our food bowl and children,” she said. “We’ll continue fighting this, we are in the process of legal proceedings against the planning minister’s decision to cut communities out from consultation in the proposal.” A further protest has been planned for Bacchus Marsh this Saturday, with a march from Rupert Vance Moon Reserve down the Avenue of Honour from 10.30am. Benjamin Millar
Budget cash for Melton By Benjamin Millar Public transport, education and a key stretch of Calder Freeway are the big winners in the Melton area in the state government’s budget for the next 12 months. Handed down last Thursday, the 2021-22 budget included $94 million for Melton and Wyndham Vale railway corridor upgrades to allow for higher capacity trains including the nine-car VLocity services, which can increase capacity by up to 50 per cent during peak. A further $100 million will be spent on safety
and capacity improvements at the Calder Park Interchange between Gap Road in Sunbury and the M80 Ring Road, jointly funded with the federal government. Construction will begin on a new Rockbank Murray Road Primary School, $10 million will be spent upgrading Parkwood Green Primary School in Hillside and land will be acquired for Brookfield Primary School and Aintree Secondary School. The government has set aside $250,000 for a business case for TAFE in the City of Melton and improvements to bus routes 444 and 454 in
Woodlea and Aintree. A new whole-of-family support model for families with complex needs will also be introduced in Melton-Brimbank. Moorabool projects include the recently announced $4 million towards the $8.9 million upgrade to the Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recreation Reserve and $3.5 million for a new community and early learning centre in Maddingley. Kororoit MP Marlene Kairouz welcomed the budget, including funding for a new primary school for Rockbank. “With a rapidly growing community, local
families deserve confidence in their kids’ future – that’s what this investment delivers.” Melton MP Steve McGhie said the focus is caring for communities and creating local jobs. Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik welcomed the budget commitments, but called for more investment in a new western freight terminal, electrification of the Melton train line, full construction of Melton Hospital, and upgrades to the Western and Melton highways. “We know our residents need more local jobs, better transport connections, and greater education opportunities.”
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