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24 AUGUST, 2021
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Edging ahead in life A Melton-based community organisation is giving people the edge in making the most of their lives. EDGE Community Services, an NDIS provider that began in Geelong in 2017 and opened in Melton last November, has been providing a range of services and activities to people living with a disability. Client Stephanie (Stephen) McKinley was identified as having borderline personality disorder along with an intellectual disability, making it difficult to make new friends. “Coming to EDGE has helped me get out of my comfort zone and try new things,” he said. “My new friends and the staff have been extremely friendly and accepting of the LGBTQIA+ community.” Chief executive Margie Thorpe said EDGE offers centre-based activities six days a week, including a free breakfast and lunch program. Details: 9749 0000 or edgecs.com. au Staff and participants at EDGE Community Services in Melton.
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Toxic soil investigation By Benjamin Millar The state’s public sector watchdog is investigating the Environment Protection Authority’s handling of approvals for sites to receive contaminated spoil from the West Gate Tunnel Project. The EPA last year approved environment management plans for sites in Bacchus Marsh, Ravenhall and Bulla to receive the spoil generated from tunnel boring machines, but revoked the decisions in December following Supreme Court challenges from community groups fighting the proposals. New environment management plans for all three sites were approved earlier this year before the project’s builder John Holland CPB
Joint Venture chose the Hi-Quality Quarry site in Bulla in June to receive the spoil. Victorian ombudsman Deborah Glass said her probe would investigate the adequacy of the EPA’s decision-making throughout the process. “I am concerned without the actions of the community groups, the deficiencies in the EPA’s decisions may not have been identified,” Ms Glass said. “The community deserves to know if correct processes were followed when it came to deciding where tonnes of spoil could be disposed of, especially given the proximity to homes.” The investigation will consider the EPA’s decision-making and approvals for sites operated by Maddingley Brown Coal in Bacchus Marsh, Cleanaway Operations in
Ravenhall, and Hi-Quality Quarry Products in Bulla. Ms Glass is seeking submissions from identified community groups for the investigation, expected to be completed by the end of this year. Although aware of the strength of some community feeling over the projects, Ms Glass warned her investigation cannot stop the construction of the West Gate Tunnel nor can she make binding orders about where the spoil should go. EPA chief executive Lee Miezis said the EPA will fully co-operate with the investigation. “The ombudsman can expect the EPA’s full collaboration and we will share all necessary information,” he said. “As this investigation is now under way,
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EPA has no further comments at this time.’’ Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik said the council welcomes the investigation as it is clear there are serious doubts around the EPA process. “This was a project that required the strongest possible rigour in assessing the environmental impacts,” she said. “We look forward to the ombudsman’s review and learning more about the process that was undertaken.” Moorabool council chief executive Derek Madden said the council welcomes the ombudsman taking into account community concerns about the EPA process around removing spoil from the West Gate Tunnel project. Brimbank council said it could not comment on the investigation.
Opening September! BOOK YOUR TOUR, MEET OUR TEAM AND EXPERIENCE THE KOOL KIDZ DIFFERENCE TODAY! Phone: 03 8001 9585 www.koolkidzchildcare.com.au/melton-south 12508399-JW35-21