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2 NOVEMBER, 2022
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Heart health Altona North’s St Leo the Great Primary School was bustling with activity recently, as part of a special skip-a-thon event to raise funds for the Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart challenge. The school raised $16,632 for the campaign for heart research, patient support and programs which help save lives. School physical education teacher Ashley Brehaut said he was a “little surprised“ with the pupils’ efforts, as his initial goal was $4000.About 290 pupils took to the pavement on Friday, October 21 to take part in the skip-a-thon, which involved pupils skipping in 40-minute blocks. Jump Rope for Heart is a skipping and fundraising program run in Australian primary schools throughout the year.It encourages students to have a positive attitude towards exercise, healthy eating and heart health, while raising vital funds to fight heart disease. The pupils learnt a number of skipping tricks, such as double unders, the pretzel, double dutch skipping, criss-cross, the skier and cartwheel skipping over a five-week period as part of the challenge. Details: www.jumprope.org.au
St Leo the Great Primary School grade 6 pupils Zachary, Ava, Edie, Carla and Matilda took part in the skip-a-thon event for the Jump Rope for Heart challenge. (Damjan Janevski) 304196_06
Yarraville pedestrian win By Matthew Sims Yarraville’s Anderson Street level crossing will be permanently closed to traffic to potentially make way for an architecturally designed underpass, as part of the state government’s Level Crossing Removal Project. On Wednesday, October 26, Premier Daniel Andrews announced the Werribee line will be level crossing free by 2030, including other planned removals at Hudsons Road in Spotswood, Maddox Road in Newport and Maidstone Street in Altona. The project will likely include the construction of new elevated rail bridges at Hudsons Road and Maddox Road to complement the construction of a
new train station in Spotswood. The Maidstone Street works will involve the construction of a road bridge to avoid disrupting utilities and connections to the industrial area. Upgrades to the road network will also allow for the level crossing at Champion Road in Newport to be closed, with vehicles able to cross the rail line at Maddox Road and a new grade-separated pedestrian crossing to be built at Champion Road. Footscray MP Katie Hall said the closure of the Anderson Street crossing is an chance to future-proof Yarravillle. “I encourage the community to engage with future consultations and put their views forward for a safer, better Yarraville,” she said. Maribyrnong mayor Anthony Tran said
the proposed underpass at Yarraville would ensure the safety of residents as they move around the precinct. “We have been asking for action at this level crossing for some time to ensure the safety of thousands of pedestrians who cross the line each day,” he said. Hobsons Bay mayor Peter Hemphill said while the council welcomed the proposed level crossings removals, he said the investment in the construction of a new Spotswood station would be better suited as part of the WEST East Metro Rail, which proposed a new underground station at Spotswood. “The removals will ease congestion on these major thoroughfares, which will be welcomed by Hobsons Bay residents and business
operators,” he said. “We encourage the government to bring forward planning for the WEST East Metro Rail to ensure the redeveloped station meets the requirements of this much-needed rail project.” However, Cr Hemphill said it was “disappointing” the council was not consulted about the closure of the Champion Road level crossing. This is a major thoroughfare between the two suburbs and its closure will have a significant impact on residents and businesses in the area,” he said. “Residents in North Williamstown will need to find other routes into Newport, which is likely to clog other arterial roads.” Details: levelcrossings.vic.gov.au
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