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22 NOVEMBER, 2022
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Castle back in business
Kryal Castle chief executive Bart Hamilton.
The team at Kryal Castle spent long months during COVID quietly making improvements and practicing their craft with a live-in skeleton crew that included world champion jouster Phill Leitch. Post-lockdown, the medieval theme park has boomed back into action, and has been rewarded for its efforts with a nomination for Best Tourism Attraction in Victoria by the Victorian Tourism Industry Council. Kryal Castle chief executive Bart Hamilton said the nomination feels “amazing”. “It’s been quite a long journey from coming back from COVID , as it has been for most tourism entities, but the team has put in such an incredible amount of work over the last 12 to 18 months to get us back to where we are now,” he said. Since 1970, Kryal Castle has aimed to provide guests with an immersive medieval experience for kids and adults. Within the castle walls you can witness the highlights of the middle ages – jousting, sword fighting, potion-making wizards, an executioner, a torture dungeon, and a maze. The awards will be decided at a gala at the Melbourne Convention Centre on December 1. Liam McNally
(Damjan Janevski) 308396_05
Highway upgrade pledge By Liam McNally Labor has pledged $10 million dollars for a business case to upgrade the Western Highway if it wins the state election on Saturday, November 26. Last week, the state Labor party announced it would match a $10 million commitment from federal Labor made earlier in the year. The business case would explore the needs along the stretch of Western Highway from Melton through to Caroline Springs. The Western Highway is one of the six roads
Melton council has been calling on state and federal governments to help fund in its ‘Fix Our Roads’ campaign. State Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said a re-elected Labor government will deliver safer roads and improved traffic flow for families in Melton. “We’re doing what matters, delivering better roads to get Victorians home sooner and safer,” she said. Melton MP Steve McGhie said the Western Highway was a “critical road link”. Labor candidate for Kororoit Luba Grigorovitch said the business case would help address “the
critical need” for Melton commuters. In October the Liberal Party pledged $700 million to upgrade the Western Highway, as part of a $1.5 billion west roads package, if elected. Melton mayor Lara Carli said council is pleased with Labor’s election commitment, but that there is more work needed. “A business case will provide a clear direction on how to upgrade and future-proof this highway in one of Australia’s fastest growing areas,” she said. “While we acknowledge this funding will not deliver the critical upgrades we’re asking for, it is an important first step in bringing this
major arterial road to standard. “More than 5000 people have signed the Fix Our Roads petition and I’d like to thank our community for showing all parties what’s important to them. There’s still time to get behind the campaign and I’d encourage everyone to add their voice. “We look forward to working closely with the State and Federal governments after the election to ensure key roads in the City of Melton get the attention they deserve.” ■
More Fix Our Roads coverage: Page 5
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