Established in 1875 as the
proudly serving Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay
11 JANUARY, 2023
12496404-AV22-21
FREE DIGITAL EDITION
SIG N U P N O W!
A year for community YEAR IN REVIEW ... STORIES OF THE YEAR
12533599-HC07-22
Maribyrnong and Hobson Bay roared back to life in 2022 after two years of COVID lockdowns. Community events, stage shows, school fetes and music festivals were held across the inner west for the first time since 2020, as the pandemic slowly began to fade from the headlines. In October, the Maribyrnong community rallied together after water from the Maribyrnong River inundated homes. We look back at how 2022 unfolded in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay. As we welcomed 2022, chronic staff shortages driven by increasing COVID-19 cases were putting a strain on businesses in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay, particularly those in the hospitality sector. In February, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre was desperately trying to find out what happened to its order of rapid antigen tests which had not been fully delivered more than five weeks after the order was placed. It came as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission launched an investigation into the supply of RATs after several orders placed by multiple charities were delayed. In March, a majority of surveyed Maribyrnong residents threw their support behind council’s plan to grow medicinal cannabis. Councillors voted in September, 2021, to enter the medicinal cannabis industry in a bid to reduce household rates. In April, Hobsons Bay council proposed the introduction of paid parking meters at Altona beach in a bid to offset infrastructure costs. The proposal was eventually given the greenlight in December. In June, Hobsons Bay council drew the ire of Spotswood Football Netball Club after construction of the new pavilion at Donald McLean Reserve stretched beyond the two-and-a-half-year mark. Also in June, Yarraville residents were critical of Maribyrnong council’s proposal to build an indoor sports stadium at McIvor
Maribyrnong residents Rabia Menekse and Kristen Roberts consoled each other looking at the damage the flooding caused.
Reserve, believing it should not be built on green space. In August, Hobsons Bay council proceeded with plans to close the Laverton Swim and Fitness Centre and build a new state-of-the-art aquatics centre in Altona Meadows. The biggest story of the year hit the headlines in October as parts of Maribyrnong were inundated with flood water.
Maribyrnong council labelled it “one of the worst flood events in the city’s history” as residents faced a lengthy clean up. A week after the flood, Carbone Lawyers started initial discussions with flood victims about a potential class action against the Victoria Racing Club [VRC]. The Victoria Racing Club [VRC] built a flood wall around the Flemington Racecourse in 2007, after receiving approval from the state
(Joe Mastroianni) 303824_01
government to undertake upgrade and flood protection in 2004. Melbourne Water launched a review of the decision to erect the flood wall around Flemington Racecourse following the flooding event. The VRC vowed to raise money during the Melbourne Cup Carnival to donate to the flood relief effort.
Kenyon-Smith Denture Clinic A family tradition for 60 years 100 Pier Street, Altona 9315 9231 • 27 Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing 9748 8204
Dental Prosthetists Full dentures, Partial dentures, Repairs - relines • Victorian Denture Scheme • Veterans’ Affairs John, Andrew, Simon and Paul Kenyon-Smith