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Western Fwy is one of the worst A Melton road has been named as one of the most concerning roads in Melbourne in a recent RACV survey. The My Melbourne Road Survey asked more than 5000 motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and public transport users about their safety concerns of Melbourne’s transport network. The Western Freeway, between Hopkins Road and the Melton Highway, received the 10th most responses out of all roads in Melbourne. The main issues raised in the responses
were that two lanes are insufficient to service the major growth area, there is an absence of adequate merging lanes and overall road quality is insufficient for demand. Michelle Hansford is a Melton resident of over 35 years who said she was not surprised by the results. “… But even if it was number one, I don’t think the government would do anything about it anyway. It’s been that way for such a long time,” she said. Ms Hansford has had family members
involved in four car accidents on the freeway in the last two years. Most recently, she said her son had a new work van he uses for his small business written off after he swerved to avoid a collision in front of him and sideswiped a truck. “There’s accidents all the time, there’s new estates all along it but still nothing has been done,” she said. Melton council has been advocating for upgrades to the Western Freeway, with suggestions laid out in its 2022 Moving Melton
Prospectus. The prospectus states that the Western Freeway currently carries over 77,000 vehicles per day, and by 2031 it is expected to jump to 110,000 a day. The prospectus recommends an upgrade to urban freeway standard from Melton to Deer Park, with additional lanes and upgraded interchanges as well as a new pedestrian and cycling path along the Western Highway. The state and federal governments have each allocated $10 million for a business case to investigate upgrade options for the road.
Two arrested over dispute
Isidora needs help to fly as high as her kicks. (Ljubica Vrankovic) 348583_03
Isidora is a teen taekwondo champ A 14-year-old Bacchus Marsh taekwondo champion has qualified for the Australian Championships, but needs help from her community to get her there. Isidora has been practicing taekwondo for four years, is already a second dan black belt and has won more than 10 medals in the sport. Most recently, she came home with the gold medal from the State Championship in May. At 10 years old, Isidora said she wasn’t that interested in taekwondo, but now she loves it. “My mum put me into it because I was a very shy person and she thought a sport like
this could help bring up my confidence,” she said. “After my first tournament I won a gold medal, and it excited me to continue taekwondo. “I like how it gives me a challenge, something I can work on and use in life.” Isidora has qualified for the Australian Taekwondo National Championships 2023 in Perth on October 13, but has needed to set up a fundraiser with the help of her mother, Dani Colevic, to cover the estimated $2500 cost of the trip.
Dani said the family is a one-income household and the flights, accommodation, fighting gear and entry fees are expensive. “Isidora is a young and fired taekwondo athlete with a dream to one day be a part of the Australian national team. Having contributions from our community would show a unified support towards isidora and getting there one day,” she said. Isidora said competing in nationals would mean “so much”, and that it would make the time and effort she’s put into competing all worth it.
A 32-year-old Caroline Springs man was one of two people arrested as part of an investigation into an altercation in Ravenhall earlier this month. Police believe there July 7 incident on the Deer Park Bypass is part of an ongoing dispute between two men with organised crime links. Police have been told the men were in two vehicles travelling inbound on the Western freeway when one of the vehicles allegedly forced the second off the road at high speed about 11am. An physical altercation then occurred between the two men, in which the Caroline Springs man threatened the second man with a hammer, police said. All parties then left the scene before police arrived. The incident is believed to be linked to an ongoing series of arson attacks across Melbourne which are believed to be linked to disputing organised crime syndicates. The series of 12 incidents dating back to June 24 are being investigated by police. It includes property and car fires in Fraser Rise, Caroline Springs, Maribyrnong, Fawkner, Greenvale, Oakleigh, Collingwood, Port Melbourne and Dandenong. Police arrested the Caroline Springs man and a 31-year-old Balwyn North man on Wednesday, July 19. VIPER Taskforce detective inspector Mick Daly said the altercation and the incident on the freeway leading up to it had the potential to put other road users at significant and completely unnecessary risk. “We already know that these groups have very little concern for the safety of the broader community, as seen by the number of tit-for-tat arson incidents that have occurred as part of this dispute,” he said. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
New peak body for boosting Moorabool tourism launches A new peak body responsible for boosting tourism to Moorabool and surrounds has officially launched and elected its first chairperson. Tourism Midwest Victoria (TMV) is a new partnership between local governments including Moorabool council, state government, and industry. As mid-west Victoria’s new peak tourism body, TMV will be focused on driving visitation to Moorabool, Ballarat and the Pyrenees, Golden Plains and Hepburn shires. Its aim is to position the region as one of Victoria’s premier tourism destinations, showcasing its unique attractions, rich history, 4 MELTON & MOORABOOL STAR WEEKLY Tuesday, 25 July, 2023
and vibrant community. TMV has been formed as a part of the state government’s plan to transition Victoria’s existing Regional Tourism Boards (RTB) to a new network of Visitor Economy Partnerships (VEPs). VEPs are the result of the government’s Regional Tourism Review and Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan, which provides actions to address challenges and opportunities within the regional tourism market. John Pandazopoulos will be the inaugural chair of TMV. Mr Pandazopoulos has more than 30 years public sector experience as a member of
parliament, state minister, mayor, and board member of statutory corporations. Mr Pandazopoulos said regional tourism is the essence of what Victoria is. “People know about Melbourne, but it is the diversity of the people and places that exist across regional Victoria that shape the quintessential Victorian experience,” he said. “[The VEP model] provides us with an opportunity to create something that transforms and captures the broader region of Midwest Victoria to give visitors a new reason to visit and stay longer – after all, tourism is about sharing the places we love and cherish with others.
“One of our first tasks will be delivering a destination management plan for the region that explains where the opportunities lie to improve visitation and set a common vision that is supported by the whole community.” Moorabool mayor Rod Ward said It’s very pleasing a board chair has been appointed. “Moorabool Shire Council is looking forward to working with John and the board in this partnership to achieve great economic and community outcomes in the tourism space for our shire,” he said. Liam McNally