Illegally dumped rubbish is again in the sights of Melton council, with a ‘name and shame’ approach and incentive program being investigated.
Councillor Phillip Zada said he was “absolutely sick and tired“ of talking about of discussing illegal rubbish and was seeking the council to find more ways to hold people accountable.
He raised a notice of motion at the April 28 council meeting calling for officers to investigate the possibility of introducing a name and shame approach to preventing illegal rubbish dumping.
This would include publicising the names of individuals and businesses found guilty of illegally dumping rubbish in accordance with relevant legislation and privacy protections.
CrZadaalsocalledforofficerstoinvestigate an incentive program for residents to provide substantiated reports of illegal rubbish dumping, with potential incentives including coffee or meal vouchers or credits applied to rates notices.
Melton council deals with 3500 tonnes of illegally dumped waste annually, at a cost of more than $5 million.
“Illegal rubbish dumping continues to be one of the most visible and frustrating issues
Olive harvest fest returns
CERES’ annual Olives to Oil event is coming to Brimbank to help residents experience the goodness of the pitted fruit.
Theeventisdesignedtobringpeopletogether to harvest olives and have them pressed communally into delicious, local olive oil.
Presented in partnership with My Smart Garden and Brimbank council, residents will beabletodropofftheirolivesononeofCERES localdrop-offdaysandpickupthecommunally pressedoliveoilattheorganisation’sfestivalon June 1.
When booking a spot, locals will be asked to select a weight category they expect to pick. Small quantities under 20 kilograms will be pressedforfree.Ifyou’reunsure,bringacouple of household buckets of olives and book a free spot. Pick your olives no earlier than two days before the drop-off date, to ensure freshness.
CERES said it was expecting the biggest year yet, planning for up to 50 tonnes of olives to be dropped off by more than 6000 people.
“It’s grown a lot since the first 200kg harvest in 2018,” CERES said.
For those who don’t have any olives to harvest, you are still welcome to register to come along to the festival or register to attend CERES’ harvesting and preserving workshop onMay14,attheWestvaleCommunityCentre.
Localsinterestedintheeventcanbookatime to bring their olives to the drop-off centre at VisyCaresHub,80bHarvesterRoad,Sunshine on Sunday, May 18, from 11am-3pm.
Details: ceres.org.au/olives-to-oil/
CERES Olives to Oil festival co-ordinator Samantha Hulls with one of the bottles of olive oil produced last year. (Damjan Janevski) 473927_02
Diabetes help in Vietnamese
Diabetes Victoria has established a new Vietnamese peer support group to provide culturally-relevant diabetes management help to the community.
The group, funded by a Brimbank council grant, aims to improve access to diabetes resourcesandsupportforthecity’sVietnamese population.
“We identified a gap in culturally inclusive diabetes support, especially for communities that face additional barriers in accessing health information and services,” Diabetes Victoria peersupportteamlead GiovannaTavernasaid.
“This Vietnamese peer support group was created as a one-year pilot to improve access to diabetes-related support in Brimbank, which has one of the highest numbers of Vietnamese people living with type 2 diabetes in Victoria.
“We know that language, culture, and trust areimportant.That’swhythisgroupisdelivered inVietnamesebydiabetesnurseeducatorYung
across our municipality,” Cr Zada said.
“Despite repeated warnings, educational campaigns, and enforcement efforts, the problempersists–affectingourenvironment, streetscapes, and sense of community pride.
“These measures aim to foster community vigilance, increase enforcement outcomes, and send a strong message that illegal dumping is not tolerated.”
CrBobTurnersaidillegalrubbishdumping is a “big, important problem” in Melton and “has been for many years,“ with the issue “just getting worse“.
This is the latest measure the council is seeking to halt the impact of illegal rubbish dumping.
The council at its February council meeting agreed to write to Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos calling on the state government to help local councils with the costs.
The council was to request the state government release funding from the sustainability fund that is collected from the waste levy, for increased financial support of local councils to manage illegal rubbish dumping.
A government spokesperson said at the time it knows the impact waste has in its communities, which is why it’s strengthening laws for the Environment Protection Authority to crack down on illegal dumping.
Nguyen, who shares cultural understanding and language with the community.”
Nearly 16,500 people in Brimbank are living with type 2 diabetes, according to the National Diabetes Services Scheme.
The new peer support group provides a safe, welcoming space for locals to learn practical self-management strategies, connect with health professionals, and share their experiences with others who understand their cultural context.
“When information is shared in a person’s first language and in a respectful, familiar environment, it can be easier to ask questions, sharestories,andbuildconfidenceinmanaging diabetes,” Ms Taverna said.
“This leads to stronger community connections and better health outcomes.”
The next session is Thursday, May 9, from 10am-noon, at St Albans Community Centre, 33 Princess Street, St Albans.
Diabetes nurse educator Yung Nguyen. (Supplied)
‘‘ When you are feeling broken, the way to healing is through helping others ’’
- Liz Skitch
Four walls and a caring lifeline
Thomastown Neighbourhood House manger Liz Skitch runs a community hub from a room inside the local library, offering connection, creativity, and crisis support. Tom Ingleton spoke with Liza about mental health, hidden trauma, and why neighbourhood houses are crucial - but under resourced - pillars of community care.
Tucked away in a quiet room inside the Thomastown Library, you’ll find what might just be the suburb’s most essential service – though most people don’t realise it until they walk through the door.
There’s mental health slogans, and then there are mental health saviours and the latter certainly applies to the Thomastown Neighbourhood House.
“We didn’t know you were here!” is the most common thing people say when they discover the neighbourhood house, manager Liz Skitch says.
But once they do, it doesn’t take long for the truth to land.
Across Victoria, mental health services are overwhelmed and recent studies highlight this epidemic is only getting worse.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in five Australians will experience a mental illness this year, yet in outer-metro areas like Whittlesea, access to psychologists remains critically low– just 2.2 per 1000 people.
Liz is many things to the community –actress, comedian and an award-winning performer – one thing she is not though is a psychologist.
However, she is very often the first point of contact for individuals in distress at the neighbourhood house.
“You give me a reason to leave the house,” one regular told her.
Another: “Thanks to your playgroup, I now have friends all over the neighbourhood.”
Inatimemarkedbyskyrocketingloneliness, cost-of-living stress and the long tail of the Covid-19 pandemic, places like this – warm, inclusive, and quietly revolutionary – are holding communities together.
And they’re doing it under the radar, on shoestring budgets, and with a kind of fierce love that can’t be faked.
When someone walks in clearly struggling,
Liz doesn’t offer a script.
“I listen. Then if I can help – I do,” Liz says.
“The heart-breaking thing is that more often than not, the best we can do is provide a safe space and a phone number to a better resourced organisation.”
What Liz wishes for is modest but urgent: a social worker on-site, food vouchers to give, transport for those who are stranded and can’t access services.
“Wedoourbesttopartnerwithorganisations like Foodbank and Whittlesea Community Connections but this is not enough.”
In that one sentence is the quiet frustration of countless front-line workers across Victoria, whoareholdingspaceforotherswhileburning out themselves.
One moment that stayed with Liz this year happened in a surprise setting – the Death Cafè.
It’s one of Thomastown Neighbourhood House’s more unconventional offerings, a philosophy-based program that facilitates conversations about end of life.
“One of the women shared how she lost her daughter to leukaemia, many years ago,” Liz recalls. “I was struck by her resilience and her creativity. Despite her grief, she’s committed to her community. It reminded me you never know what someone’s carrying.”
It’s a lesson that echoes across the programs the centre runs – from playgroups and craft workshops to dance classes and legal aid visits.
The weight of people’s stories isn’t always visible. But it’s there.
Since the pandemic, GPS and psychologists have increasingly referred patients to neighbourhoodhousesforwhatsomecountries call “green scripts” which directs patients to attend places doing activities that boost social cohesion and wellbeing without ever feeling like clinical intervention.
“Social cohesion is at an all-time low. Loneliness is at an all-time high,” Liz says.
“Butwhenanewparticipantjoinsourgroup, wefocusontheirstrengths.Beforelong,wecan see confidence grow and friendships flourish, “When you are feeling broken, the way to healing is through helping others.”
It’s healing through connection – and often, through creativity.
One of Liz’s highlights each week is a Monday afternoon dance party called Lets Move for young adults with disabilities.
“It’s pure joy,” Liz says. “That’s how I keep going – friendship and creativity.”
But Liz didn’t enter this role at a gentle time.
She became manager mid-pandemic, when all the programs were shut down and the focus turned to emergency food relief.
Suddenly, she was running a pantry out of the library foyer five days a week, with food linesstretchingtowardthenearbysportsfields.
“Ifeltoutofmydeptheveryday,”Lizadmits. “It was like trying to fill a bottomless well.”
Theneedhasn’teased.Ifanything,it’sgrown.
Now, with the cost-of-living crisis biting harder, the support of partners like Foodbank Victoria–whichbringsitsmobilesupermarket to Thomastown on Wednesdays – has become essential.
But so too has the advocacy for more sustainable support.
When asked what she wants politicians and mental health services to understand, Liz doesn’t hesitate.
“Neighbourhood houses provide a sense of belonging and purpose – which is often the key to overcoming mental health challenges from depression and loneliness, to stress and anxiety,” Liz says. “We provide safe spaces for people. But across Victoria, most neighbourhood house managers are working full-time hours in part-time roles. Burn-out is common. It’s not sustainable.”
Liz believes every house should have at least two staff present at all times to ensure safety and adequately support the wide range of
services they provide.
And in Thomastown, there is a desperate need for a larger space.
“We’re grateful to the City of Whittlesea and the state government for the support we do have,” Liz adds.
“But demand is surging, and our capacity hasn’t grown with it.”
It’s a confronting question – what would happen if Thomastown Neighbourhood House didn’t exist?
“There are very few spaces people can go to for free without feeling pressure to spend money,” Liz says.
“Shopping centres have become the default for when we have free time these days.”
Liz is also a passionate advocate for public outdoor spaces, encouraging locals to kick a ball around at the oval, explore local parks or visit the new Whittlesea Gardens skate park.
In a community where many women are migrants, caregivers, or survivors of trauma – including family violence – the role of Thomastown Neighbourhood House is bigger than just activity programs.
“We see people rebuild confidence here,” Liz says. “We see healing. Sometimes people come inquietandwithdrawnandafewmonthslater, they’re running art class.”
Asked if she ever worries about her own mental health and carrying the emotional toll of caring for others, Liz is candid: “Stress and anxiety – it’s a big one for me. But I try to remember to breathe“.
And perhaps that’s the greatest power of neighbourhood houses like this one, they don’t just help others find stability –they model what compassion looks like in action, and yet community organisations like Liz’s are chronically underfunded and under-recognised.
As Liz states in a simple yet poignant truth “Neighbourhood houses are more important than ever.”
Thomastown Neighbourhood House manager Liz Skitch. (Damjan Janevski) 475040_02
Spoil mum with her favourite treats on Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is the perfect occasion to show your appreciation by treating your mum to something truly special – and what better way than with delicious food? Whether you opt for breakfast in bed, a luxurious brunch, an elegant afternoon tea, or a beautifully prepared dinner,theeffortandloveyouputintocreating a memorable meal will mean the world to her. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
Breakfast in Bed
Start her day with a tray full of her favourite breakfast items. Freshly baked croissants or pastries, a bowl of mixed berries, and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice make for a light but indulgent option. If she prefers something heartier, homemade pancakes topped with whipped cream and strawberries, or a classic eggsBenedict,wouldbearealtreat.Don’tforget a good cup of coffee or a pot of her favourite tea to complete the experience.
Elegant Brunch
If a late morning meal suits your plans, an elegant brunch can be a wonderful way to celebrate. Think smoked salmon bagels with cream cheese and dill, a colourful frittata loaded with vegetables, or a fluffy quiche Lorraine. Fresh fruit salads, yogurt parfaits with granola, and freshly baked muffins can add variety and color to the table. A Mimosa or Bellini (or a non-alcoholic sparkling juice) makes a festive touch that feels extra special.
Afternoon Tea
Spoil your mum with a homemade afternoon tea. Arrange a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, such as cucumber and cream cheese, smoked salmon and dill, or egg mayonnaise. Serve alongside scones with clotted cream and jam, mini cakes, macarons, and dainty pastries. Brewing a pot of
high-quality tea and presenting everything on a pretty tiered stand will make it feel just like a luxury hotel experience at home.
Homemade Dinner
For a truly memorable evening, prepare a homemade dinner featuring her favourite dishes. Start with a light appetizer like a fresh Caprese salad or a creamy mushroom soup. For the main course, dishes like roast chicken with garlic and herbs, pan-seared salmon with
lemonbuttersauce,orarichvegetarianlasagna canbeshowstoppers.Pairthemealwithagood wine if she enjoys it. Finish with a decadent dessert such as a chocolate lava cake, lemon tart, or a classic pavlova topped with fresh fruits.
Sweet Treats and Extras
Don’t forget the power of homemade sweet treats.Bakingabatchofherfavouritecookies,a moist carrot cake, or a luscious cheesecake can
be the icing on the cake (literally). You could also create a small box of homemade truffles or chocolate-dipped strawberries as a gift.
No matter what you cook or bake, the key is totailorthemealtowhatyourmumlovesmost. Add thoughtful touches like a handwritten menu,avaseoffreshflowers,oraheartfeltcard to make the meal even more special. When it comes to spoiling mum, it’s the love, time, and effort that truly count.
Mum’s the word and so is “yum”! Lock in your Mother’s Day plans with us for a lunch or dinner she’ll love, complete with mouthwatering specials and $3 oysters all day long. Tables are booking up fast, so don’t leave Mum hanging reserve your spot now! Book Now!
Race in and treat mum to a special dining experience
We all know the burden that comes with the perennial issue of deciding where to take mum for Mother’s Day. A trip out to the country or a ticket to a show is always cherished. However, coming up with something memorable is what every mum really wants.
The great news is a well established local Broadmeadows venue has a brilliant option that needs strong consideration .
If you’ve never dined in the City View Bistro at The Meadows, Saturday May 10 needs to be the night you head along and give it a try (with mum of course).
For those who have already enjoyed a meal at this elevated bistro dining gem with its views over the Melbourne city skyline and sensational racetrack, you’ll be pleased to learn it offers an inspired and very affordable menu and a team of hospitality staff who have taken the bistro dining concept to a whole new level. Plenty of recent Google reviews add weight to this claim.
Now, in case this dining experience alone doesn’t sound enough for that most special person we’re discussing, don’t forget a Saturday evening in the City Bistro revolves around all the fun and excitement of world-class metropolitan greyhound racing.
A 12 race card provides a very unique night of entertainment, whereby your table in the bistro remains yours for the entire evening and allows you to explore the venue and engage in the racing on offer. Complimentary track entry and parking are provided and the bistro dining room bar is very kind on the hip pocket.
All Mother’s Day eve reservations kick mum’s night off with a complimentary beverage. For the more adventurous a range of delicious cocktails and premium spirits can be purchased to accompany the meals.
If this sounds like a night that a mum you know would enjoy, you can make an online booking by visiting www. melbournegreyhounds.org.au or calling (03) 9355 5222.
Plus, there’s free children’s meals and a posy of flowers for mum to take home at the end of the night. May is also seafood month in the bistro – adding a special touch to the already extensive and tasty menu.
As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re building the Metro Tunnel and its five new underground stations, with three stations now complete. Work is continuing on two stations, and we’re testing trains through the tunnel to make sure they operate smoothly and safely.
While we work, disruptions could affect your travel
Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions
Sunbury Line 10 to 11 May 17 to 18 May 24 to 25 May 7 to 8 June
Arden Station
Remembrance journeys
The memory of Anzac Day is still fresh in our minds for another year – a moving service of remembrance and history at a local cenotaph across Australia.
But imagine being overseas for Anzac Day at places where the battles actually took place. Each year thousands of Australians follow in the footsteps of the Anzacs at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, and while many choose to coincide their battlefield travel with Anzac Day commemorations, remembrance travel takes place throughout the year with specialist operator Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours offering weekly departures of its four-day Western Front Explorer from April to November, and private Gallipoli tours departing any day of choice year-round.
“The Gallipoli landings on 25 April 1915 marked the beginning of Australian service and sacrifice during the First World War,” War historian and battlefield tour operator, Mat McLachlan said.
“The Anzacs served at Gallipoli for eight long months, before the failed campaign was finally called off and the Gallipoli Evacuation took place in December 1915. Anzac troops thenwentontoserveontheWesternFrontfor three long years in bloody and costly battles that became synonymous with the futility and horror of war.”
“Gallipoli was where the Anzac legend began, while the Western Front was where modern warfare erupted, the Anzac legend was cemented, and where remembrance began.Today,GallipoliandtheWesternFront are incredibly meaningful and memorable places to visit, with many remnants from this history easy to be seen.”
It feels like something very Australian to do – to visit these places we have heard of at Services and read about in history books. But for some battlefield pilgrims the trip is very personal - including the group Mat has just had with him overseas.
ACT pilgrim Wendy Farnham visited the Western Front for the third time this year following her Anzac grandfather, James Bruce Lithgow, who served in the 36th Battalion on the Western Front from late 1916 and was one of the ‘lucky’ ones who made it home. During her Western Front tour, Wendy had the honour of reading the Ode of Remembrance at the Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony.
Wendy herself is veteran who served for more than 46 years, including tours in Iraq and East Timor. Anzac Day 2025 was Wendy’s third visit to the Western Front with Mat McLachlan but her first for Anzac Day. Wendy will then join Mat for his Gallipoli Signature Tour in May this year to explore
the Gallipoli Peninsula.
Gary and Jan Lloyd from Glandore, Adelaide followed in the footsteps of five Anzac relatives who all served at Gallipoli.
Three will forever lie at Gallipoli. Two survived to fight another day on the Western Front and made it through the war, including Gary’s grandfather, and their Gallipoli Anzac relative who went on to make aviation history.
Gary’s grandfather, Frederick Gerald Lloyd, landed with the two brothers on 25 April, took part on the May offensive (in which Rupert was shot and killed) coming out of it with a shrapnel wound in the leg,
took part in the Battle of Lone Pine (in which William was killed in action), and fought on until the Gallipoli Evacuation in December 1915. Frederick went on to serve on the Western Front – arriving on the 1st of April 1916 in France.
“My grandfather served at Gallipoli from the first day of the landings on 25th April 1915 right through the campaign to the evacuation, which for him was 18 December 1915,” he said before he left for his tour.
“I have his diary that describes the places he was at, the conditions he experienced, and the death of mates around him. He also took photos that I have, so I really want to walk in
his footsteps up Artillery Road to Lone Pine and visit Shrapnel Gully Cemetery where he took photos of the graves of some fallen mates.
“Whilst my grandfather went on to fight on the Western Front and survive the war, we have other close relatives who did not leave Gallipoli, so we want to visit their memorials to pay our respects and thank them ‘in person’ for their sacrifices.”
Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours offers commemorative Anzac Day tours and tours throughout the year to Australia’s significant WWI and WW2 battlefields, as well as Vietnam. Visit battlefields.com.au.
Gary and Jan Lloyd photo taken at the RAAF Edinburgh base in Adelaide.
Sleeping under the stars at Gallipoli.
Anzac Day at Villers-Brettoneux, Western Front.
Wendy Farnham recites the Ode of Remembrance at the Menin Gate in Ypres on her Mat McLachlan Anzac Day on the Western Front battlefield tour.
Menin Gate in Ypres, Flanders, Belgium - battlefield pilgrims from Australia visit to pay respects ahead of Anzac Day. (Supplied: Mat McLachlan)
Anzac Day at Polygon Wood.
Luxury Cunard Voyage from Sydney to London
Sail on board the stunning Queen Anne during a half-world voyage to Southampton, paired with a London hotel stay.
In Sydney Harbour, greet the newest member of Cunard’s illustrious fleet, Queen Anne, as she sets sail on the 45-night voyage to Southampton. Cruising on board this iconic ship promises an exquisite experience filled with gala evenings, classic a ernoon tea services, and culinary delights from a choice of world-class restaurants.
Explore the beaches of Fiji before crossing the International Date Line to Hawaii’s Honolulu. Next, you’ll enjoy a night in port In Los Angeles ahead of the passage through the Panama Canal, modern marvel of engineering. Tropical bliss awaits in Curacao, Aruba and Miami before you cross the Atlantic Ocean to Southampton. Here, you’ll disembark and transfer to London, where your holiday culminates with a two-night stay in the heart of the city.
Sydney, Port Vila, Suva, Honolulu, Los Angeles (overnight in port), Puerto Quetzal, Panama Canal (scenic cruising), Willemstad, Oranjestad, Miami, Ponta Delgada, Southampton, London
In sun-drenched Miami, the options for exploration and entertainment are endless. Bask on the famed shores of South Beach, explore the vibrant street art of Wynwood Walls, or indulge in culinary delights Little Havana’s diverse eateries.
The brand-new Queen Anne is a luxurious cruise liner offering opulent accommodations, fine dining, and exquisite service, promising an unforgettable voyage of elegance and indulgence on the high seas.
Sydney, Port Vila, Suva, Honolulu, Los Angeles (overnight in port), Puerto Quetzal, Panama Canal (scenic cruising), Willemstad, Oranjestad, Miami, Ponta Delgada, Southampton
Complimentary Oceanview to Balcony upgrade
Keilor Optus tower knocked back
By Tara Murray
An application for a telecommunication pole in the green wedge zone in Keilor has been knocked back by Brimbank council.
Optus had submitted an application to build the telecommunications pole at 110 Milburn Road, which would have a maximum height of 28.41 metres.
The site had been chosen because there is an identified need to improve the mobile communications coverage provided by Indara and Optus to the community, which comprises
Connecting locals with local work
Mayiik Awer spent almost a year without a job and was unsure what he wanted to do.
The decision to get some help from the Brimbank pathways employment program changed his life.
“It gave me an opening to get a job,” he said.
“They helped with cover letters and my resume.
“They have a better understanding of what an employer wants. I’m working a job that I’ve never worked before and I really enjoy it. It’s pretty amazing.”
As part of Brimbank council’s employment pathway, the council is hosting the Brimbank Local Jobs Showcase from May 14, to connect people with local job opportunities.
Mr Awer said he recommends the program and showcase to anyone in Brimbank looking for a job.
“I just came in and needed some help with my resume and it really helped,” he said.
“It gives them [job seekers] more opportunities to help them with more options and other roles
“It will be easier for them to get a job and they will get a lot of support. They [the employment program] know what the employer wants to hear.
“I recommend it for all youth and I want more people to know about it.”
The showcase is at Visy Cares Hub, 80b Harvester Road, Sunshine, from 1-5pm.
the residential properties within Keilor, nearby commercial and industrial properties, and commuters along the Calder Freeway Council officers recommended granting a permit for the pole but the majority of councillors instead decided to vote against issuing a permit.
Mayor Thuy Dung and councillors Maria Kerr and Katherine Nikolic supported the original recommendation.
Cr Virginia Tachos said while there is a need to provide telecommunications coverage by Optus, there had to be a balance with residents’
concerns.
The council said Milburn Road displays a rural character as it is unsealed and absent of kerbs and footpaths.
The site is currently being leased for agricultural purposes, with a large farm building located central to the site’s eastern frontage.
“Ihavetoalsobalancethiswiththeconcerns of our community members, some who are agricultural producers, and have expressed their concerns,” Cr Tachos said.
“If I can summarise the objections; the
suitability of a tower in a green wedge zone, the visible and visual dominance, the destruction of the farm agricultural aesthetic, Keilor country town character was raised, radiotian, electronic field omissions, impacting health and crops, flight path concerns.”
Cr Tachos mentioned the impact that electronic field omissions can have on bees and that the project has the potential to have a negative impact on Keilor Garden Markets.
Cr Duyen Anh Pham said the location wasn’t consistent with this infrastructure and it should be in a commercial or industrial zone.
Have your say on Melton
Melton council residents might hear a knock at their door from late May onwards as part of a survey covering satisfaction of council services and facilities.
Professional field researchers will randomly select homes across the municipality to ask residents about a range of topics, including their satisfaction with local planning and council programs, the sense of community in Melton council, and local issues.
Atotalof800homeswillbeinvolved in the survey.
This data will then inform the council’s ongoing services by helping to reveal where residents’ needs are being met, and where they are not.
Residentswhohavebeenselectedfor the survey can expect a knock on their door between Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, June 8 for the approximately 15-minute survey.
Responses are confidential.
Melton mayor Steve Abboushi said it is important that the council hears from the community to understand if itismeetingitsneedsandexpectations in terms of service delivery.
“The survey helps [Melton council] to gain insight into the community’s satisfaction with council services and identify areas that may need improvement,” Cr Abboushi said.
“We look forward to hearing what our community thinks council is doing well, and anything they’d like to see changed in the future.“
The field researchers will carry photo identification.
Mayiik Awer. (Supplied)
Still keeping ahead of the game
By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring
It’s amazing how the Toyota Corolla has evolved over the years.
Back in the day it was basic, vanilla transport and that’s the way it stayed for years.
Then someone, somewhere flipped a switch and things began to change dramatically, starting with the 11th gen Corolla in 2012.
But it was just a warm up for the current model which arrived in early 2018, with its complex, unrepentant, multi-faceted design.
Sittinglowerthanbeforewithasteeplyraked windscreen, it presents a predatory nose, with a designthatisasgoodasanythingfromEurope.
The long and short of it is that the company has been able to transform the image of the car from staid and conservative into something much more sporty with younger buyer appeal - and Corolla remains the best-selling cars in the world.
Styling Corolla hatch starts from $30,630 for the AscentSport,$33,780fortheSX,$37,620forthe ZR - all with a 1.8-litre hybrid petrol-electric drivetrain and CVT automatic.
And, if the sporty ZR doesn’t float your boat, there’s also the high performance, all-wheel drive GR Corolla to consider.
But bring your money with you, because it’s a big hike in price: $67,990 in manual form or $70,490 with an automatic (before on-road costs). Two-tone paint adds $775 and is offered in combination with white, grey, red, silver and blue.
Our test vehicle, the ZR Hybrid hatch, is priced from $43,280 by the time you put it on the road in Sydney. The price varies a little depending on your address.
Finished in black over silver, the ZR looks stunning.
Standard kit includes 18-inch alloys, dual zone climate air and a combination of real and artificial suede trim, with heated sports seats up front with red accents and an eight-way, power-adjust driver seat with lumbar support.
There’s also a premium gear lever and steering wheel, smart entry and start, electric parking brake, adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, auto lights and wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror, front and rear parking sensors and rear privacy glass. In the lights department, it has auto high beam, bi-LED headlights, along with LED daytime, tail and front/rear fog lights.
ZR steps up to a full 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster along with windscreen head-up display.
Corolla comes with a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty.
Infotainment
Infotainment consists of an 8.0-inch touchscreen with premium JBL 8-speaker audio, plus Bluetooth, satellite navigation, AM/ FMandDAB+digitalradio,andwirelessApple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.
You also get 12 months of complimentary access with remote connect to Toyota Connect Services which automatically notifies emergency services in the event of an accident as well as provides remote access to the car.
There’s also a wireless charge pad, two USB-C ports and a 12 volt outlet in the front (but nothing for rear seat passengers).
Safety
Corolla has been awarded a full five stars for safety by ANCAP. It comes with a rear view camera, seven airbags including a driver knee airbag and autonomous emergency braking (City, Interurban & Vulnerable Road User) as well as lane keep assist (LKA) with lane departure warning (LDW).
An upgraded Toyota Safety Sense suite starts with the pre-collision safety system which adds motorcycle detection, intersection collision
avoidance support for crossing vehicles and left/right turn, emergency steering assist and acceleration suppression at low speeds.
Cameras and radar sensors have also been improved offering a wider range for detection of obstacles or vehicles.
Blind spot monitor has been added across thehatchrange,whilelanetraceassisthasbeen expanded to include the emergency driving stop system feature that has been designed to bring the vehicle to a gradual stop if it detects the driver is no longer making vehicle inputs.
The active cruise control system has also been enhanced and now offers four distance settings, the ability to detect other vehicles earlier, and the addition of deceleration assist when changing lanes.
But it misses out on auto reverse braking.
Isofix child restraint anchorage points are provided for the rear outboard seats.
Engines/transmissions
With the introduction of the upgraded fifth-generation hybrid powertrain, performance has been boosted with a 13kW increase in power to deliver a combined output of 103kW.
The upgraded hybrid teams a 1.8-litre petrol engine with a newly developed high-output motor generator, power control unit and downsized hybrid transaxle.
The front, axle-mounted drive motor has been enhanced by doubling the number of magnets per pole inside the rotor, while the newly developed lithium-ion battery reduces weight by 14 per cent while increasing both input and output power.
Thehybriddrivesthefrontwheelsexclusively via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Driving Corolla’s low stance and wind-cheating profile places the car quite close to the ground. As a result,itcanmakegettinginandoutdifficultat timesanditmeansdrivewaysandspeedhumps also need to be approached with caution, as the low front apron is prone to scraping.
Sports seats with bolstered sides add to the difficulty. The sloping rear roof line also makes entry to the back seat more difficult than it probably should be and you might find it a little cramped once you’re in.
The boot gains some extra space, with a puncture kit instead of a spare tyre to make room for the hybrid battery pack.
Of note Corolla’s cousin the Lexus UX scores a larger 2.0-litre engine as the basis for its hybrid that produces a combined 146kW.
Putting the transmission of the hybrid in Power mode delivers more satisfying throttle response, with a turn of speed thanks to the boost from the electric motor. But make sure you don’t pull the transmission lever back all the way or you’ll find yourself in B instead of D, which is regenerative braking mode.
It doesn’t recognise electronic speed signs, nor does it differentiate between standard signs, timed school zones or bus and truck advisory speed - so until it encounters a real speed sign it could be telling you fibs.
Steering is sharp and the hatch corners flat and hard, but the ride is overly harsh and the cabincanbecomequitenoisydependingonthe surface.
Toyota does not permit operation of the satellite navigation system while the car is in motion.
It’s super annoying, but you have to be in park with the handbrake activated. And that means pulling over and spending precious minutes on the task.
Sluggish response from the touchscreen makes the task that much more difficult. You can bang in the name of a street only to look up and discover it failed to recognise the first letter and that means starting over.
Of course, you could try appealing to the car’s voice activation system, but that’s an even more frustrating experience.
At the end of the day the hybrid is all about economy and this is where the Corolla excels. Rated at 4.0L/100km, we were getting 5.2L after almost 400km of mixed driving.
Summing up
You can’t really go wrong with the Corolla ZR hybrid hatch, but it commands a steeper price these days at more than $43K on the road.
There’s no longer a petrol model to distract buyers, but the hybrid powertrain provides immediate, accessible, no frills fuel savings to the average motorist, with no need for user intervention.
Beware the low ride height however which makes entry and exit more difficult than you might think.
You can’t really go wrong with the Corolla ZR hybrid hatch. (Pictures: Supplied)
Competition heats up in the sun
There was plenty of sporting action around the grounds and courts on Saturday. StarWeeklyphotographer
out shooting some of the action.
Williamstown’s Tom Downie. 475540_01
Keilor Park’s Caitlyn Crameri. 475729_09
Spotswood’s Lachlan Heriot and Yarraville Seddon’s Wil Baker. 475545_14
Werribee Centrals’ Michael Culliver. 475479_01
Werribee Centrals’ Olivia Edwards. 475482_23
Keilor Park’s Isabella Arvanitis and Burnside Heights’ Krissy Trang. 475729_13
Yarraville Seddon’s Corey Hitchcock. 475545_02
Werribee Centrals’ Kai Gomes Pattiyage and Inverleigh’s Jarvis Miles. 475479_08
