APRIL 19, 2016 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
(Luke Hemer)
Designs on sustainability Speed dating isn’t for everyone. That includes Michael O’Connor, who has been married for going on 30 years and isn’t looking for new love. But the St Albans electrical engineer will take part in speed-dating with a difference later this month when Brimbank council hosts its ‘Speed date a sustainability expert’ event at Victoria University’s St Albans campus. You can spend 20 minutes with Mr O’Conner, who is an alternative technology association technical specialist and energy management consultant, whose expertise ranges from solar power and energy efficiency, to gardens and grey water. The event has been designed for anyone who rents, owns or plans to build or renovate, and who wants to incorporate sustainable design or improve their energy efficiency. Mr O’Connor, one of 14 experts at the speed dating event, said many people are surprised to learn how the sun moves through the sky at different times of the year. He said knowing where it rises and sets allows you to take advantage of its light and heat, and save on energy costs. “These events are awesome, it’s great fun,” he said. Speed date a sustainability expert is on Saturday, April 30, 2-4pm. Bookings at sdse.ata.org.au. MICHAEL O’CONNOR
Alexandra Laskie
Second carpark planned EXCLUSIVE By Ben Cameron A second multi-deck carpark could be built at Sunshine to help ease parking congestion. Brimbank council’s infrastructure and environment director Neil Whiteside confirmed construction of an additional multi-deck carpark in the Dawson Street precinct was under consideration. It would be built next to the council’s new $9.3 million, six-level offices.
Mr Whiteside said a second major carpark was needed to address the parking shortfall in the heart of Sunshine. “One of the options under consideration … includes the construction of an additional multi-deck carpark in the Dawson Street precinct, next to the Brimbank multi-deck carpark currently under construction,” Mr Whiteside said. “This would provide increased capacity and further develop the Dawson Street precinct.” The council announced in February a new 351-bay carpark – for use by council staff and
located between George and Dawson streets – was going up ahead of schedule. Nearly $2.5 million for the project was brought forward into this year’s council budget. Sunshine Business Association president Bruce White told Star Weekly he had met with the council to discuss plans for another carpark “side by side” with the new building. He said this was the best option available to address the parking shortfall. “It makes sense to double down. It would be ideal to replicate it.” Parking woes in Sunshine will worsen with
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the loss of up to 90 bays when a new VicRoads regional office is built at the southern end of the existing Clark and Withers street carpark. Mr Whiteside said the lost parking bays needed to be replaced. He said the council would also consider a new carpark at the northern end of the Clarke and Withers streets’ carpark or “somewhere nearby”. Mr White said funds from the sale of land for the VicRoads office would get construction of the new multi-deck carpark in Dawson Street “a fair way down the track”.
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