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Comedy a class act
(Dennis Manktelow)
Trying not to laugh while filming Melbourne comedian Ronny Chieng’s latest series International Student was the biggest challenge for budding Keilor Downs actress Ashleigh Stewart. The 23-year-old features in the series’ second episode, which goes to air on the ABC on Wednesday at 9pm. “The show should do really well, the writing is hilarious,” Stewart said. The sitcom was filmed at The University of Melbourne in October last year and is an autobiographical comedy starring Chieng, a Malaysian-born law student who struggles to fit in at university. The show’s pilot recently won short film production of the year at the 16th Screen Producers Australia awards. Stewart said she hopes to pursue a career in the film industry and is eyeing off a move to Los Angeles to further her chance of making the silver screen. “My plan is to head overseas, I’m always auditioning for roles over there,” she said. Alexandra Laskie
Tip expansion approved By Esther Lauaki Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne has given the green light to a reduced extension of the Ravenhall landfill – but opponents are calling rubbish on the decision. Mr Wynne last week approved a planning permit for the expansion of the Melbourne Regional Landfill at Ravenhall that will be 93 hectares – less than half the size of the 211 hectares originally proposed. The controversial project received nearly 4000 objections, via a campaign driven by the Stop the Tip group, during consultation last year.
A total of 103 individual submissions were received, including several supporting the proposal. Mr Wynne said the decision was consistent with the Environment Protection Authority works approval granted in March and reflected advice from the independent planning panel. “We are serious about reducing waste, increasing recycling and reducing demand for more landfill space,” he said. “I have approved a significantly smaller tip expansion than what was proposed, with conditions attached to protect the broader community.” The approved permit will expire in 2046, rather than in 2068 as requested, to ensure
more focus on recycling and reducing waste to landfill. Mr Wynne said it would be no closer to homes in Caroline Springs, Burnside, Deer Park and Derrimut than the existing landfill. Melton and Brimbank councils expressed disappointment with the announcement. Brimbank mayor John Hedditch said the community felt “dumped on” and would be reviewing the detail of the panel report and recommendations before determining its options. Melton mayor Sophie Ramsey said her council stated its opposition in a submission to the panel hearing and again in a more recent
application for review at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal against the EPA’s decision to grant the works approval. Stop the Tip campaigner Marion Martin said the community felt “betrayed”. “We think this is a disaster for the west,” Ms Martin said. “With a stroke of his pen, Mr Wynne has condemned the west to decades of rubbish dumped in a stinking tip. “The west is not Melbourne’s dumping ground. “We want jobs and opportunities not a tip and we will fight for as long as it takes to stop this from going ahead.”