infocus infocus
OCTOBER 23, 2018 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
T U R N T O PA G E
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Muddy fun is beyond hard
(Pictures: Shawn Smits)
Thousands braved cold and blustery conditions at the weekend to test their mettle in Tough Mudder. More than 15,000 athletes and fitness faithfuls from across the state descended on St Anne’s Vineyard in Myrniong to tackle the gruelling circuit. The endurance event, in its third year at Myrniong, raises money for beyondblue. Tough Mudder organiser Paul Mudge said wet weather had provided a “perfect storm” for participants in the obstacle course challenge. Mr Mudge said the event was all about teamwork and “people getting out of their comfort zone”, as well as raising awareness for the beyondblue cause. “It’s important we recognise that depression and anxiety affects a wide range of people,” he said. “Anyone can have a tough exterior, but you never truly know how a person is feeling inside. “By working with beyondblue, we can bring to light the positive benefits exercise, teamwork and mateship have on mental health.” More photos: https://starweeklyphotos. fotomerchant.com Esther Lauaki
Hospital bid wins funding By Sumeyya Ilanbey The people of Melton are one step closer to getting a public hospital after the Labor Party announced it would fund a business plan if re-elected in next month’s state election. Health Minister Jill Hennessy announced on Friday $2.3 million to plan for a public hospital in Toolern precinct, near Melton South. The business case will determine the location, size and range of services a Melton hospital can deliver and how it can link into services at other public hospitals in the western suburbs. But the move has been described by some advocates as “the same old political speak”. “We’ve already upgraded Djerriwarrh Health Services and we’re building new ambulance stations at Bacchus Marsh and Melton,” Ms Hennessy said on Friday. “But there’s more
to do and only Labor will deliver a new 24-hour public hospital for Melton.” Melton mayor Bob Turner said he was delighted with the Labor Party’s commitment to funding a business case and called on the Liberal Party to do the same. The Build Melton Hospital campaign, spearheaded by the council, had called on the parties to commit to fully fund the hospital, but Cr Turner said the business case was a “good first step”. “We were hoping and asking for first, a commitment to Melton; second, a business case
and; third, a commitment before the election to start building,” Cr Turner said. “If we wait for the next election, it’ll be another four years before they commit to start building.” More than 15,000 people have signed a petition calling for a public hospital to be built in Melton. The mayors of five other western suburbs councils have also thrown their support behind Melton’s campaign. The council had lobbied for funding for a feasibility study and a commitment to start construction by July, 2022. Suitable potential land for a hospital has already been identified in the Toolern precinct, near the railway station that’s under construction. Ms Hennessy said the government had started shortlisting possible sites for the new hospital and would most likely acquire the
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$2.3 million to plan for a new 24-hour hospital in Melton Justin Mammarella
LABOR CANDIDATE FOR MELTON ON
E: justin.mammarella@vic.alp.org.au
Justin4Melton
land through the growth areas infrastructure contribution fund – a levy paid by developers in the state’s outer fringe suburbs. Melton resident Alan Perry and Melton Hospital Group committee member Ian Birchall said that while they acknowledged the commitment, it was “not good enough”. “It’s the same old political speak,” Dr Birchall said. “It’s just going to go on and on for another electoral cycle and we won’t have a hospital started for another 10 years the way they’re talking. “We need a hospital now – we needed it 10 years ago, let alone waiting for another 10 years.” The Greens candidate for the seat of Melton, Harkirat Singh, said his party would commit $3 million to fund the business case. The Liberal Party has not made any announcements about the push for a public hospital in Melton.