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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR that shares its only access road with an already congested freeway. This is the result of rapid growth, an inherent ‘car culture’ and poor public transport (yes, the services are there but extremely unreliable because of the traffic problem). I cycle in to work as often as I can, despite the long distance; it’s faster and cheaper and my boss is much happier to have me at work on time. Bagel, via web
Star Weekly Weekly,, February 18
Williams Landing parking
[Re: Point Cook traders feel parking pain, Star Weekly Weekly, February 18] Wallace Avenue is horrible to drive down now with all the cars parked along it. It’s not wide enough for two cars going each way to fit and it can be quite dangerous. My kids did dancing in a studio off Wallace Avenue and I ended up pulling them out and going elsewhere because I couldn’t stand it any more! Jackie, via web I use the bus when I can’t cycle. The bus from Point Cook South can take an hour to get to Williams Landing (or not turn up at all) because of congestion on Palmers Road. It seems like a massive oversight in urban planning to build a new train station
Sealing the vacant land near the underpass would provide some relief. PTV is out of touch if it believes cycling and buses are the answer. They are both pretty much out of the picture as soon as the weather turns bad. And many people have no choice but to take their cars to the station after dropping off school children or because they live too far from the very restricted bus routes. What we don’t want is the state government or the council to simply slap more parking restrictions around the area, which will generate revenue but solve nothing. Let’s not forget, though, that a lot of the congestion should be eased when the Regional Rail Link is completed. Rob, via web Although I would love to take the bus to the station (to avoid the carpark nightmare), it is not feasible for me as I have to drop off my kids to daycare and school. I’d wager a guess that most people who travel to the station via car have similar circumstances. This area is predominantly made up of families, many of which have both parents working. So it’s not realistic to expect that they have the option to ride the bus. I am not going to drag my two kids on two different buses to get them to daycare and
primary school, respectively - it would add a minimum of 45 minutes to my morning commute, same in the afternoon. The people responsible for planning of adequate carparks need to consider this dynamic. Martha, via web I think the current carpark should be redesigned as a multi-level park. Seeing that most of the vacant land will soon be filled with shops, I think this is the only option. Council needs to look into a real solution sooner rather than later; the carpark is full by 7.15am. Seems ridiculous that I can’t get a car park at my closest station when I usually get there at 7.30am. Nicole, via web If we could get a dedicated bus lane along Palmers Road so the buses don’t get stuck in the morning traffic, then I believe more commuters would take the bus to the station, which would then reduce the need for parking spaces – a little bit. Jen, via web A colleague lives 3.2 kilometres from Williams Landing station. He walks to and from the train. Not everyone’s capable of doing that, but he’s surprised that very few do so. David Edwards, via web
Star Weekly welcomes letters no longer than 200 words. All letters are subject to editing and must include a name, address and phone number. Post: Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042 Email: westletters@starweekly.com.au
( Wyndham’s only Department of Education Accredited Select Entry Program)
A special program for students who enjoy challenges and have a desire to excel. It features:
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A challenging Academic Curriculum Full participation in the Arts, Sport and Technology A wide range of co-curricular activities An advanced Instrumental Music Program A group of supportive and highly motivated peers Outstanding Year 12 results
Year 7 Applications for 2016 are now open. Contact the College for an information package.
A Newport man has issued a warning about a man posing as an emergency services representative charging residents to unnecessarily paint their house number on the curb. Ned Dawson said a man visited his home last week taking orders for painted numbers to assist emergency operators such as police and ambulance. The man purported to be from a business called Emergency Service Numbers, about which Mr Dawson was unable to find any trace. “I looked up, I tried to find Emergency Service Numbers, and you get directed to real emergency services but nothing like this,” Mr Dawson said. “It’s a very slick act. I think it’s a scam. You’re fooled by the vest, the official-looking receipt book. “Someone who was elderly, a bit vague – more than me – might fall for this one. “Elderly people are quite anxious about a few things, one of them being ambulances turning up on time.” Ambulance Victoria only asks that people’s house numbers, for example on their letterboxes, be clear. Consumer Affairs has warned there have also been reports of conmen targeting migrant communities in the western suburbs. It urges people to warn family and friends to be alert to anyone offering cheap roofing and tiling work. Goya Dmytryshchak
Werribee Secondary College congratulates THE YEAR 12 CLASS OF 2014
The Select Entry Learning Program
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House number ‘scam’ warning
Congratulations to our first group of International Baccalaureate students who completed Year 12. Joyce Guo 99.50
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Nicole Chong Akriti Grover Timothy Linley Nur Amalina Hussain Dunya Tonnu Maryam Yousuf Qiu Fan Xu Zachary McMillan
Gavin Kalnins 99.40 (IB)
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Marvin Chong 99.35
ATAR’S of 90+ Aimee Underwood Ammar Yonis Sweta Katudia Hunarbir Sandhu (IB) Carolyn Huane (IB) Anton Natividad Hanzhi Zhang Michelle Chong (IB)
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Lingli Bao 99.05
Lakshmi Srinivasan (IB) Rachael Verdugo (IB) Seraphin Ratnam Ziwei Yang Andrew Grandsable Janelle Bragg Peter Muir
Werribee Secondary College is the first (and only), Victorian Government School to offer the IB. Our student’s results were outstanding. The IB results have been translated into ATAR scores for the purpose of Tertiary applications. Of the 14 students in Year 12, six attained ATAR scores of 92 or higher. Our top three IB scores were:
Perfect Scores of 50 • Nicole Chong - Further Maths • Patricja Stachura - Polish Tertiary Scholarships Awarded Joyce Guo - Melbourne University Bursary Scholarship and Access Melbourne Nicole Chong - Monash University Chancellors Access Zac McMillan - Access Melbourne Scholarship Andrew Grandsable - Australian Defence Force Scholarship Aimee Underwood - Victoria University Scholarship
The Werribee Secondary College Community extends to all our graduates IB, VCE and VCAL, our best wishes for their future endeavours.
Gavin Kalnins 99.40
Carolyn Huane 94.05
Hunarbir Sandhu 94.05
For further Information about the International Baccalaureate program please call the College.
WERRIBEE SECONDARY COLLEGE YEAR 7 2015 PARENT INFORMATION EVENING WEDNESDAY, 4 MARCH AT 7.00PM IN THE COLLEGE AUDITORIUM For further information or to book a tour please contact the College 12 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY \ FEBRUARY 25, 2015
T. 03 9741 1822 E. werribee.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au W. www.werribeesc.vic.edu.au
45 Duncans Road Werribee