News
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Fatality after crash
By Lachlan Ellis
A collision between two trucks in Mount Wallace is being investigated by police, with one of the drivers involved sadly passing away two days later. The two Moorabool Shire contractual rubbish trucks were driving together on the morning of Monday April 25, and it is alleged the driver of the rear truck was teaching the driver of the front truck about the collection route before the collision occurred. Visibility conditions on the morning were limited with thick fog in the area. Victoria Police asked anyone with information about the crash to come forward. “A truck has rear-ended a second truck on Mt WallaceBallark Road about 5.30am. The driver of the rear truck, a 69-year-old Melton South man, was cut from the vehicle and taken to hospital in a critical condition. The driver of the front truck, a 56-year-old Melton West man, was not injured,” a police spokesperson told the Moorabool News. “Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision. Any witnesses or anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.” Ambulance Victoria (AV) confirmed that a man in his 60s was treated at the scene by paramedics with “life-threatening injuries”. “The man was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition,” a spokesperson for AV said. The 69-year-old man died on the night of Wednesday 27 April. In a statement from Moorabool Shire Council, they extended their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the truck driver who sadly passed away. The truck driver was an employee of Coy Waste, a local business contracted to provide waste collection services for the Shire. Waste collection services are being provided as normal by Coy Waste at this time, and residents will be informed should there be any interruptions to services. Police will prepare a report for the Coroner. WorkSafe Victoria is also investigating the incident that occurred 15-kilometres south of Ballan.
The Moorabool News – 3 May, 2022 Page 13
Childcare centre approved for Ballan
By Lachlan Ellis
The development of a new childcare centre in Ballan has been unanimously approved by Council, with development to begin within two years of the permit being issued. The application to develop a childcare centre, remove vegetation, and reduce the standard parking rate at 14 Stead Street, Ballan, came before Council at its Development Assessment Committee (DAC) meeting on Wednesday 20 April. Under the terms of the application, the site must have a minimum of 18 parking spaces, with a maximum number of children permitted at the centre at any one time being 102. The hours of operation set out in the application document are from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday. Three objections to the application were received with a fourth withdrawn. None of the objectors spoke to the item at the DAC meeting, but their objections were added to the application document. One objector argued that “a commercial use within a General Residential Zone is not in accordance with neighbourhood character”, and the childcare centre would generate traffic and noise. “Childcare centres do require a permit in residential zones but are not prohibited. Ballan is the second largest town within the Shire and is a rural service centre and commuter town with many residents travelling to Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh, or Melbourne for work,” a Council Officer wrote in response.
The property on the corner of Stead and Steiglitz Streets will become a childcare centre. Photo – Helen Tatchell “An industrial estate, local businesses and retail and wholesale trade provide local employment. The proposal would provide a service to families in a growing town where childcare services will be increasing in demand.” The site is around 2,057 sqm and currently hosts a single storey dwelling, outbuildings, trees, and shrubs. Proposed for the childcare centre are two 0 to 2 year-old rooms, one 2 to 3 year-old room, one 3 to 5 year-old room,
one kinder room, and a cot room, each of which will have access to a dedicated washroom with toilets, a kitchenette, and a storeroom. An area of 731 sqm will be provided for outdoor play areas, most of which will be located on the western side away from adjoining homes. The motion to approve the application was moved by Cr Paul Tatchell and seconded by Cr Ally Munari, with Councillors all voting in favour.
COMMUNITY UPDATE May 2022 Moorabool North Wind Farm
Progress to date • Up to 75MW (27 turbines) opera�ng Look ahead • AEMO Compliance (Hold Point #3) tes�ng to begin in April 2022, leading to opera�ons
Moorabool Wind Farm Community Fund 2022 To date, Moorabool Wind Farm has invested more than $450,000 in the local community through its community funding, local sponsorships, and community partnerships.
Moorabool South Wind Farm
The third Round of the Moorabool wind farm Community Fund opens on the 1st May 2022. For details on the Guidelines and how to apply, visit www.mooraboolwindfarm.com
Landscape and Visual Screening Program
To contact us or to register for future project updates and newsle�ers please use the following methods: www.mooraboolwindfarm.com
Progress to date • Full-Commissioning of three (3) turbines complete Look ahead • AEMO Compliance (Hold Point #3) tes�ng to begin in April 2022, leading to opera�ons
Owners of residen�al dwellings within 4km of the Moorabool Wind Farm are invited to par�cipate in a landscape and visual screening program. This is to assist those closest reducing the poten� al visual impacts the project. All agreed worksofare igureneighbours 1 Computeringenerated image of Moorabool NorthofWind Farm from the corner Ballan Meredith Road info@mooraboolwindfarm.com /Egerton Bungeeltap Road and Hamils Lane. undertaken by Moorabool Wind Farm at no cost to dwelling owners. or call: 1800 019 660 ooking north west Visit www.mooraboolwindfarm.com or contact us for more details. mage of Moorabool North Wind Farm from the corner of Ballan Meredith Road /Egerton Bungeeltap Road and Hamils Lane.
MOORABOOL NORTH WIND FARM - CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – July ABOOL NORTH 2018 WIND FARM - CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – July
Zenviron, the contractor appointed by Goldwind for the civil construction and electrical works for the wind farm project, has started the initial stage of works. This work includes the establishment of he contractor appointed by Goldwind for the civil construction and electrical works for the temporary construction compound and access roads on the project area. Construction activity is arm project, has started the initial stage of works. This work includes the establishment of currently focused on the western side of the Ballan-Meredith Rd and will move to the western side rary construction compound and access roads on the project area. Construction activity is of the Moorabool River later in the year. ocused on the western side of the Ballan-Meredith Rd and will move to the western side orabool River later in the year. There will be an increase in construction traffic in the coming weeks due to the movement of