“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2015 - PAGE 9
Last safety plea for Lance Creek By Tayla Kershaw TWELVE months of hard work has paid off and construction for a roundabout in Lance Creek will go ahead. VicRoads recently secured funding to acquire land, relocate existing power poles, relocate the existing Telstra station and ultimately construct a roundabout at the intersection between Lance Creek, West Creek, Wonthaggi and Glen Alvie at the start of 2017. Though it is a time for celebration, residents warn motorists to stay safe before works begin in early 2017. “It doesn’t matter what speed you take, the fact is accidents happen,” Glen Alvie resident Neville Chapman said.
“It’s all over and we are thrilled with the outcome but we still have 12 months to go. We will have our fingers crossed last year’s accident was the last.” Gerry Mollica has seen more than his fair share of horror in his six and a half years living nearby to the intersection and appealed to drivers to be sensible when approaching the intersection. “I’ve seen six or seven accidents in my relatively short time living here, and you can forget about counting how many near misses,” he said. “I tried to make something happen but it was just me fighting for it. Unfortunately, it took John and Barb’s accident to be the catalyst to bring this to a head.” Many residents got behind the cause for a round-
about following Korrine residents John and Barb Luke’s car accident in October 2014, which left them hospitalised. Putting their foot down, a residents’ protest was held several days after the accident to demand change. “From the moment in early October (2014) when 200 local district residents and their supporters assembled at the notoriously dangerous crossroads and declared they would not put up with seeing any more people killed, nearly killed or maimed, the actions taken by council and VicRoads have been excellent, culminating in the State Government’s recent funding announcement to once and for all fix this problem,” Glen Alvie’s Elwyn Matthews said. “A big thank you to all the helpers in council, Vi-
cRoads, the local papers, politicians and many others who achieved this terrific outcome in a relatively short time. When finished, the crossroads should be as safe as any crossroads can possibly be.” To help slow traffic in the meantime, a new speed limit of 80 km/h will be implemented approaching the intersection by before Christmas. “Following four serious crashes at this intersection in five years, community members have been very forthright in sharing their opinions, ideas and feedback with us,” VicRoads regional director Scott Lawrence said. “After the last crash in October 2014, we worked with Victoria Police, Bass Coast Shire Council and community representatives to implement a suite of improvements includ-
ing signage, linemarking and vegetation removal. “Community representatives have been generous in dedicating their time to contribute towards to planning phase of this project. At out meeting in April, feedback from the community assisted in refinement of the roundabout proposal.”
The residents agreed the immediate safety measures that took place were a remarkable improvement, but the intersection was still dangerous. Mr Lawrence said VicRoads shared the community’s concerns and is now in a position to roll out a solution. “We achieve the best
results when the community is involved in the early planning phase of safety projects such as this one,” he said. “We look forward to continuing to work with community representatives and neighbouring landowners as the project progresses.”
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Thrilled: from left, the proposed new roundabout at the Lance Creek intersection will mean safer driving conditions for young locals Dave Milnes, Courtney Brusamarello, Jake Kershaw, Alyse Brusamarello and Rhys Brusamarello.
Bank helps students to achieve dreams THE Corner Inlet youth will again be able to get a head start on their studies, with Toora and District Community Bank Branch and Foster
Branch announcing the opening of their tertiary scholarship program for the fifth year running. The scholarship, which opens in December, will
Going places: Fiona Saliakos is studying a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at Deakin University. She received a tertiary scholarship from the Toora and District Community Bank Branch and Foster Branch.
support one local student with study costs in their first year of higher education. Toora and District Community Bank and Foster Branch chairman Robert Liley said helping young people gain access to tertiary education was one way his branches are bigger than a bank. “Our young people are our future and we believe they need the best support possible to achieve their dreams,” he said. “The high cost associated with tertiary study can have a significant impact on a young person’s ability to further their education and some may not get the chance to go to university without financial help. “Our Community Bank branch is happy to help ease some of that pressure and hopefully one day these students will return and share their new skills with the Corner Inlet community.” Successful Toora and Foster Community Bank Scholarship applicants will initially receive funding for one year and depending on academic per-
formance, the scholarship may be renewed to assist in the second year of their study. Applications are invited from eligible students, starting their studies in 2016, from December 1, 2015. Applications close on January 25, 2016 and will be assessed in early February 2016. Last year, the Toora and Foster Community Bank Scholarship supported local student Fiona Saliakos with her Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at Deakin University, as well as second year recipient Michelle James with her Bachelor of Psychology at Monash University. The Toora and Foster Community Bank Scholarship is part of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Scholarship Program, with numerous Community Bank branches and other partners taking part across Australia. For further information please contact Toora and District Community Bank Branch on 5686 2000, Foster branch on 5682 2287 or visit www.bendigobank. com.au/scholarships.
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57 BAIR STREET LEONGATHA. PHONE 5662 3103 SOM2330002
Going to Uni for the first time in 2016?
Toora Community Bank® Branch and Foster branch
Scholarship now open. Applications are invited from eligible students in the local district attending university for the first time in 2016. Drop into your nearest branch at 48 Stanley Street, Toora 5686 2000 or 68 Main Street, Foster - 5682 2287 for more information.
bendigobank.com.au/ scholarships The Toora Community Bank® Branch and Foster branch 2016 Scholarship is a management account of Community Enterprise Charitable Fund ABN 12 102 649 968 (the Fund), The Bendigo Centre, Bendigo VIC 3550. Sandhurst Trustees Limited ABN 16 004 030 737 AFSL 237906, a subsidiary of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL 237879, is the trustee of the Fund. S52345-1 (279944_v1) (23/10/2015)