TUESDAY, JANUARY UARY UA RY 1 16, 6, 2 2018 0 8 - $1 01 $ $1.50 .50 .5 0 www.thestar.com.au
THE celebrations had hardly died down after Australia’s 4-0 cricket Ashes defeat of England when the Aussie cricket coach Darren Lehmann boarded a flight to Melbourne en route to Leongatha. He arrived in town the day after the Aussies wrapped up the series to catch up with his mate Stuart
Wigney. The pair, along with Jarryd Roughead, own McCartin’s Hotel. See story page 47.
Local vibe: members of Town and Koonwarra/ LRSL cricket clubs were invited down to McCartin’s Hotel last Tuesday (January 9) during a visit from Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann. McCartin’s Hotel sponsors both clubs.
LEONGATHA CHEER
By Brad Lester and Helen Bowering
THE State Government is being urged to ensure Leongatha receives adequate funding for its future infrastructure requirements. The call comes in the wake of a prediction the
town’s population is expected to grow to 7476 people by 2031 – a massive rise of 30 per cent on
Government urged to meet town’s needs
the most recent population count in 2016. By 2031, Leongatha is expected to have 3343 homes, up from the 2560 homes that existed in 2016. The predicted population growth – in the 2016 Census - will drive demand for improved infrastructure and facilities in the town, and broader community. Gippsland South MLA Danny O’Brien called on the State Government to give Leongatha the attention it deserves. “There are plenty of local projects the Labor Government could get on with to help stimulate
the local economy including Leongatha’s Bair Street upgrade,” he said. “There is frustration in South Gippsland at the millions being spent in the Latrobe Valley while the rest of Gippsland gets very little. “We appreciate that Latrobe Valley is going through a significant and protracted transition period, but the government needs to be aware there are other parts of Gippsland that are also doing it tough and ensure its attention is on places like South Gippsland as well. “From The Nationals perspective, we are finalising our policies for the 2018 election now
Wonthaggi Back to on show school PAGES 6 & 7
ALL CIIA EC PE S SP E RE U UR T T A A E E F F
PAGES 17-19
and will be putting forward a strong plan to revitalise our country towns and rural areas.” South Gippsland Shire Council’s planning manager Paul Stampton is not surprised by the predicted growth of Leongatha - the shire’s main commercial and residential centre. “Leongatha is a very attractive town and regional centre identified, with Korumburra, as the places where large population growth should occur, in the Gippsland Regional Growth Strategy adopted by the State Government,” he said. “It is usual, and sensible planning for population growth to be encouraged in larger centres with diverse infrastructure such as hospitals, ambulances, schools, roads and businesses.” Continued on page 5.