Thousands of motorists are failing to heed the very basics of driving, the state’s police are warning.

New Victoria Police analysis shows more than 24,000 infringements were issued in a single year for some of the simplest of road rules.

The force is urging people to focus on the foundations of good driving, warning even minor mistakes or inattention can have catastrophic consequences.

Such single acts of non-compliance typically account for more than half of road deaths each year.

The analysis – covering the latest financial year – shows almost 8000 infringements were issued for motorists failing to obey traffic lights alone.

This includes running red lights, ignoring amber lights and disobeying traffic lane signals.

A further 3000 drivers failed to obey stop signs.

Behaviour at intersections was of particular concern.

There were 2000 infringements for failing to give way at intersections and 1300 for ignoring give way signs.

Roundabouts appeared a mystery to many who entered them from the wrong lane, ignored traffic arrows and didn’t give way when they were supposed to.

Around 2200 drivers were caught tailgating and 1700 didn’t have their headlights and taillights on at night.

The broken basics included more than 800 motorists failing to use their indicator while others entered a blocked intersection, overtook on the left or at an unsafe distance and ignored keep left or keep right signs.

To the continued astonishment of police, 4300 fines were issued for people not wearing a seatbelt or not wearing one properly.

Victoria Police hopes releasing the figures will prompt road users to think about their behaviour and how it affects the safety of others – especially people walking, riding bikes and on motorcycles.

Police are out anywhere, any time enforcing the rules.

Infringements: 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023

• Fail to obey traffic lights – includes running red lights, ignoring amber lights and ignoring traffic lane signals: 7984
• Fail to wear seatbelt or not wearing one properly: 4284
• Fail to obey stop sign: 2935
• Fail to drive sufficient distance behind vehicle: 2177
• Fail to give way at intersection: 2023
• Faily to have headlights and taillights on at night: 1718
• Fail to obey give way sign: 1306
• Fail to indicate: 833
• Fail to give way at roundabout: 511
• Enter blocked intersection or one likely to become blocked: 106
• Overtake vehicle on left or at unsafe distance: 100
• Enter roundabout from wrong marked lane/line or disobey traffic lane arrows in roundabout: 91
• Fail to keep left of oncoming vehicle: 60
• Fail to indicate at roundabout: 45
• Fail to obey keep left or keep right sign: 11

Acting Sen-Sgt Joshua Perkins, State Highway Patrol – Solo Unit: “The saying goes: ‘Little things add up’. And nothing could be truer when it comes to your behaviour on the road.

“A moment’s inattention is all it takes to cause a crash and the ramifications can last a lifetime.

“We really want people to think about the basics of good driving and riding – paying attention, following the rules and expecting the unexpected.

“It’s also important we get away from the dog-eat-dog mentality some people have when they get behind the wheel.

“A bit of courtesy costs nothing and goes a long way in making the roads safer for everyone.

“Ignoring the rules doesn’t just frustrate others, it’s dangerous.

“That’s why police are out enforcing day and night – anywhere, any time.”

Visitors to the Hepburn Shire can now step back in time and enjoy a vintage railway experience at
Bullarto Station following completion of a redevelopment backed by the state government.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas represented the Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney last Monday and joined community members, volunteers and local representatives to
officially open the redeveloped station.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas: “Bullarto Station is one of the gems of our region – it’s wonderful to see it completed and ready to welcome families, train lovers and history buffs.”

Backed by $500,000 through the Regional Development portfolio, the works have created a replica of Bullarto Station as it appeared in the 1930s complete with historical exhibits.

Families, train lovers and history buffs can get a taste of rural life in the 1930s, learn about the history of Victorian Railways over the last 140 years and enjoy the restored platform and surrounding gardens.

From there, passengers can board one of the vintage trains operated by volunteers from Daylesford Spa Country Railway (DSCR) and enjoy the picturesque sights of Wombat State Forest as they journey to Daylesford.

The redevelopment is forecast to attract more people to visit the vintage Bullarto Station which will support DSCR to expand its volunteer base and services.

The opening of the station marks the completion of Stage Two of the Bullarto Station Tourist Precinct project which is designed to strengthen one of Hepburn Shire’s most unique tourist attractions.

Stage One works created ancillary buildings, including the Van Goods Shed, which has become a popular weddings and events venue.

A future Stage Three development will involve the reconstruction of an additional goods shed and
platform to create another venue for community and business events.

This series of works at Bullarto Station will also complement the forthcoming development of the Daylesford Macedon Rail Trail, enabling people to transport their bikes on the train between Daylesford and Bullarto.

Releasing proposed new township structure plans and rural strategy for public feedback and input will be the focus of a special meeting of the Hepburn Shire Council set for later this month.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday 30 April at 4:30pm with council to consider endorsing the Township Structure Plans and Rural Strategy for Community Consultation.

The meeting will be held virtually, with the public able to view proceedings via the live-stream on the council’s Facebook page.

The City of Ballarat will remove a large group of pine trees that have been deemed to be “at the end of their life or in poor condition”, in the second stage of planned tree removal works, at Binney Reserve in Black Hill over coming days.

The trees were assessed by an independent arborist in September 2020 and have been recommended for removal to minimise the risk to public safety. 

The arborist’s report found more than 60 per cent of the trees had structural issues that increased the risk of complete tree failure. This posed an unacceptable risk for the City of Ballarat and subsequently the trees were recommended for removal.  

Planted close together in a plantation arrangement, the trees have grown upwards quickly to compete for sunlight, leaving the trees with insufficient root mass – a contributing factor to complete tree failure. 

The report identified that the remaining trees would be at greater risk of falling over in high wind, without the protection of the other trees and without roots strong enough to withstand high wind. 

The first stage of pine tree removal was carried out in November 2021. The second stage was due to commence in August 2023 but was delayed due to nesting birds. The trees have been fenced for public safety since 2021. 

Once the removal works have been completed, the City of Ballarat’s Parks and Gardens team will then work to restore the soil and revegetate the site, before planting a mixture of indigenous vegetation and established trees, supported by the City of Ballarat’s regular maintenance program. 

Works to remove the trees will begin from today, Monday, 22 April and are expected to be completed early the following week, weather permitting. 

While the works are carried out, the tree removal area will remain closed, with traffic management in place for the safety of residents and contractors. 

City of Ballarat Director Infrastructure and Environment Bridget Wetherall said the revegetation and replanting works will reinvigorate Binney Reserve. 

“The planned removal and ongoing landscape revegetation plans will ensure the community can continue to enjoy Binney Reserve for generations to come while ensuring the safety of our residents,” she said. 

A new community hub is expected to bring enormous benefit to the Ballarat suburb of Sebastopol by rejuvenating and transforming an existing outdated facility.

Design images have now been released for the Sebastopol Community Hub, showcasing a modern facility that will strengthen community connections and improve educational outcomes, while addressing the need for new and improved facilities.

Demolition of two buildings at the current Vickers Street facility is expected to begin in the coming days, with the new fit-for-purpose integrated community hub to open in 2026.

The $14 million project is jointly funded by the City of Ballarat ($5 million), the Federal Government ($4.5 million) via the Investing in Our Communities program and the State Government ($4.5 million) via the Building Blocks Capacity program.

The new facility will provide a fresh home for user groups of the existing building, including the Sebastopol Senior Citizens and the 1st Sebastopol Guides.

Temporary venues have been made available for the community groups that use the existing facility, while the facility is being constructed.

The location of the hub will complement other well-loved community facilities next to and nearby the site, including the Sebastopol Men’s Shed, Ballarat Community Health, St George’s Reserve, Victory Park, and Sebastopol Splash Park.

It is hoped the new community hub will also be a home for new groups to offer activities and services to the Sebastopol community.  

Highlights of the new facility include:

Three 120-square metre kindergarten rooms  

• A main hall with a 150-person capacity, featuring an accessible stage
• Four meeting rooms with varying capacities ranging from 12-50 people
• Maternal child health consulting rooms
• A community kitchen
• An outdoor playspace and an undercover play area
• On-site carparking

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the project was vital for Sebastopol and the growing south-western area of the municipality.

Cr Hudson added the community hub highlighted a great collaboration between three tiers of government.

“To have such strong support from both the Federal and the State governments is extremely pleasing and enables us to proceed with a facility that is going to provide enormous benefit to our residents,” Cr Hudson said.

“Having one place that can cater to such diverse residents is fantastic. Whether it is the Sebastopol seniors, young children starting their education journey, new babies getting vital health checks or a range of community groups, this facility will cater to them all.”

Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King said it was exciting to see the project progress.

“It’s terrific to see this exciting project progressing with demolition beginning and the release of the design images,” she said.

“This is an important step in the development of the new and fit for purpose centre that people of all ages in Sebastopol will use, enjoy and be proud of.”    

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison said the new community hub would provide a mix of early childhood programs and services, plus spaces for local community groups, in one convenient location.

“The Sebastopol Community Hub will bring together quality kindergarten programs, supported playgroups and maternal and child health services – and I’m proud to support the expansion of child and family services in Ballarat’s south,” said Ms Addison.

Craft Lab will return to the Ballarat Mining Exchange over both weekends of the upcoming Ballarat Heritage Festival next month.

Craft Lab 24 brings traditional artisanal skills together with contemporary treatment and the free event will allow visitors to meet and talk with more than 15 demonstrating practitioners.

The event also features a central display of quality handcrafted work by more than 30 artisans from Ballarat and the surrounding regions.

Visitors will be able to see ceramicists, jewellers, leatherworkers and basket makers, shoemakers, glassblowers, quilters, weavers and doll artists.

Craft Lab will be held on 18 – 19 May and 25 – 26 May from 10am – 5pm at the Ballarat Mining Exchange.  

The Fire Danger Period will finish at 1am tomorrow, Monday April 22 in the following municipalities in CFA’s Districts 4,5, 6 and 7:

• City of Greater Geelong
• Borough of Queenscliffe
• Surf Coast Shire
• Golden Plains Shire
• Corangamite Shire
• Colac-Otway Shire
• South Grampians Shire Council
• Moyne
• Warrnambool
• Glenelg Shire

While restrictions are lifting in these areas, the CFA still expects the grassfire risk to remain across the state so Victorians need to remain alert and prepared, the CFA has advised. 

CFA Deputy Chief Officer of South-West Adrian Gutsche said conditions have changed significantly in the past several weeks and prompted an early finish to the fire danger period.

“We encourage people to exercise caution once restrictions are lifted.

“All burning off must be conducted in compliance with municipal local laws.”

“There was real potential in the region for fires prior to this due to the late onset of summer, several high fire danger days and considerable drying of all available fuels.

“Communities have really played their part by being vigilant and understanding the risk to ensure there were no damaging fires that could have put us at risk” Adrian said.

“We’re urging everyone to stay safe, whether you’re living in or travelling to high bushfire risk areas. 

“Please monitor the conditions on hot, dry and windy days, as we may still see some days of elevated fire risk.” 

The end of the Fire Danger Period (FDP) will be an opportunity for some landowners to burn-off again, however it’s important that residents check that local conditions are safe before undertaking these activities. 

“You must register your burn-offs, check weather conditions and follow local council laws and regulations,” Adrian said.

“Registering your burn-off ensures that if smoke or fire is reported, the incident is cross-checked with our register, which prevents firefighters from unnecessarily responding.

“When conducting burn-offs, remain alert and always have resources on hand to extinguish the fire.” 

Landowners can register their burn-off online at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au or call 1800 668 511. 

If possible, landowners should also notify their neighbours and others nearby who may be sensitive to smoke so they can take necessary precautions. 

CFA Tips for Keeping your burn off safe and legal include: 

• Check fire restrictions in your area and always register your burn
• Check and monitor weather conditions – particularly wind. 
• To avoid unnecessary calls to emergency services, notify your neighbours beforehand. 
• Leave a three-metre fire break, free from flammable materials around the burn. 
• Have sufficient equipment and water to stop the fire spreading. 
• Never leave a burn-off unattended – stay for its entire duration. 
• If your burn-off gets out of control, call ‘000’ immediately. 
• Tips for looking after your health when there is smoke can be found on the EPA’s website.

Kindergarten services will soon be expanded in Ballarat’s west with the extension of the Lucas Community Hub to begin soon.

The tender for the construction of the expansion project has been awarded to Ballarat company CIQ Construction Management, with work expected to begin this month.

It is expected the project will be complete in time for the 2025 kindergarten year.

The project has received $1.5 million from the Victorian Government’s Building Blocks Capacity Grants program and up to $1 million from the City of Ballarat.

The extension will include an additional 33-place kindergarten room and outdoor space, which will ensure the City of Ballarat has the appropriate infrastructure to cater for the expanded three-and-four-year old kindergarten program and continue to offer the option of sessional kindergarten.

As part of the project, the entrance to the facility will be altered to improve access and the foyer reconfigured to improve circulation. An additional staff planning room will provide improved staff administration space, while a new laundry and storage will also improve the building’s functionality.  

No existing services will be impacted during the construction period. The existing community garden at the site will be retained but relocated to the southern end of the block, towards Merz Street.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the extension was a great way to ensure City of Ballarat services continued to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding western suburbs of the municipality.

When the Lucas Community Hub first opened in 2016, census data showed there were 1014 people in Lucas. The most recent census in 2021 showed that figure had almost trebled to 2994.

“We are seeing how fast this area of Ballarat is growing and it is crucial we continue to provide families with high-quality infrastructure close to home,” Cr Hudson said.

“The expansion will give the kindergarten capacity to provide high-quality, accessible, early years services close to home, and support children in Lucas and surrounding areas to be ‘school ready’.

“To be starting another kindergarten project like this after collaborating once again with the state government, just one month after opening the new community hub and kindergarten just a few kilometres away in Alfredton, shows how much we are investing in the western suburbs.”

Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said the Victorian Government is supporting local councils to plan for and build the early childhood infrastructure needed to deliver Three- and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten programs in their communities.  

“The Lucas Community Hub expansion will extend free kindergarten programs in Ballarat’s west and give more families access to a quality kinder close to home,” said Minister Blandthorn. 

Firefighters battled a restaurant fire which spread to five other businesses in the shopping strip of coastal Torquay late last weekend.

The CFA was called to the fire on Gilbert Street at Torquay at 11.22pm on Sunday night, April 14.

On arrival, firefighters found the restaurant well alight and it was impacting neighbouring shops.

A woman living above a neighbouring unaffected shop was assessed by Ambulance Victoria on scene.

The fire was brought under control at 3am and declared safe at 8:16am.

District 7 Commander Wayne Aylmer said sadly six shops were destroyed by the fire.

“Firefighters worked hard to stop further spread of the fire and were able to save the supermarket behind the shops.”

The cause was not believed to be suspicious but investigations have been continuing and were expected to take some time due to the extent of the damage.

CFA had 13 vehicles on scene supported by FRV crews.

Words & Image: CFA

Six CFA brigades from the west of the state have undertaken a planned burn around the townships of Cape Clear, Rokewood Junction and Mannibadar in recent days. 

Members completed a 20km planned burn along the Rokewood-Skipton Rd a couple of weekends ago. 

West Region Vegetation Management Officer Kay Richardson said the burn brought together 30 volunteers from the Grenville Group and an additional five members from the Planned Burn Taskforce. 

“This road has been identified in the landscape as a long, linear break to help impede the run of fire, and provide an opportunity to assist crews in suppressing any unplanned fire,” she said. 

Kay said Rokewood-Skipton Rd also supports isolated pockets of valuable native grassland.   

“Planned burning helps these grasslands by reducing biomass to increase condition, resilience, and diversity of native species along the roadside,” she said. 

“The burn went better than expected, especially given the area had received up to 50mm of rain in the days leading up to it.  

“By the end of the day, volunteers had treated over 20 kms of roadside, on both sides, successfully reducing grassy fuels and have helped invigorate areas of native grassland that had not been burnt for several years.” 

Brigades involved included Smythesdale, Linton, Cape Clear, Mannibadar, Rokewood Junction and Wallinduc. 

The Rokewood-Skipton Road is a strategic fire break that is treated by brigades on behalf of the Department of Transport and Planning. 

The annual camp for Hoddles Creek Juniors has become a cornerstone event that the brigade’s Juniors eagerly anticipate and discuss throughout the year.

Late last year, tents and bags were loaded, parents waved off their Juniors, and phones and technology went into a lock box as they boarded a bus ready for a busy, four-day long weekend away.

When they arrived at Rubicon, the first task was to set up camp. After this, the Juniors headed down to the river to cool off before returning for dinner.

Day two was the day all the Juniors had been looking forward to the most. With bathers on and towels in hand, they headed up to Jerusalem Creek where they were met by Adam (Mount Evelyn brigade), Trent and Taryn (Hillcrest brigade), and Commander Booth (District 13), who had prepared two boats and two jet skis in the water for some fast wave riding and tubbing.

Through these activities Juniors built confidence, overcame fears, pushed their boundaries and had a lot of fun. After this amazing day of water sports, it was back to camp where, unfortunately, the weather had taken a turn for the worse.

The Juniors pressed on with their evening activity, but it was cut short by a severe storm that threatened to wash away the camp. A late-night call was made to Thornton brigade asking for emergency shelter in their engine bay. However, a chance encounter with the manager of Camp Jungai, a local outdoor education camp, resulted in a warm dry lodge being offered to the Juniors for the night.

The Juniors showed an amazing level of courage and teamwork as the camp was evacuated. By around 1am everyone was asleep in dry comfortable beds.

The following morning spirits were a bit low, but a pancake breakfast and some words of encouragement were a great help.

The Juniors set off on an 8km hike along a river. Always seizing the opportunity for a learning experience, they applied their tree hazard training, identifying and discussing different types of trees along the way.

They also had the opportunity to put their new first-aid skills into practice when a few of the older Juniors faked a first-aid emergency. This was a perfect opportunity for the younger and newer Juniors to take more of a leadership role and show off what they had been learning.

“My first camp with CFA Juniors was great. I got to use some of my training in first-aid on our hike,” Amy-Lee McGregor said. “We had a lot of fun water skiing and it was nice of the local CFA captain to help us when we were hit by the storm.”

This Juniors camp was filled with unforgettable memories.

“It was the best camp I have been on,” Thomas Couzens said, “and I hope next year we can do more fundraising and go on two camps.”

Junior camps are a great opportunity for our youngest members to put their skills into practice, build stronger bonds between participants, develop teamwork and build confidence.

Words & Image: CFA

For several years now, the CFA has partnered with the Bellarine Catchment Network and the Borough of Queenscliff to carry out fuel reduction and woody weed removal in an area called The Narrows at coastal Queenscliff.

The program has been a great success in not only reducing fuel loads and protecting infrastructure assets and buildings, but also protecting and enhancing the biodiversity of Coastal Moonah Woodland, which is listed as ‘Threatened’ in Victoria.

Sustained manual efforts to remove the introduced woody weeds – a range of hardy plants that are difficult to eradicate – has resulted in improved biodiversity, with numerous fire-retardant, indigenous plants returning to the site. These include Seaberry Saltbush, Coast Bonefruit and Bower Spinach, which are known for their succulent form and have fire-retardant characteristics.

Matt Crawley from Bellarine Catchment Network said the locals had made a great effort to improve this area.

“Over the past year we have had nine community weeding sessions involving 71 community members and four schools,” Matt said. 

“This has led to weed control, reduced fuel loads and an engaged community better connected to their local patch. Without the support of CFA and Borough of Queenscliff, projects like this would not have the resources to protect our valuable natural environment and townships that are adjacent to them.”

This program will continue in 2024, with follow-up weed maintenance, monitoring the flora and conducting surveys. 

“This program is a great example of community, local government and CFA collaborating to share ideas and resources to turn a significant problem into a long-term solution,” CFA’s South West Region Vegetation Management Officer Phil Campbell said.

Words: CFA. Image: Supplied

The Hepburn Shire Council has issued infringement notices for matters relating to responsible pet ownership after a number of reported dog attacks recently.

Chief Executive Officer, Bradley Thomas, said that in the past couple of weeks, infringement notices had been issued for two dog attacks and several dogs at large.

“Our Community Safety team play an important role in educating our community on how to keep their pets and the public safe. We encourage anyone who has been attacked by a dog in a public place to report this to a member of our team.”

“Pet owners have a responsibility for ensuring their dogs are contained to their properties.  If you are in public places not designated as an off-leash area, dogs must be on a leash and controlled at all times,” said Mr Thomas.

“We appreciate that the majority of pet owners in our Shire are doing the right thing. Our Community Safety team are keen to work with pet owners on keeping them contained and safe.”

Locals who own any dogs may have the following responsibilities as a pet owner:

• All dogs over the age of 12 weeks must be registered

• Ensure all dogs are under effective control when out in public

• Please pick up after your dog when out in public

• Dogs must be securely confined to your property

• All dog owners are reminded to consider your neighbours, please don’t allow your dog to bark and cause a noise nuisance

The Warrandyte CFA is highlighting the importance of having a working smoke alarm after attending four separate house fires in just four weeks.

CFA alongside FRV attended house fires in East Doncaster, Park Orchards, North Warrandyte and Warrandyte over the last month. 

CFA responded to a two-storey brick house fire in East Doncaster on 10 March. Around half of the home was damaged. 

Just over a week later, on 19 March, CFA supported FRV crews at a two-storey house fire in Park Orchards.    

On 30 March, CFA was then called to a house fire in North Warrandyte. Around 35 per cent of the house was destroyed.  

Most recently, on 5 April CFA responded to a house fire in Warrandyte which destroyed the single storey brick home.  

Warrandyte Captain Will Hodgson said it was rare to have significant fires in separate incidents over a short period of time. 

“My first message to the community is make sure you have a working smoke alarm and home fire plan, secondly, we need to be safe when lighting fires indoors, like fireplaces,” he said. 

“Never use accelerants on an open fire, it can cause significant injury or worse. 

“With the way we live today, we need to charge things, mobile phones, computers, tools. Be aware of where they are, and it’s a good idea to have them switched off when not at home.” 

Thankfully, all occupants of the homes evacuated safety.  

Words: CFA. Image: Supplied.

For Anzac Day events across the Hepburn Shire please click on the link below or scan the QR code.

https://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Council/News/Latest-news/ANZAC-Day-2024