The Hepburn Shire Council is seeking approval for a higher rate cap for the 2025/26 financial year in a bid to secure long-term financial stability.

The council is applying for a total rate increase of 10 per cent for 2025/26  which includes a 7 per cent increase to the existing 3 per cent rate cap announced in  December by the Local Government minister.  

An additional 7 per cent rate rise would be on average equal to $2.20 per  property per week but will generate $1.36 million to invest in programs and services.  The proposal has now been submitted to the Essential Services Commission  and aligns with the council’s financial vision 2024-2027 that was endorsed at last  September’s Special Council Meeting.  

The move is being made in a bid to ensure financial viability and long-term  sustainability, the council said in a media statement.  

Mayor Cr Don Henderson says the council is committed to ensuring it can  continue to provide essential services for the community in the years ahead.  

“General rates and charges are council’s biggest revenue stream, making up 66 per  cent in the financial year 2024/25,” Cr Henderson said.  

“Operating in a financially sustainable way can be challenging when we have a  smaller population size than the average council and when we are working from a  historically low rate base.  

“This proposed rate cap adjustment will form part of ensuring we meet our  regulatory requirements and help guarantee the financial stability of council, which is  crucial to delivering services and infrastructure for our residents.  

“Councils, and especially rural councils, do not have enough revenue sources, and  this has been acknowledged by both state and federal governments.  

“We understand that there are many in the community struggling under cost-of living pressures and this decision is not being made lightly.  

“Rest assured, we are continuously seeking efficiencies to minimise the financial  burden on ratepayers to ensure that we improve our financial position to support our  community.”  

An increase of $2.20 per week would mean an extra $114.40 for someone now  paying $1144. However the rates for a modest home in Glenlyon would be $3907.  

Hepburn Shire Council is no longer financially sustainable, Cr Brian Hood  has told a meeting of concerned residents at Trentham last week.  

Cr Hood said it was time the state government looked at merging Hepburn Shire  into other local government areas because it no longer had the ability to continue to  provide services at their current levels – even with a 10 per cent rise in rates.  

About 90 people attended the town meeting with the majority from Trentham.  After talking about the town structure plans, Cr Hood moved to the four-year  council plan and the “overly ambitious” previous four-year plan.  

“It strayed away from core business. It had five focus areas, I think 23 priority  statements and 116 strategies. And while there were some successes along the way and  lots of good stuff got done, it was just trying to do too much all over the place.  

“On the capital side of things, we built the Mechanics at Trentham and the sports  ground rooms, we did Creswick Town Hall, Creswick Trails, Bullarto Station, all  those sort of things, no qualms about that.

“But I showed them (the meeting) a slide  on the operating performance with all the day-to-day activities and services and that  was a bit of an eye-opener to everybody.  

“The deficits incurred over the past four years were sizable each and every year  and were getting bigger. And it just said, look, the plan wasn’t affordable. Yes, there  were successes in it, but we’ve got to stop doing what we’re doing there and get back  to whatever we determine to be basics.”

Cr Hood said the projected $4 million a year cash gap was largely caused by  escalating costs and also the cumulative effect of rate capping.

“We started from a  very low position, unfortunately, when they brought in capping, and that then got  entrenched into it. And each year whenever we’ve had a rate cap increase, it’s always  been below CPI. So that’s really put the squeeze on.  

“We’re small. And of course, the other geographic factor is we’ve got four or  five centres, so there’s a lot of inefficiency or duplication where, unlike, say, Mount  Alexander Shire where everything’s in Castlemaine, we’ve got Clunes and Creswick  and Daylesford and so on. So it’s not an excuse, it’s just a reality.”  

Cr Hood said that while The Rex was a financial and governance disaster, if it had  never happened the council would still be facing a $4 million gap going forward.  

“We have looked long and hard at selling surplus land and buildings, but to be  frank, we really don’t have anything that’s not being used.  

“The other thing that we’ve done with the capital works program is we’re now  only doing renewal work. We’re not building any new assets, there’s no cash for it.  

“If we get the rate increase of 10 per cent it would give us $1.36 million. The  other $2.64 million is coming from service changes, cost reductions, that sort of  thing, which is going to be pretty challenging.

“We’re looking at what are we going to  leave the same? What are we going to give a minor cut to? What are we going to give  a big cut to? What are we going to stop?  

“And the best case outcome is if we get the 10 per cent rate increase then we’d be  left with a council that has completely shrunk and can’t deliver all of its services. But  people are paying 10 per cent more in their rates.  

“But worse still, from a risk point of view, there’s absolutely no cash sitting there  for the next storm or flood or bushfire, any emergency. We’re running on empty.  (And) if we happen to get grants from other levels of government, we can’t accept  them because we’d have no cash for co-contributions.  

“We’d just maintain what we’ve got. If you live on an unmade road today, it’s still  going to be unmade in 10 years’ time.”  

Cr Hood said those at the meeting then asked if Plan B was carving up Hepburn  Shire to merge with other local governments.

“And I said, yes, we have been (talking  about that). Several of us have reached this conclusion. We’ll advocate, particularly  to the new minister, who we’re seeing very soon, that this sort of review needs to be  done.  

“So it’s now up to the state government. Would they send Creswick to Ballarat?  Would they send Clunes to Central Goldfields or Pyrenees? Would they send  Daylesford to Mt Alexander? Would they send Trentham to Macedon Ranges or  Moorabool. Who knows?  

“I’ve only got as far as saying if we cut all these services and costs and get a rate  increase, that’s not a great outcome for the community at all. There needs to be  something better. And we need to convince the state government to look at the bigger  picture, that we’re just too small to be viable.”  

Before December 31 each year, the Minister for Local Government sets the  council rate cap for the next financial year.

If the cap does not meet a council’s needs, the council can submit a higher cap application for up to four years of higher caps at  a time.

Rate caps started in 2016-2017 at 2.5 per cent. They dropped to a low of 1.5  per cent in 2022-23, reached a high of 3.5 per cent in 2023-2024 and in 2025-2026  are set at 3 per cent.  

Words: Donna Kelly  

Shepparton Crime Investigation detectives are investigating after a caravan was stolen while a man was sleeping inside at Shepparton last week.

The 73-year-old victim woke to find he was being towed away from where he had parked outside his son’s house on Broken River Drive and promptly called police about 5.30am last Tuesday March 18.

The unknown offenders drove to Bridewell Court and unhooked the van.

Police arrived at the same time the offenders had returned to the white Nissan Navara they were travelling in.

Officers attempted to intercept the utility but it sped off, crossing onto the wrong side of Richmond Street and was last seen heading east on Channel Road.

Fortunately, the victim was not physically injured.

Checks revealed the Nissan had been stolen from Newport on February 25.

The vehicle has been sighted at several other incidents including;

– Towing a stolen caravan in Spotswood on March 6

– A trailer theft, theft, and theft from motor vehicle in Point Cook on March 8

– A motorbike theft in Kensington on March 13

The Nissan was last seen bearing stolen number plates 2BV 8VM.

Police have released an image of the vehicle (above) in the hope that someone sights it and can provide information on its whereabouts.

Anyone who does see the Nissan is urged to contact Triple-Zero (000) immediately.

Anyone with information on one of the incidents, including CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

This story based on a Victoria Police report.

The powerful rhythms of Africa are not only coming to Creswick, they’re becoming part of the lives of a whole new generation of locals.

In the lead up to CresFest (April 4-6) children at each of the town’s three primary schools are participating in some pretty special workshops, learning how to play African drumming rhythms and to sing traditional African songs.

Ghanaian musician and master drummer Kofi Kunkpe and acclaimed local musician and music educator Stella Savy are leading the workshops.

The children will then get to perform what they’ve learned as part of the free Rhythms of African Extravaganza that’s set to transform a large whack of the town’s main street on Saturday April 5 at 4pm as part of the festival.

Stella, who is also co-director of the festival says it’ll be a prime chance for everyone and anyone to enjoy the sounds of Africa and get involved in the fun themselves.

The African extravaganza and the in-school workshops have been enabled with a $17,6000 grant through the federal government’s Festivals Australia grants initiative. It’s also seen Stella go into the schools earlier this term to teach the African songs in original languages.

“They are singing in about five different Ghanaian languages,” says Stella whose gift for teaching Aussies of all ages to sing in multicultural languages is the stuff of local legend.

Stella says the funding has been particularly valuable for the local schools in delivering music education for the students, particularly as two of the three local schools do not otherwise have music programs already in place.

“It’s a great joy seeing kids learn new things,” Kofi Kunkpe told The Local in the lead up to the in-school workshops.

The charismatic Ghanaian musician says the experience of stepping out of normal routine and into a different musical world is often transformative and surprising for the children, and also for parents hearing what their kids have learned.

“At the end of the day, when they get it, it makes me happy,” Kofi said.

The Rhythms of Africa Extravaganza will also feature other talented musos including Creswick Drum Circle, and the Creswick Chorus who have also been busy learning songs in original languages especially for the event.

“We’ve got a world class music festival happening in this town so I think it’s fantastic for the children to have this opportunity to interact with it in a real way,” Stella says.

“To have an opportunity to perform at a big event like that is the kind of thing that they’ll remember for the rest of their life.

“The main thing that I see is joy. Kids who are allowed to be loud and move and sing and dance and I know that they’re all going to love playing the drums with Kofi.

“And that in itself is worth it. In these times, joy is not always easy to find. That’s where music plays a crucial role in everyone’s life.”

The wider CresFest festival features a great multicultural diversity of top national and international music talent and CresFest co-director Judy Turner says if you haven’t already it’s time to move fast and snap up a ticket.

Words: Eve Lamb.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal crash that happened in Woodend North on Monday morning (March 24).

It was understood a car left the roadway and crashed into a pole near the intersection of Old Lancefield Road and Clancys Lane about 6.30am.

The driver, a 19-year-old Woodend man, died at the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or with dashcam footage was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

For the current provisional lives lost tally see – https://www.police.vic.gov.au/road-safety

This story based on a Victoria Police report.

The previously confidential Local Government Inspectorate report  into Hepburn Shire Council and The Rex/Hepburn Hub has been published by Council Watch on its Facebook page.  

It has since been widely shared around the community with comments  across social media scathing.  

The report into the failed creation of the Hepburn Hub in Vincent  Street, Daylesford was started in 2019 but last September the LGI said  the investigation had been finalised and there was “insufficient evidence to  prove to the requisite standard of proof the commission of any disciplinary  breaches or criminal offences contrary to the 1989 Act”.  

“Accordingly, the LGI will not be taking any further action in respect of  the investigation. Nor will the LGI be publishing any report.”  

The LGI also requested all draft copies of the report be destroyed or  returned. It is believed all were watermarked with the name of the recipient.  

The Local was sent a copy of the report in 2021 but was told by the LGI  it was illegal to publish it in any form and to do so could lead to hefty fines.  

As a small publisher keen to continue to produce a free newspaper for its  community, and which cannot afford to be fined or stage a legal battle, The  Local decided not to publish the report .

The report released by Council Watch is dated June 2022 but is believed to be different to the April 2021 draft given to councillors and others  involved.  

The Local wrote to the LGI last week asking if any action would be taken against Council Watch, and now parts of the report had been published in metropolitan newspapers, was it no longer confidential, and would it be  formally released.

The LGI wrote back saying last September’s media release  had not changed but did not answer other questions.  

On its website, Council Watch has a piece titled The Rex – What  Happened? “What began as a well-intentioned initiative to create a  community hub in Daylesford, Victoria, spiralled into a financial disaster,  resulting in a cash loss of $5.6 million, reputational damage, and a failure to  deliver on community expectations.”  

In a media release issued last week, Hepburn Shire Council  acknowledged the apparently unauthorised release of the Local Government Inspectorate draft report on the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project.  

“Council also acknowledges that due to the report’s release, our  community will be feeling a range of emotions; frustration, anger, sadness,  discontent and discomfort. Council has been calling for the finalisation and  release of the LGI report for many years, to bring closure to the situation  and allow our community to move forward.  

“The way the confidential draft report has been made public is  concerning and council has formally written to the LGI to request a  thorough review of the situation.  

“As far as council’s awareness of the matters raised in the report, in 2021 a number of councillors and officers were provided with an earlier draft  for comment. However, they were under a legal obligation not to reference  receipt of the report or disclose its contents.

“This 2022 version of the report,  though, is unfamiliar to our organisation and councillors and council cannot  comment on its origins or accuracy.”  

Mayor Cr Don Henderson said the current council leadership (post-  2018) had implemented important improvements to governance, service  delivery, community engagement, and transparency.  

“The financial loss associated with the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project  was $5.65 million. This included the purchase of The Rex in 2016 for  $6.345 million, additional expenditure of $3.04 million, and proceeds from  the sale amounting to $3.74 million.  

“The $5.65 million is significant, however, it is important to be clear  to the community that the current rate cap variation and savings associated  with the implementation of our Financial Vision would still be required  even without it.

“The Financial Vision notes an annual shortfall of $4 million  per year across the 10 years so, had the loss associated with The Rex project  not been incurred, the shortfall would still have amounted to $3.5 million  annually.

“The community has every right to be disappointed, but any anger, attacks or threats are inappropriate and will not be tolerated. Over recent  weeks we have seen an increase in poor behaviour by community members  towards staff and councillors who continue to work hard to deliver services  and projects for the benefit of the community.”

 Community anger with release of Rex report  

On its website Council Watch calls itself “a team  of volunteers with a keen interest and history in local  government”.

“We seek to advocate on behalf of all  residents and ratepayers in Victoria. Local government has  very little oversight and makes its own rules. This leads to  consumers’ rights being removed or restricted.  

“We seek to help people know their rights and to  challenge council where they have acted inappropriately.  We seek to educate Victorians about local government and  create a fairer system for all.”  

Council Watch president Dean Hurlston, pictured above says “council bureaucracy is strangling the goodwill  in our communities, rates are ever increasing and service  standards are lower than ever, there are far more of us than  them”.  

Words & Rex image: Donna Kelly | Profile shot: Contributed  

The Scotty Camburger is the latest offering from the Daylesford Seafood Bar.  It’s named after Scott Cam, one of the two faces of The Block, which is now  filming at Raglan Street at the eastern entrance to the town.  

Meanwhile Shelley Craft, the other on-air talent on the show, is loving Daylesford  where she now heads every week from her home in Byron Bay.  

“I just love the actual feeling of a small town. You go into every store and  everyone knows everybody else who comes in. They might not know us particularly,  but they say hi to all the other customers, like their friends.

 “And I really appreciate that, being from a small town myself. But just that idea,  I think, of being able to get off site, and for the intensity that happens here every day,  for our crews and for the contestants themselves, and all the production, to actually  take a step back and just slow down a little bit on those few hours a week they have  off, is a really lovely thing.  

“It’s a bit like Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree – every season we pop up and  land somewhere else and go, what on earth does this world have to offer us?”  

Scotty, who is still looking for a favourite pie, said the welcome from the town  and community had been terrific.  

“I’ve rented a really nice, lovely, quaint cottage. And that’s the beauty of our job,  that we get to experience the town for three months. It’s not just like a fly-in business.  We live here, we immerse ourselves. I rent a house, I live in it, so I live in a different  household every year. So that’s really fun. And my wife comes and visits. She’s  coming next weekend for a week.  

“And then we love going out for tea, and all the great restaurants and pubs. We  went to the Lake House last night, and it was incredible.”  

Shelley said the news about Daylesford being the latest home for The Block had  got out ahead of time and she hoped the contestants had done their research into the  region.  

“They should have been looking at what houses they can design here that are  really going to suit the market. And that’s where Scotty and I come in on Fridays,  where we say, hey, you might have missed the mark here. Have you seen the eclectic  lifestyle, the amount of colour that’s in town? Bring in the natural environment.

“Don’t just build a house that you can build anywhere. Build something specific  for Daylesford that’s really going to appeal to the audience that A, already lives here  and might be looking for an upgrade, or B, is really going to attract new locals to the  area. So, yeah, we’re trying to every week go, Daylesford, Daylesford.  

“And we are hoping that they have enough time in their week to get out and  actually explore the area a little bit so they get those tiny details right. Yeah, see who  comes here. See who wants to live here. Is it a family? Is it single people?

“Who’s  buying in the town and what style are they looking for? That’s the key. If you build a  house that people aren’t looking for, they just go next door.”  

Scotty said the show would leave a few legacy projects around the region.  

“We do (this) every year. We do a community centre, something to that effect.  We did a surf club last year and we get our sponsors on board so we can generally tip  in quite a few bucks, like a lot, and do a reno that they would never do. And we try  and do that.”    

Hepburn Shire councillors and council staff, including Mayor Cr Don  Henderson and CEO Bradley Thomas, took the opportunity to take a tour around the site of The Block last Thursday. The Local tagged along.  

They met with Scott Cam and Shelley Craft along with other members of the  television show crew. Scotty told the councillors and staff the welcome from the town had been amazing with everyone friendly and happy.  

“(And) there’s 200 of us here roughly and we don’t provide catering for our team.  So 200 people have to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in town somehow, whether  they cook it or buy it, or go to a restaurant.  

“So from our point of view, it’s great for the town. We always try and do a  community service as well, somewhere along the line.  

“We’ve also rented probably, I don’t know, 50 houses. And when we come to  a town, an original town like Daylesford, we go boots and all. We come in and we  really get involved and we love it.”  

Scotty said taking part in the ChillOut parade had also been amazing and would  be the first episode when The Block aired later this year.  

Shelley said she lived in a regional town, Byron Bay, and loved the lifestyle that  is on offer.

“So I feel responsibility to introduce the rest of Australia to what regional  living is like. To somehow, through the show, show that little window of how  wonderful regional living can be. And perhaps encourage other city slickers to get out  a little bit more, even if it’s just on the weekends.

 “We’re not sure what audience these homes are going to bring as far as buyers. We  hope that they end up being huge contributors to the town as well and integrate into  the community.”  

Image: Kyle Barnes  Words: Donna Kelly

The City of Ballarat is encouraging community members to adopt a pet from the Ballarat Animal Shelter throughout March, which is National Pet Adoption Month.  

The Ballarat Animal Shelter has a range of cats and dogs available for adoption on the PetRescue website.

Throughout March, the Ballarat Animal Shelter is making it even easier to adopt a pet with extended opening hours, discounted adoption fees for bonded pairs, and including leads, bowls and bedding with all adoptions.

All pets from the Ballarat Animal Shelter have been vaccinated, de-sexed and are fully vet-checked and microchipped. They have also commenced early behavior training.

Everyone who adopts a dog or puppy from the Ballarat Animal Shelter can also access free membership at the Ballarat Dog Obedience Club to continue training.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves encouraged the community to adopt a pet from the Ballarat Animal Shelter throughout March.  

“If you are considering a new dog or cat – adopting from a shelter or rescue organisation should always be your first consideration,” Cr Hargreaves said.

“By supporting rescues and shelters, you are giving a dog or cat a second chance and this will help reduce unregulated backyard breeders one at a time.”  

The City of Ballarat is also encouraging community members to register their pets or renew their registration by April 10.  

This story based on a City of Ballarat media release. Image: Supplied

The state government says it is delivering High Intensity Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) at more specialist schools across the state free of charge — giving hundreds of families across Victoria the extra support they deserve.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll visited Croxton Special School in recent days to announce that High Intensity OSHC services are now available at five more specialist schools­­ — delivering on the promise the Labor Government made to Victorians at the last election.

The schools include Banmira Specialist School (Shepparton), Bass Coast Specialist School (Wonthaggi), Croxton Special School (Northcote), Croydon Special Developmental School and Eastern Ranges School (Ferntree Gully).

High intensity OSHC was developed to support specialist school students’ families who say finding affordable outside school hours or holiday care that gives their kids the level of support they need is one of their biggest challenges.

The initiative began as a pilot at five specialist schools which resulted in significant improvements in educational achievements, improved wellbeing of students and their families, and 92 per cent of parents saying they had, or were planning to, take up extra work or training.

This year’s expansion of High Intensity OSHC will be followed by a further five schools set to incorporate these services in 2026, delivering on the state government’s promise to build on the pilot program established in 2018.

The government has invested $1.6 billion in Disability Inclusion initiatives across the state and support students with additional needs who attend mainstream schools.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll: “We know that finding care outside school hours is one of the biggest challenges families face and these new services will allow children with disability get the tailored care they deserve.”

“This program means children with disability can access tailored care close to home at no cost, so parents can spend less time juggling caring with work or study and more time with their loved ones.”

This story based on a state government media release. Image: Supplied

Transit officers are investigating a homophobic assault which occurred in Mount Waverley last month.

Investigators have been told a 30-year-old man and his boyfriend got on a city bound train at Glen Waverley Railway Station about 4.30pm on February 9.

The train arrived at Syndal Railway Station and the victim’s boyfriend got off the train.

As the train was about to depart a man approached the pair and verbally abused the victim and his boyfriend with homophobic slurs.

The train departed with the victim and the offender still onboard.

It is alleged the offender then assaulted the victim before exiting the train at Mount Waverley Railway Station.

The offender is perceived to be Caucasian, 35-45 years-old with a slim build, shoulder length brown hair and approximately 183cm tall.

At the time of the offence he was wearing a grey PUMA t-shirt, black cargo pants and was carrying a black backpack.

Investigators have released an image (above) of a man who may be able to assist with their enquires.

Anyone with information or footage is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

This story based on a Victoria Police report

The state’s small business bus will soon roll into Trentham offering free expert business advice to small business owners and those wanting to start a business.

The Small Business Bus is an ‘office on wheels’ that travels across Melbourne and regional Victoria, providing in-person, expert advice to small business owners where they live or operate their business.

Since it first hit the road 14 years ago, the bus has made more than 3,300 visits and helped more than 47,000 small business owners across the state.

Small businesses in Hepburn Shire can seek general business assistance, as well as advice on
business planning, financial and cashflow management, marketing, business compliance and staffing issues – entirely free of charge.

With 22 per cent of the state’s small businesses located in regional Victoria, the Small Business
Bus plays an important role in connecting regional communities to services that help build and grow their businesses.

Victoria is proudly home to over 700,000 small businesses that make up 97 per cent of all Victorian businesses. Small businesses make a significant contribution to communities, local jobs, and the Victorian economy.

The Small Business Bus will be in front of Trentham Town Square from 10am to 4pm on March 31st. Walk-ins are welcome but bookings are recommended.

For those unable to attend in person, online business advisory sessions are available through Business Victoria.

More information about the Small Business Bus and to make a booking visit business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/small-business-bus.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas MP: “Every business and every business owner in the Hepburn Shire is unique, which is why the Small Business Bus provides tailored expert advice for each business owner to help support them in the way that suits them best.”

Story based on a media release from the office of Mary-Anne Thomas MP. Image: File

A total 41 motorists were caught behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, in a recent two-night blitz in Moorabbin, police say.

Alarmingly, 11% of motorists who were drug tested returned positive results.

Moorabbin Highway Patrol officers conducted the operation in the southbound lanes of the Nepean Highway at Moorabbin, bolstered by three booze buses.

Over two nights on March 13 and 14 highway patrol officers undertook 4,747 preliminary breath tests – 37 of which returned a positive result – as well as 36 preliminary oral fluid tests, with four drivers testing positive to illicit substances.

More motorists were caught breaking the law on Friday night.

Of note:

• A 27-year-old woman lost her licence for 12 months and was ordered to pay a $840 penalty notice, after a preliminary breath test indicated she had alcohol in her system.

She allegedly returned a positive secondary reading of 0.122 – almost two-and-a-half times the legal limit.

It will be alleged she stopped in the middle of the Nepean Highway and tried to turn onto a service road, almost causing a multi-vehicle crash.

• A 52-year-old woman from Elsternwick was intercepted by police 100m from her home. She later allegedly returned a positive breath test of 0.106. She was fined $840 and lost her licence for ten months.

• A 41-year-old man from Caulfield South was caught after allegedly trying to go around the testing site.

A secondary breath test indicated a reading of 0.091, resulting in the suspension of his licence, as well as a $593 fine.

• A 37-year-old man from Keysborough allegedly tried to elude police by bypassing two booze buses, however, was intercepted near the third.

It will be alleged he returned a positive breath test of 0.067 and also tested positive to methylamphetamine. His licence was immediately suspended, and he will be summonsed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

• A 20-year-old man from Broadmeadows turned off the Nepean Highway, before allegedly returning a positive reading of 0.065.

Further checks revealed he did not hold a valid licence to drive. The vehicle was impounded, and the man will be summonses to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

The positive oral fluid tests will under further analysis.

Police say they will continue to conduct alcohol and drug testing anywhere, anytime in an effort to drive down road trauma.

This story based on a Victoria Police report

Claims that the Victorian Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) have held talks about extending the operations of Yallourn Power Station beyond 2028 are false, the state’s energy and resources minister says.

A media statement issued by the minister, Lily D’Ambrosio states:

“In an article published on the evening of March 18 The Australian has falsely claimed that EnergyAustralia, the Victorian Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) have held talks about extending the operations of Yallourn Power Station beyond 2028.

“DEECA, AEMO and EnergyAustralia have confirmed that the claims are wrong.

“The three agencies also confirm that no such discussions have occurred and nor have there been “rolling talks”.

“AEMO has not advised the Victorian Government that Yallourn would need to be extended beyond 2028, as claimed in The Australian.

“Before publication, EnergyAustralia confirmed to The Australian that the plant would close in 2028.

“The Australian did not contact the Victorian Government for comment prior to publication. “

This story based on a state government media release.

The Local’s Tony Sawrey recently enjoyed a leisurely and lavender-hazed afternoon-evening capturing a bit of the atmosphere of Lavandaze, always a favourite part of the ChillOut Festival program.

Held at beautiful Lavandula at Daylesford, Lavandaze is an ever-growing gathering of all the tribes of our rainbow to take part in a ritual of dance and love.

It delivered a journey from a hot and sunny day into night with the transformation of the beautiful historical property into a wonderland of technicolor to enhance an evening of excitement and adventure.

Held on Sunday March 9 Lavandaze was, as ever, a very popular inclusion on the ChillOut Festival wider program and Tony was kind enough to share some of his happy snaps…

Images: Tony Sawrey

Students at the Kyneton and Hepburn Primary schools will turn learning into an artform this year thanks to the latest round of grants through the state’s Creative Learning Partnerships program.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas last week announced a $35,000 grant to Kyneton Primary School and a $10,000 grant to Hepburn Primary School through the long running program which supports schools to work with local artists, creative collectives and arts companies on residency projects that will supercharge the curriculum in new, creative ways.

The project will see Kyneton students collaborate with artists from Threshold on a creative exploration of the life cycle, reflecting on nature, growth and change through theatre, music
and art creation.

The project will culminate in an immersive musical and theatrical performance for the school community Hepburn Primary School students will collaborate with artist Kathy Holowko on an ecology based creative project investigating wild animals in urban landscapes, and exploring themes including evolution, animal kin, habitats, and interdependence.

The project will culminate in the creation of a collaborative sculpture. Kyneton and Hepburn Primary Schools are two of 19 primary, secondary and specialist schools across Victoria that will undertake creative projects linked to their curriculum from terms 2 to 4 in 2025.

Collaborating with artists from a wide range of disciplines including visual art, light installation, performance, storytelling, circus and ceramics, students will develop projects that explore topics such as First Nations culture, nature and the environment, citizenship, language and leadership.

The Creative Learning Partnerships program (formerly Artists in Schools) has run in Victoria
for more than 40 years.

During this time, the program has provided unique, hands-on creative experiences at more than 1200 schools, involving more than 70,000 students.

The Creative Learning Partnerships program is a partnership between Creative Victoria and
the Department of Education.

This story based on a media release from the office of Mary-Anne Thomas MP

Police have in recent days charged a man after a blood transportation van was allegedly stolen.

It is alleged the man stole the pathology vehicle, that was transporting blood donations, from Elgar Road in Box Hill about 8pm on Wednesday March 12.

The vehicle allegedly fled the scene and circulated main arterioles in the Richmond area.

The driver allegedly felt the pressure and dumped the moving vehicle on Bridge Road about 9pm.

The van rolled and crashed into raised concrete at a tram stop.

There were no injuries and the blood donations were not compromised.

Officers with their fingers on the pulse swiftly moved in.

The alleged driver attempted, in-vein, to flee on foot and was soon allegedly caught red-faced.

A 28-year-old Box Hill man was arrested and charged with theft of a motor vehicle and wilful damage.

He was bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on June 2.

Words: Victoria Police