By Donna Kelly
OK. THIS is my last instalment on aged care provider Benetas. Well, for a bit.
You may remember we started doing articles about three editions ago when we were contacted by a woman who said the price had gone up – and the service had gone down. The service had moved from Hepburn Shire Council to Benetas.
So we ran that story and then quite a few other people got in touch and said they were also having issues. Some had not had anyone cleaning their homes for six weeks – and some were still being charged for the service anyway.
And so we ran another story with those people and Benetas kept doing the public relations thing saying they were doing their best and were very surprised to hear that some of their clients were not happy.
Then I wondered who I could reach out to. People were reaching out to me and I was reporting on that, but that wasn’t really helping anyone, except they felt perhaps they were being heard.
The last story I ran was with comment from Ballarat MP Catherine King who said the Health Department were onto it – that’s pretty impressive – and she also provided lots of numbers where complaints could be lodged or other providers could be found. Great, I thought, at last some movement at the station.
The edition came out on July 17 and on July 18, Peter, not his real name, called. He said he had just read the story, he was one of the earlier callers, and just wanted to let me know…drum roll please…no, no good news. He just wanted to let me know he had been waiting all day for his cleaner and no-one had come.
The wait started at 9am and it was 4pm when he called me. Peter didn’t want to leave the house in case the cleaner turned up but “I did have other things I wanted to get on with”, he said.
Peter has decided to quit the service. He had been ill, very ill, but said he was on the mend and could do better himself. I mean, he is still not great, but after beating cancer he is tired of spending days inside, waiting. Perhaps his cleaner is called Godot?
Anyway, always looking on the bright side, I am blood type B positive after all, I decided that things must be looking up. The only call I had was from Peter so maybe all the other people were fine now?
I decided to write to that first woman, the one who said the prices had gone up and the service had gone down. So I found her emails and sent one saying she had done a good thing, and that as a result of all those numbers from Catherine King MP – and the Health Department being onto it and all that, that all must be mostly good in the aged care sector in Hepburn Shire.
She wrote back: “That is excellent news – as an aside I did all the things Catherine King said (prior to her saying them) and rang My Aged Care who gave me new service numbers and the names of other providers to see if I could get a new provider. None of them got back to me (and they were out of district) so I assume either they don’t have the capacity or are unable to come as this is Benetas’s territory.”
Hmmm. I have nothing to add. Unless you have read Kyle’s latest Rant …
The poor thing thinks I shop just twice a year. One day he will find a thing called online shopping and I will be done for. Or he will pick up on the surprised tone I manage when he says “is that new?” and I say “this old thing, I’ve had it for years”.
And life rolls on. Just sayin’…

Words: Eve Lamb. Image: Supplied

Keep an eye out and you may just spot him hiking along the chilly, muddy Hepburn Shire roads this week.
While many of us stay rugged up indoors, much loved Ballarat-based Tamil refugee, Neil Para, 44, is this week walking through Hepburn Shire as part of his far bigger 1000 km trek all the way from Ballarat to Sydney.
Neil (pictured above) who with his family arrived by boat in Australian waters in August 2012, has set himself a target of covering 30 kilometres a day as he highlights the plight of refugees who have been left in limbo after their bridging visas were removed with no assurance of residential permanency anywhere sight.
Starting at 8am from federal minister Catherine King’s office in Ballarat this Tuesday, August 1, Neil aims to reach Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office in Sydney within a month.
There, he will intend to present a petition bearing 11,000 signatures and calling for “fairness for refugees who’ve lived here in Australia for more than a decade”.
Supporting him logistically will be groups like Ballarat Rural Australians for Refugees and others in the network.
Neil says the idea for the long walk came to him as he reflected on the response to a four-day sit-in protest that took place at Parliament House in Canberra in March.
“I feel we were seen, but we were not heard,” says Neil who lives with his wife, Sugaa, and their three young daughters in Ballarat.
“Every single politician – they were passing by – but they didn’t come and talk to us.”
Neil says that reaction has prompted him to launch the Union of Australian Refugees group and to tackle the walking challenge to draw attention to the plight of his family and those on bridging visas.
Before settling in Ballarat in September 2013, the Para family had spent months in offshore and onshore detention facilities, including in Darwin and Dandenong.
Neil says the move to Ballarat was part of what immigration officials told him was a program to “fast-track” visas for refugees and asylum seekers moving to regional Australia.
But he says the promise of a visa was later reneged on, and the family’s bridging visas were removed, leaving Neil and Sugaa in a situation where they struggle to survive without the ability to work.
Neil volunteers with the State Emergency Service in the evenings, while Sugaa, also volunteers in aged care and for a local community centre.
Refugee advocates say there are as many as 12,000 asylum seekers and refugees in Australia who were excluded from the federal government’s announcement in February on a pathway to a permanent visa.
Those eligible included 19,000 people – from the Legacy Caseload – who had been living in Australia on temporary protection visas (TPV) or safe haven enterprise visas (SHEV).
Neil and his family are now understood to be among the up to 12,000 people who missed out. Meanwhile, data released by the Department on July 13 shows it has approved 2740 applications from asylum seekers and refugees who pursued the permanent pathway option announced in February, while 15,676 claims are still being processed.
Of the 32,045 individuals in the Legacy Caseload group, 7725 are reported to have had their cases closed either through refusal, cancellation or expiration.
After leaving Ballarat this Tuesday, Neil plans to head on to Newlyn, and then to continue on Wednesday from Newlyn through Daylesford and on to Malmsbury.
Former members of the now disbanded Rural Australian for Refugees Daylesford are supporting him during the Daylesford section of his walk and locals are being encouraged to get out, welcome him and cheer him on.

Five new trams recently arrived on the Gold Coast as construction continues on QLD’s $1.2 billion Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 expansion, the Federal Infrastructure minister and Member for Ballarat Catherine King says.

Ms King issued a media statement as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk last week welcomed five new trams to the Gold Coast, which will be used as the light rail line is extended to Burleigh Heads.

The five new trams take the Light Rail fleet to 23 – putting the $1.2 billion expansion project on track to deliver the high frequency tram services from day one.

It comes as the Gold Coast Light Rail surpassed 73 million paid passenger trips since its opening in 2014.

The Light Rail is the only public transport mode in the state to regularly exceed pre-covid patronage levels, demonstrating strong demand from the community and tourists.

This makes Gold Coast Light Rail the model for post-pandemic bounce-backs, ahead of Sydney and Melbourne public transportation use.

Light Rail has transformed public transport on the Gold Coast, helping to create an integrated network that connects more people to more places in one of Australia’s fastest growing cities.

The five new light rail vehicles made the journey by sea to Port of Brisbane before being transported down the M1 on a 76-wheel trailer.

They will now undergo testing at the Southport depot before being absorbed into the current operational fleet.

The five new trams will feature enhanced accessibility elements, including double accessible spaces, braille signs, 20 priority seats on every tram and vertical handrails have been shifted to create wider passageways for wheelchairs, prams, walkers and other mobility aids.

Major construction for Stage 3 is underway on the Gold Coast Highway as John Holland upgrade and relocate essential underground utilities. Track laying will begin in 2024 for completion in 2025.

Stage 3 construction is expected to directly support more than 760 local jobs.

The Palaszczuk Government, in partnership with the Federal Government and the City of Gold Coast, is delivering the $1.2 billion project.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Member for Ballarat, Catherine King MP: “The demand for public transport on the Gold Coast will only grow as the population does, and it’s clear that light rail has been strongly embraced by the community.

“The arrival of new trams for Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3, plus the incredible milestone of 73 million trips, marks an exciting step for this project, where past success meets future plans.

“With the Gold Coast’s status as a domestic and international tourism must-see, this project is a prime example of the Australian Government’s 10-year $120 billion infrastructure pipeline, delivering nation-shaping projects with national significance.

“I look forward to seeing even more progress in the months to come.”

The Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre precinct development is a step closer, with the announcement last week of the preferred bidder to build the much-anticipated project and the unveiling of proposed designs, the Federal Infrastructure Minister and Member for Ballarat says.

Catherine King MP issued a statement last Monday after Victorian Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing joined the Member for Geelong Christine Couzens and City of Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan to officially announce the appointment of Plenary Conventions to lead the project.

The Australian Government is investing $30 million in the project as part of the Geelong City Deal, with the Victorian Government contributing more than $260 million and $3 million from the City of Greater Geelong.

The project will transform the 1.6-hectare waterfront car parking site into a world-class precinct, with the construction of a purpose-built convention and exhibition space.

There will be a 1,000-seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and flexible event spaces.

New retail spaces will feature hospitality offerings; a large public plaza will become a feature of the Geelong waterfront and a new 200-room hotel under the Crowne Plaza brand will boost local visitation.

More than 600 jobs will be created during construction, with an extra 270 ongoing jobs created once the precinct is complete – driving more economic growth and employment opportunities.

The Victorian Government is helping local organisation gforce recruit almost 30 new local apprentices and trainees who are experiencing disadvantage in entering the workforce.

These apprentices will be employed full-time for the duration of their apprenticeship and until they secure full-time employment with private contractors.

The project consortium includes Plenary Group, Built, Woods Bagot, BGIS and Quintessential Equity.

The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation is being consulted on the precinct’s design, identity and recognition of local cultural heritage.

Once complete, the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre will be managed and operated by the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Trust (MCET) that operates Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre – cementing Victoria as a premier global destination for events. Preliminary site works are underway, and construction is set to begin shortly, with the convention centre and hotel expected to be complete in 2026.

The precinct development is the centrepiece of the $500 million Geelong City Deal, a collaborative plan to transform the region by the Australian and Victorian governments, and the City of Greater Geelong.

Victorian Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing: “This project is a game-changer for a rapidly growing region, generating hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars into the local economy – once complete it will be yet another drawcard for this vibrant, prosperous and beautiful part of the state.”

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Member for Ballarat, Catherine King: “The City of Geelong has undergone significant growth in recent years. This development will build on its reputation as a business and sporting powerhouse in regional Victoria.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Corio Richard Marles: “The Australian Government is pleased to be contributing to what will be one of the biggest developments in regional Victoria and is expected to start soon.

“This exciting new project for Geelong will not only bring great employment opportunities during the build, but a much-needed, long-lasting venue and facility for the future of this part of Victoria.”

Major works have started on the METRONET New Midland Station project, northeast of Perth, to deliver a state-of-the-art train station and meet community needs, the Federal Transport Minister and Member for Ballarat says.

The project will build a modern, three-platform station between Helena and Cale streets, bringing it closer to the heart of Midland’s town centre and improving connectivity to Midland Gate Shopping Centre and Midland Health Campus, says Catherine King MP.

The new station will include a 12-stand bus interchange, a multi-storey car park with more than 800 parking bays, and secure bike parking – servicing both Midland and the wider hills communities.

Initial work will concentrate on building the car park, which has necessitated the closure of the western end of the station’s existing passenger car park. The car park on Railway Parade to the east of Helena Street will also close to facilitate construction of the new station.

Once rail services are moved to the new station – expected to occur in early 2025 – the existing 55-year-old station will be decommissioned and demolished.

Preliminary designs for the new station were released earlier this year, showing a contemporary facility that reflects local Noongar culture, the industrial backdrop of the Midland Railway Workshops, and the local landscape.

The $330 million New Midland Station project is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments and will be built by the Midland Junction Alliance (McConnell Dowell Constructors, Georgiou Group, Arcadis Australia Pacific and BG&E).

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King: “The Australian Government has committed $3.9 billion to a number of METRONET projects to deliver vital transport infrastructure for Perth’s burgeoning suburbs to greatly improve services and travel times for local commuters.

“The METRONET partnership with the Western Australian Government will continue to boost the economy for years to come by providing long-term business opportunities, supporting the growth of vibrant urban centres through integrated transport and providing sustainable alternative transport options.”

WA Premier Roger Cook: “Our suburbs deserve top-quality public transport infrastructure – and my government is delivering for local communities.

“The New Midland Station is a significant investment into Midland’s future, providing a modern facility in the heart of the town centre, building on the unique rail heritage of the area.

“METRONET is powering ahead right across Perth, from Yanchep and Ellenbrook to Midland and Byford, with our major investment into public transport setting up our suburbs and communities for the future.”

Federal transprt minister, MP for Ballarat Catherine King has highlighted joint efforts between Australia and Singapore to decarbonise shipping technology.

“Today I met with the acting Singaporean Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat, where we discussed how Australia and Singapore’s 2022 Green Economy Agreement can accelerate the uptake and promotion of decarbonisation technologies in shipping,” Ms King said in a media statement issued on July 21.

The minister’s recent statement continued:

“The Australian Government is committed to reducing emissions across all transport sectors, including by establishing a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor between Singapore and Australia to reduce maritime emissions.

“We also discussed the potential for further engagement and collaboration between our countries on low-emissions solutions for maritime and port operations.

“I am pleased to advise that my department and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore are working closely together towards deployment of these solutions in a Green Shipping and Digital Corridor in 2025.

“I took the opportunity to detail our government’s commitment to developing a Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan, which will chart a practical green transition for Australia’s maritime sector while underpinning collaboration with other nations.

“I was pleased to be able to visit the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore during my trip to examine their shipping operations and port control, leveraging from their world-leading experience in the operation of port facilities.

“We also discussed our sustainability ambitions for aviation. Under the Green Economy Agreement both countries will discuss how we can cooperate on sustainable aviation growth while reducing emissions. We will also work together in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to pursue global aviation environment initiatives.

“This includes how our two countries can help progress the long-term global aspirational goal for international aviation of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“I look forward to continuing to drive down transport emissions in Australia while being a leader and maintaining our strong overseas partnerships.”

The newly constructed State Football Centre in Queens Park has been unveiled, ahead of it taking centre stage as one of the training facilities in Perth for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Member for Ballarat, Catherine King: “I’m thrilled to see the new State Football Centre already being recognised as a world-class training facility.

“This project is a great example of the Australian and Western Australian governments working together to invest in sporting infrastructure that will not only be used by locals, but will attract athletes, matches and visitors from afar – providing a real economic boost for communities now and into the future.”

With only four days to go before Perth hosts five matches as part of the biggest women’s sporting event on the planet, the centre was officially opened on Sunday, July 16, before providing the opportunity for teams from Denmark, Canada, Panama, Haiti and Morocco to train using its world-class facilities.

The 16-hectare site includes a two-storey building with a grandstand, two competition and training pitches, on-site parking and three five-a-side playing pitches.

The $46 million investment was jointly funded by State and Commonwealth Governments, with the Cook Government making a $29.71 million contribution.

The Department of Local, Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) has been managing the development at Queens Park Open Space, with work commencing on the site in February 2022 and the centre recently reaching practical completion.

VenuesWest with Football West will co-manage the day-to-day running of the venue.

From last Wednesday, to celebrate the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, a number of iconic State landmarks have been lit up in green and gold ahead of the Matilda’s first match on Thursday night.

Football West has more than 50,000 members and now has a space in WA that the sport can call home.

Federal transport minister, the member for Ballarat, Catherine King has travelled to Birmingham by train with the UK’s Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper while gaining insights into high speed rail.

In Birmingham Ms King also met the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street to be briefed on the UK’s HS2 (high speed rail) project.

“My trip to the UK offers important opportunities to leverage Britain’s considerable expertise to assist with delivering our high speed rail investment,” Ms King said in a media release issued last week.

The minister’s media release also stated:

“Australia and the United Kingdom share an ambitious vision for high-speed rail in our respective countries.

“The Australian Government is committed to the delivery of high-speed rail and has established the High Speed Rail Authority to oversee the development of a network along the east coast of Australia.

“The first priority of the Authority is planning and corridor works for the Sydney to Newcastle section of the network, which is backed by a $500 million funding commitment.

“The UK has had high-speed rail since 1976 and this trip offers the opportunity to draw on significant industry and government experience.

“High-speed rail in the UK was previously developed under the HS1 network. The new HS2 network aims to provide additional capacity, cut carbon emissions and provide better connectivity – all important shared priorities.

“It was valuable to hear from our British partners on lessons learnt from developing and delivering high-speed rail in the UK, and how these might apply to Australia.

“I am also meeting Dyan Perry, the chief executive fficer f HS1 wh I recently appointed as a member of the High Speed Rail Authority Board.

“High-speed rail is a project that requires time to build, making it crucial to learn about timeframe challenges experienced in the UK when delivering on our commitments at home in Australia.

“The Australian Government understands that managing stakeholder expectations is critical to the success of large infrastructure projects, with the British experience again offering important lessons.

“The trilateral meeting is part of a comprehensive visit to the UK, which also includes a site visit to the Birmingham Curzon Street terminus station of the new HS2 network and a visit to the headquarters of HS1 – the first high-speed railway in the UK.”

A funding agreement is now in place for the Australian Government’s $55 million election commitment towards upgrading international terminal facilities at Newcastle Airport.

The funding will support construction of an upgraded international terminal to increase the capacity, efficiency and effectiveness of international passenger and border processing at Newcastle Airport.

This will bolster air transport links and connectivity opportunities for the Hunter, the Member for Ballarat, federal transport minister Catherine King MP says in a media release published earlier this month.

Transforming Newcastle Airport into an international gateway will generate significant economic benefits for local and regional tourism and trade sectors.

The terminal works at Newcastle Airport are scheduled for completion in 2024.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: “My Government wants to see regional centres like Newcastle grow and prosper into the future.”

“We are ensuring that every dollar that is invested has lasting benefits for the Hunter region.”

“We understand how important tourism is to the Hunter. And these upgrades will connect the region, and its incredible products, to the rest of the world.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Member for Ballarat, Catherine King: “Making Newcastle Airport an international gateway will unlock greater opportunities for local tourism while better connecting residents to the world.”

“The project will also support significant employment and economic stimulus during and after construction, providing even more of a boost for the Hunter.”

The $232 million extension of the Mitchell Freeway to Alkimos has been officially opened in a ceremony in recent days (July 9), with commuters now able to use the new section of road.

The project has extended the Mitchell Freeway 5.6 kilometres north from Hester Avenue to Romeo Road, creating a new, high-standard, north-south transport link in Perth’s northwest, including new freeway access points at Lukin Drive, Butler Boulevard and Romeo Road.

The extension and new interchanges will significantly improve access and reduce congestion for people living in Perth’s northern suburbs, and ease pressure on the Hester Avenue/Mitchell Freeway interchange – the northernmost on and off-ramp for the Mitchell Freeway.

The project is the first in a suite of road, rail and cycling improvements to be completed to support the expansion and growth of Perth’s rapidly growing northern corridor, including the METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension.

Collaboration with METRONET has seen the construction of Romeo Road, the new east-west road link from Wanneroo Road to Marmion Avenue. This includes a new bridge over rail on Romeo Road constructed as part of the Yanchep Rail Extension.

The project also used 560,000 cubic metres of surplus material from the METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension.

The project includes impressive public art on two underpasses and two bridge abutments, designed by school children, an Aboriginal artist and local Perth artists, giving the project a lasting legacy in the community.

The project supported around 1,200 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase and was jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Western Australian Government, with each contributing $116 million.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Member for Ballarat, Catherine King: “The Australian Government is pleased to be partnering with the Western Australian Government in this project to build the Mitchell Freeway Extension and new interchanges which will make travelling in northern Perth smoother, faster and safer.

“The Mitchell Freeway Extension will reduce congestion and improve journey times for Perth road users, and provide enhanced connectivity to Perth’s northern suburbs including Yanchep, Butler, Alkimos and Eglinton.”

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti: “This was one of our fast-tracked projects as part of a State Government infrastructure initiative to boost the economy post COVID-19.

Locals and travellers driving in South East Queensland are expected to benefit from significant improvements to safety and traffic flow through Yatala with the upgrade of the Yatala South (Exit 41) Interchange now complete, the Federal Transport Minister and Member for Ballarat says.

Two of three northern Gold Coast M1 interchange upgrades are now finished, with work ongoing to upgrade Exit 49 at Pimpama, Catherine King MP says in a media statement issued last week.

To increase capacity and improve network efficiency, a new bridge was built over the M1, and the roundabouts on both sides of the interchange were upgraded to traffic signals.

The on-ramps and off-ramps have been realigned and lengthened to improve safety by reducing queuing back onto the M1.

Pedestrians and bike riders will also benefit from the upgrade, with new and improved active transport facilities included throughout the interchange.

A new pedestrian bridge has also been built across Halfway Creek to provide safe pedestrian access along Lahrs Road and connect with existing facilities.

The $82 million Yatala South (Exit 41) safety project was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, which each contributing $41 million.

For more information, visit tmr.qld.gov.au/exit41, email exit41@tmr.qld.gov.au or call 1800 955 939.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Member for Ballarat, Catherine King: “It’s fantastic to see the Exit 41 interchange upgrade complete, with more than 130,000 motorists who use the M1 at Yatala each day benefitting.

“We are committed to keeping Queensland moving by investing in critical infrastructure projects like this across the state, with two of three M1 interchange upgrades now complete.

“I look forward to celebrating the completion of the third M1 interchange upgrade at Pimpama next year.”