Motorcycle crash
A MOTORCYCLE driver was left seriously injured after a crash in Chelsea Heights last week.
Emergency services attended the corner of Edithvale Road and Egret Drive just after 8pm on 19 February to assist. A black Suzuki motorcycle had collided with a vehicle.
The motorcycle driver was taken to hospital by paramedics. The driver of the car involved with the collision was uninjured, and remained at the scene.
Moorabbin Highway Patrol is now seeking witnesses and dashcam footage to help with their investigation into the crash. Anyone who believes they can assist can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Restoration a sign of the times
Picture: Google Maps
KINGSTON Council has approved spending $60,000 to restore an old sign in Mentone.
The Nylex sign at 29 Nepean Highway is in line to be restored. In addition to approving the allocation of $60,000 in ratepayer funding in the 2020/2021 budget for the project, council has also agreed to “make an annual allocation in future operating budgets to support the operational expenses associated with the costs associated with maintaining the sign”.
The funding will be reallocated from savings from other capital works projects in the budget.
A summary provided to Kingston councillors by council officers reads that the sign is “heritage listed in the Kingston Planning Scheme and presents an important signifier of the former industrial use of the subject land.”
Roadwork pain ahead
MOTORISTS will be faced with more road closures this week as work continues on the Mordialloc Freeway project.
Centre Dandenong Road between Boundary and Tootal roads will close from 8pm Friday 26 February to 5am Monday 1 March. Beams will be lifted into place for the freeway bridge over the road.
While the road is closed, detours will be in place via Old Dandenong Road or Lower Dandenong Road. Pedestrian access along Centre Dandenong Road will also be cut off between 11pm and 9am, with detours via Howard and Lower Dandenong roads.
Springvale Road between Wells and Pillars roads is closed nightly until 5.30am on Thursday 25 February. Vehicles will be sent on detours down Wells and Governor roads while work is underway to asphalt new lanes.
Suggestions to prevent council corruption
A REVIEW into Kingston Council planning applications involving people implicated in the corruption scandal which brought down Casey Council has been completed.
The probity review, completed by Holding Redlich, was presented to Kingston councillors on Monday. A summary prepared by Kingston Council officers read that “no evidence of improper conduct was found and thirteen recommendations were made to improve practices that were identified during the review.”
The report cost ratepayers nearly $250,000, excluding officer time. The summary prepared by council officers read that the “report is privileged and confidential communication between Kingston City Council and Holding Redlich for the purpose of providing legal advice”. A copy has been provided to the offices of the state’s peak anti-corruption body IBAC, and the Victorian Ombudsman.
Solar farm adds to power mix
Picture: Gary Sissons
MOTORISTS on EastLink may have seen Melbourne Water’s sign, pictured, advertising a proposed solar farm at the Eastern Treatment Plant, Bangholme.
The farm is one of the many ways the authority says it is adapting its operations to “prepare for a changing climate, reducing our own carbon emissions and generating more renewable energy”.
The Eastern Treatment Plant, opened in 1975, treats about 330 million litres of sewage a day – about 40 per cent of Melbourne’s total. It already makes biogas that provides about 30 per cent of the energy needed to run the plant each year; the proposed solar farm will produce a further 10 per cent.