Michaela Meade
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he “welcomes” the state government’s proposal for a 500-bed COVID-19 quarantine hub in Mickleham.
Last week, Acting Premier James Merlino announced a site on Donnybrook Road was the state government’s preferred location for the hub for returned travellers.
The site is next to the existing federal government-owned Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility.
Construction of the quarantine hub in Mickleham is subject to federal approval and funding. The state government estimates that the facility will cost $200 million to construct.
The state government has provided $15 million to design the hub.
Star Weekly was contacted by many community members who opposed the announcement.
Michaela Meade
Plans for a hotel in Ardlie Street, Westmeadows have been knocked back by Hume council following 252 objections from residents.
The council also received a petition signed by 679 people, calling for council to reject the application for 11-17 Ardlie Street.
Twenty-four public submissions against the development were heard at last week’s council meeting,
One person spoke in favour of the development. Resident Terence Clifton’s objection was read aloud at the meeting and was met with applause from the gallery.
Mr Clifton said the development “has the potential to create a blot on the landscape” of Westmeadows.
“If 252 objections plus a 679 signature petition, versus just one submission in favour, is not enough to void this proposal, one must ask if the ratepayers of Hume are ever going to have a voice on what happens in our area,” Mr Clifton said in his statement.
A Campbellfield company has been fined more than $8000 by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
Monash Bin Hire & Demolition was found to be depositing mixed construction and demolition waste at a site in Preston that was not licensed to accept it.
EPA northern metropolitan manager Jeremy Settle said EPA officers inspected the premises and observed one of the company’s trucks tipping a load of waste.
“While the driver advised that the load was crushed rock, delivered to fill a hole, it was clear that it was mixed construction and demolition waste, as it contained bricks, concrete, tiles and plastic, among other things,” Mr Settle said.
Michaela Meade
Hume council is calling for police to be given greater power to deal with hoon drivers, as it prepares to review its own local laws in a bid to crackdown on hoon behaviour.
Councillor Jack Medcraft last week asked the council to write to Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes and acting Police Minister Danny Pearson to request changes to police powers, in response to growing community concerns about hoon activity in Hume.
The council is also preparing to review it’s General Local Law No.1, which governs the safety of the municipality, and will investigate whether changes to the law can be used to support police in relation to hooning.
Michaela Meade
A state government proposal for a 500-bed COVID-19 quarantine hub in Mickleham has divided the community.
Last week, Acting Premier James Merlino revealed that a site on Donnybrook Road was the state government’s preferred location for the hub, which will house returned travellers.
The site is next to the existing federal government-owned Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility.
The state government has committed $15 million to design the hub, however its construction is dependent on federal government approval and funding.
The state government said the hub would cost about $200 million to build, with construction to begin in September if federal approval is granted.