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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2025
APPROVAL ‘CLOSE’ FOR BEVERIDGE
■ Mitchell Shire Council has welcomed the
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State Government’s “near-final” approval of Stage 1A of the Beveridge Intermodal Precinct. Mitchell Mayor Cr John Dougall said the approval was the next step in a long journey that began with Mitchell recognising the site’s potential more than a decade ago. He said the step was a significant milestone in a project Mitchell Council has championed from the very beginning. “Mitchell was the first level of government to see the benefits this project could bring for our community,” Cr Dougall said. “We have led the advocacy for this project since it was first floated. We saw its potential before anyone else. The Beveridge Intermodal Precinct will be a nationally significant freight hub, linking Melbourne with Sydney, Brisbane and Perth through the Inland Rail network. It is forecast to create more than 7000 jobs on site and 20,000 jobs in the precinct. It will inject billions into Victoria’s economy and become the most significant contributor to Mitchell’s economy. “For us, this is about jobs and opportunities close to home for people in Beveridge, Wallan and across the Shire,” Cr Dougall said.
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Military Roundtable
■ Mitchell Shire Council hosted its first Military Roundtable this month, bringing together defence organisations, veterans’ groups and community leaders. The aim is to strengthen collaboration and explore opportunities to better support current and former service personnel and their families. The Roundtable, held in Broadford and chaired by Mayor Cr John Dougall, drew strong commitment from all participants to work together on a range of priorities. “Mitchell has one of the strongest military connections of any municipality in Victoria, with Puckapunyal home to 6 per cent of Australia’s Army and more than 2 per cent of our residents having served in the armed forces,” Cr Dougall said.
■ Yan Yean MLA Lauren Kathage says working from home should be a right. “Working from home works for families. I know that the communities that I represent know that family balance, that work–life balance, being able to take their kids to netball training, being able to prepare healthy meals for their family, all of that is improved by having the option to work from home,” Ms Kathage told State Parliament last week. “That is why we are reaching out to ask people what they want to see in what we have committed to: making working from home a right. “Some may say, ‘Why do we need to make it a right? Why can’t we leave it to employers?’ “Well, I will tell you about the people that I have met doorknocking. I met a woman with a young child who has permission to work from home until the end of the year, but that is it, and she is worried about next year. “How will she make life work travelling in with a young baby? “Making working from home a right two days a week for those who can absolutely makes sense for families, and I encourage my community to get involved in the community engagement to give their view on how it will work best for them, what they want to see under the legislation and how it can improve life for us, not just at home but on the roads as well. “We have got the Yan Yean Road upgrade stage 2 kicking off in November. The community will be patient with roadworks. “Working from home will make life easier through that as well. Working from home is so important for my community,” Ms Kathage told the Legislative Assembly.