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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
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● Anthony Carbines, Ivanhoe MLA
■ Ivanhoe MLA Anthony Carbines says that $50 million is being spent on Melbourne Polytechnic in Heidelberg – the West Heidelberg TAFE campus. “There was $6.45 million released in this year’s budget, but that is part of what is actually a $24.9 million project,” Mr Carbines said. “It is being matched of course by the Federal Government, so it is actually a $50 million project for a significant upgrade at the West Heidelberg TAFE campus of Melbourne Polytechnic. “That is around housing and construction that will be happening on the Bell St – Waterdale Rd corner of the TAFE campus. “It is effectively a $50 million project, half funded by the Labor Government and half by the Albanese Federal Labor Government, and there was a further release of funding for that project as the construction will kick off over the back end of this year into next – very significant. “It all just builds on the TAFE programs and investment in free TAFE programs that our government offers. “These are students coming from across Melbourne, often coming off worksites themselves to continue their studies at TAFE camps in West Heidelberg. “I know that the previous Liberal Government sought to put parking fees in at the TAFE campus, and we managed to fight that off,” Mr Carbines told State Parliament.
WILDLIFE ROAD TOLL AFFECTS NILLUMBIK
■ Nillumbik Shire residentsattended a hall meeting in Hurstbridge last Monday (Sep. 15) to discuss their concerns about the growing local wildlife road toll and the risks this poses to people. This follows the tragic deaths of Sarla Khadka and Areeza Suwal who were struck and killed in Craigieburn while assisting an injured kangaroo. Residents honoured them for their compassion, with candles and a minute’s silence. “In Nillumbik, kangaroos, wombats, possums and birds are most commonly impacted by drivers, with the vulnerable Brush-tailed Phascogale also becoming victims,” said mel Nelson, President of community group, Roads and Roadside Ecology. She explained the many issues to the large crowd before they broke off into smaller groups to discuss changes needed from drivers, Nillumbik Council and the State Government to reduce the rising road toll. Residents expressed concern that wombats may become regionally extinct due to the number being killed on roads. They also expressed dismay at drivers of utes and 4WDs with bull bars who deliberately hit and run wildlife. Local wildlife rescuer, Leonie Sorrentino, explained that she and her fellow rescuers regularly face dangerous motorist behaviour when helping injured wildlife, even when police are attending. “That could have been us in Craigieburn,” Ms Sorrentino said.
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● Residents met at Hurstbridge. Photo: Mel Nelson