REGIONAL EDITION MANSFIELD • MURRINDINDI • NILLUMBIK • WHITTLESEA • YARRA RANGES
64 PAGES
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LOCAL HOSPITALS LEFT ‘IN LIMBO’: MP
2M, 3M, 4M BIN HIRE
■ The State Government must come clean on who is in charge and where the Alexandra District Health–Eastern Health merger is heading, says Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish. Ms McLeish is backing concerns raised by Shadow Health Minister Georgie Crozier. Ms McLeish said the Alexandra community is being left in limbo: “This is a small, closeknit community that relies on its local health service - and right now, people simply don’t know what the future looks like,” she said. “First, the merger proposal came as a shock to many. Now, with both CEOs retiring, there are real questions about who is steering this process.” Alexandra District Health employs around 120 staff and plays a critical role not only in healthcare delivery but also in the local economy. Ms McLeish said many residents remain concerned the merger could see local decisionmaking diluted within a much larger metropolitan system. “People here are not opposed to better services - but they want guarantees that Alexandra won’t lose its identity or its voice,” she said. “This is about maintaining accessible, local care for Murrindindi residents.” Ms McLeish said the uncertainty is being felt at every level of the community — from patients and families through to staff. “After a difficult period for this region, including the Longwood fires, the last thing this community needs is more uncertainty,” she said.
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● Georgie Crozier, Shadow Minister “The Government must be upfront with people — who is leading this merger, what it means for services on the ground, and how local needs will be protected.” Ms McLeish said she will continue to advocate for transparency and for the interests of residents and health workers.
SHIRE CONCERNED OVER BANK CLOSURE
● Cr Sandice McAulay
■ Murrindindi Shire Council has expressed deep concern about the decision to close the Community Bank Kinglake branch in two months’ time. The Council warns that the clousre risks undermining bushfire recovery and will leave the community without a critical local service. The branch will close on Friday, June 5, forcing residents to travel around 25 kilometres to access the nearest full-service bank in Hurstbridge. Cr Sandice McAulay said the closure comes at the worst possible time, as communities continue to rebuild following the January bushfires. “This decision lands right in the middle of recovery,” Cr McAulay said. “We are working with residents rebuilding their homes, farmers restoring their properties, and small businesses trying to stay afloat. Access to local banking is part of that recovery.” Cr McAulay said banks had seen firsthand the need for local presence after the fires. “In the days following the bushfires, banks came into our communities to provide support. They saw the importance of face-to-face services during times of crisis,” she said. “But recovery does not end after the first few weeks. Our communities need ongoing support.” “Kinglake will now be left without a bank. Alexandra does not have one. The only fullservice bank branch remaining in the Shire is the Bendigo Bank in Yea,” she said.
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