ENDEAVOUR HILLS HALLAM DOVETON
/DandenongJournal
endeavourhillshallamdoveton.starcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 5 July, 2022
@StarJournal_SE
Healthy moves inspiring our youth
Leaders show support for besieged mosque
Clarke reaps AFLW reward
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Cemetery buried In what was termed a âwin for the little peopleâ, Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust has abandoned its controversial proposed cemetery on Dandenong Creek flood-plains. In a statement, the SMCT said it had âlistened to the communityâ about the proposed site at 1564 Heatherton Road, Dandenong. âAs part of considering its merits it has decided not to proceed with this site.â Floodplain management authority Melbourne Waterâs opposition is said to have sunk the plan. âFollowing early-stage consideration, Melbourne Water âĶ notified SMCT that it was not satisfied that the proposal met the relevant planning policies, and expressed significant concerns regarding the environmental impact,â Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said. âAs a consequence, the Heatherton Road site was rightly ruled out.â Ms Williams said this showed âthe process working as it shouldâ. âIâm very pleased that the environmental significance of this area has been recognised.â Greater Dandenong Council, residents and community groups fiercely criticised the proposal when it was revealed in Star Journal in February. Concerns included the loss of open space, environmental impacts and flood risks. Mayor Jim Memeti said the outcome was expected, once the siteâs owner Melbourne Water appeared to not support the plan. âThe community was against the proposal, the council was against the proposal, and I think the right decision was made not to proceed with it.â Councillor Rhonda Garad said it was a âvictory for the little peopleâ. âThis is what can happen when the community and the council is aligned and speak up.
âFrom the get-go, this (proposal) was clearly not a good idea from any perspective.â Dandenong Community Association spokesperson Silvia Mastrogiovanniâs reaction to the news was âHallelujahâ. âCommon sense has finally prevailed. How did they think a flood plain was a good place for a cemetery?â An âecstaticâ Greens ex-councillor Matthew Kirwan said the âirresponsibleâ idea would have greatly increased the risk of flooding homes, as well as destroying native vegetation and habitiat. âDandenong shouldnât be the target for unpopular projects on the assumption that residents will just take it - this proves that they wonât.â The SCMT stated it would continuing to look at alternative sites in Melbourneâs South East. A new cemetery was the only way to meet the regionâs forecast needs, with Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Bunurong Memorial Park ânearing capacityâ in âjust over a decadeâ. âSMCT has actively been looking at sites that meet its needs for the new Memorial Park. âThis includes enough land, for both burial and memorial needs; a significant proportion for green open space for community use and providing for the conservation values in keeping with SMCTâs values and community expectations. âWhen a site is at the stage of consideration for purchase it will be subject to a community consultation and environmental and planning approvals. âSMCT will keep the community updated.â Recently, the SMCT said there were âlimitedâ alternative sites to Heatherton Road. A Melbourne Water spokesperson said the SCMT had âwithdrawn from the discussionâ about the Heatherton Road site. âMelbourne Water will continue to remain the owner of this land.â
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Forging healthy connections Junior Melo, from South East Community Links, and Vic Health chief Sandro Demaio shake on a partnership to help re-connect young people after the solitudes of Covid lockdowns. More than 50
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Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
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By Cam Lucadou-Wells
youths enjoyed a mix of music, dance, sport and healthy eating at a âBig Connectâ event in Noble Park on Tuesday 28 June. Full story on page 6