Thursday, 29 August, 2024
berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au
/berwickstarnews
40¢ Inc. GST
@StarNews_SE
United against violence
Cost of living hits pets
Mashado’s 300 milestone
PAGE 4
PAGE 9
PAGE 11
SPORT
12687450-JC20-24
A life of service remembered
Floods still hurt By Ethan Benedicto Businesses in Hallam’s Rimfire Drive are still in murky waters, following further delays on changes to Centre Road’s conditions. It comes amid the City of Casey’s most recent meeting on Tuesday 20 August. Trucking companies, automotive services, catering businesses, and retail providers, as well as establishments in the industrial zone of Rimfire Drive, have been battling the flooding waters of the Hallam Valley Floodplains for over a decade. However, any immediate changes are unlikely, with the council’s agenda citing roughly three to four years for initial construction to begin from Melbourne Water. This is due to the endangered species of Galaxiella pusilla (dwarf galaxias) in the floodplain, meaning any proposed works require environmental approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, which in turn can take up to 12 to 24 months. Gary Beardsley, founder of Redi Milk and who has long since been outspoken for action on Centre Road said that while the delays were not “surprising”, they are definitely “disappointing”. “This year was the worst, mainly because of the overbearing emphasis on safety; and what made it worse was that the police and SES became involved, and they closed the road - they didn’t let anyone in. “Their reasoning behind it was safety, and we find that very frustrating because we’ve been living with this for 30 years and the promise of fixing it still hasn’t occurred,” Beardsley said.
Rimfire Drive was flooded twice in 2024, with both entrances from Centre Road cordoned off with almost knee-high depths, effectively shutting businesses down for roughly two weeks. Staff at Desflora are in the same boat, and while their business wasn’t underwater, the corner of the eastern Centre Road entrance would be submerged. “So that whole corner there goes completely under, every time people try to drive through it there would always be cars floating in it,” Cindy, owner of Desflora, said. Acknowledging the feasibility of the Centre Road bridge being opened for access is highly unlikely, “all we want is access”. “We pay the rates, we pay and we have to shut down, nobody comes and tells us that the area’s closed. “We have to bring our gumboots and walk through the water - and we do a lot of weddings, there’s brides crying because they can’t get in and get their flowers so we have to walk them through the water to get their things - it’s just ridiculous,” Cindy said. In the first week of opening after the Christmas break, Cindy, alongside other staff Carly and Esther had their vehicles stuck in Rimfire Drive for three days due to the floodwaters, only lucky enough to have partners with four-wheel-drive vehicles that could trudge through the blockage. “I’ve got a backpack in the back of my car with gumboots and a raincoat, but if we didn’t have that… nobody comes and checks if we’re OK, if there’s anyone in here that needs helping out,” Carla said. Continued page 11
Cultural appreciation in Casey performances Many culturally diverse performances took place on the night of Monday 26 August, as an opening for two more nights of showcases, emphasising the bonds of young students to
their heritage and demonstrating that connection through a combination of dance, song and fashion. For more, turn to page 10
NEW LOTS NOW SELLING • FIXED PRICE CONVEYANCING • CONTESTING A WILL • WILLS AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY • PROBATE AND LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION
Build your dream home at Parklands Estate, Wonthaggi and experience a new style of living on the Bass Coast.
DINE IN & TAKE AWAY
1300 WONTHAGGI (966 842) parklandswonthaggi.com.au
One Fine Day Cafe 16b Old Princes Highway Beaconsfield
12681356-AV14-24
7 Days a Week Register your interest now!
12708003-JF33-24
Pakenham, Yarra Junction and Narre Warren Offices P 5941 5166
12588391-ET05-23
OPEN FOR BUSINESS! For in office consults. Online consults still available.
Lot Sizes from 448 to 792m². Pricing from $255,000 to $299,000.