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A Star News Group Publication
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Students’ creativity into play By Shamsiya Hussainpoor Students at Kallista Primary School and Wattle View Primary School in the Hills have put their hearts and talents on display this term with impressive school plays. Kallista Primary School captivated audiences with ‘Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies,’ a delightful twist on the classic Robin Hood tale. The production featured memorable characters, clever dialogue, and lively songs, highlighting the students’ creativity and teamwork. Meanwhile, Wattle View Primary School is gearing up for their performance of Disney Pixar’s ‘Finding Nemo JR.’ which will take place at the Round Theatre in Nunawading on Wednesday, 30 October. Both schools have demonstrated the power of collaboration and artistic expression, to continue reading, turn to page 14
Wattle View students (back) Max, Hudson, Tulip and Kayla (front) Ethan, Maia and Ash in their ‘Finding Nemo’ themed costumes. (Stewart Chambers: 437918)
‘Tyranny of distance’ adds to council service headaches, suggesting...
Rocky rates ride By Tanya Steele A Cardinia Councillor has predicted the next term of council for the Cardinia region to be one of the ‘most difficult’ the council has faced as an organisation to date. As the local election approaches, concerns have been raised that Cardinia will be subject to more and more ongoing financial burdens as reg-
ular maintenance becomes increasingly difficult to budget for. Mr Jeff Springfield, current Ranges ward councillor said the Hills communities are burdened by the tyranny of distance. “It costs more to deliver the required maintenance, services and infrastructure across our region than it does for the suburban growth areas,” he said.
Off the back of Cardinia councils presentation to the State Government’s economy and infrastructure committee on 25 September, Mr Springfield said the inflationary pressures that we have all felt at home in recent years have only been compounded for local government. “The financial costs of building and construction, contract tenders, the cost of materials and the delivery of infrastructure and services have all
increased dramatically during the last four years,” he said. “These increased costs are much greater than the increases to revenue we have seen.” Cardinia is not alone in its concerns, many local councils who attended the recent public hearing including Mornington Peninsula, Frankston and Knox councils have similar issues. Continued page 3
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