Tuesday, 12 November, 2024
New look for Yarra Ranges Council
CFAs and SES receive much-needed funding
Fabric collage workshop at Belgrave Library
See Real Estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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Silence falls as Emerald recalls By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
L-R: Emerald PS students Savannah, Mia, Reece, Lachlan, Eleanor and Grace. (Stewart Chambers: 442749)
Many Victorians paused for a minute’s silence at 11am on Monday to mark Remembrance Day, honouring the end of the First World War. In the Dandenong Ranges, locals gathered at the Emerald’s War Memorial for their own service. Emerald RSL president Peter Maloney opened the ceremony, welcomed everyone, and spoke about the importance of remembering those who served. Among those attending were students from Emerald Primary and Secondary School, who joined community members in paying their respects. This tradition, marking the moment the guns fell silent on the Western Front on 11 November 1918, was observed right across the state. People stopped wherever they were – at home, work, or in public – to remember those who served and gave their lives for the country. The minute’s silence was a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made during the war and the importance of peace. To see more, turn to page 10
Delay over Sassafras landslip repair a big escape concern for residents
Bushfire anxiety By Tanya Steele A landslip that occurred in July 2024, that as yet remains unrepaired, has some residents in the Dandenong Ranges concerned as bushfire season approaches. The State Government recently updated the public with a web page devoted to the landslip which stated geotechnical assessments and investigations were recently completed and repairs are expected to commence in early 2025. The landslip site on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road in Sassafras has been reduced to one lane for the safety of road users since July this year.
In recent months and into the New Year, the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road between Mason Grove and Lennox Grove has traffic travelling in both directions and taking turns to use the open lane, with traffic management and speed reductions in place. Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino updated the community via social media on Wednesday 6 November, stating the Transport Victoria webpage was live – with mixed reactions from the public. “While engineers finalise plans for these important and complex works, the department is working closely with emergency services to pre-
pare and manage bushfire risks and I urge households to allow for extra travel time in their bushfire emergency plans,” Ms De Martino said. Kalorama resident Scarlett said on social media major repairs like this take expertise and time, a fact many people seem unable to appreciate. “I’m sure the landslip repair is high on the priority list for whoever’s responsibility it is to fix these things, but people talk as if it is as simple as dumping a load of gravel; the engineering expertise, materials, machinery and workers have to all be available,” she said. Others were concerned the repairs were taking
so long, that they would not be adequate and that tourism days would be challenging. Transport Victoria stated on its webpage that significant structural and drainage upgrade works would be required to repair the site and fully reopen the road. “Our crews continue to monitor the site regularly to ensure the site conditions remain safe – We’re working closely with emergency service agencies and Yarra Ranges Shire Council to best prepare for and manage emergency and bushfire risks,” the page reads. Continued page 3
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