Tuesday, 4 March, 2025
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Long walk to pavilion
Oceania Glass ‘blindsided’
Peace talk boils over
Back-to-back on track
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Rover set for Utah Is there life on Mars? A bright crew in Police Paddocks Reserve, Endeavour Hills are equipped to help answer that very question. The Monash University Nova Rover team have been putting their brand-new, hot-pink Rover ‘Banksia’ through its paces ahead of an international competition at Mars Desert Research Station in the Utah desert in May. Banksia is designed to scale rocky terrain, as well as to pick up and analyse soil samples to take part in the Mars Society’s University Rover Challenge. It replicates a science mission to investigate for life on Mars. The high-achieving team has previously placed second in the 2022 and 2023 University Rover Challenge, as well as twice won the Australian Rover Challenge. Banksia and its predecessor ‘Waratah’ are emblazoned pink to counter gender stereotypes in STEM. With several Monash Nova Rover team members hailing from rural parts, the team is also planning to reach out to inspire students in rural schools.
(Gary Sissons: 460817)
Stormy waters Greater Dandenong Council is set to revisit its preferred contractor to build its long-waited $100-million-plus aquatic centre, in the wake of a roof-collapse controversy. Last week, councillors narrowly 6-4 to appoint ADCO Constructions to build the Dandenong Wellbeing Centre for $108 million. However, the decision was put on hold, in light of ADCO Group and its director facing 18 fresh charges from the Victorian Building Authority over the Kew Recreation Centre steel
roof collapse in 2022. ADCO has been previously charged with an alleged workplace safety breach by WorkSafe Victoria over the Kew incident. Both matters have been yet to be decided, with ADCO stating it was strongly defending the allegations. In opposition, Cr Bob Milkovic said allegations against the contractor needed to be resolved before the council could “commit” on
this major investment. “My question is…can I award $100 million of ratepayer’s money to the company who are before the court?” According to a council report, the tender panel was aware of the “pending legal matters”. It had opted for ADCO due to being “technically competent, legally compliant and financially sound” as well as the “best value” bid. The report warned of escalating construc-
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tion costs and the likely loss of a $20 million federal funding agreement, if the contract didn’t proceed. ADCO managing director Neil Harding said the company was “working closely with Greater Dandenong Council officers” to ensure “accurate details and context” ahead of the next council meeting on 11 March. More on the story, turn to page 3