Tuesday, 1 July, 2025
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Kicks of confidence Martial arts instructor Anne Pang demonstrates her well-honed technique on gym manager Jacob Aimar as she launches a free self-defence course for women in Greater Dandenong. Her passion began as a young
student when she was attacked at school soon after she migrated from Taiwan 50 years ago. With a bit of knowledge, women can live more confidently and with less fear, she says.
The Suburban Rail Loop will slash travel times between Dandenong and Box Hill by up to 30 minutes, according to a State Government report. The trip by train on the $30-billion-plus SRL East would be 33 minutes – 30 minutes less than travelling by PT currently and six minutes quicker than driving. The same trip from Sandown Park would be 25 minutes – which was 16 minutes faster than by car. Meanwhile, a trip from Springvale to Cheltenham would save 26 minutes compared to a car. The State Government claims the SRL will open by 2035, talking congestion off roads. However the State Opposition, which wants the project cancelled, says the report is more about “spin” than “delivering”. The report compared estimates for current PT and driving trips to SRL commutes at about 8am peak times. Estimates were calculated using the Public Transport Victoria app for PT trips – taking into account timetable changes due to the
Metro Tunnel opening. Car journeys were estimated using Google Maps under contemporary traffic conditions. According to the report, car trips would likely be longer in 2035 when SRL East opens, due to population growth and congestion. The State Government claims the SRL will also reduce congestion by taking 600,000 cars off the road each day. About 70,000 passengers a day would save time. It will also help create 70,000 homes around the stations, the Government states. Premier Jacinta Allan in launching the report on 29 June said “Victorians want to spend less time stuck in traffic or stuck on the train – and I’m on their side”. More on the story, turn to page 6
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