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Christmas is in town
Dancers Mai Vu, Mai Nguyen, Ngoc Huynh, Thoa Tran, and Tina Nguyen with mayor Thuy Dang (seated). (Damjan Janevski) 516521_04
Brimbank is gearing up for the festive season as Christmas quickly approaches. Locals can soak up the festive spirit at a free festive fun day organised by Brimbank council on Sunday 30 November. The day will be filled with activities and performances with stage shows, circus acts, African drumming workshops and stilt walkers. Kids can enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, hobby horse races, hula hooping, and cheerful singalongs. Animal lovers can pat and cuddle cute critters at the petting zoo and movie fans can sit back, relax and enjoy screenings of ‘Elf’ and ‘Despicable Me 4’. There will be a ‘come and try’ sports zone featuring all-abilities tennis and basketball, and a dedicated sensory-friendly space. Star Weekly understands Santa Claus will also take time out of his busy work schedule to make an appearance. Festive fun day is on from 11am-3pm at Errington Reserve and St Albans Community Centre.
Profita VCAT appeal By Sam Porter A rejected planning permit for a new supported residential services (SRS) facility in Sydenham will now be appealed through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Brimbank council rejected the planning permit for the proposed facility at 1-5 Profita Avenue, Profita Lodge in July after it received 67 community objections. The proposed facility was to be opened at the same site of a previous SRS facility, Sydenham Grace, which was operated by different owners Grace Disability Services (GDS).
Sydenham local Bronwyn King, who lives near the site, said residents were informed of the appeal via mail. “I just don’t want something like that opening up,” Ms King said. “They’re not being transparent enough about who’s going to be living there.” Ms King said she would like to see community engagement on the matter. As reported by Star Weekly, the previous SRS facility at the site was shut down in 2022 after a state government investigation revealed GDS had failed to meet regulations to protect the health and wellbeing of its 34 residents, resulting in the cancellation of Sydenham Grace’s registration.
Luba Grigorovitch
Sydenham locals alleged that some Sydenham Grace residents roamed the streets and committed anti-social acts within the vicinity of a childcare centre. “I know from when it was opened last time there was a lot of trouble with police and there were always ambulances being called,” Ms King said. Director of Peyton Waite PL Town Planners Martyn Thompson said misinformation among the community had led to the planning permit’s rejection by council. “Most of the submitters seemed to have had the impression that it was to be the same proponents from the previous operation coming back to the site – this is not true,“
Mr Thompson said. “The emphasis on the adverse historic activities led to a focus on community safety and this resulted in an inability to consider and appreciate what a Supported Residential Service is all about. “We were at pains to explain during the permit application that the clients (Profita Lodge) would be accommodating a more self-funded client, rather than the patients (with very different needs and requirements) that had previously been on site. “We are obviously going to be putting in place arrangements (i.e. facility upgrades) and operational procedures to suit the responsible management of the facility.”
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YOUR LOCAL MEMBER OF STATE PARLIAMENT REPRESENTING THE ELECTORATE OF KOROROIT Need help? Visit my office on 2/11 Commercial Road, Caroline Springs luba.grigorovitch@parliament.vic.gov.au
8361 7133 Authorised by John Ballestrino, 2/11 Commercial Road Caroline Springs Victoria 3023.
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