Tuesday, 16 December, 2025
Chin leader speaks up, shares his story
Arthur Ford’s remarkable RSL contribution
Montrose Community Cupboard’s big year
See Real Estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
Gift giving provides joy The handover of hundreds of gifts, generously donated by the community, has happened once again, after a month-long Rotary Club of Lilydale appeal. Known as the Wishing Tree project, businesses across the eastern suburbs host a donation box in the lead-up to Christmas to collect gifts that are donated to support services in the Yarra Ranges. Anchor Community Care and the Lilydale Proactive Policing Unit were once more the major beneficiaries of the appeal, helping families and young people they encounter every day. To read more, turn to page 10
Lilydale Rotary Club members delivered gifts to the Lilydale Police Station on Friday 12 December. (524844)
Quarry dust-up By Mikayla van Loon Hundreds of Montrose residents are actively campaigning against Boral Resources’ proposal for a 30-year, 30-acre expansion of its local quarry, citing major concerns over health, environmental impact, and community safety. A passionate declaration that “Montrose deserves better” by a local primary school teacher, Melissa, at a community meeting on 3 December, was met with loud applause from the 130 attendees. The key concern for residents, teachers, and a local GP is the potential increase in silica dust
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exposure, described as “the new asbestos.” The proposed expansion would push the blast impact zone within the newly recommended 500-metre buffer zone of residences and Billanook Primary School. Silica dust is linked to serious health conditions, including silicosis, lung cancer, and COPD, with children and the elderly being most vulnerable. Anecdotal evidence of severe dust issues from current operations was shared, including a resident who has been unable to open her windows for over 10 years and had to install air purification systems. As community pressure builds, both the Stop
the Montrose Quarry Expansion group and local Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino have garnered thousands of signatures on petitions calling for the expansion’s rejection and a full Environmental Effects Statement (EES). The EES is the highest level of environmental assessment in Victoria and was required for a similar, ultimately refused, Boral expansion in 2008. Yarra Ranges Council has formally advocated to the Planning Minister for an EES. Longstanding councillors Len Cox and Jeff Marriott have also expressed support for the community’s stance. Boral, whose quarry has operated for 70 years,
states that it complies with regulations and has implemented significant innovations to mitigate environmental impacts. Citing a prior 2023 prosecution for breaching the OHS Act over dust control, Boral outlined upgraded measures, including a refurbished dust extraction system, sprinkler systems, and four real-time dust monitors to alert management for corrective action. The company also notes that the 500m “buffer zone” is a guideline that can be varied if low risk is demonstrated. Star Mail has broken down each concern shared by the community. Find all the stories on pages 4 to 6
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