Tuesday, 3 March, 2026
Phone: (03) 5945 0666 Trades & Classifieds: 1300 666 808
starcommunity.com.au FREE
Teen tragedy tributes
One Nation or divided?
$1.4m debt relief
Finals fixture set
PAGE 2
PAGE 4
PAGE 5
SPORT
Creeky clean
In a preview to National Clean Up Day, volunteers pitched in to clear an array of trash from Dandenong Creek and its wetlands near Myuna Farm, Doveton last week. Three families caught the farm’s train and trekked along the creek before collecting five, 40-litre bags of rubbish on Wednesday 25 February. Soft plastics, wrappers, glow sticks and even a television were extracted from the habitat heaving with birds, fruit bats and fish. Casey mayor Stefan Koomen thanked the families for their efforts. “By taking part in this event, you are helping to prevent rubbish from entering the waterways around Myuna Farm, which provide important habitat for waterbirds and Grey-headed Flying Foxes.” Much of the sediment and debris gets washed into the creek during storms and floods, or from illegal dumping or littering. More people are also reportedly living along the creek due to housing stress, leading to rubbish, greywater and human waste pollution. On Sunday 1 March, Clean Up Australia Day recorded more than 750,000 volunteers cleansing more than 8000 sites nationally.
Myuna Farm staff and some of the families who helped the clean up at Myuna Wetlands. (Gary Sissons: 537085)
High contrast This year’s state election looks like a contest between two different skylines in Greater Dandenong. Last month, the State Government has approved a permit for the first stage of the longawaited $600 million redevelopment of Little India in Dandenong. It paves the way for a $100 million trio of towers up to 60 metres, including 325 apartments and
a new laneway for Little India shops and eateries. All existing properties on the 8.8-hectare site at 139-157 Thomas Street (abutting Foster and Mason streets and Halpin Way) will be demolished. Dandenong Ward councillor Jim Memeti said the permit approval gave him “small encouragement”, but “I’m not excited yet”. Given Capital Alliance was announced as the
preferred developer in 2020, Cr Memeti urged works to start by this year’s end. Cleeland Ward councillor Rhonda Garad welcomed the prospect of homes for younger generations in Dandenong’s CBD. Meanwhile, the Coalition last week seemed to pivot from the Government’s plan for more towering apartment high-rises at Springvale and Noble Park ‘train and tram activity centres’.
Though scant on detail, the Opposition’s focus was on densifying Melbourne’s inner suburbs and outer growth corridors such as Casey-Cardinia. It also hinted at retaining councils’ structure plans, which set more modest building-heights at Springvale and Noble Park CBDs as well as Dandenong’s residential neighbourhoods. More details, turn to page 3
ADVERTISEMENT
Belinda Wilson MP
Labor Member for Narre Warren North
03 9706 0566 Belinda.Wilson@parliament.vic.gov.au belindawilson.com.au belindawilsonvic Shop 101, Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre, Matthew Flinders Ave, Endeavour Hills.
Your local voice in Parliament Authorised by B Wilson MP, Shop 101, Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre, Matthew Flinders Ave, Endeavour Hills. 12840849-JV05-26