Tuesday, 10 March, 2026
Warburton Bike Park questioned at meeting
Two generous grants for Yarra Valley schools
138 years of Healesville footy spirit
See Real Estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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Dinner joy By Oliver Winn Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) cooked up a conducive community atmosphere at its Dinner on the Green event, bringing locals together over fine foods and soulful tunes. Taking place on the mild evening of Friday 6 March, the MRAG crew hosted more than 100 guests at the Millwarra Community Building. Meals were provided by volunteers from the Koha Community Cafe who cooked up a fabulous feast for all while the Happy Hour Music Duo performed some music. Not only did those in need find themselves a free and hearty meal for dinner - they would also leave feeling the buzz of human connection and belonging. MRAG project coordinator Jan Burney said it was a great time and many left the event wanting more. “Feedback was very positive from last year’s event and there were requests and hopes by people to repeat the event,” Ms Burney said. Read more on page 20
The event saw 103 people turn up, proving it popular among the locals. (Supplied)
Quarry uncertain After YVQ applied to expand its extraction area in 2024, locals were worried of its impacts, with residents like Ms White living within 30 metres of the quarry. The expansion would see its extraction area increase from 23 to 43 hectares wide and 285 metres deep alongside increased truck traffic, noise and dust. While YVQ is still in the process of applying for the expansion, locals already fear what the acquisition means for the nature of the expansion. Ms White said she didn’t have faith that a Ger-
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man billion dollar multinational building materials company would attempt to preserve the way of life in the Yarra Valley. “This now means that instead of a wholly owned Australian company owning the quarry, who had more of an interest in upholding our way of life in this area, we are now faced with a German company forging ahead with the expansion plans with little or no regard to both the environment that surrounds us, or our amenity,” Launching Place local Andrea White said. Read more on page six
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Residents living near the quarry in Launching Place are uncertain about its future as a billion dollar transaction could put its operations in the hands of an international building materials company. Maas Group is expected to sell its construction division, Regional Group, to Germany-based global giant Heidelberg for $1.7 billion. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, including from the Australian Competi-
tion and Consumer Commission and the Foreign Investment Review Board, as well as customary conditions such as Maas Group shareholder approval. Completion is expected in the second half of 2026. Launching Place local Andrea White said the potential acquisition didn’t bode well for the interests of the residents living near the quarry. But Yarra Valley Quarries (YVQ) sustainability manager Garry Cranny maintained it was “business as usual”.
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By Oliver Winn