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Dreams into reality Nearly 40 businesses and organisations showcased their talents at the E-Girl Empowerment Community Expo at Lynbrook Community Centre on 18 July, celebrating women’s entrepreneurship, connection and opportunity. One talented artist, Hiromi Daires (pictured), showcased her incredible art at her designated stall. Founded by Gertrude Sarvananthan and co-organised with Rubika De Silva, the event brought together women from diverse backgrounds, many exhibiting their businesses for the first time. From health, education and multicultural food to art, beauty and community services, the expo highlighted the rich diversity of Melbourne’s multicultural community. The event also attracted strong support from community leaders, including Julian Hill MP, Casey Mayor Stefan Koomen and Deputy Mayor Michelle Crowther. Sarvananthan said the expo’s greatest success was giving women the confidence to step forward and pursue their dreams. “Our vision is to create opportunities for women to discover their purpose, build meaningful connections and believe in their potential,” she said. For more pictures from this event, go to page 10
Artist Hiromi Davies with her incredible art. (Gary Sissons: 563129)
Data centre looms infrastructure, and have proliferated in neighbourhoods in Melbourne and other cities. They have drawn a rising backlash due to concerns such as the facilities’ noise, backup generators, cooling systems, energy demand, construction impacts, and water consumption. Despite the public interest, there are scant details about the application currently on Casey Council’s online planning register. Under State Government planning requirements, the project is exempt from standard notice requirements and third-party appeal rights
due to it being in an Urban Growth Zone. Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association has called for “clear answers” on the project. “Our principal concern is whether a continuously operating industrial facility of this scale is appropriate in such close proximity to existing and future residential communities,” CRRA president Anthony Tassone said. “A $1.1 billion development deserves a $1.1 billion level of scrutiny.” Casey mayor Stefan Koomen said there was
“strong community interest” and “many residents have questions about what it could mean for our community”. He said the council was committed to a “thorough, fair and transparent process that considers the impacts of this significant proposal and the best interests of our community”. Recently the Federal Government announced national standards for AI, including that largescale data centres pay their “full share” for grid connection and “put at least as much energy into our grid as they take out of it”.
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A residents group has called for transparency over a proposed $1.1 billion data centre in Clyde North. The facility - believed to be the first in Casey - would be built within a 53-hectare expanse of paddocks at 585 Berwick-Cranbourne Road. The site is part of the Croskell Employment Precinct, but flanked by housing estates, including an early learning centre, and a retail precinct. Data centres have been welcomed by state and federal governments as key digital and AI