Thursday, 23 July, 2026
Phone: (03) 5945 0666 Trades & Classifieds: 1300 666 808
starcommunity.com.au FREE
Triple Zero Hero
Housing near old landfill?
Living costs bite
Holt set for 300th game
PAGE 2
PAGE 3
PAGES 4-5
SPORT
Hot dogs a hit About 10 contestants took on Lynbrook’s first hot dog-eating competition, racing to finish three hot dogs and a lemonade. Conor Traczewski won the inaugural Triple Bypass Challenge in just three minutes and 37 seconds, earning free hot dogs for a year. Other competitors included Alex Brewer and former Casey councillor Damien Rosario. Organiser Scott Watson said the event, held for National Hot Dog Day, would return even bigger next year. FULL STORY AND PICTURES PAGE 12
Cousins Alexis and Cruz warmed up the evening and became cheerleaders. (Rob Carew: 565233)
Data centre looms 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 infrastructure, and have proliferated in neighbour-
hoods 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.
Thinking of
Selling?
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”. FOR MORE ON THE STORY, TURN TO PAGE 8
With Finning's NO SALE – NO CHARGE & SMART SALE platform YOU can't lose.
Visit our website
Here's your sign!
Call us any time (24hrs) and ÀQG RXW PRUH NOW!
finning.com.au
T 5996 1200 enquire@finning.com.au 12728051-MC02-25