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Open day set to fire
Black Powder Mill: curator Alan Dash and researcher Katrina Pang. (Damjan Janevski) 330040_05
A Black Powder Mill open day will be held on April 29 to commemorate the site of the explosives factory that manufactured gunpowder used during World War II. The historic mill is on the corner of Parklea Avenue and Grassy Point Road, Cairnlea. “The mill is the only building remaining from the Albion explosives factory set up by the federal government during World War II,” Sunshine District Historical Society secretary Shaun Crosbie said. “It is located on its original site with plant still intact and in working order. It is a reminder of the thousands of ammunitions produced by workers during wartime and after. “By attending people will get a greater sense of some local, national and international history of the mill.” The mill ceased munitions operations after the war but continued operating manufacturing other products. The open day is from 10.30am-3.30pm. Details: Shauncrosbie@hotmail.com or 0417 519 043.
Millions for roads, drains By Sibanengi Dube Brimbank council is proposing to spend $55.9 million on infrastructure and facilities next financial year as part of its draft budget. The 2023-24 draft budget was endorsed by councillors on Tuesday, April 18, and also includes a 3.5 per cent rate rise, in line with the state government’s rates cap. Council’s capital works budget for 2023-24 is $5.5 million less than 2022-23, when council spent $61.4 million. Top of the council’s priority list are roads and drainage systems, which were allocated $27.5 million. Coming second on the list of primacies
are sports facilities that gulped $9.01 million of the $55.9 million total budget set aside for capital works program. Cr Victoria Borg hailed the budget as a product of wide consultation aimed at delivering services to communities and promote mental wellbeing. “It is important to note that there is an allocation of $55.9 million in capital works to deliver essential infrastructure projects services. Mental wellbeing was one of our priorities considered in supporting people in communities. Mental health related problems continue to contribute to the silent pandemic that is inflicting our community,” Cr Borg said.
Playgrounds, parks and gardens were allocated $7.1 million, while $5.4 million, will go into upgrading community amenities and early learning facilities. A total of $4.5 million was allocated to assets management, including $800,000 for library books and $1.8 million for the cyclical replacement of plant and vehicle fleet. Another $1.9 million will be used for maintaining and upgrading walking and cycling paths. Cr Jae Papalia said financial constraints did not deter them from allocating more money for parks, gardens, walking and cycling paths. “Mental health and sports facilities was put on our agenda again this year and the catch up
work is still being done. It is good to see that even in such challenging time we could see these things being put through,” Cr Papalia said. Brimbank councillors identified shifting demographics, changes to government policy and constrained financial environment as budget challenges which were creating pressure on the way services and infrastructure were funded and delivered. Brimbank council is inviting members of the community to provide a feedback on the draft budget for 2023-2024 until Thursday, May 18 and community members who are keen to contribute should visit yoursay. brimbank.vic.gov.au
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