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proudly serving Sunbury and Macedon Ranges
20 JUNE, 2023
12496404-AV22-21
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SIG N U P N O W!
Take a book, leave a book Malmsbury residents are opening a new chapter with the launch of a recycled community library at the Malmsbury Bakery. Locals Flo Jones and Roslyn Stevens came up with the idea to create the library, which doubles as a book exchange. Ms Jones said they used a refrigerator from a neighbour as the base of the library and a local resident painted the outside. Ms Jones said a motivation for creating the library was seeing Roslyn’s grandchildren react to the community library where they live. “The whole idea behind it is to encourage people to read books. There are some crime stories, a couple of biographies, kids books, general fiction … it ranges. It’s good to see that most of the kids books we’ve put in haven’t come back, which means they’re being read and read again.” Ms Jones said Roslyn and herself make sure the library is topped up with books, but she does not mind if people want to keep some of the books. “Books are coming and going which is fantastic. We’re both avid readers and we’ve always got books to get rid of. People are also swapping books but we don’t care if people take a book and don’t bring it back as others bring [extra] books.”
Flo Jones at the community library at Malmsbury Bakery. (Damjan Janevski) 340294_02
Crossings gone by 2025
12594482-AP11-23
The Sunbury train line will be level crossing free in 2025, with the removal of the crossings at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road in Diggers Rest. The last two level crossings on the Sunbury line will be removed one year earlier than planned. The state government said traffic flow will also be improved for the 6300 vehicles that travel through the level crossings daily, which is impacted by around 36 minutes of boom gate down time. Transport and Infrastructure Minister
Jacinta Allan said the Sunbury line is one of six lines that will be free of boom gates. “We’re making [the Sunbury line] free of boom gates along with the Cranbourne, Pakenham, Frankston, Lilydale and Werribee lines,” Ms Allan said. “We’re thrilled to fast-track the Diggers Rest level crossing removals and we’ll now get on with the next step of the project [of] inviting the community to provide feedback.” Sunbury MP Josh Bull said community feedback is a crucial part of all level crossing removal projects.
“We’re asking locals to get involved and to have their say on this transformational project for Diggers Rest,” Mr Bull said. Community consultation to help inform aspects of the design has begun, which will also provide context about the flow of traffic and cyclist and pedestrian movements in the area. The government said expert assessments have determined that road over rail bridges for Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road are the best designs for the area, with further engineering assessments and community engagement to be carried out.
The state government is also planning for Melton to be boom gate free two years ahead of schedule, with a new Melton station to suit its growing population and allow nine-car VLocity trains to run along the corridor by 2028, when the Melton line upgrade is complete. With 70 level crossings removed, the state government said it plans to remove 110 more across Melbourne by 2030. This will ease road congestion and improve access for trucks travelling around to industrial areas. Details: engage.vic.gov.au/lxrp-diggers-rest