Established in 1981 as the
proudly serving Melton and Moorabool
28 MAY, 2024
Making their steps count Thousands of Australians have been walking 7000 steps a day this May to raise awareness and acceptance for the 70 per cent of autistic people who experience mental health issues. Aspect’s annual ’Walk for Autism’ fundraising campaign, now in its ninth year, has raised more than $7.7 million to support the estimated one in 40 Australians on the autism spectrum. Caroline Springs couple Aaron Lee and Jade Rameka are participating for the first time, walking their 7000 steps each day and raising more than $900 so far. Their daughter, Kaia, was diagnosed with autism earlier this year, making the cause deeply personal. “It is something that is really close to our hearts and we thought raising awareness around it is a really positive cause,” Jade said. Aaron said the first week of May was tough but he continued to clock up his 7000 steps a day. “I also work in warehousing where I do the same amount of steps but I just tried to push past those boundaries and remind myself that I’m doing this for my daughter,” he said. To make a contribution to Aaron and Jade’s fundraising campaign visit, https://shorturl.at/aaTtj Aaron Lee and Jade Rameka with their two-year-old daughter Kaia. (Damjan Janevski) 409020_05
Kitchens in the firing line By Eddie Russell Developer Frank Days is racing against time to keep the kitchenettes from his Melton rooming house from being ripped out. The amenities need to be removed by early June. The property, which houses nine people, has been deemed non-compliant with Melton council’s planning scheme following a 2022 Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal decision about a similar property in Brimbank. VCAT ruled that the development was technically not a rooming house because the tribunal member considered the rooms to
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be “self-contained apartments” rather than rooms. Mr Days said the decision is leading to inconsistent council compliance across Melbourne. “Every council is approaching it differently. Some are saying you can keep a sink, some are saying you can keep a hot plate, others are saying you can have it all,” he said. “We’ve submitted plans to other councils and they’ve given them the seal of approval.” Melton council city growth and development manager Blake de Alencar Angus said council had to act in accordance with the planning scheme. “In line with state legislation and VCAT
determinations, enforcement action will be taken if the property is not brought into compliance.” Mr Days said the council has been helpful during the process. “They’ve been nothing but willing to assist us in getting these approved, but at the end of the day, they’re … just enforcing the rules. Change needs to come from state level,” he said. However, a state government spokesperson said it was a matter for council. Melton MP Steve McGhie met with Mr Days last Thursday to inspect the property. Mr Days said during the visit, Mr McGhie spoke to an emotional tenant.
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“She was pretty much in tears … she has certain health issues that make it very difficult for her to share a kitchen with eight other people. Another tenant, who has become wheelchair bound, is going to have issues with it as well,” he said. Mr Days was confident change could be achieved moving forward. “If we get it in front of the right people … they’ll agree that this is the right way to proceed,” he said. But for now, he will not be committing to any new projects in the area. “We’ve invested $6 million in Melton over the last two years and we won’t be throwing good money after this.”
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Opening Hours 9am - 5:30pm (Mon - Sat), and 10am - 5pm (Sun) Shop 1C, 415-429 High Street (cnr Station Rd.) MELTON | VIC | 3337
8716 3679 | www.facebook/ilovethisshopmelton 12687628-JB22-24