Established in 1875 as the
proudly serving Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay
4 SEPTEMBER, 2024
Celebration of youth
(Credit trade gothic 6.5pt)
The youth of Hobsons Bay will be celebrated as part of Youth Fest ‘24. Events and activities have been organised across the state throughout September to give young Victorians a chance to express their ideas and views and act on issues that affect their lives. Youth Fest is a month-long celebration, highlighting the contributions and achievements of young people in their communities. Hobsons Bay council will host Youth-Con 24 on Saturday, which will feature live bands and performances, a youth makers market, a pre-loved and vintage market, skate workshops, games, an art exhibition, beauty bar, barbecue and food trucks. It will be held at Laverton Community Hall, 95-105 Railway Avenue, Laverton, from noon to 5pm. Registrations required. Details: hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ Community/Whats-On/YOUTH-CON-24
Aidan, Jacob and Alex from the band ‘Motion Blur’ will perform at Youth-Con 24. (Damjan Janevski) 428311_02
Braybrook plan slammed By Laura Michell
12533599-HC07-22
A state government regeneration plan for Braybrook has been labelled an “embarrassment”, “planned detritus” and an “abject failure” by Maribyrnong councillors. The Braybrook Regeneration Project is one of 21 priority projects identified under Victoria’s Housing Statement. The project is being led by the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) in consultation with Homes Victoria and council. Under the plan, 4000 dwellings will be added to the suburb by 2051, with a greater
mix of housing planned. It commenced in June 2019 and was placed on hold in 2022 amid numerous issues raised by council. The project recommenced in September 2023. In its position paper on the project, adopted during a committee meeting on August 27, council said the issues raised in its 2021 submission have still not been adequately addressed and further issues have emerged as the project has progressed. Councillor Bernadette Thomas said issues with the project included a reduction in open space in Braybrook, no commitment
to upgrade public transport, a shortfall in developer contributions for infrastructure in the suburb, and an overall reduction in social and public housing. “There will be an overall reduction in social and public housing, and in a housing crisis where housing affordability is a critical need, we can’t go into the future with reductions in social and public housing,” she said. However Homes Victoria has stated the project will increase the amount of social housing in the suburb. Cr Thomas said council has been meeting with the VPA and Homes Victoria for three
years and still had “an entire submission full of questions”. “We have a lot of questions, we really would like some answers sooner rather than later.” Cr Michael Clarke described the project as “the most remarkable example of planned detritus that I have ever seen”. He said the lack of outdoor space planned as part of the project would transform Braybrook into a “slum” in years to come, despite the benefits of outdoor spaces being widely known. Continued page 4
Kenyon-Smith Denture Clinic A family tradition for 60 years 100 Pier Street, Altona 9315 9231 • 27 Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing 9748 8204
Dental Prosthetists Full dentures, Partial dentures, Repairs - relines • Victorian Denture Scheme • Veterans’ Affairs John, Andrew, Simon and Paul Kenyon-Smith