CASTLEMAINE MAIL Friday, February 10, 2017-3 NEWS Witnesses Going, going, gone sought Castlemaine Police are investigating a Lisa Dennis spate of burglaries and criminal damage in the Taradale and Elphinstone region. The dilapidated mudbrick home at Senior Sergeant Pete Carey said police 1 Wilkie Street Castlemaine, formerly are investigating a burglary at the Tarad- built for public housing, was demol- ale Wine and Produce Store which occurred ished last week to pave the way for a sometime between 9pm on Tuesday, Janu- new housing project. ary 21 and 11am on Wednesday, January The house was built in 1993 after 22. A till and other items were stolen. Mount Alexander Shire Council entered “We can’t be sure if they are linked but into a funding agreement with the Di- we believe that on the same night there was rector of Housing (DoH) for a project “CHL is excited to work with all the a break-in at the Taradale Cricket Club,” to provide housing accommodation for partners in providing a mixed hous- Sen Sgt Carey said. people in need within the shire. This ing model which creates versatility On this occasion alcohol was stolen. project involved the purchase of two ad- and much needed affordable housing Police are also looking into a third inci- jacent blocks of land and resulted in the in the local community.” dent at the Elphinstone Hotel but are un- building of the mud brick dwelling. - CHL Vic State Manager sure if the three matters are related. The other block remained undevel- Shari McPhail On the same night a group of young peo- oped. ple tried to gain entry to the hotel and dam- In September 2000 council entered aged a window at the front of the premises. into a management agreement and NEW ERA: 1 Wilkie Street was demolished last week to make way for the new “We are looking for two females in their lease with Castlemaine and District development. early 20s, one was wearing high heels, and Accommodation and Resources Group three males also in their 20s. They were Inc (CADARG) for the ongoing man- Services spokesperson said the property feature open kitchens, accessible bath- travelling together in a vehicle which was agement of the property. The agreement was transferred from council to success- rooms and internal circulation space and, spotted driving around the area for some- and lease expired in September 2009 and ful submitter Community Housing (Vic) once complete, will be suitable for older time,” Sen Sgt Carey said. there have been no tenants in the house Ltd in 2015 and the agency has a propos- people or people with a disability,” Ms Anyone with information is urged to con- since mid-2012. al to build five units on the property, with McPhail said. tact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. In the time that followed vandals two to be retained as social housing. “Demolition of the existing dwelling wreaked havoc on the abandoned prop- “The department believes this a good has been completed with construction of erty, smashing windows and walls and outcome as it will mean these proper- the new dwellings anticipated to begin in destroying the remaining furniture. ties will remain as social housing,” the the next eight to 12 weeks.” In a bid to see the site redeveloped and spokesperson said. Ms McPhail said two units will be facilitate additional social housing, coun- Community Housing Limited (CHL) leased by CHL to people in need with the cil divested its 10 per cent share of the Group Victorian State Manager, Shari remaining units offered off the plan for property in November 2015. McPhail said in November 2016, Mount sale in the open market. Council worked with the Office of Alexander Shire Council approved CHL’s “CHL is excited to work with all the Housing to invite registered housing as- proposal to build two three-bedroom partners in providing a mixed hous- sociations to submit an Expression of In- units and three two-bedroom units on ing model which creates versatility and 11 Fitzgeralds Close, terest to redevelop the property. the site. much needed affordable housing in the Castlemaine A Department of Health and Human “The contemporary design of the units local community.” Phone 0408 508 628 K216844/K Long list of priorities Justice for Centrelink debt recovery vic- pend the unfair Centrelink debt recovery tims, funding for vital community projects program. and greater support for women’s sport and “Far too many central Victorians have female-friendly facilities were top of the been unfairly caught up in the scandal. agenda for Lisa Chesters MP this week as Many in our community have been deeply parliament resumes for 2017. distressed, with some receiving debt notic- Ms Chesters said she would return to es in the tens of thousands of dollars,” Ms Canberra with a long list of priorities for Chesters said. “The government itself has the Bendigo electorate. admitted that at least 20 per cent of those “Central Victorian women need their letters went out in error. Malcolm Turn- Federal Government to get behind the lo- bull must show some leadership and sus- cal growth in women’s sports like football pend his government’s robo-debt mess.” Have and cricket,” she said. Ms Chesters said she will be standing “Given the recent media reports on the up for Central Victoria’s interests in par- Federal Government’s failure to help fund liament, as she has in the past. “Standing female-friendly change facilities, I plan to up for locals for local jobs first, stopping you been demand from the minister responsible to cuts to Medicare and ensuring our man- do their part and help fund facilities and ufacturers get a fair deal are always to- development opportunities for women’s wards the top of the priority list,” she said. sport.” Ms Chesters said she would also “I will continue to be a strong voice and continue to call on the government to sus- advocate for our community.” injured... BROILER BOMBSHELL • In a transport accident? from page 1 the Loddon River and for the many small Broiler Farm campaigner Marg Lewis and medium businesses and farming fami- • At work? said there were plenty of shires further lies who live in the vicinity - not to mention north happy to accommodate broiler farm the people who call Baringhup home. • In a slip and fall accident? industry. “This sort of development is just “I have spoken to the Minister for Plan- not compatible in this rural living environ- ning and the Minister for Agriculture and ment and will have a devastating impact on advised them of the decision and expressed Looking after injured Central Victorians the Moolort Plains, not to mention local in- my deep concern. frastructure such as roads. “It is my personal view that the Broiler like you for over 20 years It is disappointing that community con- Code urgently needs reviewing and having cerns have been ignored,” she said. “The not done so already has left the Baringhup community and local farmers have raised community to face a very uncertain future, in excess of $500,000 in a bid to fight this and the Shire of Mount Alexander with a po- Ring today for a free battle so far and now face more costs,” she tential heavy cost burden to maintain infra- said. In a personal statement Bendigo West structure around Baringhup. “What I find first interview without obligation MP Maree Edwards said she was shocked extraordinary about the desire to build a and saddened. chicken factory at Baringhup - despite com- “This is a devastating result for the Bar- munity objections - is that there are Shires 337 HARGREAVES ST, BENDIGO inghup community and the region more further north of this area that are very keen No Win No Cost* 1800 242 588 broadly,” Ms Edwards said. “I am truly dis- to have these factories built there. www.admlaw.com.au KN222621/K appointed and genuinely feel for all those “This is the wrong place to build such an *Conditions apply In Castlemaine & Echuca by appointment who have fought so hard to stop this chicken intensive chicken factory. factory from proceeding at great personal “I will continue to pursue any avenues and financial cost. “I have grave concerns available through State Government to see for the environment of the Moolort Plains, if there is any possible way to intervene.”