Wednesday, 29 April, 2020
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Tributes flow for fallen officers
Picture: VICTORIA POLICE CARDINIA EYEWATCH
By Mitchell Clarke Victoria Police is mourning the heartbreaking death of four much-loved and respected officers who were killed in the line of duty. Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Glen Humphris, Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor and Constable Joshua Prestney tragically died in the Eastern Freeway collision on 24 April. Flowers were left at the Pakenham police station and the Cardinia Cultural Centre became blue, as the community tries to make sense of Victoria Police's deadliest day. The Gazette spoke with La Trobe MP Jason Wood and Gembrook MP Brad Battin, both former police officers, who paid tribute to the fallen officers. For our full local coverage on the tragedy, turn to pages 6-7.
Cannibal menace By Mitchell Clarke Locked gates which restrict public access to Mount Cannibal have been pushed over, as people continue to flout Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. The popular Garfield North reserve was closed by Cardinia Shire Council in early April following claims that large crowds of people were failing to adhere to social distancing rules. Images obtained by the Gazette show a number of cars and people at the closed reserve, defying blatant and clear signs to stay out of the park. A Pakenham resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, travels past Mt Cannibal daily to feed animals. She said she “can’t understand” why people continue to ignore the restrictions. “I just don’t understand it. It really upsets me that these people aren’t listening, they’re
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obviously not worried about the virus,” she said. “There’s two sets of gates so these people are breaking two containment lines. It’s closed off and it’s illegal to be there, so there really should be more than one fine.” The woman, who has compromised health,
“These are very popular areas that attract many people and are prone to gatherings, and when we also take into consideration the narrow tracks, we’ve made the difficult decision to close both reserves for the time. “This decision was not made lightly and, whilst regrettable, is a necessary temporary measure to help ensure the health and safety of our community during this pandemic. “Many other parks and trails across the shire remain open for exercise, but we ask all community members to please ensure you adhere to gathering and social distancing rules.” Cardinia Shire Council was contacted for comment regarding the latest reports. It’s not yet known when the park will reopen to the public, however premier Daniel Andrews said no stay-at-home restrictions would be lifted until the state of emergency ends on 11 May.
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Despite clear 'closed' signs at Mount Cannibal, people continue to flout social distancing restrictions. Picture: SUPPLIED
said the majority of people she’s witnessed at the park were under 40. “Each day between Friday (24 April) and Sunday (26 April), I’ve seen people there and it’s a guaranteed in the afternoons,” she explained. “Since its been closed I have seen police waiting but people know that they aren’t always there so they just take the chance. “It is a very popular track. I understand that it’s good for exercise and it’s a nice decent walk, but it’s closed, so go home, stay home, it’s simple, it’s really, really simple.” The Gazette understands that Victoria Police regularly patrol the area and that numerous locked gates which restrict access to the park have been pushed over on multiple occasions. The decision to close the park was “not made lightly”, Cardinia Shire Council’s infrastructure and environment general manager Peter Benazic said.
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