Wednesday, 3 January, 2024
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The Astrological Year Ahead INSIDE
E-scooter hit and run Police are appealing for witnesses after a hitrun collision in Pakenham on Thursday 21 December. Emergency services were called to reports an e-scooter rider had been struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Treloar Lane and John Street at about 10.10pm. The vehicle failed to stop at the scene. An unknown woman who witnessed the incident assisted the rider and called emergency services but left the scene before police arrived. The rider, a 57-year-old Narre Warren man, was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing and investigators are appealing for the car driver and female witness to come forward. STORY PAGE 5
Roads closed
Legend lost Flags at the Officer Recreation Reserve flew at half-mast as the community mourned the death of Rob Porter. Mr Porter passed away at his Officer home on Monday 25 December 2023 at the age of 81. His death leaves a lifetime of work as a dedicated champion of his community. STORIES PAGES 5, 14-15
Rob Porter. 202457
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Pakenham road users are advised to plan ahead and expect delays, with Healesville-Kooweerup Road and McGregor Road closing in stages between Wednesday 3 January and Monday 4 March. In stage one, Healesville-Kooweerup Road will close in both directions between Southeast Boulevard and the Princes Freeway roundabout from 7pm on Wednesday 3 January to 7pm on Thursday 25 January, with the inbound Princes Freeway ramps also closing. In stage two, McGregor Road will close in both directions between the Princes Freeway inbound ramps and Webster Way from 7pm on Monday 29 January to 5am on Monday 4 March. STORY PAGE 5
Council FOI farce By Corey Everitt Two Pakenham residents have been left questioning the council’s commitment to transparency after they paid more than $50 for Freedom of Information (FOI) to only receive a document almost entirely redacted leaving
more questions than answers. Pakenham’s Henk and Kathy Heeremans filed an FOI with the Cardinia Shire Council regarding a proposed childcare centre on Savage Street which was formally rejected by councillors, but it has been alleged to now be approved behind closed doors at VCAT.
The Heeremans’ FOI was requested to find out what happened in the council to produce the claimed result, specifically regarding an April 2023 briefing meeting of the council where the matter was discussed in private. After spending a total $55.65 for the request, they would receive the documents on Tuesday
12 December and to their shock it was almost entirely redacted. “I was mad, that’s how I felt,” Kathy said. “We paid for something and it’s not worth the paper it’s written on.” STORY PAGE 3
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