Pakenham Gazette - 1st May 2024

pakenham.starcommunity.com.au

For Jerry

The Cockatoo community came together on Monday 29 April to honour the life of one ofitsmostfamousicons-Jerry the Railway Dog.

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Air wing helps catch driver

The police air wing would prove crucial following a pursuit which ultimately led to a 43-yearold Pakenham man being charged.

At approximately 3:00am on Friday April 26, 2024 Cranbourne police were patrolling along Casey Fields Boulevard, Cranbourne East when they attempted to intercept a BMW sedan that allegedly failed to stop.

The police air wing was in the area at the time and was able to track the vehicle at excessive speeds onto the South Gippsland Highway, Clyde Five Ways Road, and Ballarto Road.

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Millions flow

The State Government has announced $45 million to extend bus services and for new infrastructure upgrades through the high growth areas of the shire.

The council and Pakenham MP Emma Vulin are more than pleased to see $22 million to expand the local bus network and $23 million going to accommodate the future developments of Pakenham and Officer.

Bus routes 925 and 928 will be expanded by this funding, while multiple projects - such as duplicating McGregor Road at the rail line - will go ahead to accommodate access with future developments like the Pakenham Revitalisation Project and the Pakenham Community Hospital.

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Emerald Community House fires back after... Contract axed

By Matthew Sims

The Emerald Community House Incorporated (ECH Inc) committee has defended its role as a not-for-profit and independently managed charity business, in response to the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing’s

(DFFH) announcement it would not be renewing its current service agreement contract when it expires on Sunday 30 June.

In a statement published on Friday 26 April, Cardinia Council announced it was working with DFFH to transition to a new neighbourhood house service in Emerald, with current

arrangements allowing ECH Inc to operate from their current site until Tuesday 31 December.

However, the ECH committee released a statement on Monday 29 April, which said that reports of ECH’s end were “grossly exaggerated“ by council and DFFH.

“ECH will demonstrate its resilience strategy and will continue to operate as a self-funded enterprise in support of the community until DFFH restores its funding,“ the ECH Inc committee said.

“We won’t be bullied by council.”

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Cockatoo’s Patsy Parnall led the service in memory of Jerry the Railway Dog. 403846

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS