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17 FEBRUARY, 2021
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End of an era
(Supplied)
The Altona Mobil refinery has played a key role in the west’s rich industrial past. In 1955, Mobil unveiled a multi-million dollar expansion program (pictured) that extended the refinery’s product range. Last week’s announcement that the refinery would close after 72 years to become an import terminal has been described as “devastating”. ■ Full
Story: Pages 8 & 9
Lockdown waiting game By Goya Dmytryshchak Victoria is “well-placed” to end its snap five-day lockdown today, Premier Daniel Andrews announced yesterday. Two new cases of COVID-19 were recorded, with the state government announcing it was exploring alternatives to hotel quarantine such as purpose-built accommodation at Melbourne or Avalon airports. The lockdown started on Saturday as a “short, sharp circuit breaker” against a “hyper-infectious” outbreak of the UK strain, linked to cases from Melbourne Airport’s Holiday Inn. Mr Andrews on Tuesday suggested that while the lockdown was well-placed to end, there could be changes. “That will be based on public health advice,
whether we can go back directly to the settings that were there on Thursday and Friday or whether we have to ease back into it,” he said. Williamstown Chamber of Commerce vice-president Craig Turton said the lockdown had been a real blow for local business. “Just as small businesses were starting to get back in the rhythm of normal operations and looking forward to a big trading weekend they were forced to pivot again with 12 hours’ notice,” he said. “The impact has been great. I’ve heard of small operators losing up to $10,000 in sales but also local construction businesses losing up to $100,000. “We also can’t forget that many casual workers have lost wages. Again, the support from the community has been outstanding … lucky we operate in such a caring environment.”
Ballarat Street in Yarraville during Melbourne’s third lockdown. (Joe Mastroianni) 227681_08
Major supermarkets reinstated purchase limits on staple products as shoppers immediately began to stockpile. Shopper Julie Maree Douglas-Walker said that as soon as the lockdown was announced on Friday afternoon, a queue formed outside
Coles at Central Square Shopping Centre in Altona Meadows. “I had to go to the post office this afternoon to post a letter,” she said. “I was in Central Square Shopping Centre for only five minutes. Nobody was queued at Coles when I first walked past it. “By the time I walked through the shopping centre to go to the post office and returned back passing Coles, a line that had formed.” Hitesh Palta, who owns IGA stores in Altona and Deer Park and during Melbourne’s first lockdown was the first Australian retailer to open early for the elderly, said two extra delivery drivers were on standby for online orders. A western suburbs florist, who didn’t want to be named, said Valentine’s Day sales usually set them up for the rest of the year. She had paid about $15,000 for stock and couldn’t open.
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