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15 MARCH, 2022
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The ride way to get about
PUPILS KHOI (FRONT), OLLIE AND SIENNA
Pupils from University Park Primary School in St Albans will ride and scoot their way school on Friday, March 25 for national Ride2School Day. University Park Primary School physical education teacher Tamara Elshaar said the school won a prize for having a high number of pupils ride to school the first year it took part in Ride2School Day. “We actually did it so well in our first year that we won a prize where we had a pump track delivered to our school for a special one-off sort of event,” Ms Elshaar said. “It was pretty cool, it was a temporary BMX track that they set up for the kids so they could ride it during recess and lunch. “That was a pretty big hit for our kids.” Ms Elshaar is hoping to create more awareness around the health benefits of riding to school and staying active. “We’re trying to encourage students and families to be active and make it a part of normal everyday life,” she said. “Instead of catching the two-minute car ride with parents and carers to school, we want them to try and do a 10 or 15 minute walk to school.”
Tip objection withdrawn By Max Hatzoglou Kealba residents say they have been dealt another blow after the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) withdrew its objection to Barro landfill. A monthly community forum held by Barro Group on March 4 revealed the news to locals who were left stunned and frustrated by the EPA’s decision. In September 2021, the EPA suspended the landfill’s licence due to breaches caused by ongoing hotspots and odour impacting nearby residents. The suspension followed a notice of intention
to suspend issued by the EPA in July, alleging Barro was in contravention of its operating licence due to the odour impacts of the hotspots. Barro Group and the EPA were also involved in legal action in the Supreme Court regarding Barro’s request for an extension to a clean up notice that was issued by the EPA. Star Weekly understands that Barro Group required further time to resolve the issues at the landfill which led to the two parties withdrawing from their legal obligation. Another notice from the EPA is set to be placed on the Barro Group asking for the landfill issues to be resolved within a new timeframe.
Brimbank Community Against Barro Landfill group member Anna Jezierksi said it was infuriating to hear the EPA had withdrawn its objection to a landfill that was causing significant community issues. “We’re just so frustrated that there’s absolutely no communication with the EPA,” Ms Jezierksi said, who lives 200 metres from landfill. “November 2019 was when we first noticed the odour smell and since then it’s almost been daily. “We can’t go outside, open windows, open doors because of the smell itself.” Ms Jezierksi said has called on the EPA to
better communicate with the community. “It is their responsibility and job to protect the community and environment, and they have not done either of those things in relation to this issue. “We have absolutely no idea what’s going on, where the EPA stands on the issue. “And we have no idea going forward what the EPA intend to do and whether they intend to include the community in any sort of communication going forward. “My main goal is for the EPA to stand up and take responsibility for what has happened there and to acknowledge that having the landfill 80 metres away from homes is not acceptable.”
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