Established in 2003
proudly serving the Northern Suburbs
9 JANUARY, 2024
YEAR IN REVIEW... STORIES OF THE YEAR The Whittlesea Show returned this year for the first time since COVID-19. (Damjan Janevski) 314778_02
A year of pains and gains As another year ticks over for Hume and Whittlesea residents, Star Weekly looks back on a year of community gains as well frustration and growing pains. There were plenty of positive signs for the two municipalities that they were coming out the right side of things following the COVID-19 pandemic, but life remained tough for many others. Residents grappled with the cost of living crisis, infrastructure cuts, transportation pains, and council tension. A report found that one in three children in Hume lived in poverty, while in Whittlesea there were 35,733 people living in poverty, the fourth most in the state.
With increased interest rises, this continued to put pressure on residents day-to-day lives. Broadmeadows residents felt they were left off the radar with social housing funding, while a new community housing development in Wollert was a step closer and Whittlesea council was seeking organisations to develop a site on Ashline Street. As the municipalities continue to grow, new business and developments are setting up in both Hume and Whittlesea, which are set to lead to much needed jobs in both areas. Not everyone was happy about some of the new developments, with Westmeadows residents fighting against plans to subdivided buffer land adjacent to the former Tullamarine
toxic waste dump and build industrial premises. Hume council withdrew legal action against councillor Trevor Dance, while some Whittlesea council staff took industrial action in November, refusing to sweep streets and empty bins as part of it. Bradbury pleaded guilty to to a Campbellfield industrial fire four years ago, while police were targeting hoons. As part of ongoing concerns about hoon driving, Hume changed its local laws to try and address the problem. Roads continued to be a major area of focus in both councils. Mickleham Road duplication funding
survived a federal government review, as did the O’Hern’s Road Interchange. Craigieburn residents suffered through road works and detours for a large part of the year while upgrades to Craigieburn Road continued. A lack of transport options was again in the headlines late in the year, with calls for better bus services especially in the growth areas of Craigieburn and Epping. There were repeated calls for upgrades to Broadmeadows station with safety concerns raised on a number of occasions. With the two municipalities continuing to grow questions about whether the roads and other infrastructure can keep up are among the key ones moving into this year.
Join us to learn and play!!
Junior Herbalist Club - 0450 050 799, www.theherbalway.com.au
12657730-FC03-24
Full of Arts and Crafts activities and making goodies to take home!!!