JANUARY 24, 2017 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
Open for fun at the tennis
(Luke Hemer/ Tennis Australia)
The summer of tennis is in full swing, but instead of lounging in front of a television, one Caroline Springs girl is getting a closer look. Nadzurah, 15, is one of 380 ball kids working at the Australian Open this year, with the opportunity to work alongside her tennis heroes too good to miss. “My whole family really likes tennis, and this year I thought I wanted to do something a bit more with it,” she said. “It’s so much fun meeting all the other kids and the professional players.” Becoming a ball kid is no easy feat, with most coming through 12 months of applications, trials and training before making the grade. Thousands of kids aged 11 to 15 try out every year. Nadzurah started the tournament on court 13, before working her way to court five and finally show court three by Friday. At this rate she could be on the main courts for the Open’s second week. “I’m one of the kids running around, not standing at the ends, so it is tiring,” she said. “I’m pretty fit so it’s good fun out there. I love how exciting a game of tennis can get. “I’d recommend anyone who can to try out for next year. You meet so many cool people and the players are great.” Ewen McRae
Fears raised over road fix By Ewen McRae An upgrade of the Taylors and Kings roads intersection in Delahey will include controversial elevation of the roads some residents say could do more harm than good. The notorious roundabout at the intersection will be removed, with traffic lights, new pedestrian crossings and bike paths to be installed. But it is the raising of the whole intersection by 75 millimetres to slow traffic that is causing concern, with Delahey resident Tom claiming
that what VicRoads is describing as “raised platforms” could be a safety concern. “I just don’t think it is going to work,” he said. “With this plan, even if it’s a green light as you approach the intersection, you will have to apply the brakes as the intersection is raised. That just creates confusion and the potential for more rear-end crashes. “I’m not objecting to signalising the intersection – I think the whole community wants that to happen. “But this feels like an experiment and I’m not sure it will work.”
VicRoads has previously installed a raised intersection in Belmont, near Geelong. The intersections are based on successful similar road projects in The Netherlands. Brimbank acting infrastructure and city services director Tom Razmovski said the council was confident the upgrade would improve the safety and functionality of the intersection. “Council has been informed that it has been used with success overseas,” he said. “Although the raised intersection treatment is something new in Victoria, VicRoads
Quality Cut Halal Meats in Keilor Downs Plaza
have either installed, or are in the process of installing, this type of treatment in other locations across the state.” Tom said he would prefer to have the measures trialled more thoroughly elsewhere before the intersection was upgraded. “If it’s been proven to work elsewhere then fine, I’ll support it, but I don’t think that’s happened and I don’t want this to be a guinea pig,” he said. “Once it’s done we’re stuck with it – and if it doesn’t work, what happens then?” VicRoads was contacted for comment.
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