SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
King of the river
(Damjan Janevski)
Nobody knows the Maribyrnong River like Peter Somerville. Cruising The Blackbird up and down the river four days a week for the past 36 years has provided the captain with insights into both the physical and psychological impact of the waterway on society – as well as humankind’s impact on the river. Mr Somerville is quick to point out the Maribyrnong was discovered by white settlers a day before the Yarra River, and he cheerfully pronounces the river as the more important of the two. “People from the western suburbs learnt to swim in this river; it’s always been very much a part of their life,” he says. Mr Somerville is critical of development that’s encroached on the river’s edge, but he’s pleased with the improvements made since he began operating his ferry on the river in 1979. Mr Somerville will be part of a panel discussion next week that will explore ways in which rivers connect and divide a city. The free Victoria University Game Changers Conversation Series event will be at VU at MetroWest, 138 Nicholson Street, Footscray, from 6.30-8pm, Thursday, September 17. RSVP: footscrayunitown.com.au PETER SOMERVILLE
Benjamin Millar
Cops track meter vandals By Benjamin Millar Police have escalated their investigation into the vandalism of Yarraville’s new parking meters following a second attack within a week of their roll-out. Vandals smashed the screens of at least eight of the machines last week, causing damage estimated at $16,000. A separate attack a week earlier jammed payment slots with construction adhesive. The meters, covering 97 parking spaces, were installed last month at a cost of about $120,000.
Footscray police inspector Adrian Healy said the damage was disappointing and an inappropriate response to paid parking. Senior Detective Brendan O’Mahoney, who is leading the investigation, said police were following up numerous lines of inquiry. “It’s public property and expensive equipment. We will be following a number of leads,” he said. “We’re asking anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers.” Maribyrnong council chief executive Stephen Wall said council officers were yet to work out the exact cost of repairs, which will
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determine whether the cost is claimed under insurance. Star Weekly understands a number of motion-sensitive cameras have been installed in recent days to alert police to suspicious activity around the meters. Both the Yarraville Traders Association and the Yarraville Village Says No To Paid Parking group have condemned the vandalism, which came as traders argue that implementation of paid parking has led to a downturn in business and turned Yarraville into a “ghost town”. Most traders who spoke with Star Weekly
said the downturn had been immediately felt, but The Village Store owner Daniel Anderson said it was too soon to make a direct link. “We don’t agree with the introduction of paid parking, but given all the roadworks we have been having, parking has already been a problem over recent weeks, so it’s too early to say what impact [paid parking] will have,” he said. Paid parking opponents have organised a “Village wake”, to “commiserate the death of the village”. It will be held in front of the Sun Theatre from 2pm on Saturday.