APRIL 9, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
news + sport + property guide
(Luke Hemer)
Pigeon price flies high Pigeon enthusiasts across Melbourne have been turning their eyes west, with Pigeon Radio Australia holding its annual auction for the Good Friday Appeal. The auction has been held for the past three years to raise funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital, and kicked off this year with a donated pigeon from Belgium that sold for $6000. Ivan Forti helped care for the bird in Melton, and is now busy preparing more pigeons to auction. “We’ve had that Belgian bird sold, and now we have the Australian birds being listed,” Mr Forti said. “We’ll have three up for auction every two weeks. The first auction of the Belgian bird was a great result for the cause. Six thousand is quite a lot by Australian standards, but internationally you see some birds go for more than $1 million.” In previous years the auctions have raised up to $12,000, but Mr Forti said this year the hope was to increase that to $20,000. It’s a cause close to the heart of the Melton pigeon racing community. “One of the guys on the radio show with me, his grandson was born with heart problems so he’s been going to the Children’s Hospital for years,” Mr Forti said. View the auction at onlinepigeon auctions.pigeonmedia.com.au ivan Fonti
Ewen McRae
Capital works splurge By Ewen McRae More than $60 million in capital works is at the forefront of Melton council’s draft budget. The budget projects a surplus of $8.5 million and includes significant investment in roads, leisure facilities and community buildings. Mayor Bob Turner said the council had listened to residents when drafting the budget – and the investment in community facilities reflected that. “This is a strong and responsible draft budget
with an exciting and diverse mix of projects that cater to residents across the city,” Cr Turner said. “I’m particularly proud that we have put forward such a significant capital works program that is set to help improve everything from local roads for motorists to leisure facilities for young families. “A number of residents and community groups provided a valuable extra insight into local priorities and the potential impact of a range of budget allocations.”
Significant projects across the next 12 months include completion of the Aintree Children’s and Community Centre ($1.35 million), design of the Eynesbury Station Early Learning Centre ($1.2 million), intersection works at Taylors Road/Westwood Drive ($2.5 million), Macpherson Park redevelopment stages 1-3 ($4.25 million) and Cobblebank Indoor Stadium construction stage 1 ($3 million). The Cobblebank stadium will have capacity for up to six basketball courts. The proposed budget also includes significant
investment in new and renewed roads ($19.2 million), buildings ($18.78 million), footpaths and cycle-ways ($1.09 million), as well as improvements to library book stock, street trees and lighting and public art. An overall 2.5 per cent rate rise is proposed in line with state government rate capping. Residents are invited to have their say on the draft budget by making a written submission before 5pm on May 1. Information about submissions can be found at melton.vic.gov.au/budget1920.
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