AUGUST 8, 2017 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
(Shawn Smits)
Thomastown sets gold standard
VINCE LOTITO
There is something in the water in Thomastown. The suburb’s food producers swept the board at the recent Australian Food Awards, with not one but five companies winning gold medals for their outstanding products. The annual awards, which are run by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, celebrate the best Australian food products across eight major categories, including dairy, meat, poultry, grain and pulses, and pantry goods. ■ Full story: Page 7
Fight to reclaim festival By Laura Michell
12360304-DJ31-17 10048364-05
Whittlesea residents want their festival back. In December, councillors voted to relocate the annual Whittlesea Community Festival from Lalor’s Whittlesea Public Gardens to South Morang and consider giving it a new format to make it a day/night street festival. The festival is Whittlesea’s biggest community event and has been held at the gardens for 20 years. While a new venue hadn’t been confirmed, councillors flagged McDonalds Road, between Ferres Boulevard and South Morang Central, and Findon Road between Mill Park Lakes
Boulevard and the Great Eastern Way, as possible locations. Council officers were also asked to investigate other locations. The move to relocate the festival, driven by mayor Ricky Kirkham, divided the councillors, and it has residents fighting for their festival. Two petitions calling for the Whittlesea Public Gardens to remain as the venue were presented to the council at its July 18 meeting. One of the petitions was signed by more than 100 residents. The petitions also called for the council to upgrade the gardens by installing lights, refilling the lake, planting trees and upgrading the playground.
Cr Kirkham said the council was developing a master plan for the gardens, which will be available for community discussion later this year. Cr Kris Pavlidis said she had been approached by residents who were concerned by the decision, adding that she felt there had been no community consultation. “[The Whittlesea Community Festival] is the only festival in this part of the municipality,” Cr Pavlidis said. “The largest concentration of residents is in this part of the municipality. “I don’t believe due diligence has been demonstrated in the way this issue has been approached.”
Cr Kirkham defended the decision to move the festival, saying it would ensure it is held in a more central location and will be better supported by public transport, have more parking available and better disability access. He said the council has sought expert advice on logistical requirements for the festival and a preferred venue that is capable of holding an event of that size and scale. A report will be presented to council tonight for councillors to vote on the final venue. Cr Kirkham said the council would consult the community about re-imagining the festival once the new venue was confirmed.
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