MARCH 17, 2015 \ MACEDONRANGES.STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
SunFest is a funfest
(Shawn Smits)
Sunbury’s longest-running annual festival was again a hit with crowds, with thousands of people flocking to SunFest at the Village Green at the weekend. Live music and sunny weather provided a backdrop for plenty of fun and games, with streams of people enjoying market stalls, dodgem cars, rides and displays. The 39th annual event also included an exhibition of memorabilia from the Sunbury rock festivals of the 1970s. SunFest spokesman Jarrod Bell said several long-time committee members remarked that it was the most people they had ever seen on the green. “There was a fantastic vibe across the weekend,” he said. Saturday’s grand parade was a hit, with large crowds lining the streets as about 30 floats, promoting everything from a community kitchen to the BMX club, provided a colourful snapshot of Sunbury life. A battle of the bands and school choir competition were also popular, as were Saturday night’s spectacular fireworks. Many people entered a charity walk and run on Sunday, raising money for Sunbury Scouts, the SES unit and the Leukaemia Foundation. For more pictures of SunFest, visit www.macedonranges.starweekly.com.au. BELLA, 2, OF SUNBURY
Matt Crossman
Hume split still in limbo By Matt Crossman Pro-split supporters believe the state government will have broken a promise if Sunbury is still part of Hume after July 1. Sunbury Ratepayers Association president Bernie O’Farrell said Sunbury City Council was supposed to come into existence on that date and the community would feel let down if it didn’t. Labor, which promised not to wind back the order gazetted by the former state government last October, launched a review of the secession process late last year. As reported by Star Weekly online, Hume
council last week raised significant concerns about the July 1 deadline. Mr O’Farrell said people had been promised an independent Sunbury. ‘‘If it doesn’t happen, then as far as I’m concerned that is a broken promise,’’ he said. With less than 110 days remaining until July 1, Hume chief executive Domenic Isola last week wrote to Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins, again outlining the council’s fears about potential disruption to staff and implications for ratepayers. The council did not request an extension of the proposed start date as has been reported by other media outlets.
In the letter, Mr Isola said a range of operational and legal matters had to be resolved. ‘‘I do not believe this provides sufficient time to undertake this significant process in a respectful, open, transparent manner for ratepayers and council staff,’’ the letter said of the impending deadline. Mr Isola told Star Weekly that Hume council had pressed the urgency of a decision at all meetings with Ms Hutchins in the past few months. ‘‘Council appreciates that the new government is not yet in a position to be clear on the full implications of the separation of Sunbury from Hume,’’ Mr Isola said.
6.95
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Original Fillet Burger ( OR Zinger® Burger), reg. Chips, reg. Potato & Gravy & reg. Pepsi Max
4*
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1177574-DJ12-15 10024242-02
EXP 14/04/15. Available at KFC Sunbury only. See terms & conditions below.
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4*
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A spokeswoman for Ms Hutchins said the minister was considering the letter. ‘‘Significant issues with transferring of staff and assets are still to be resolved,’’ the spokeswoman said. ‘We are not walking away from our commitment, but these issues do need to be properly resolved. We don’t want to see local residents disadvantaged or denied the services they need.’’ Sunbury-based councillor Jack Ogilvie said council, staff and the community deserved a definitive answer. ‘‘I think it’s [the letter] out of frustration at all this hold up,’’ Cr Ogilvie said. ‘‘It’s getting stupid – people need to know.’’
EXP 14/04/15. Available at KFC Sunbury only. See terms & conditions below.
Chicken & Wicked Wings® Pack
10 pcs. Original Recipe Chicken, 10 Wicked Wings®, 2 lge. Chips & 1 lge. Potato & Gravy
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25%*
EXP 14/04/15. Available at KFC Sunbury only. See terms & conditions below.
Valid at KFC Sunbury only. For meals that include chicken pieces, set combinations apply. Food for illustration purposes only. *Saving is based on full menu price. Limit of one coupon per customer visit. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Surrender coupon to redeem offer.