JANUARY 16, 2018 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
(Dennis Manktelow)
Take the heat off wildlife Scootch the koala joey is being raised by the caring team behind Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network. Local wildlife rescuers found the young koala clinging to his mother’s back after she was hit and killed by a car. Scootch is now being reared by a koala carer until he is fit to be released back into the wild. The rescuers and foster carers at Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network volunteer their time to respond to local wildlife emergencies. The team is asking Macedon Ranges residents to help wildlife beat the heat this summer through a few simple actions. Network rescuer and foster carer Mel Frazer has urged locals to be aware that wildlife will be searching for water and shade on hot days. “Ringtail possums, koalas and birds are all highly susceptible to heat,” Ms Frazer said. “You can help our native wildlife cope in extreme heat by placing bowls/tubs of water around your garden to help keep animals hydrated.” She said garden hoses could be used to spray mist into trees and shrubs to create cooler niches where the animals can escape the heat. “A simple act of kindness such as bird baths can help save these magnificent animals from heat stress.” Wildlife Victoria’s emergency hotline: 1300 094 535. SCOOTCH WITH JOHANNES POULSEN
Serena Seyfort
Road blitz results shock By Serena Seyfort More than seven drivers each day, on average, were caught breaking the law on Macedon Ranges roads during the Christmas and holiday period. Highway patrol officers stringently patrolled the region’s roads from December 15, 2017 to Sunday, January 7, 2018 as part of Victoria Police’s Operation Roadwise. The number of offending drivers uncovered was “far too high”, according to Macedon
Ranges Highway Patrol unit commander Sergeant Brad Hall. “We want to see the number at zero – any number of people speeding is too many,” Sergeant Hall said. Police intercepted 121 speeding drivers in total, along with seven unlicensed drivers and seven drivers disobeying traffic signals. Four drivers were apprehended for drink-driving and three for driving under the influence of drugs. Sergeant Hall said while there were more people driving during the
holidays, the highway patrol’s message applied to every day of the year. “If people are going to be substance affected on the roads, they’re going to be caught,” he said. Sergeant Hall said Macedon Ranges Highway Patrol checked at least 1000 vehicles during the 24-day operation. Five drivers were caught using a disqualified or suspended licence, 22 vehicles were found to be unregistered and four people were caught illegally using mobile phones while driving.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said the operation’s results throughout Victoria were very concerning. “We have seen people engaging in behaviours that are unacceptable and completely inconsistent with keeping safe on the roads,” Assistant Commissioner Fryer said. “Police are out doing our part to enforce the law but I must implore the community to do the right thing in the first place.” A total of 31,293 offences were detected across Victoria during Operation Roadwise.