NEWS of 2019
January
The year started with the Beyond the Valley festival being held over the New Year’s period at Lardner Park.
An increased police presence conducted 1400 breath tests and 320 drug tests. A 20-year-old Mansfield man was airlifted in a critical condition to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He later died.
Baw Baw Shire Council announced a $1.5 million redevelopment of Smith Street would focus on creating a pedestrian friendly environment. Concerns about the proposed changes to the flow of traffic in Smith Street led to almost 800 community members signing a petition to urge the shire to abandon its plans of making the road one way.
A long-awaited retail development was announced in Warragul, spearheaded by Kmart and Bunnings after clearing final approval. The $25 million development expects to provide the equivalent of 300 full-time jobs.
Earthworks began at Warragul Primary School on a new early learning centre which will deliver 132 places for Warragul children. Turning the first sod was Member for McMillan (now Monash) Russell Broadbent.
Warragul cyclist Brenton Jones was crowned Australian Criterion Champion at the 2019 Road National Championships. After securing one silver and three bronze medals in prior years, Jones was the sentimental favourite to win in 2019.
Members of Warragul North Tennis Club met champion Australian wheelchair tennis player Dylan Alcott at the Australian Open as part of Tennis Australia’s “Hot Shots” program.
The annual Drouin Australia Day breakfast enjoyed its 40th anniversary as community members came together to celebrate. Gazette editor Carolyn Turner was the guest speaker and she spoke on the topic of “Our Diverse Community in a Diverse World”.
Baw Baw residents were recognized in the annual Australia Day awards. Amongst them were Janice Ablett who received an OAM for her tireless work in the treatment of alcohol and drug dependence and The Gazette’s own Brian Hopkins who received his OAM in recognition of his contribution to the newspaper industry over 50 years.
Dedication to improving health in rural areas led Tanjil South doctor Professor Sarah Stresser to be awarded with an AM. Other locals receiving awards included volunteers Ken Barker and Graeme Watts.
February
February began with a mixture of apprehension and relief as the township of Walhalla faced bushfires. An 1860s cottage was destroyed and some campers were evacuated from Brunton’s Bridge and Coopers Creek. A welcome downpour helped firefighters bring the blaze under control.
Contributing to the fire conditions, Warragul and surrounding areas recorded one of the driest and hottest Januarys on record. Only 10.4mm of rain fell in the area for the month – the lowest amount since 2013.
A total of 94 residents voiced their opposition to a planned subdivision on the south side of Warragul. A group of residents placed a fullpage advertisement in The Gazette voicing concerns about the development specifically with regard to traffic management and the size of the blocks.
Residents of Labertouche and surrounding areas reflected on the 10-year anniversary of the Black Saturday fires. A silver lining in the aftermath of the tragic day was the funding and development of the Labertouche Community Centre.
Yarragon businesses and residents opposed a major service station development on the western boundary of the town. Determined to protect the town’s village atmosphere, residents were set to appear at a VCAT hearing to try to stop the development following council’s rejection and the developers subsequent appeal to VCAT.
Warragul and District Basketball Association announced a strategic plan reinforced the need for extra basketball courts in Warragul. The association’s February annual tournament saw 11 teams turned away and matches scheduled outside the shire due to lack of courts.
Organisers of the Drouin Ficifolia Festival believed crowds were possibly better than ever with a sunny day resulting in hundreds of people filling Civic Park to listen to an ABBA tribute band.
Building commenced on the new short stay unit being built to support the West Gippsland Hospital. The eight-bed unit will provide much needed capacity for the hospital.
Baw Baw Shire announced the “Visit Baw Baw” website as part of a campaign to attract tourists to the area from metropolitan Melbourne. Former AFL player and Baw Baw export Bob Murphy was an ambassador for the campaign.
Farmers in the area welcomed Woolworth’s decision to remove $1 milk from its shelves but said it was just the first step in securing fairer prices for dairy farmers.
March
March began under smoky skies as horrific weather conditions made a fire in the Bunyip State Forest difficult to fight. The 15000-ha fire impacted on 700 to 800 properties and 29 residential properties were lost. In all, 272 houses were saved. Jinks Creek winery in Tonimbuk was destroyed by the blaze. Agriculture Victoria reported the deaths of eight cattle, three alpacas and 35 hens.
Following the fires, many residents who protected their own home were critical of policies not allowing them to return once they left to get supplies.
The southern section of Smith Street was finally converted to one-way traffic under a $1.5 million streetscape project designed to improve traffic flow and provide a more pedestrian friendly CBD. The response from residents was mixed, with a petition signed by more than 1000 people calling on council to reverse the changes.
Hot weather and the nearby fires resulted in fireworks and some horse events to be cancelled at the Warragul Show. The combination contributed to lower crowd numbers at the annual event.
The owners of Gippy Goat Farm and café slammed the inadequacy of $1 fines handed down by the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court to activists who stole animals from the property. Six people were charged with the offence. Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood and Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath called on the state government to strengthen laws to protect farmers.
Audible gasps filled the clubrooms at NilmaDarnum when netballers learnt that a $900,000 grant meant a new pavilion and dedicated female changerooms. Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing announced the grant as well as $700,000 for the Neerim Recreation Reserve.
A new tourism campaign touting Gippsland as a “wonderland” was launched at Cannibal Creek Winery by Tourism Minister Martin Pakula. The state government approved $3.2 million to help Destination Gippsland promote the region and provide visitors with more opportunities to explore the area.
Crime increased significantly in Baw Baw for the 2018 calendar year. The Crime Statistics Agency figures showed that total offences in the Baw Baw police services area increased by 20 per cent. This increase was significantly higher than the state average.