50 flee gas leak
Fifty people were evacuated from houses and businesses in Werribee’s Lock Avenue after a gas leak on Sunday afternoon. Firefighters closed the street about 4pm and the incident was controlled shortly before 6.30pm. Paramedics attended but nobody needed medical attention.
link roads to be built early
Roads linking Wyndham’s west with the Princes Freeway will be built earlier than expected after the council supported a development plan for the area. The Wyndham West Development Control Plan covers a 700-hectare parcel of land that includes areas soon to be developed in sections of Mambourin, Wyndham Vale and Werribee West. It includes a road linking Ballan Road to the Princes Freeway, via Armstrong and Ison roads.
objections halt 23 homes
An application for 23 double and triple-storey houses on land in Werribee’s Wattle Avenue has been rejected by Wyndham council after it received 91 objections. The council said the development would affect the heritage of the area, did not include sufficient parking and was not in keeping with neighbourhood character.
plaza work kicks off
Work has started on the redevelopment of Werribee Plaza. Construction of a new dining and entertainment precinct began last Wednesday. The redevelopment will create 400 construction and 1500 retail jobs and expand the centre’s size by more than 35,000 square metres. The redeveloped plaza will be known as Pacific Werribee.
smoke banned at kids’ sport
New laws banning smoking at public playgrounds, skate parks, swimming pools and sporting venues during underage sporting events came into effect on Monday. People caught flouting the laws can be fined $144. They were introduced by the state government to limit children’s exposure to tobacco smoke.
help for would-be artists
Budding Wyndham artists looking to sculpt a new career for themselves are being invited to take part in a new mentoring program. The Art Paths program offers people the opportunity to be mentored by experienced artists. Eligible participants will receive a one-hour session with one of the council’s experienced arts and culture staff, with ongoing mentoring available. Details: experiencewyndham.com.au/artsculture/art_paths
