50 years ago,
The Express, September 10, 1975
Mirboo bus stays
THE Morwell to Mirboo North bus service will be maintained as a result of a government decision to pay a subsidy to the bus operators, Mr Derek Amos said today. Mr Amos had made representations to the Minister of Transport seeking to keep the service in operation when falling patronage threatened to close the Morwell-Mirboo North link. Mr Amos said: “The closure of the Morwell-Mirboo North rail line by the government was sufficient reason to ensure the alternative public transport link was kept open. “Mirboo North’s ties with the Latrobe Valley should be strengthened by the existence of an assured transport link.”
30 years ago,
The Express, September 8, 1995
Morwell traders still oppose Mid valley expansion plan
MORWELL CBD traders this week reaffirmed their opposition to the proposed multi-million dollar Mid Valley Shopping Centre expansion. At a public meeting on Wednesday night, traders and landlords “overwhelmingly” supported a recommendation opposing the proposed expansion in the current economic climate. The stance is contrary to that of fellow traders group, Morwell Chamber of Commerce, that recently offered full support for the two-stage expansion. The 40 people who attended Wednesday’s meeting were briefed on the history of the expansion, from when the application was first lodged in January last year until the present time. Morwell Central committee coordinator, Frank Durbano, said the attendees were opposed to the proposed expansion for three reasons.
The economic impacts on the CBD;
The reduced potential the CBD would have to attract future investment, and;
The medium to long-term future of Morwell would be better served with a “vibrant and active” CBD. The committee admitted they were not totally against an expansion, but the timing of such a development. “We are only opposed to the proposal currently on the table,” he said
10 years ago,
The Express, September 17, 2015
Boolarra police presence ‘adequate’
THE Boolarra community is without a full-time police presence, despite having its own dedicated station. The town of more than 500 residents is currently being serviced out of the Churchill Police Station, while Latrobe’s police inspector has reassured the public the arrangement is ‘adequate’. The Express understands the officer-in-charge of the one-person station went on extended leave around April, and was initially covered by another officer. Victoria Police imposed new guidelines in May requiring police not to work alone, and the Churchill arrangement was brought in. Boolarra Post Office owner Gwenda Pither said she was grateful the town had “minimal crime”, but would like to see a daily police presence. She said while she could not speak for the whole town, some people said they “missed being able to go to the police station and talk to a cop”. “I think having a policeman in the area is an essential thing”, Ms Pither said. There has been a police station in Boolarra since 1908.
