50 years ago

The Express, February 11, 1946

Trailbike riders worry police

CHURCHILL police are concerned with the increasing number of offences committed by trailbike riders. A spokesman said yesterday that more than 70 charges had been laid in the last eight months against children on trailbikes. “They are becoming a nuisance,” he said. Two youths, aged 16 years and a 17-year-old, faced a total of 17 charges at Morwell court last week relating to unlicensed driving of an unregistered motorbike, and a number of other minor traffic offences. The old youth was fined $150, and the two 16-year-olds were placed on 12-month bonds. Police said it costs $3 to register a trailbike and $15 to cover third-party insurance. “It’s just plain silly, it doesn’t cost them much to ride legally.” “Why ride on the roads anyway when the Housing Commission has provided two scramble tracks at Churchill?”

30 years ago

The Express, February 13, 1996

Prison work on schedule

CONSTRUCTION work on the site of the Fulham prison is on schedule. According to National Party MLA for Gippsland South, Peter Ryan, it is already offering “significant benefits” to the Gippsland community. “The consortium is well and truly on track to have the construction contract finished within its proposed timeframe of July 1887,” Mr Ryan said after an inspection of the site. “Indeed, at the current rate of progress, the facility will be commissioned by about April next year.” Mr Ryan said the construction program had already offered many jobs for the Gippsland region.

10 years ago

The Express, February 11, 2016

Date set for Morwell Main Drain appeal

THE Morwell Main Drain ownership battle between the Hazelwood Power Partnership and Latrobe City Council will be heard in the Court of Appeal on 18 March. Despite a Supreme Court of Victoria decision in favour of Latrobe City in December last year, the partnership is maintaining that the main drain is a public entry. Three judges will adjudicate the appeal hearing, expected to finish that day. After which, the justices will adjourn to consider their decision. Latrobe City chief executive Gary Van Driel has vowed to continue advocating for the community. “We will argue in support of the Supreme Court judgement which held that the Morwell Main Drain, and the potential $100 million liability it carries is … the responsibility of the mine and not the people of Latrobe Valley,” Mr Van Driel said.