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 The bulk of Cardinia Shire appears set to be absorbed by La Trobe MP Jason Wood after another landmark ruling by the Electoral Commission for Victoria (ECV).

Bunyip North, Garfield North, Maryknoll, Tonimbuk and Tynong North will now also fall inside the newly distributed seat, alongside Pakenham, Officer, Nar Nar Goon and the entire Ranges Ward.

The renaming of the controversial McMillan seat to Monash has also been upheld – despite a fight from Indigenous activists to have it titled Bunjileene-Purrine.

Monash MP Russell Broadbent will take responsibility for townships south of the Bunyip River, including Kooweerup, Bayles and Lang Lang.

It comes after the ECV on Wednesday announced the outcome of its deliberations, in response to community feedback and objections.

Mr Wood, who resides in Officer, has already begun meeting with residents in the Cardinia community to hear their concerns.

He highlighted congestion as a hot topic.

“One of the problems we have is that the infrastructure isn’t keeping up with the growth,” he said.

“I get annoyed when the State Government continually releases and rezones land when the infrastructure isn’t there to support it.

“I want to know what road and what rail projects people want me to get behind.”

Influenced by his tenure as a police officer, Mr Wood said he would also push for a joint task force in the south-east to combat youth gangs.

“We want to curb the violent youthful gangs because they end up in the prisons, and can end up working with the bikies in organised crime,” he said.

“The violence and home invasions committed need to stop”.

Redrawn electorate boundaries have historically factored into election results, particularly when key towns and cities are removed.

Mr Broadbent described the redistributions as bitter sweet.

“It was a no brainer that we’d lose some of Pakenham but I didn’t expect we’d lose all of it,” he said.

“We’ll be losing 36,000 people from the Monash-McMillan electorate.

“I’ve represented Pakenham for the whole time I’ve been in the electorate and watched this area change so remarkably that it is now a part of metropolitan Melbourne.

“You can’t be disappointed with re-distributions because you have no hand in their thinking.”

 The bulk of Cardinia Shire appears set to be absorbed by La Trobe MP Jason Wood after another landmark ruling by the Electoral Commission for Victoria (ECV). Bunyip North, Garfield North, Maryknoll, Tonimbuk and Tynong North will now also fall inside the newly distributed seat, alongside Pakenham, Officer, Nar Nar Goon and the entire Ranges Ward. The renaming of the controversial McMillan seat to Monash has also been upheld – despite a fight from Indigenous activists to have it titled Bunjileene-Purrine. Monash MP Russell Broadbent will take responsibility for townships south of the Bunyip River, including Kooweerup, Bayles and Lang Lang. It comes after the ECV on Wednesday announced the outcome of its deliberations, in response to community feedback and objections. Mr Wood, who resides in Officer, has already begun meeting with residents in the Cardinia community to hear their concerns. He highlighted congestion as a hot topic. “One of the problems we have is that the infrastructure isn’t keeping up with the growth,” he said. “I get annoyed when the State Government continually releases and rezones land when the infrastructure isn’t there to support it. “I want to know what road and what rail projects people want me to get behind.” Influenced by his tenure as a police officer, Mr Wood said he would also push for a joint task force in the south-east to combat youth gangs. “We want to curb the violent youthful gangs because they end up in the prisons, and can end up working with the bikies in organised crime,” he said. “The violence and home invasions committed need to stop”. Redrawn electorate boundaries have historically factored into election results, particularly when key towns and cities are removed. Mr Broadbent described the redistributions as bitter sweet. “It was a no brainer that we’d lose some of Pakenham but I didn’t expect we’d lose all of it,” he said. “We’ll be losing 36,000 people from the Monash-McMillan electorate. “I’ve represented Pakenham for the whole time I’ve been in the electorate and watched this area change so remarkably that it is now a part of metropolitan Melbourne. “You can’t be disappointed with re-distributions because you have no hand in their thinking.”

 A planning oversight is allowing “overzealous” council officers to slug ratepayers with fines for parking in their own driveways.

Townhouses on Manna Row, Officer have been allocated just 1.5 metres of driveway space due to a bizarrely-placed footpath cutting through the front of their properties.

The issue has reportedly been exacerbated in recent weeks, with inspectors “targeting” the precinct.

When the Gazette visited Manna Row, six ratepayers said they had been fined for parking in “their own” driveways in the past three months alone.

They are also prohibited from parking four wheels on the adjacent nature strip – forcing them to leave their vehicles on a thin road beside a sudden turn, prone to hoon drivers.

Deborah Hughes has vowed to contest her $100 infringement, which she labelled “unjust” and “ludicrous”.

“This footpath has been placed in its location for no other reason than to revenue raise when shire funds are low,” she said.

“There is no legal, safe parking available for guests of residents living within Manna Row.

“The footpath is placed over the middle of the driveway and it’s not used by anybody except residents and guests.”

Approximately 20 properties on the Officer backstreet have the same design, leaving them susceptible to fines.

Jim Harper, who has lived on Manna Row for five years, said he has received three fines in the past six months.

Before then, he claims he never had an issue.

“For some reason the council has realised that they’ve got a goldmine here and they’ve come along fining everybody,” he said.

“Both of my neighbours have been fined, my son has been fined and I’ve been fined – they’re getting everybody out here.

“The real issue is that somebody’s car is going to be cleaned up while it sits on the road, and then who will be responsible.”

Cardinia Shire has reportedly informed the residents that parking across the footpath is an impediment for the local letter carrier, who has to navigate around the vehicles onto the road.

Residents hit with the fines are encouraged to use council’s dispute process if they believe the infringement was unfairly issued.

 

 A planning oversight is allowing “overzealous” council officers to slug ratepayers with fines for parking in their own driveways. Townhouses on Manna Row, Officer have been allocated just 1.5 metres of driveway space due to a bizarrely-placed footpath cutting through the front of their properties. The issue has reportedly been exacerbated in recent weeks, with inspectors “targeting” the precinct. When the Gazette visited Manna Row, six ratepayers said they had been fined for parking in “their own” driveways in the past three months alone. They are also prohibited from parking four wheels on the adjacent nature strip – forcing them to leave their vehicles on a thin road beside a sudden turn, prone to hoon drivers. Deborah Hughes has vowed to contest her $100 infringement, which she labelled “unjust” and “ludicrous”. “This footpath has been placed in its location for no other reason than to revenue raise when shire funds are low,” she said. “There is no legal, safe parking available for guests of residents living within Manna Row. “The footpath is placed over the middle of the driveway and it’s not used by anybody except residents and guests.” Approximately 20 properties on the Officer backstreet have the same design, leaving them susceptible to fines. Jim Harper, who has lived on Manna Row for five years, said he has received three fines in the past six months. Before then, he claims he never had an issue. “For some reason the council has realised that they’ve got a goldmine here and they’ve come along fining everybody,” he said. “Both of my neighbours have been fined, my son has been fined and I’ve been fined – they’re getting everybody out here. “The real issue is that somebody’s car is going to be cleaned up while it sits on the road, and then who will be responsible.” Cardinia Shire has reportedly informed the residents that parking across the footpath is an impediment for the local letter carrier, who has to navigate around the vehicles onto the road. Residents hit with the fines are encouraged to use council’s dispute process if they believe the infringement was unfairly issued.  

A 21-year-old Narre Warren man who drove on the wrong side of Churchill Park Road, Lysterfield with several drugs in his system and killed an oncoming driver has been jailed.

Jacob Braithwaite-Deegan was on his way to work when his Hilux crossed 1.5 metres over the centre line on the 70 km/h road and struck the front right side of the victim’s car, Victorian County Court judge Julie Condon said on 18 June.

There was no evidence of him speeding; neither driver had braked ahead of the crash shortly after 8.30am on 20 February 2017.

The other driver – a husband and father of two boys – died at the scene.

“By your actions you’ve caused loss of life,” Judge Condon told the accused.

“All too often courts are faced with the tragic consequences of young men such as yourself who fail to understand the potentially fatal ramifications of driving dangerously.”

In sentencing, Judge Condon said she had to deter other young men doing the same.

The wife was unable to console herself given the great hole left in her and her sons’ lives by the loss of her husband – who was her “best friend” and “rock”, Judge Condon said.

In her victim impact statement, she said part of her died on the day of the crash.

Braithwaite-Deegan pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and seven counts of drug trafficking, after police seized a variety of drugs as well as $39,588.50 from his car and home.

He was clearly trafficking drugs for profit, not just to support his habit, Judge Condon said.

Braithwaite-Deegan was heard to comment after the crash that he’d had a “big weekend” and was “really tired”, the court heard.

Another witness heard him say “I think I started dozing off”.

There was evidence of a “cocktail of drugs” in Braithwaite-Deegan’s blood samples – including MDMA, MDA, ketamine, and metabolites of cocaine.

There was not sufficient proof that the drugs were at a level that directly influenced his driving. However it was relevant to Braithwaite-Deegan’s moral culpability.

Another witness said she’d had to take evasive action to avoid Braithwaite-Deegan’s erratic driving shortly beforehand.

The accused appeared to be looking down, she told police.

Braithwaite-Deegan had no explanation for the crash. He told police he was “feeling just normal”, and honestly thought the other driver may have crashed into him, Judge Condon said.

The day after the crash, he was arrested and had since been in remand in adult prison.

There he demonstrated remorse, leadership qualities as a mentor and role-model, and a commitment to his drug rehabilitation.

He showed maturity in pleading guilty and not applying for bail but accepting his fate in custody, Judge Condon noted.

Braithwaite-Deegan, who had no prior convictions, was jailed for up to four-and-a-half years, with a 34 month non-parole period.

His term included 483 days in pre-sentence detention.

 

A 21-year-old Narre Warren man who drove on the wrong side of Churchill Park Road, Lysterfield with several drugs in his system and killed an oncoming driver has been jailed. Jacob Braithwaite-Deegan was on his way to work when his Hilux crossed 1.5 metres over the centre line on the 70 km/h road and struck the front right side of the victim’s car, Victorian County Court judge Julie Condon said on 18 June. There was no evidence of him speeding; neither driver had braked ahead of the crash shortly after 8.30am on 20 February 2017. The other driver – a husband and father of two boys – died at the scene. “By your actions you’ve caused loss of life,” Judge Condon told the accused. “All too often courts are faced with the tragic consequences of young men such as yourself who fail to understand the potentially fatal ramifications of driving dangerously.” In sentencing, Judge Condon said she had to deter other young men doing the same. The wife was unable to console herself given the great hole left in her and her sons’ lives by the loss of her husband – who was her “best friend” and “rock”, Judge Condon said. In her victim impact statement, she said part of her died on the day of the crash. Braithwaite-Deegan pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and seven counts of drug trafficking, after police seized a variety of drugs as well as $39,588.50 from his car and home. He was clearly trafficking drugs for profit, not just to support his habit, Judge Condon said. Braithwaite-Deegan was heard to comment after the crash that he’d had a “big weekend” and was “really tired”, the court heard. Another witness heard him say “I think I started dozing off”. There was evidence of a “cocktail of drugs” in Braithwaite-Deegan’s blood samples – including MDMA, MDA, ketamine, and metabolites of cocaine. There was not sufficient proof that the drugs were at a level that directly influenced his driving. However it was relevant to Braithwaite-Deegan’s moral culpability. Another witness said she’d had to take evasive action to avoid Braithwaite-Deegan’s erratic driving shortly beforehand. The accused appeared to be looking down, she told police. Braithwaite-Deegan had no explanation for the crash. He told police he was “feeling just normal”, and honestly thought the other driver may have crashed into him, Judge Condon said. The day after the crash, he was arrested and had since been in remand in adult prison. There he demonstrated remorse, leadership qualities as a mentor and role-model, and a commitment to his drug rehabilitation. He showed maturity in pleading guilty and not applying for bail but accepting his fate in custody, Judge Condon noted. Braithwaite-Deegan, who had no prior convictions, was jailed for up to four-and-a-half years, with a 34 month non-parole period. His term included 483 days in pre-sentence detention.