A balance between nature and neighbourhood it set to be struck as Whittlesea council gives the green light to a major rezoning proposal that promises both new homes and lush open spaces the council unanimously passed a motion to rezone 21 hectares of land across 307 Bridge Inn Road and 390 Masons Road The decision will allow for the construction of up to 200 new homes and a retirement village with an aged care facility– while also delivering a massive 35 hectares of parkland to the community Councillor Jarrod Lappin hailed the move as a “win-win” for Mernda celebrating both the boost to local housing supply and the expansion of the beloved Quarry Hills Parkland “I think it’s a very well thought out amendment and a really good policy for Mernda,” he said “I know some residents were concerned about traffic and noise This is great news for the community as a whole.” Councillor Deb Gunn also praised the integration of the Parkland expansion into the city’s long-term planning vision “This is going to be great for Whittlesea,” she said “The expansion of Quarry Hills fits beautifully into the master plan The development will see one parcel used for the housing project and the other for the retirement village the significant parkland transfer to council ownership marks a bold step in preserving green space amid Mernda’s ongoing growth Councillor Blair Colwell backed the officer’s recommendation the Quarry Hills Regional Recreation Park is expected to grow a staggering 1000 hectares by 2040 “The 21 hectares of urban development will provide-much needed housing and promote innovative urban design,” he said “We’re doing our bit to ensure housing supply– hopefully easing housing prices and opening the door for young and first home buyers.” The Regional Sports Precinct in Mernda will provide multipurpose sports courts to help meet the growing demand for quality sporting facilities across the region The City of Whittlesea is committed to helping improve the health and wellbeing of its residents by providing safe accessible and conveniently located sporting and recreation facilities Regular physical activity among people of all ages is known to increase happiness reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve social connections A lack of inclusive and purpose-built facilities is a deterrent to participation whose involvement in organised sport is about half that of males The Regional Sports Precinct in Mernda will feature a number of multipurpose courts catering to netball Construction of the sports courts component of the regional sports precinct in Mernda will soon begin after the awarding of a $42.14 million contract The City of Whittlesea awarded the contract for the second stage of works to its preferred tenderer at the Council Meeting on 18 March 2025 The contract provides for the construction of four indoor and eight outdoor sports courts as well as a range of supporting infrastructure for players and staff This includes facilities such as bathrooms For more information on this exciting development, visit the page Contract drives regional sports precinct project forward Work is progressing to prepare the site for the construction of the indoor stadium and outdoor netball courts levelling the ground and preparing the site for installation of sewer These preliminary works are being completed in advance of Council calling for tenders in 2025 for the facility’s construction The Regional Sports Precinct will be built on land at Plenty Road in Mernda As part of the Regional Sports Precinct development Everton Drive will be extended about 100 metres east to connect to Plenty Road will not only help ease congestion around Mernda but provide access to the sports precinct in Everton Drive Work on the extension and intersection began in early April 2024 and is expected to take about 12 months For more information about the Plenty Road-Everton Drive intersection project, go to the Plenty Road-Everton Drive intersection page the Victorian Government committed $10 million in Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution funding to deliver Regional Sports Precinct-related transport infrastructure project.  These include not only the design and construction of the Everton Drive-Plenty Road extension and intersection but a roundabout at the intersection of Everton Drive and Sissinghurst Parade a new entrance into the precinct from Plenty Road and an internal access road.  On 4 September 2024, City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd and Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage MP turned the ceremonial first sod on the transport projects. Read the media release, Projects to provide easy access to Regional Sports Precinct we approved a concept design for the Regional Sports Precinct’s indoor stadium and outdoor netball facilities The concept design provides for four indoor multipurpose courts and up to eight outdoor netball courts wetlands development and the installation of associated supporting infrastructure at the site The new courts will help to boost participation rates across a number of sports and reduce the need for residents to travel outside the municipality On 30 August 2024, City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd was joined by Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage MP to turn the first sod on the construction of the indoor stadium. Read the media release, Sporting precinct a game-changer for region Construction of the Regional Sports Precinct will be staged to allow for other facilities The provision of aquatic and leisure facilities is dependent on further consideration of the financial implications including any available state and/or federal government funding Council’s Active Whittlesea Strategy 2019-2028 outlines some of the health and wellbeing challenges facing residents in the City of Whittlesea accessible and purpose-built sporting facilities is a known barrier to people engaging in physical activity The Regional Sports Precinct in Mernda will help improve the quality of life among the region’s residents by providing a place where people of all backgrounds Council established a community stakeholder reference group in early 2024 to provide feedback throughout the Regional Sports Precinct’s design process The group included representatives from Netball Victoria a local netball association and a local school as well as a local resident and CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) advocate to ensure the facility met the needs of the broader community Some residents might know the Regional Sports Precinct by its previous name ‘Regional Aquatic and Sports Centre’ We just adopted a new working title in March 2024 We will consider a permanent name for the precinct in the future The Federal Government has committed $10 million from its Thriving Suburbs Program towards the cost of the indoor stadium and $1.5 million from its Play Our Way Program towards the outdoor netball courts The State Government has made an election commitment of $10 million towards the indoor stadium and contributed $10 million from its Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution fund towards transport infrastructure The City of Whittlesea is committed to providing the sport and recreation facilities its growing population needs to live healthy and active lives Netball and basketball are two of the largest participation sports in the municipality the demand for courts currently outstrips supply many players are choosing to play in competitions held in neighbouring municipalities Demand is only expected to increase as the population of the City of Whittlesea’s northern communities grows fit-for-purpose sports court precinct at Mernda will help to meet this demand and increase participation Council has approved a concept design providing for four indoor multipurpose sports courts and up to eight outdoor netball courts The final number of courts will be dependent on the level of funding available The courts will be made available to local sporting organisations primary and high schools and community members A detailed programming schedule will be formulated closer to the precinct’s opening Community consultation conducted in 2020 showed that residents would value having access to swimming facilities in addition to the indoor and outdoor multipurpose courts Council has since explored options that would include sports courts and aquatic facilities Council endorsed a business case for the construction of the new regional precinct which included plans for multipurpose courts and a 50-metre pool The project has been staged to allow for it to be built as funding is secured for each part of the project Council is reliant on Federal and State Government funding to build this project which has been costed in excess of $180 million So far Council has been promised $10 million from the Victorian Government’s Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution fund towards the construction of road infrastructure including the Everton Drive intersection upgrade Council has also received $10 million for sports courts from the Victorian Government with another $10 million flagged for future aquatics Council has begun ground works on the site and will build the sports courts Detailed design work will be undertaken on the possibility of including aquatic and leisure facilities A report will then come to Council for consideration in the 2025-26 financial year outlining the fiscal implications including any state and/or federal government funding either committed or available to apply for The extension of Everton Drive and resultant intersection at Plenty Road is required to improve traffic flow around Mernda and provide access to the future Regional Sports Precinct The extension was identified in both the Mernda Strategy Plan (2004) and Everton Gardens Development Plan as necessary to manage traffic flow as Mernda’s population grows Work on the Plenty Road-Everton Drive intersection started in early April 2024 The works are expected to last about 12 months The roadworks will affect a section of Plenty Road about 100 metres north of Bridge Inn Road through to Station Road Plenty Road will remain open for the duration of the works motorists can expect changed traffic conditions Council recommends motorists plan ahead and allow extra time to complete their journey Residents in Everton Drive and surrounding streets will continue to have full access to their properties for the duration of the works After the Plenty Road-Everton Drive intersection is complete a roundabout will be constructed at the intersection of Everton Drive and Sissinghurst Parade which will be the subject of a separate tender process will provide vehicles with access to the Regional Sports Precinct There will also be a new entrance to the precinct from Plenty Road and an internal access road constructed More information about this project will be communicated in due course Receive our newsletter to keep up to date with progress updates and information on the Regional Sports Precinct Subscribe now Regional Sports Precinct progress October 2024 Regional Sports Precinct progress April 2025 We recognise the rich Aboriginal heritage of this country and acknowledge the Wurundjeri Willum Clan and Taungurung People as the Traditional Owners of lands within the City of Whittlesea More ways to contact us Subscribe to our eNewsletters to stay up to date on what is happening near you Subscribe to eNews Thumbprint artwork by Mandy Nicholson Record ANZAC crowds New Mayor appointed Remembering ANZAC Residents invited for budget feedback Mobile pledge towards Whittlesea Where to vote: Whittlesea CCTV promise for Whittlesea 2026 Prep enrolments now open Magpies record first win Eagles back on track Laurimar powers past Demons Kilmore stay perfect Wallan treks to the coast Kilmore clips Hawks’ wings Len Baker’s Sulky Snippets: April 29, 2025 From the Boundary with Ray Carroll: April 29, 2025 The Johnsons Road Residential Development in Mernda is poised for a transformative leap forward thanks to a Federal Government housing boost One of five areas to receive fast-tracked housing through the government’s Housing Support Program other areas include the Calder Highway in Marong The $35.8 million investment will enable infrastructure such as those for roads unlocking up to 3149 more homes across the state and additionally supporting access to social housing Situated at the end of the Mernda train line the government will invest $7.1 million in the City of Whittlesea to enable the establishment of 35 new housing lots through new road and civil infrastructure City of Whittlesea Mayor Councillor Aidan McLindon welcomed the funding “The City of Whittlesea welcomes this critical $7.1 million investment in the Johnsons Road residential development in Mernda,” he said “This funding will deliver essential infrastructure to support 35 housing lots providing much-needed homes close to schools “This project is an exciting step forward in addressing housing supply and creating vibrant connected communities in our municipality.” The development is located near existing services and schools which will also feature the urbanisation of Johnsons Road and the establishment of shared paths and Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell met with City of Whittlesea Councillor Jarrod Lappin to make the announcement last Thursday at the Mernda site Ms King said the housing would support the Mernda community “It is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the amenities that are here in this district … it’s really a substantial investment in bringing more housing lots to market,” she said “[What we found] is that because of the costs of some of this infrastructure … those lots are just not being released for housing at all so this will bring those 35 lots to market very quickly.” Mr Mitchell stated that the announcement represented a collaborative effort aimed at unlocking the potential for more homes “We’re all working together to build better communities,” he said “We’re actually about building Australia’s future Today’s announcement … is something that is so important about helping unlock the housing crisis that we inherited when we came together.” said the project would drive positive growth in the area © The North Central Review Pty Ltd The Mernda Junior Football Club is seeking Under 9’s and Under 10’s footballers for the upcoming 2025 season the club is seeking both Under 9’s and Under 10’s players to help fill teams for the upcoming campaign All skill levels are welcome with no experience necessary making it a perfect opportunity to come and try out the game For more information, please see the below flyer, or contact secretary.junior@merndafc.com.au The South Morang Football Netball Club is seeking Under 13 and Under 14 boys’ junior footballers for the upcoming season Keon Park Stars JFC are still seeking Under 11 Junior Football players (born in 2014 and 2015) for the upcoming 2025 season The Reservoir Sporting Club is seeking senior women’s players to join their side ahead of the 2025 season © Copyright 2023 Northern Football Netball League Seven bidders vied to secure 38 Lucca Walk A family cried tears of joy when their Mernda investment property sold for well above price expectations on the weekend The three-bedroom townhouse at 38 Lucca Walk was listed with a $475,000-$530,000 asking range but ended up selling for $609,000 on Saturday Ray White Wollert’s Hayden Assaad said that seven bidders drove the price upwards in an auction that included $500 bids RELATED: Feng Shui frenzy: Bidders fight for Mernda home at auction Auctions: Eight bidders push young couple’s Mernda home thousands above reserve Melbourne real estate: The latest auction and sales results for week ending March 16 with most of the bidders consisting of other first-home buyers and investors Mr Assad said that the owners were stunned by the auction’s end result ‘Never in a million years did we expect to get this’,” Mr Assaad said “The wife mentioned her husband recently brought a $5000 bicycle and was feeling guilty and he doesn’t need to feel guilty anymore.” And they are also thinking about taking a holiday while their daughter has requested a Coach bag A dishwasher and a tiled floor are among the kitchen’s features The home is set on a 200sq m block of land downstairs powder room and main bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe Each of the other two bedrooms have a walk-in wardrobe split system heating and cooling and ducted heating The residence is close to the Mernda Junction shopping centre “One of the main attractions was that the home faces a reserve,” Mr Assaad added a double-car garage and a large living area.” A green view from the living area to outside There’s a central bathroom and also an ensuite off the main bedroom He said that abodes in his region occasionally soared above their expected price range but it was certainly not a common occurrence “Every now and then you do get a run away auction with lots of buyers,” he said a Lalor unit with a $550,000-$600,000 asking range sold for $691,000 when seven bidders competed for the keys when the Reserve Bank of Australia had lowered the nation’s official cash rate in February – prompting most banks to lower their interest rates – he had noted a few more homes 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Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Australia Post Glenroy site sells for $3.3 million Blue Heelers: Williamstown house that was used as series’ police station passes in at auction French Provincial Wandin North mansion with private dam, ‘nightclub’ room listed for $3.7m third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. An already strong Mernda line up has received a couple of late boosts with two key signings weeks out from the Northern Football League division 3 season The Demons announced the signing of Lachie Evans and Nick Gregson for this season The pair had been playing with Burnside Heights in the Essendon District Football League but decided to depart the club after it was penalised for being over the salary cap Demons coach Robert Fletcher said the signing of the pair was icing on the cake “They are a couple of good signings,” he said “We were always in with a slim chance to get Lachie as his brother plays with Mernda “They’ve been talking about them playing together before I think their mum is more excited than them won the NFL division 3 best and fairest award in 2023 before finishing third in the EDFL division 2 best and fairest last year Gregson has previously played with Reservoir in the NFL with a career including more than 200 games and 330 goals Fletcher thought they were in a good position before the recent signings of the pair “We were pretty confident with where we were.” “Billy Morrison was the best player in the competition two years before a knee injury He didn’t do much last year and he will be massive for us “Nipper [Brent] Marshall struggled last year with injury as well The recruits have been pretty good as well.” Also pushing for senior spots will be a number of younger players The Demons under-19s made finals last year who won the under-19s club best and fairest last season is the one leading the way to take that next step Fletcher said they wanted to ensure that they would be in the mix come the pointy end of the season again “We want to qualify for that and go from there The Demons have one last practice match against Panton Hill before a round one match up against old rival Epping on April 5 We're extending Everton Drive to create a new intersection at Plenty Road The intersection will help to ease congestion around Mernda and provide access to the future regional sports precinct The first stage of the regional sports precinct development involves the extension of Everton Drive about 100 metres east to connect to Plenty Road will help to improve traffic flow around Mernda and provide access via Everton Drive to the future regional sports precinct.  The extension was identified in both the Mernda Strategy Plan (2004) and Everton Gardens Development Plan as necessary to manage traffic as Mernda grows.  The contract for construction of the intersection was awarded at the Council Meeting on 19 December 2023 and construction started in April 2024 Construction was temporarily paused in September 2024 to enable some design issues to be sorted with the Department of Transport and Planning is expected to be completed in early March 2025 will commence after the first stage is finished It is expected the intersection will be finished in mid-2025 The new Plenty Road-Everton Drive intersection is the first stage of the regional sports precinct development.   Learn more about the regional sports precinct The State Government has contributed $10 million from its Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution fund towards transport infrastructure for the Regional Sports Precinct about 100 metres north of Bridge Inn Road through to Station Road.  to keep workers and road users safe.  with the contractor required to engage in mitigation measures which will be detailed in its traffic management plan.  as will property owners in Station Road.  More information will be communicated to residents once the contractor completes a traffic management plan.  a roundabout will be constructed at the intersection of Everton Drive and Sissinghurst Parade.  will provide vehicles with access to the regional sports precinct.  Engaged couple Trent and Melissa had plenty of reasons to celebrate the sale of their Mernda investment property Not only did the four-bedroom house at 5 Hanley St sell for tens of thousands above their reserve but the pair are planning to put the money towards their upcoming wedding and honeymoon and possibly another investment home in the future RELATED: Grim figure shows how Melbourne has fallen behind Adelaide Aus already 74k homes behind schedule, $3bn in jeopardy Areas where Melbourne homebuyers stay the longest revealed Trent said he and Melissa originally purchased the house in 2021 Mernda sold after eight bidders registered for it at auction and that the fourth bedroom could be turned into a study or living area,” Trent said it’s pretty close to the train station and the nearby shops.” and said they “knuckled down and saved up for a couple of years” before buying the house “We tried not to go out too much,” Trent said “We both work full time and tried to save as much as we could.” They ended up also purchasing another Mernda house that they moved into and decided to sell the Hanley St house as their 2025 wedding date approached Trent said he and Melissa felt a bit anxious in the lead-up to their auction but were “ecstatic” when the home sold MORE: Victoria’s loan value increases $15,000 in a year as prices fall 15 Melbourne suburbs where buyers could score a post-auction bargain Max Walker’s ‘grotty mancave’ turned into secret speakeasy Ray White Mernda director and auctioneer John Metaxas said eight bidders registered for the auction a sum that was a substantial $46,000 above the $680,000 reserve they were both working so they had three friends there on the phone The main living room flows through to the back yard Mr Metaxas said that he was seeing a lot of investment properties being put up for sale at the moment as a result of increased land taxes – introduced by the Victorian government in January – and tightened rental sector regulation because it is giving young people and first-home buyers a chance to buy,” he said there are all these rentals that are no longer available.” MORE: Victorian home renos: Owners paying near-record sums to overhaul their properties Investor exodus: Melb has most homes for sale since 2018, after flood of new Aug listings Jeremy Renner’s $19m ‘Star Trek’ recovery home for sale The Mernda Football Netball Club is seeking new players to add to its senior women’s side ahead of the 2025 season Joining the NFNL as a senior women’s side in 2018 the Demons have made finals in the previous two campaigns reaching a Division 3 grand final in 2022 and a Division 2 semi-final in 2023 please contact Jason on 0407 117 644 or Glenn on 0423 470 151 Whittlesea council has moved to place heritage protection on an important piece of the region’s history so that it can be retained and used into the future councillors voted to seek ministerial approval to place a heritage overlay on a Victorian villa from circa 1891 at 1470 Plenty Road The house is known to be one of the first substantial homes built in Mernda following the opening of the Whittlesea railway in 1889 An independent heritage assessment concluded the house which was home to Mernda’s first resident doctor had “particular aesthetic significance as a late Victorian villa” Notable features include the ornate rendered chimneys decorated eaves and small arched niches on the facade Council has applied for interim heritage protection to ensure the house is protected while the process to apply permanent heritage controls is undertaken Council will also request authorisation from the planning minister to commence a process to apply a permanent heritage overlay on the house and part of the property residents and other interested parties will have the opportunity to review the heritage overlay proposal and make submissions to council Mayor Aidan McLindon said it was important council celebrated its built heritage and integrated these significant places into future neighbourhoods “Over the years this house has been home to Mernda’s earliest medical figures and later served as the Mernda Methodist Church’s first parsonage from about 1918 until 1977,” he said “To protect that significant piece of cultural history is important for our future communities and that is why council voted to pursue a heritage overlay over this significant house.” The City of Whittlesea’s largest ever social infrastructure project is officially underway after the first sod was turned on the Regional Sports Precinct in Mernda City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd joined State Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage MP to mark the milestone at the Everton Drive site on Friday 30 August The precinct will feature an indoor stadium consisting of four multi-purpose sports courts shared paths and areas for passive recreation most notably for netball but also other court-based sports has been rapidly increasing as the City’s population has grown many residents must travel considerable distances outside the Municipality to play their chosen sports The precinct will not only provide existing participants with facilities closer to home but also encourage new participants to take up a sport Mr Lloyd said the Regional Sports Precinct was an investment in the health and wellbeing of the region “The precinct will give residents of all ages and abilities the opportunity to play the sports they love in first-class facilities close to home,” he said “The City of Whittlesea is committed to helping residents live active and healthy lifestyles and the provision of purpose-built facilities is an important part of that “This is an exciting project that will have tremendous physical and mental health benefits for not just residents living in the north but for the whole region.” Council awarded a tender for preliminary earthworks to be carried out at the Everton Drive site in preparation for the construction of the indoor stadium and outdoor netball courts These works included the removal of rocks and site levelling installation of retaining walls and creation of a wetland in the southern part of the block An extension of Everton Drive to create a new traffic light-controlled intersection at Plenty Road is expected to be opened in mid-2025 The intersection will provide motorists with safe and convenient access to the precinct and help to reduce traffic congestion in the area The Regional Sports Precinct is supported by funding from the Victorian Government For more information about the project, visit our Regional Sports Precinct web page. Discover unique creations crafted by the talented young members of our community at the Mini-Makers Market This vibrant event showcases a wide array of items Enjoy a delightful day out with activities for all ages including a sausage sizzle and free face painting It's the perfect opportunity to support local talent and connect with your community Come and be a part of this fantastic community event Kindergartens host information events each year This gives you the chance to speak with kindergarten teachers and learn about the quality programs on offer throughout the municipality please contact your local kindergartens directly.  Below is a list of kindergartens by suburb holding their Open Day on Thursday Kool Kidz Mill Park – 49 Oleander Drive Below is a list of kindergartens by suburb holding their Open Day on Saturday Works have begun at the Regional Sports Precinct in Mernda the precinct is Whittlesea’s largest-ever social infrastructure project The precinct will include an indoor stadium with four multi-purpose courts Whittlesea council chief executive Craig Lloyd and Yan Yean MP Lauren Kathage were at the Everton Drive site on August 30 to celebrate the beginning of the works Mr Lloyd said the Regional Sports Precinct will benefit the health of the community “The precinct will give residents of all ages and abilities the opportunity to play the sports they love in first-class facilities close to home,” he said “The City of Whittlesea is committed to helping residents live active and healthy lifestyles and the provision of purpose-built facilities is an important part of that “This is an exciting project that will have tremendous physical and mental health benefits for not just residents living in the north but for the whole region.” council awarded a tender for preliminary earthworks to begin at the Everton Drive site in preparation for the precinct to be built installation of retaining walls and creation of a wetland in the southern part of the block were a part of the works that were undertaken Everton Drive will also be extended to create a new The Regional Sports Precinct is supported by funding from the state government Details: whittlesea.vic.gov.au/About-us/Projects/Current-projects/Regional-sports-precinct-in-Mernda Mernda Hills Christian College can now make use of the newly completed Middle School building which was completed in July Officially opened this month by Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell the new building supports the school’s secondary students featuring eight new classrooms with interactive screens and large windows that capture the surrounding Mernda hills The facility also includes breakout spaces for individual learning and group activities and a light-filled staff room with a fully equipped kitchen Lorden Vella and Kneeler Design Architects brought the project to life Principal Kristin Hankins emphasised the school’s excitement of the new building “This completed build is one of the steps in our five year strategic plan to provide exceptional educational opportunities and foster a vibrant school community,” she said “We are excited about the positive impact this facility has on the learning opportunities for our students as well as being part of our vision to create a Christ-centred environment where every student can thrive.” Mr Mitchell said work on the development project was delivered with support of Australian Government funding of $1.2 million through the Capital Grants Program “A lot of work has gone into this project which has delivered general learning areas “These new facilities will provide school staff teachers and students at Mernda Hills Christian College with better “The Australian Government is committed to providing all schools with appropriate funding so that all students including those at Mernda Hills Christian College Mr Mitchell said the new facilities would benefit the students currently at Mernda Hills as well as the many students who will follow in future years staff and students at Mernda Hills Christian College have built a strong and positive school community and these new facilities will further enhance our local educational opportunities,” he said “The Albanese Government strongly believes in providing the best possible resources so that local students can realise their potential and develop the skills they need to go on to further study or to find a job.” Mernda Town Centre’s new library has been a hit with locals with nearly 30,000 visitors in the first few months Located at the shopping centre next to Mernda Station the library has welcomed 1600 members with more than 33,000 items burrowed since its opening on January 22 2024 Whittlesea council chair administrator Lydia Wilson who formally opened the library at an event on July 18 “Libraries play a crucial role in promoting literacy They also offer an opportunity for a free activity in these times of cost-of-living pressures,” Ms WIlson said The library’s location has been credited in its success enabling people to visit while they do shopping attend medical appointments or catch public transport Self-checkout and click and collect services make the burrowing process user friendly The Mernda Library joins the existing library services in the City of Whittlesea which include branches in Lalor as well as a library hub at Galada Community Centre in Epping the City of Whittlesea conducted a review of its library services to meet the demands of a growing community Library visits are projected to increase in the coming years To meet the growing demand for library services plans are under way to open a new hub at the Kirrip Community Centre in Wollert and a mini-branch at Donnybrook’s Murnong Community Centre by 2025 The Victorian Government is removing the level crossings at Oakover Road and building new Bell and Preston stations Around 82,000 vehicles pass through these level crossings on the Mernda line each day with the boom gates down for up to 40% of the morning peak These level crossings will be removed by raising the rail line over the roads by the end of 2022 The new open space being delivered under the 2km rail bridge will be ready for locals to enjoy in 2023 Following the success of the Reservoir Level Crossing Removal Project we will use the same innovative ‘monopiling’ technique to build the new rail bridges As with any major construction this can result in noise and vibration Read on for more information on how we’ll build the new elevated rail and what to expect The Mernda line has unique constraints as it cannot close for longer than 12 consecutive days due to a requirement for trains to regularly access the Epping maintenance yard The team will build most of the city-bound rail bridge with little disruption to train services Monopiling is ideal for Preston’s soil and rock material and low groundwater table Traditional rail bridge foundations consist of a cluster of small diameter piles below ground topped with a larger concrete ‘pile cap’ to support each bridge column and no pile cap – which lessens time and labour There are 3 different piles to be installed for the foundations of the 2 rail bridges at Preston the rest of the bridge and elevated station structure will take shape above ground for everyone to see Bridge piers are the upright support for a structure At Preston you will see 114 piers installed to support the structure of the 2 rail bridges and the new Bell and Preston stations are made up of 2 L-shaped beams installed on top of the headstocks The 2 beams are joined with concrete to form a U-shape At Preston 232 L-shaped beams will be joined to form 116 U-troughs – this will become the base where we lay the train tracks and ballast The graphic opposite shows you what you’ll see as construction on the new rail bridges and 2 stations continues in Preston therefore during the construction of the rail bridges and new stations at times we’ll need to close the Mernda line The closures will be no longer than 12 consecutive days we will close Bell and Preston stations for a period of time to create a safe environment for the project workforce and community while we complete the rail bridge and build sections of the new modern stations trains will operate on one single track between Thornbury and stations We’ll be out to the community with more information closer to the date there will be changes to the way you travel Register for SMS updates by texting PRESTON on 0428 581 917 The rail bridges will require 114 piers with 116 U-troughs The project team monitors noise and vibration levels to make sure they are within the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) noise control guidelines At times we’ll need to work during the night we’ll provide you with plenty of notice Our relocation team will work individually with impacted residents to provide detailed information about the relocation process and to discuss their needs If you believe the works are too noisy and affecting your ability to sleep, please call a member of the project team on 1800 105 105 At times we will close sections of the Mernda Line We’ll provide you with plenty of notice before any closures Trains have returned to the Mernda Line and are now running on 2 rail bridges over Keon Parade following seven days of 24/7 works on the rail line As buses replaced trains on sections of the Mernda Line construction crews finished work on the concrete bridge structure removed the old rail tracks and boom gates and continued work on the new Keon Park Station platform The team also connected the new section of track to the existing Mernda Line at either end The Keon Parade level crossing removal team would like to thank everyone for their patience over the past week commuters on replacement buses were offered tasty treats like muffins donuts and brownies from local Keon Parade suppliers Johnson Street Cafe and Bean & Gone drive through coffee hungry workers on site munched their way through more than 200 burgers from Harding Burgers and Bam Bams 75 curries from Curry Capers and 75 fish and chip lunch packs from Rocky and Paula’s Fish and Chips on Johnson Street Work will now continue on the road surface at Keon Parade as crews remove rail infrastructure resurface the road and complete line marking Please allow extra time when travelling through the area The brand-new Keon Park Station will open to passengers in late June providing better access and improved connections to local neighbourhoods is proving popular with close to 30,000 visitors attending the library Located at the shopping centre and next to Mernda Station Self-checkout stations and a handy ‘Click and Collect’ service make borrowing books easy and convenient with more than 33,000 items borrowed since its opening on January 22 The new Mernda Library is an addition to the existing library service in the municipality that includes branches in Lalor as well as a library hub at Galada Community Centre in Epping Council organised a review of its library services to meet the demands of a growing community which confirmed visits to libraries across the municipality are projected to increase significantly in coming years To meet the growing demand for library services additional plans are underway to open a new hub at the Kirrip Community Centre in Wollert and a mini branch at Donnybrook’s Murnong Community Centre by 2025 City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson highlighted the importance of libraries in a community “Libraries play a crucial role in promoting literacy and inclusive spaces for our community,” she said “They also offer an opportunity for a free activity in these times of cost-of-living pressures.” Ms Wilson also commented on the prime location stating it allowed people to visit the library while they were already out and about doing shopping “Libraries serve as the cornerstone of a thriving community benefiting people of all ages and cultural backgrounds It’s heart-warming to see how the community has embraced the Mernda Library,” she said the library operates from Monday to Saturday For more information or to become a member, visit www.yprl.vic.gov.au This is probably not the page you’re looking for A visit to the library has never been easier with the new Mernda Library set to open in a busy shopping centre just metres from a train station The Mernda Library will open the doors of its purpose-built space at the Mernda Town Centre to the public from 9.30am on Monday The convenient location means users will be able to fit in a trip to the library around their regular errands The library contains a wide collection of books and other resources There is also a ‘Click and Collect’ service whereby members can order items from the library’s catalogue either online or in person and arrange to pick them up from the library delivered by Council’s partner Yarra Plenty Regional Library Corporation City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said libraries had evolved over the years to become more than just places to borrow books from “Libraries provide a range of educational recreational and social services that have benefits for residents of all ages and backgrounds,” she said “We’ve seen significant demand for library services in the City of Whittlesea and Mernda Library reflects our commitment to meeting the needs of residents of all ages and cultural backgrounds The Mernda Library will join a network that includes branch libraries at Lalor residents are served by a library hub at Galada Community Centre in Epping and a soon-to-open library hub in the Kirrip Community Centre in Wollert Last year the City of Whittlesea conducted a review of its library services to ensure it could meet the demands of a growing community The number of visits to libraries in the City of Whittlesea is expected to grow from 489,000 in 2022-23 to 550,000 in 2023-24 For more information about the Mernda Library or to become a member, go to www.yprl.vic.gov.au A new facility serving communities in the north is helping the City of Whittlesea meet the complex needs of an ageing population which was officially opened on Thursday 9 November is hosting a range of programs to assist older residents improve their physical and mental health The $2.69 million facility was built in response to a surge in demand for support for older residents in the growing suburbs of Mernda and Doreen the facility features three activity rooms outdoor barbecue areas and accessible amenities The City of Whittlesea is currently offering dementia and memory and social connection sessions out of the centre Among the accredited allied healthcare providers using the facility St Vincent’s Health is delivering its Healthy Ageing service supporting the mental health and wellbeing of older adults Merri Health is also using the centre to deliver Commonwealth Home Support Program physiotherapy and occupational therapy services and has plans to expand its presence in 2024 The facility is also available to community groups with Whittlesea U3A holding a range of sessions including digital literacy and ‘cooking for one’ classes City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said the centre had quickly become an invaluable place for many older residents in the municipality’s northern suburbs “Meeting the needs of an ageing population is a challenge for all levels of government and the Mernda Social Support Centre is a wonderful example of what can be achieved by working together,” she said “The City of Whittlesea is very proud to have a safe accessible and purpose-built facility where residents and their carers can come and participate in programs that will help to ward off the social isolation that so often comes with ageing.” The centre was jointly funded with Council contributing $1.45 million and the Victorian Government providing a $1.24 million grant from its Growing Suburbs Fund program For more information about the Mernda Social Support Centre and its services, please contact Council on 9217 2170 William Sharp has been campaigning for infrastructure such as schools and kindergartens in Mernda for a number of years My greatest connection to Whittlesea is family; three children and three grandchildren (all born at the Northern Hospital) have attended school or kinder in Whittlesea Another connection to Whittlesea would be successful advocacy campaigns for educational facilities and commercial infrastructure in Mernda Some of the campaigns involved thousands of hours and many meetings and submissions and had a feeling of relief when positive results were achieved I would endeavour to change the focus of our local council from funding and producing endless studies and strategies often duplicating state and federal government initiatives and policies and focus on delivering value for money for the residents and stop selling off parklands and open space for more housing development we have lost a significant part of our open space and habitat to facilitate more small housing lots While services and infrastructure has proceeded in other parts of the City of Whittlesea We are still waiting for the main road out of our estate to be finished along with footpaths along Plenty and Bridge Inn roads Poor planning and management has been a disaster for many residents resulting in a high turnover of people in the surrounding neighbourhoods – many selling up after establishing their families here Where is your favourite local place to spend time I enjoyed spending time exploring the Gorge River parklands in Mernda Yan Yean Reservoir is good open space and I take the grandkids regularly The new Westfield entertainment extension has also been a favorite Buses will replace trains on the Mernda line for two weeks in late-August and early-September as construction of the new rail bridge is completed and crews prepare for the opening of the new Preston and Bell stations Passengers are asked to allow up to 30 minutes extra for their journey Buses will run between Clifton Hill and Mernda stations from 9pm Friday August 28; between Clifton Hill and Reservoir stations from 3am on Sunday August 28; between Parliament and Reservoir stations from 9pm Sunday September 2; between Clifton Hill and Reservoir stations from 9pm Friday crews will connect the existing rail track to the recently completed second rail bridge through Preston ahead of services resuming and the new Bell and Preston stations opening on Monday trains on the Mernda line have been running on a single elevated track between Regent and Thornbury stations and running express through Bell and Preston stations People are encouraged to visit ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions and bigbuild.vic.gov.au for more information and to plan their journey THE Regional Aquatic and Sports Centre at Mernda has reached a milestone with architects in stage two of designing the state-of-the-art facility which will deliver the intersection at Everton Drive and Plenty Road in Mernda, stage two involves designing eight outdoor sports courts six indoor sports courts and indoor seating comprising 350 fixed and 1000 retractable seats the multipurpose courts will be used by residents to engage in leisure and wellbeing activities closer to home City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the facility would be council’s largest investment in social infrastructure helping physical and mental health across the region.  The State Government contributed $20 million to the project “The delivery of the outdoor multipurpose courts and indoor stadium will not only begin to address our region’s current deficit of netball and basketball courts but also help boost sporting participation rates in our community particularly for women and girls,” Ms Wilson said Ms Wilson said the appointment of COX Architecture who’s portfolio includes some of Australia’s most prominent sport projects such as AAMI Park Stage two works are expected to begin in the 2024-25 financial year.  AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Mernda Railway Station is expected to open in 2019 Link copiedShareShare articleThe relentless pursuit of the great Australian dream has seen Mernda in Melbourne's north-east transform from dairy pastures into housing developments in just a few decades Figures released by the Bureau of Statistics show South Morang recorded the largest population growth in Australia with nearly 5,000 people moving in during 2015-16 That growth is fuelled by the area's relatively affordable real estate House-and-land packages in one of Mernda's many housing developments can be had for $400,000; less than half the $822,000 median house price for metropolitan Melbourne ABC Radio Melbourne's Jon Faine took his show to Mernda to explore the impact of the suburb's booming population ABC Radio Melbourne's Jon Faine took his show to Mernda to explore the suburb's growing pains When Mernda station opens in 2019 it will be the first time in 60 years that the locality has had a rail service Local mother of two Tafline said it could take up to two hours to commute via train from nearby South Morang to the city for work Locals said the sprawling car park at South Morang Station Kel from Footscray used to live in Mernda and said it was "a great community out there but as a keen young person there was no access to opportunities" "Physically getting to uni was so difficult accessing jobs and internships was near impossible," Kel said Frank Armenio describes himself as a "northern suburbs boy" who moved away from the area when he married in the 1970s and then returned at the turn of the century "There'd been a whole lot of housing development but in terms of the infrastructure it was pretty much the same." infrastructure had failed to keep pace with population growth leading to major congestion issues on some roads "They've duplicated part of Plenty Road but High Street from Findon Road upwards has not changed at all," Mr Armenio said "You've got all this traffic with nowhere else to go but on to High Street." In 1851 Melbourne builder Moses Thomas bought 400 acres in the Plenty Valley excited by the area's potential for agriculture "He took that prospect so seriously that he built a mill" however the basalt plain was "very attractive visually but not tremendously productive" but the bluestone soil deteriorates very quickly and all it can grow is weeds." In 1882 a flood destroyed the mill and Thomas turned his focus to dairy cattle setting up a dairy to supply butter to Melbourne By the time he died in 1878 Thomas had bought another 500 acres in the area and had built the Bridge Inn Hotel speculators including local magistrate John Wilton established the village that would officially become the town of Mernda in 1927 House-and-land packages in Mernda can be bought for less than $400,000 Dr Ely said Mernda's population stayed essentially steady from the 1850s until after World War II and did not grow much throughout the remainder of the 20th century "In the early 21st century you have a surge of population and a search for land for development," Dr Ely said Local history librarian Liz Pidgeon said the local farmland had been steadily subdivided "Families have owned the land for generations and the new younger generation comes up and sees other opportunities .. She said infrastructure "has been slow to catch up" with the population growth "There's bumper-to-bumper traffic heading into the city on Plenty Road in peak hour." Bakery owner Matt James says Mernda has seen "impressive" population growth In 2013 Matt James bought Mernda's local bakery first established by Charles and Stevenson Turner in 1892 Mr James and his staff bake using the same wood-fired scotch oven the Turners used to supply bread as far as Ivanhoe East Mr James said Mernda had changed "hugely" in the four years since he bought the bakery "The population growth has been quite impressive "It's now really a proper suburb .. it's not out in the middle of nowhere." As Melbourne's population booms, the ABC is putting the spotlight on the city's housing game. Visit ABC News Digital, tune into ABC Radio Melbourne and watch ABC News Victoria on July 17 and 18. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced Great news for Melbourne's north, with the boom gates at Keon Parade to be gone for good and the new Keon Park Station open by spring 2024 Works on the project will ramp up this summer with buses replacing trains on sections of the Mernda Line in January as the current Keon Park Station is demolished and a new section of elevated rail is ‘tied in’ to existing tracks Buses will replace trains between Reservoir and Epping on the Mernda Line from 9pm, Thursday 11 January to last service Sunday 21 January 2024 as works take place. For more information, or to plan your journey, visit the PTV website trains headed towards the city will travel on the completed rail bridge over Keon Parade as the construction team starts work on the second rail bridge in the opposite direction Trains headed to Mernda will remain on the ground track A shuttle bus will run between Thomastown and Ruthven stations for passengers who need to get on and off at Keon Park Station Once the second 750m long rail bridge is complete the 18,000 vehicles that travel on Keon Parade each day will no longer have to stop for trains When the new station opens on the south side of Keon Parade it will provide passengers with better connections between bus and train services and locals a new connection from High Street through to the Johnson Street shops The architecturally designed station will feature a landscaped forecourt elevated platforms with access via lifts and stairs a secure Parkiteer bicycle storage and walking and cycling paths through the precinct As students return for a new school year this week it will be new beginnings for Mernda Hills Christian College who are now an official standalone education institution previously known as the Mernda campus of Gilson College is a Christian school providing education for foundation to year 12 Gilson College will remain at Taylors Hill The Mernda campus will now operate on its own following approval from the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority Both schools will remain within the Adventist Schools Victoria system which oversees the provision of teaching in Victorian Seventh-Day Adventist schools with the new Mernda college adopting a fresh logo to accompany its new name Principal Kristin Hankins said the logo and name were the only visible changes “All of the great things that we are already doing stay the same The nice thing about being part of a system of schools is there’s really very few changes that are impacting our students and our families,” she said we’ve got the same Adventist and Christian identity for us as a school.” Ms Hankins said the new school status meant stronger local ownership with the community for students who lived in the area “As part of the growth plan and the strategic plan for the Mernda campus … the plan has always been for the two campuses to be standalone schools,” she said “At this point in our journey … it’s a really exciting point that we can actually fulfil that step of our strategic direction and be able to be a standalone school within the advent of the school system “We can make decisions based on our students and our families here within the Mernda region which is great for us because it gives us that community connection which we love and want to continue developing as we grow.” Ms Hankins said she was excited to welcome students back for 2024 as Mernda Hills Christian College “There’s so many opportunities for us to support our students we want to see them develop in all areas of their life,” she said “This next stage of our journey really helps to support our students with that gives us that identity that’s locally central but also keeps all the really great things that we were doing beforehand – it’s kind of the best of both worlds.” visit the school’s new website merndahills.vic.edu.au A new community hospital in Mernda is well on its way the City of Whittlesea Community Hospital will be managed by Northern Health The City of Whittlesea Community Hospital will be a small public hospital providing a range of services including unplanned urgent care Other services will also include general practice chronic disease management and allied health The project will help take pressure off nearby major hospitals including Northern Hospital in Epping and allow more people to reach health services closer to home community health providers and social support services will ensure more follow-up treatment and support for those who require complex care The community hospital is one of ten community hospitals being built by the State Government in major growth areas throughout Victoria Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage recently visited the site of the future community hospital to view the hard work underway by the construction workers and crew “Knowing there’s somewhere just around the corner where you can take your child if they have a tumble at soccer practice or where you can be supported through cancer treatment “Having quality healthcare close to home is ideal Recruitment for the new health jobs which will become available in the area will be managed by Northern Health and interested locals should keep an eye on their jobs page For more information about the community hospital visit FYI – the link provided at the bottom of the page states “The request page couldn’t be found.” Construction to replace the ageing Barbers Creek Bridge on Plenty Road has started in Mernda with crews kickstarting a 5 week major works effort Crews are working around-the-clock to strengthen the existing 68-year-old bridge replace bridge barriers and install a new road surface to complete months of work safely and efficiently The existing bridge deck is being replaced by six 16-metre-long precast re-enforced concrete planks which will be placed on the existing abutments and piers This will more than double the load capacity of the bridge to suit heavy freight vehicles Installation of the 60 piles required to construct off-structure barriers will commence during the first week of construction and will continue throughout the works The piles will provide a strong foundation for the new bridge’s safety barriers Plenty Road will be closed between Arthurs Creek Road and Hazel Glen Road at Barbers Creek from Monday 3 October to Thursday 3 November during which detours will be in place for road users crews can safely carry out the works without a prolonged impact to the community. These works will be completed during the day and night with through and local traffic detours in place Motorists will also enjoy better protection with safety barriers and guard fence to be on approach to and on the bridge itself The works will be completed in time for the start of the iconic Whittlesea Show which is held on the first full weekend of November The Australian and Victorian Governments are also investing in 10 other bridges and culvert structures around metropolitan Melbourne, with the Structures Rehabilitation Package funding for works at Yan Yean The Structures Rehabilitation Package is scheduled to be complete by 2023 Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell said lack of transparency over flow of funding for the Mernda Regional Aquatic and Sports Centre raised questions about the project’s timeline The Mernda Regional Aquatic and Sports Centre is a key project for the City of Whittlesea needing services and amenities to cater for its rapid growth Ms Lovell spoke in parliament asking the Treasurer for answers about state government funding for the project She said despite the state government making a 2022 election commitment of $20 million toward the construction of the sports centre there was no line item for this expenditure in the 2023 budget “The aquatic and sports facility is vital to the health and wellbeing of the people of Mernda and the government must not fail to deliver on its promised investment,” Ms Lovell said “The Treasurer must provide a breakdown over the forward estimates of how much funding will be provided each year to ensure transparency over the project’s completion.” Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time The Mernda rail extension project is six months ahead of schedule and will be carrying passengers by the end of the year according to a spokeswoman for the state Minister for Public Transport will extend the train line from South Morang to Mernda to ease congestion in Melbourne's growing north the government hopes to reduce pressure on Plenty Road Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said: "Work has progressed well and we expect to begin testing trains by the end of September It’s a wonderful result for communities in Melbourne’s north." Construction began last April on the new tracks and the station was originally scheduled to open in 2019 with more than 21,000 cubic metres of earth already removed and rail has just started to be delivered to the site The Andrews government says its $600 million Mernda rail extension project is six months ahead of schedule The project will cost $600 million and the Andrews government says it will service around 8000 passengers a day “This is great news for the people of South Morang Mernda and surrounding areas," said Danielle Green The new stretch of rail will connect to the existing South Morang station These stations will also be connected by a shared pedestrian and cycling path part of the plan to increase non-vehicular transportation in the north The Mernda rail extension\\u00A0project is six months ahead of schedule and will be carrying passengers by the end of the year will extend the train line from South Morang to Mernda to ease congestion in Melbourne's growing north.\\u00A0In particular Minister for Public Transport Jacinta\\u00A0Allan said: \\\"Work has progressed well and we expect to begin testing trains by the end of September It\\u2019s a wonderful result for communities in Melbourne\\u2019s north.\\\" and the station was originally\\u00A0scheduled to open in 2019.\\u00A0Land excavation is now well under way The project will cost $600 million and the Andrews\\u00A0government says it will service around 8000 passengers a day \\u201CThis is great news for the people of South Morang Mernda and surrounding areas,\\\" said Danielle Green The new stretch of rail will connect to the existing\\u00A0South Morang station part of the plan to increase non-vehicular\\u00A0transportation in the north By 2018-08-21T09:31:56+01:00 AUSTRALIA: Transport for Victoria has awarded Alstom a €60m contract to supply a further five X’Trapolis electric multiple-units to increase capacity on Melbourne’s 1 600 mm gauge suburban network Each of the 145 m long six-car 1·5 kV DC EMUs will have a capacity of 1 238 passengers AUSTRALIA: Revenue services began operating on a new elevated alignment through the Melbourne suburb of Noble Park on February 15 when the Victoria state government’s Level Crossing Removal Authority commissioned the first section of viaduct on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line A 2·7 km section of the city’s busiest suburban line through .. AUSTRALIA: Metro Trains Melbourne is to continue to operate and maintain the city's suburban rail network Victoria's Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan announced on September 12 John Holland Group (20%) and UGL Rail Services (20%) Site powered by Webvision Cloud The completion of the rail line to Mernda has focused attention on the new trail that will take bike riders along the route from South Morang to Mernda Work continues on the trail with sections being completed in stages with the full trail finished by early December It is being built mostly by the Level Crossings Removal Authority (LXRA) as part of the rail line extension and some sections are being delivered by Whittlesea Council The section between Hawkstowe and The Parkway should be open sometime next week leaving the section from South Morang to Yan Yean Pipe Track to be done Many riders have been anxious for the completion of the connection so that they can avoid having to drive to the new railway stations at Mernda The new stations have secure Parkiteer bike parking as well as plentiful parking rails nearby There are a number of connecting trails planned for the area VicRoads and the Major Road Project Authority The City of Whittlesea will spend $1.5 million on a series of shared use paths and footpath connections See map here. Mayor Kris Pavlidis said the important project would help pedestrians and cyclists connect with the new station and future shopping precinct “These paths will provide vital connections for our residents and we are pleased to be able to work with the State Government to make it happen,” she said “It’s exciting times in the City of Whittlesea In a few short weeks residents in the north of the municipality will be able to enjoy train travel on their doorstep.” Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said: “The co-operation of Whittlesea Council and  the Andrews Labor Government has made it possible to deliver paths for pedestrians and bike riders from the various locations to the new train stations.” Danielle Green said: “Thank you to the myriad of agencies who are working hard in partnership with the Andrews Labor Government and Whittlesea Council to deliver these paths in time for the opening of the new Mernda Rail line I’m passionate about giving people as many options as possible to access the train without having to use a car Whittlesea Local Government Area has the highest rate of heart disease in Victoria and the healthiest and easiest way to turn this around is to get out of our cars and walk and cycle.” Paths will be built at the following locations: An artists impression of the Mernda path from John Holland Find out more about Bicycle Network and support us in making it easier for people to ride bikes The Great Victorian Bike Ride is set to return in 2025 on 24–28 November offering an exciting new format while keeping the spirit of this beloved event alive Bicycle Network Memberships offer benefits to all kinds of riders The Peaks Challenge Ride2School fundraiser is on again for this year's epic event on Sunday 9 March The City of Adelaide will undertake a speed limit review to understand the need for reducing speeds to support business and residents and create a safer city environment Work on the much-anticipated $38.9 million Sydney Harbour Bridge ramp upgrade has begun the bike lane will link the country's most famous bridge to the bike network in Milsons Point we launched our Affiliate Membership program specially designed for cycling groups and clubs Orange in New South Wales is in line for a nice new stretch of bike path one that will expand the off-road network and improve access to schools Work has kicked off on a key Canberra bike route setting the wheels in motion for safer and more pleasant journeys through the city’s northern suburbs In a submission to the federal government’s draft National Urban Policy Bicycle Network and seven other Australian bicycle organisations have called for active transport infrastructure funding to be increased to 10% of federal transport investment Many of our best bike journeys are along coastlines or up and down the creeks and rivers that meet the sea But with rising sea levels some of this vital infrastructure is at threat of inundation erosion and from changes in groundwater chemistry Mernda is a step closer to having a regional sports precinct after the City of Whittlesea awarded a construction contract to create a new intersection The contract is to extend Everton Drive in Mernda about 100 metres east to connect with Plenty Road creating a new intersection that will not only help to reduce congestion around Mernda but provide access to the sports precinct via Everton Drive The road project is the first stage of the precinct Work on the sports courts is expected to start in the 2024-25 financial year.  council appointed COX Architecture to design and construct the second stage of the development basketball and other courts for club and community use City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the courts would help serve a deficit in quality sporting facilities across the growing northern suburbs.  “Council is committed to ensuring residents have access to the sport and recreation facilities they need to lead physically active and healthy lives,” she said “These new multi-purpose courts will help to boost participation rates across all ages in sports such as netball and basketball “One of the biggest impediments to participating in sport and leisure activities is ease of access with travel being a common deterrent for time-poor families “But when the Plenty Road-Everton Drive intersection is finished it will deliver a convenient way for people to access the precinct.” which are expected to take about 12 months but motorists will experience changed traffic conditions More information about traffic arrangements will be communicated closer to the project’s start date visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/plentyroadintersection Mernda is a step closer to being the home of a new sporting precinct after Whittlesea council awarded a crucial construction contract The road project is the first stage of the regional sports precinct in Mernda which will be followed by the construction of multi-purpose sports courts The new traffic light-controlled intersection will not only help to reduce congestion around Mernda Council has appointed COX Architecture to design and construct the second stage of the development Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the courts would help address a deficit in quality sporting facilities across the growing northern suburbs it will deliver a convenient way for people to access the precinct.” Construction on the Plenty Road-Everton Drive intersection is anticipated to begin in early February while work on the sports courts is expected to start in the 2024-25 financial year Plenty Road will remain open throughout the works but reductions in speed limits are to be expected Mernda on Saturday 31 March 2018 from 10am to 3pm for the annual Easter Egg Hunt fundraising event.  Wash away some of that chocolate chomping guilt by supporting your local volunteer emergency services, the Mernda Fire Brigade and Whittlesea SES No-one is more deserving for their tireless work preserving lives Best value tickets per child for this event is the unlimited wristband for $30 at early bird prices (so get in quick) or $35 on the day This gives you unlimited rides and an entry to the Egg Hunt single entry for the Easter Egg Hunt are $5 per child Two ride tickets cost $6 and rides cost either one or two tickets, depending on the ride. The first hunt begins at 10.15am and the last hunt at 2.45pm Hunt age groups are three years old and under (where parents are allowed to participate) The Special Needs Hunt will be at 11am and 1pm and if you want to join the adult hunt grab a ticket for yourself to participate at 2.45pm Firefighter April and her friends are coming to perform their famous fire safety show at the Hunt so be sure to make time to see this fun and informative show.In addition food trucks and more makes Mernda your Easter destination.  Article written by Jen https://www.weekendnotes.com/p... Mernda on Saturday 31 March 2018 from 10am to 3pm for the annual Easter Egg Hunt fundraising event View all stories View more contacts The Facebook feed is contained within an iframe and as such is not available via keyboard access. Please visit our Facebook page directly to view the latest feeds. The Instagram feed is contained within an iframe and as such is not available via keyboard access. Please visit our Instagram page directly to view the latest feeds. Tweets by CFA_Updates We are currently experiencing issues with our embedded Twitter feed We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land Copyright 2025 CFA (Country Fire Authority) which is potentially one of the “oldest buildings outside of Melbourne” Archaeologists have been digging at Plenty Gorge Park in the hope of discovering the location of the Old Bridge Inn Heritage Victoria principal archaeologist Jeremy Smith said the team started the dig in mid-June in an open paddock near the bank of the Plenty River that they suspected was the site of the inn But they weren’t certain they were digging in the right place They have since uncovered bluestone walls and hearth of the inn as well as thousands of artefacts such as pottery Mr Smith said this is the first time archaeologists have been able to conclusively say where the inn buildings stood and the discovery had local and state significance It was built well before the gold rush,” Mr Smith said “It is potentially one of the oldest buildings outside of Melbourne.” The pub is considered to be the first European site in the area “It was a little pub built on a crossing point on the Plenty River there was very little outside of the townships,” Mr Smith said “By the 1860s the pub had pretty much lived its life Mernda has moved on and the focus is on Plenty Road so the pub moved to a site on Plenty Road,” The dig stems from historical investigations carried out as part of the Mernda Rail Extension and was led by archaeology consultancy Dr Vincent Clark and Associates with the support of the Wurundjeri Land and Compensation Cultural Heritage Council Community groups and students from local schools were also given the chance to take part in the dig Among the items uncovered during the four-week dig were Aboriginal tools Historical records show that “mia-mia” or temporary shelters were built in the area The artefacts will be preserved by Wurundjeri elders Mr Smith said he hoped Heritage Victoria can work with the council to display the artefacts and create a local heritage site where people can learn more about the history of the area Mernda Junior Netball Club in Melbourne’s outer north-east has been awarded the Inclusive Netball Community of the Year at the 2022 Netball Victoria Community Awards Mernda Junior Netball Club has increased participation from three teams in 2020 to 11 in 2022 to become one of the largest netball clubs in the City of Whittlesea Players and parents are attracted to the club for its values which allow every member to express themselves as they desire “We want to be more than just a netball club,” said Mernda's netball coordinator netball is the reason our community comes together but we like to educate and celebrate on matters that are beyond netball that make all our players better humans.” Mernda Junior Netball Club hosts several events and special rounds to recognise and showcase its diverse community “We want our community members to feel valued and a part of that is celebrating what they celebrate,” said Kane which sees Mernda Junior Netball Club host its annual Indigenous round honouring Marcia Ella-Duncan - the first First Nations player to represent the Australian Diamonds national team The round is dedicated to celebrating the club’s First Nations participants and the player of each match receives a ‘most deadly’ award To further highlight the history and contribution of First Nations peoples Mernda Junior Netball Club is working with Wiradjuri Kamilaroi woman Bek Lilley to design an Indigenous training top for the club “Bek’s design and guidance has had a big impact on our club activities and our approach to inclusive policies towards our Indigenous players to ensure we reduce the barriers stopping them playing netball,” said Kane Religious occasions are also recognised by Mernda Junior Netball Club to celebrate players’ faith and support them to play Muslim players are supported with a modified training while fasting during Ramadan The club has also celebrated the Hindu festival Holi with a colour party Another club initiative is Rainbow Day - an age-appropriate way to introduce Pride round and celebrate the LGBT+ community - organised by association representative Janine Hyndes “It’s a safe space where players are allowed to be themselves and know they have the support of the community behind them,” said Kane Players of all genders are invited to play at Mernda Junior Netball Club There are now seven male participants between the ages of five and 14 and Kane is passionate about encouraging more to come on board “We know that there has often been a stigma with boys playing netball and we want to dispel that stigma and highlight our players,” she said The club has hosted specialist sessions for boys and male coaches including those run by Australia’s men's player and newly appointed West Coast Fever talent coach “We believe you have ‘be what you can see’ and if the boys don’t know their options or their male netball heroes they won’t become the future ones,” said Kane At the heart of these many initiatives is Mernda Junior Netball Club’s number one goal - to get kids out on court “The kids are always at our forefront of our mind and we want to do whatever we can to reduce any barriers they have to getting on court,” said Kane “We host our come and try events which is an easy way for new individuals wanting to try netball for the first time… If there are financial barriers we have hardship funds and payment plans available We have a diverse uniform and players can pick what they find most comfortable.”  Mernda Junior Netball Club will separate from its partner football club to become a standalone organisation The club’s focus is to continue delivering netball and celebrate more events important to members and their backgrounds The Inclusive Netball Community of the Year Award is supported by RACV a Mernda resident formed a walk and talk group focusing on men’s mental health which will soon be supported under the Mernda Community House Mernda Menergise Walk and Talk Group meets at Waterview Recreational Reserve every Thursday at 7pm older men and ages in between take the time to talk and walk through Mernda’s scenery Facilitator and founder Anthony Brancatisano put the word out online around two months ago wanting to connect with others who felt there was a need to discuss life and interests all while focusing on physical and mental health The idea to start a local walking group drew from his own involvement in men’s groups where Mr Brancatisano had seen others reducing the stigma of men’s mental health but it was not known among the wider community Mr Brancatisano moved to Mernda three and a half years ago always travelling due to work but once he settled into more of a normal life when swapping jobs Mr Brancatisano realised he had no connection to his community Mr Brancatisano said he still pinched himself from the community response some of the stories from the men and even the thank you’s … I’m the facilitator “It’s just a space to express with other men and encourage men to get out in the community and seek help.” the walk and talk group will be a program under the Mernda Community which has embraced the project among their other community initiatives Mr Brancatisano said the program would remain the same but the support of the community house would make a difference for when the group wanted to meet more during the winter and to have a secure place they provided a space for us that we can sit down … so we now have somewhere for shelter we can sit down and we could chat for an hour,” he said Through the support of key community members and the Mernda Community House Mr Brancatisano said he had goals to expand the group with plans to include a family walk once a month and get involved in more community projects Mr Brancatisano said it was all about community connection “I don’t just want to be the strictly men’s club I want to expand into the good work that we’re doing,” he said “Then hope to get involved in more community projects as well because a lot of lonely older men out there that just don’t have some outlets.” The group meets at Waterview Recreational Reserve every Thursday at 7pm there is a Facebook group to join at Mernda Menergise Walk and Talk Group