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Today could be the day we have longed for. Premier Dan Andrews revealed on Friday that today he would make announcements about easing COVID-19 restrictions. Fingers crossed, especially for restaurants and cafes who are fighting for survival, like Warrnambool's RSL.
This week it was revealed Planning Minister Richard Wynne had approved a $14 million, 68-apartment complex for a vacant site on Warrnambool's Mortlake Road.
The approval is good news for those struggling to secure a place in Warrnambool's never-before-seen tight rental and home-owners' markets.
It's a vote of confidence in the region and comes when our battered economy needs every lift it can get. As many as 80 jobs are expected to be created during construction.
But the process the minister used in approving the development was flawed.
The government bypassed the usual planning approval process. Instead of objections from neighbouring residents being considered by the city council's town planning experts and then ultimately city councillors, the government used the need for economic stimulus post the COVID-19 pandemic as reason to fast-track the approval process.
While we are assured residents' objections were forwarded to the government, the planning scheme was changed and neighbours had no opportunity to back-up their concerns. As one put it, 'we lost our voice'.
Furthermore, they cannot appeal to the state's independent planning umpire, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, because the minister's approval is final.
The decision and process goes against the spirit of planning laws. It also creates an uneven playing field. Back in December councillors voted to reject a 74-apartment complex on the corner of Dales and Aberline roads, just a few kilometres away from the development approved this week.
Developers of that proposal must be querying why they weren't lucky enough to have had the minister and COVID-19 on their side. Planning is always a vexed issue, someone will always be unhappy. The Dennington residents who campaigned against a residential alcohol and drug centre being established in their neighbourhood objected to councillors and had a voice when the matter ended up in VCAT. They were bitterly disappointed the centre was approved, albeit with some conditions they had sought, but at least they had their day in court.
Everyone is entitled to be heard.
The week started with the clean up to the one-in-50-year flood that hit Port Fairy. The flood came as debate raged in the town about plans to change the flood level that could have big implications for property owners and future developments. The pic above from our own Mark Witte shows just how much water there was on Skenes Road, that blocked it to traffic and closed the golf club for two days.
There was some long-awaited good news too with work to begin on much-needed road upgrades "this quarter".
Secondary school students celebrated this week when they returned to classrooms for the first time in nine weeks. But one principal was not, telling us the COVID-19 restrictions made running a school almost impossible, including students unable to play wind instruments.
Anyone in the hunt for a house knows Warrnambool's prices have jumped but new data this week showed just how much.
South-west police officers used Thursday's international day of rural women to highlight their work/life balance in the hope of attracting more women to join the force.
COVID-19 struck again, this week claiming next year's Wunta Fiesta. Organisers announced the popular festival would not be held in 2021.
Family and friends are rallying around a Warrnambool infant who was born with two holes in his heart. A fundraising campaign started this week.
Support agency Bethany created superhero awards so kids could find some positives during COVID-19 restrictions. One of those was a youngster who produced a heart-felt video message declaring his school mentor as the best role model he had ever had.
The biggest footy story of the year unfolded this week with former AFL star Ricky Henderson signing on with South Warrnambool for next season. The Hampden league is shaping up well with several clubs boasting new recruits.
Here's a selection of other stories that made headlines.
Stay safe.
Until next week,