Latest news with #Warrnambool
ABC News
15 hours ago
- Climate
- ABC News
Warrnambool council abandons peer-reviewed flood study citing 'supposed science'
A south-west Victorian council has abandoned an independent and peer-reviewed flood study after councillors decided they did not trust the data. The South Warrnambool and Dennington Flood Investigation found high flood risks in the area and recommended changes to council planning schemes. But at a Warrnambool City Council meeting on Monday night, councillors voted that down, with some claiming they could not believe the "supposed science". Although the study will go no further, the data is already being used by state government agencies, insurance companies, and the council as the most up-to-date flood information. Emergency Management Victoria declined the ABC's request for comment. The southern Warrnambool flood study was a three-year endeavour commissioned and funded by the Victorian government to ensure climate modelling matched the latest rainfall and sea level rise estimates. The investigation was designed to update 2007 data and reassess the impacts of climate change and flooding through to 2100, including the likelihood of a one-in-one-hundred-year flood event. Warrnambool City Council was in charge of managing the study — putting it out to tender, conducting community consultations, and dealing with submissions. Councillors were then required to vote on whether to refer the flood investigation to the state government's planning panel for changes to planning schemes. On Monday night, they voted against doing so. Venant Solutions was the specialist consultancy company responsible for the peer-reviewed report. Principal environmental engineer and lead investigator Michael South said the team used national and localised rainfall inputs, and streamflow and water level data to assess flood risk to the area. Mr South told the ABC the findings were on the "upper end" of risk, but this was on par with statewide assessments and climate inputs. "The methodologies we used for the flood study are consistent with other studies and the trajectory of climate change," he said. "We've never used anything but that." In the last decade, Mr South said he had worked on around 20 flood studies, half of which he had led, and the push-back in Warrnambool was "a first". During Monday night's council meeting, four councillors opposed the flood study, claiming the science was "difficult to comprehend", based on "assumptions", lacked detail, and was unable to be validated. Councillor Vicki Jellie raised the motion against the referral of the study to the state government. "How do we, with the utmost certainty, know that we can believe this data and supposed science?" Cr Jellie said. "Some of this has been undoubtedly an assumption." Councillors were also concerned about loss of land value and crippled development prospects. Mayor Ben Blain was the only councillor to back the study and told the ABC that failure to formally integrate the flood investigation into the council's planning schemes was a loss for residents, prospective buyers, and the region in general. "There's now no obligation for sellers to tell buyers that land falls in flood zones, there will be houses built in floodways, and insurance premiums will sky-rocket."
SBS Australia
3 days ago
- General
- SBS Australia
Philippine Independence Day events across Australia
Philippine Flag image by FILIPINO AUSTRALIAN BRISBANE SOCIETY Got an event coming up? Please reach out to SBS Filipino so we can include it on this page. Warrnambool Filipino Independence Day Date: Saturday, 31 May 2025 Venue: City Memorial Bowls Club, 50-58 Cramer St, Warrnambool Organizer: Filipino Community of Warrnambool, Inc. Contact: Florida Brigman – 0427 766 689 127th Philippine Independence Day Celebration – East Melbourne Date: Saturday, 7 June 2025 Venue: St Peter's Eastern Hill Hall, 15 Gisborne St, East Melbourne Organiser: Bayanihan in Melbourne, Inc. Contact: Versie – 0422 441 197 127th Philippine Independence Day Celebration – Shepparton Date: Saturday, 7 June 2025 Time: 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM Venue: Overlander Hotel, 97 Benalla Road, Shepparton VIC Organiser: Filipino-Australian Friendship Association of Shepparton (FAFA) Contact: Cathy Javier – 0468 395 865 | Email: j53cathy@ Philippine Independence Celebration - Altona North Date: Saturday, 7 June 2025 Venue: Grand Star Reception, 499 Grieve Parade, Altona North Organiser: Philippine Australian Foundation (Victoria), Inc. (PAFI) Contact: Perla – 0413 623 991 127th Philippine Independence Day Zumba with Kramer Pastrana Date: Sunday, 8 June 2025 Time: 3:30 PM – 5:20 PM Venue: Phoenix Community Centre Contact: Marita – 0430 377 208 Flag Raising Ceremony - Federation Square Date: Thursday, 12 June 2025 Venue: Federation Square, Melbourne Organiser: Philippine Consulate General, Melbourne Contact: 03 7023 7032 127th Philippine Independence Day Celebration – Ballarat Date: Thursday, 12 June 2025 Venue: Queen Victoria Memorial, 255 Sturt St, Ballarat Central Organiser: Filipino/Australian Association of Ballarat, Inc. (FAABI) Contact: Dionesa – 0437 535 440 127th Philippine Independence Day Celebration – Bendigo Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025 Venue: St Kilian School Hall, 175 McCrae St, Bendigo Organiser: Bendigo Filipino Foundation Inc. Contact: Maria – 0430 743 344 127th Philippine Independence Day Grand Fiesta – Melbourne Date: Saturday & Sunday, 28–29 June 2025 Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM - FREE EVENT Venue: Queen Victoria Market – Queen Street, Melbourne VIC Organiser: TFC PISTA SA NAYON 2025 Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025 Time: From 10:00 AM- FREE Entry Venue: Parramatta Town Hall, 182 Church Street, Parramatta NSW 2150 Organiser: Philippine Australian Multicultural Association Inc. (PAMAI), formerly APCO 127th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence – Flag Raising Ceremony (Bathurst) Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025 Venue: Evans Bridge, Kelso (assemble at Berry Park beside the flagpoles) Organiser: Filipiniana Friends Group of Bathurst and Central West Contact: Nenita – 0429 040 383 | Bell – 0431 536 360 | Arthur – 0447 420 112 Philippine National Day Ball – The Novella on the Park Date: Sunday, 15 June 2025 Time: 6:30 PM|Ticketed Event Venue: 1521 Horsley Drive, Abbottsbury NSW 2176 Contact: Grace – 0415 626 080 Organiser: Philippine Community Council of NSW 127th Philippine Independence Day Celebration – Wagga Wagga Date: Sunday, June 15, 2025 Venue: St. Michael's Parish Centre, Wagga Wagga Organiser: FilCom Wagga Contact: Email – | Phone – 0421 807 212 1. Philippine Independence Day Gala – Launceston Date: Saturday, 7 June 2025 Time: 6:00PM | Ticketed Event Venue:The Tailrace Centre, Launceston, Tasmania Organiser: Philippines-Australia Community of Tasmania - PACT, Inc. 📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino Share this with family and friends Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Filipino-speaking Australians. Understand the quirky habits of Aussie life.
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Tom Dabernig to aim three mares at Saturday's Listed Bel Esprit Stakes at Caulfield
Tom Dabernig will tackle Saturday's Listed Bel Esprit Stakes with three runners in order to lay the foundation for a July ambush at Caulfield. The Warrnambool -based Dabernig will run smart mares Cleo Cat, Romantic Choice and Fickle in the Caulfield feature as part of a plan to have the trio hard-fit for Group 3 races in July. 'The theory is to have them in work all through winter and maybe have a crack at the Bletchingly or Monash, those sprints they have in July before the spring horses get fit,' Dabernig said. 'Often you get the spring horses in it that need the run and the fit winter horse can pick them up.' • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Dabernig has already secured valuable black type with Cleo Cat and Romantic Choice with the pair winning at Group 3 and Listed level respectively while Fickle will have her second start at stakes level on Saturday. As a winner of seven of her eight starts, Cleo Cat will lead Dabernig's Bel Esprit Stakes team. The four-year-old has returned in terrific form this time in, easily winning a three-horse race at Warrnambool before leading throughout to win the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes in Adelaide last time out. From Warrnambool to Morphettville, Cleo Cat pounces & makes it seven wins from eight career starts 😻 @dabernigracing @JChilds47 â€' (@Racing) May 10, 2025 • Group 1-winning trainer to hand in licence at season's end Cleo Cat's only defeat came in the Listed Black Pearl Stakes at Geelong in January. Dabernig said the four-year-old had excuses for that performance. 'Cleo Cat is clearly in great form at the moment. I would say Cleo Cat hasn't missed a beat since Adelaide,' Dabernig said. 'In the Geelong run, she was only beaten 1.4 (lengths) but it was 36 degrees and she pulled up with a bit of heat stress. 'That's the other theory why we brought her in through winter. We thought the cooler weather might suit her better.' Romantic Choice won the Black Pearl Stakes in January after a solid fifth in the Listed Christmas Stakes on the Caulfield Heath track last December. The four-year-old has finished midfield at both runs this time in but Dabernig said punters could forgive Romantic Choice's latest effort in the Listed Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool on April 30. 'In the Wangoom, the track was a bit choppy and she drew barrier one and led on the rail but just couldn't get her rhythm right,' Dabernig said. 'She should appreciate Caulfield and the better surface or the more even track. 'I'd forgive her (for the Wangoom run) and she's a natural on-pacer.' Fickle will resume in the Bel Esprit Stakes after struggling at Listed level at The Valley before a spell. The speedy mare has pleased Dabernig with her recent trials, which convinced him to test her in Saturday's race. 'She's had three trials and ideally, I'd like to kick her off at 1000(m) but the black type over 1100m is worth a try for her, especially if she could place in it,' Dabernig said. Dabernig has booked Beau Mertens to ride Cleo Cat as her regular rider Jordan Childs will be in Brisbane while Harry Coffey and Declan Bates will ride Romantic Choice and Fickle respectively.
The Australian
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Clinton McDonald-trained Miss Ole wins at Sandown Hillside
Clinton McDonald was feeling sick soon after the start of Miss Ole's debut outing but was on much better terms with himself after the filly's Sandown outing on Saturday. Miss Ole was heavily backed but finished fifth after bungling the start on debut at Warrnambool last month but the filly showed the benefit of experience in the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Handicap (1000m). Punters were again keen to support Miss Ole, backing her from $3.60 to $2.60, but the daughter of Ole Kirk gave her backers few worries under jockey Ben Melham. Miss Ole sprinted well from midfield to defeat the previously unbeaten Saluted ($3.80) by three-quarters of a length while Espana ($14) made an encouraging debut when running on for third. McDonald said a Cranbourne jumpout between runs also helped Miss Ole's racing manners but the two-year-old had plenty of improvement left in her. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'She's learning all the time,' McDonald said. 'From the run at Warrnambool to today, what she's shown us at home, she's come on big time. 'She was just a little bit fierce early and I knew she'd be very strong late. 'We gave her a little jumpout in between, a maintenance trial, and she jumped out well there so it wasn't a concern. 'We just tried to teach her to use herself, to go through her gears, and we saw that today.' Miss Ole's connections celebrate in the grandstand at Sandown. Picture: Scott Barbour / Racing Photos McDonald said Miss Ole would probably have another run at Flemington on June 7 before a break ahead of a spring three-year-old preparation. 'I think she's a stakes horse for sure on what she shows at home,' McDonald said. 'She's just going to keep improving.' McDonald went on to endear himself to racing radio listeners when emerging filly Ahha Ahha completed a stable double in the ive > Handicap (1400m). The Cranbourne trainer suggested punters take the Miss Ole / Ahha Ahha double on Saturday radio before Jamie Melham steered the $4 chance to a comfortable win. McDonald said Ahha Ahha had been unlucky at her previous two starts but had the perfect run at Sandown. 'I thought she probably should have won her last two,' McDonald said. 'She should have won at Cranbourne and there's merit to say, she probably would have won at Caulfield. 'She gets it wrong. Sometimes in behind, she's very green. 'But today, with Jamie's beautiful hands, she travelled sweetly, the run came and she was explosive again.'
Mercury
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
Ciaron Maher ends quiet carnival on high note with first Warrnambool Cup success
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. An unusual May carnival for top trainer Ciaron Maher improved sharply when Smokin' Romans defied all challenges in the Listed Warrnambool Cup. Maher has dominated the Warrnambool carnival in recent years, winning races at will over the three days, but had a much quieter time of it this year. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Maher won the opening race on Tuesday with Through Irish Eyes but went winless with limited numbers until Smokin' Romans' Warrnambool Cup triumph. 'I haven't had that many runners so I thought we'd be a good chance today,' Maher said. 'I'm absolutely rapt.' Maher has won a large selection of Australia's biggest races but Smokin' Romans gave the Warrnambool product his first hometown Cup win, courtesy of the perfect ride from jockey Ben Melham. Melham, who had won a Group 3 race on Smokin' Romans last spring, sent the Group 1 winner forward from barrier two before perfectly rating the eight-year-old throughout the $300,000 race. Smokin' Romans carried the 59kg topweight but held on to beat the fast-finishing Torranzino to score narrowly while the Maher-trained Ziryab was third. 'To win a Group 1 and carry the top weight like that, is terrific,' Maher said. 'Geez, what a fantastic ride by Ben. 'He really understands this horse really well and has had some nice wins on him.' Maher said varying Smokin' Romans' routine was the key to maintaining the rising nine-year-old's zest for racing. 'He goes everywhere,' Maher said. 'He's been hanging out at Ballarat the last couple of days but he's normally down at Cranbourne so a big thanks to them.' Originally published as Ciaron Maher ends quiet carnival on high note with first Warrnambool Cup success
