Paul Clifton

2 weeks ago | railmagazine.com | Paul Clifton

There have been 1,574 recorded near-miss incidents at level crossings in the past four years, according to Network Rail. Incidents have increased by 16 per cent over that period. The infrastructure owner points to people being distracted by using their mobile phones. It commissioned research that shows nearly half of people admit they’ve made a mistake, such as missing a train or locking themselves out of the house, while using their phone.

1 month ago | vnpa.org.au | Paul Clifton

MEDIA RELEASE 19 March 2024 |East Gippsland Shire Council has approved a permit allowing the logging of 51 hectares of critical wildlife habitat, exposing a dangerous loophole that threatens to undermine Victoria’s native forest logging ban. The privately owned forest is critical habitat for rare wildlife, including endangered Greater Gliders, Long-footed Potoroos and threatened Yellow-bellied Gliders – all species recovering from the severe impacts of the 2019-20 bushfires.

1 month ago | railmagazine.com | Paul Clifton

A lost tunnel that’s thought to have once linked Salisbury station with a neighbouring lunatic asylum has been uncovered. The extraordinary discovery has been made by Network Rail and South Western Railway engineers redesigning the station forecourt. The building on Wilton Road, near the station, was Old Manor Hospital psychiatric hospital before being converted into retirement homes.

1 month ago | vnpa.org.au | Paul Clifton

PARK WATCH Article March 2025 |Adrian Marshall Facilitator, Grassy Plains Network, reports on the failure of governments to prevent more grassland destructionAnother irreplaceable grassland has been bulldozed, with local, state and federal authorities all failing to protect it despite knowing the destruction was happening. The privately owned land at Mt Cottrell in Melbourne’s west was grassland intended to become part of the long-promised 15,000 hectare Western Grassland Reserve (WGR).

2 months ago | vnpa.org.au | Paul Clifton

MEDIA RELEASE 25 February 2025 |An irreplaceable grassland in Melbourne’s west has been bulldozed, with authorities across all levels of government failing to protect it despite being aware of the destruction. The privately owned land at 248–316 Faulkners Road, Mount Cottrell on Melbourne’s western edge was destined to become part of the long-promised 15,000 ha Western Grassland Reserve.