By Emma Sun
Lakeside Residents Group chairwoman Kathy Burgstahler had a chat with Lindy Burns from the ABC about the growth in Pakenham. 73183
Picture:
Stewart
Chambers
PAKENHAM has been placed under the microscope by ABC radio reporters, who are documenting the growth of the region.
The Lindy Burns Drive program from 774 ABC Melbourne broadcast live from Pakenham Hotel on Tuesday afternoon.
Ms Burns had a chat with locals as part of the ABC’s Zone 2 project, which documents changes to urban fringe communities.
Guests on the program included Cardinia Shire Mayor George Blenkhorn, chairwoman of the Lakeside Residents Group Kathy Burgstahler, long-time resident Ivan Martin and planning minister Matthew Guy.
Simon Brown, the station’s reporter/producer and the brains behind the project said the aim was to collate old and recent pictures, videos and audio from the people who know the area best – the locals.
“The idea behind the project was to ask locals, who are the experts, to tell us about what is going on in their local area and to send in their stories.”
He was recently in Pakenham Library to do just that, and was amazed by some of the things locals contributed, which included aerial shots of Pakenham in 1930 and this year and pictures from the 1934 floods.
He has also been to suburbs including Craigieburn and Wyndham, but noticed that Pakenham’s growth has been more substantial.
“Pakenham’s a little bit ahead of the game, I think there are other areas that are experiencing more growth now, but Pakenham has certainly grown, you can just see the amount of houses that are being built as you’re driving in,” he said.
“It’s good to talk to the people of Pakenham and find out what their experience of growth has been so we can translate it across the city.”
He said there was no general consensus as to whether the old Pakenham or the new Pakenham is better, but residents did believe that it was important for facilities to grow to accommodate the population.
“People are generally in agreement that there needs to be infrastructure in terms of public transport as well as healthcare and schools and everything else to support that population.”
During the Lindy Burns Drive program, it was revealed that the Cardinia Shire currently has a population of 76,000, with a projected population of 155,000 in 2030.
It is currently the third fastest growing region in Australia, with about six families a day moving in to Cardinia Shire, which equates to approximately 120 people a week.
The Zone 2 project will continue to run and anyone who would like to share their pictures, video, audio or thoughts can visit www.abc.net.au and follow the links.
