Deaths hearing
GEELONG Magistrates’ Court has committed Robert Farquharson to stand trial on murder charges over the drowning deaths of his three sons.
Mr Farquharson has claimed his sons died when he accidentally crashed into a dam outside Winchelsea after blacking out during a coughing fit.
Walker dies
A pedestrian has died in a collision with a car at Drysdale.
Police said a car had swerved to avoid the woman in her late 60s when she stepped onto High Street but a second vehicle hit her, with the driver cleared of culpability.
Jetstar loss
Qantas has blamed rising fuel prices and aircraft leases for an $11 million dip in annual profits at budget subsidiary airline Jetstar.
Qantas boss Geoff Dixon said Jetstar, which operates from Geelong’s Avalon Airport, made a before-tax profit of $11 million.
Boy killed
A 15-year-old boy has died in single-car crash at Beeac, west of Geelong.
Police said the boy died at the scene after losing control of the car, running off Ballarat Road and crashing into a phone pole.
Road death
A car has struck and killed a 24-year-old man while he was lying on the Princes Highway at Colac.
Police said they were unsure why Steven Clarke, of Kyabram and Benalla, was lying on the road but they wanted to interview two young men seen walking along the road around the time of the accident.
Bypass contract
Federal Roads Minister Jim Lloyd has declared Geelong’s bypass project on track for completion in 2009 after announcing the contracts to complete the project’s second stage.
Mr Lloyd said he expected work on the stage, between the Midland Highway, at Hamlyn Heights, to the Hamilton Highway, at Fyansford, to begin in November.
Homes saving
Fifteen new aged care homes at Belmont will save taxpayers’ $1.1 million, according to State Government.
Housing Minister Candy Broad said the Government would put $2.9 million toward construction but Sirovilla Elderly Persons Homes would contribute $1.1 million worth of land.
Roads cash
More than $14 million in Commonwealth funding will flow into City Hall’s annual budget, Senator Michael Ronaldson has announced.
Mr Ronaldson said $2.2 million would target specific local roads projects, with the rest for a range of local government services.
