Watch: stories that shaped south-west Victoria in 2024.
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00:00Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever been in a place like this before.
00:112024 was a year of change and challenges for Warrnambool and the Southwest, from infrastructure
00:16struggles to moments of triumph and heartbreaking tragedies. This is a look back at the stories
00:21that shaped our region. In January, the community was shaken by the closure of Tasty Plate,
00:27a not-for-profit cafe that provided jobs for some of our most vulnerable.
00:32After losing nearly a million dollars over four years, its doors shut for good,
00:36taking two other cafes with it and leaving staff and participants in limbo. Our roads,
00:43often called the lifelines of the region, had a rough year. With nearly 500 kilometers in
00:48dire condition, repairs were criticized as band-aids or bullet holes. And with a massive
00:5396% drop in funding for repairs last year, it's no wonder locals are frustrated. The state's
00:59promised 964 million road blitz offers hope, but will it be enough? The Warrnambool train line saw
01:06a long-awaited upgrade with the arrival of velocity trains, but celebrations quickly
01:11turned to frustration as overcrowding, limited seating and no snack cars left passengers asking,
01:18was this really an upgrade? Still, extra services and vending machines were added.
01:23Our health system faced its own hurdles. Plans to merge regional hospitals were scrapped after
01:29public backlash, but budget cuts still loomed large. Warrnambool Base Hospital's 384 million
01:35redevelopment lost critical features including a kitchen and underground parking as costs spiraled.
01:42Construction is set to begin in 2025, but the challenges remain. Severe weather tested the
01:48region yet again, with flash floods inundating parts of Warrnambool, despite research drainage
01:54upgrades. It's a stark reminder of how climate change is reshaping our challenges, especially
01:59as sea level rise predictions increased this year. But through the challenges, we also celebrated.
02:05South Warrnambool's football and netball teams clinched back-to-back premierships,
02:10while Naranda achieved an unbeaten season in both sports.
02:14The region's passion for community and sport remains unmatched. And on the global stage,
02:20Camperdown's Grace Brown brought home gold in cycling, while Penny Smith earned bronze in
02:25trap shooting. Their achievements remind us all of the talent and determination this region fosters.