Central Victoria local news briefing: Thursday, November 5, 2026 - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Here's what's making news in Central Victoria today.

A man charged over the possession of more than 60,000 pieces of child abuse material has faced a Bendigo court.

A Bendigo magistrate heard that police executed a search warrant in June 2023 and located 26 electronic devices, which were surrendered to the Castlemaine police station.

The court heard an initial digital forensics analysis was conducted and located more than 60,000 images and videos across the devices.

Kangaroo Flat man Troy Belz was set to plead guilty over the matter at the magistrates court on Wednesday but the court heard the material had been re-analysed by a digital forensics officer, and the prosecution was yet to learn the correct amount of abuse material.

The matter was adjourned and he will face court again on January 30.

A former digital forensics officer charged with possession of child abuse material has made a brief appearance in a Bendigo court.

Vincent Manner appeared by video link yesterday facing 10 charges of accessing and possessing child abuse material.

Mr Manner was also charged with wilful misconduct.

It was alleged he provided Victoria Police devices to a witness and used police software to help the witness without authority.

He will return to court on January 27.

A house in Echuca has been damaged by fire yesterday.

Emergency crews were called to McDonald Court just before 6.30 am.

The CFA said one person got out of the home safely and no-one else was inside.

Paramedics checked the person at the scene but they did not need treatment.

Repairs to a sinkhole in Kerang are due to be completed today.

The hole opened up on Tuesday night at the Murray Valley Highway and Shadforth Street intersection, after a vehicle drove over it.

Gannawarra Shire Mayor Ross Stanton said the hole appeared suddenly over the site of an old drainage pit.

He said leakage from the pit had washed away earth underneath the bitumen.

The Nationals have promised $300,000 to restore two heritage halls in Elmore, in central Victoria.

The money from a coalition government would repair and weatherproof the roofs of Elmore Memorial Hall and Athenaeum Hall, and upgrade the electrical systems and toilets.

The halls are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and are home to the local Goldfields Library and community events.

Nationals candidate for Bendigo East, Andrew Lethlean, said the community had welcomed the commitment.

"It's the heart of Elmore," he said.

The Labor Party has funded community infrastructure and heritage upgrades through its Living Heritage and Growing Suburbs funds while in government.