Day: January 19, 2015

MORE than two years after opening on 17 January 2013, Peninsula Link freeway will get directional and tourism signs that were omitted from the original brief for the $760 million road. The signs followed intense lobbying by federal Dunkley MP Bruce Billson and peninsula tourism officials. At least $175,000 of the cost will come from a federal Coalition government grant organised by Mr Billson in what some people will see as an unfair cost burden. Peninsula motorists were surprised and disappointed at the lack of directional signs when the freeway opened in 2013. Strangers to the peninsula using the freeway…

THE horrendous fines just keep on coming for the Rosebud West man caught driving his motorised car fridge alongside Point Nepean Rd on Saturday. On top of receiving a $738 fine for driving while unlicensed, and $738 for driving an unregistered vehicle, he will be hit with another $500 release fee by the shire. That makes for an expensive – $1976 – trip to the shops … Hastings Highway Patrol police apprehended Chris Ryan, 29, driving his 49cc motorised esky on the footpath gave him a roadside breath test which came back negative. His four-wheel petrol-powered esky was then impounded…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire spent more than $6 million on consultants in the 2013-14 financial year. The figure has been provided to council watcher and southern peninsula resident Barry Robinson, who for several years has been asking the shire how much it spends on external advice. It is not a complete response, but a significant change in what appeared to have been a policy of denying info to ratepayers over a number of years on a wide range of issues. In 2013-14, $6.24 million was spent on consultants. As to being given more detailed figures, shire sustainable organisation director Bruce Rendall…

A NEW era in tourism is about to enrich Mornington – and the whole peninsula – with the regular arrival of P&O cruise ships from next month. The harbour town has been chosen as one of three regional ports on the iconic company’s new regional tourism itinerary. The first visit – by the Pacific Pearl – is part of an eight-night cruise departing Sydney on Saturday 21 February and calling at Eden, Mornington, Portland and Kangaroo Island. The 63,786 tonne ship is due to arrive here at 9am on Tuesday 24 February and depart at 6pm for Portland, which is…