Day: June 27, 2016

THERE are six candidates lining up for the seat of Flinders in Saturday’s federal election, but it would be wrong to say they all have a chance of winning. The seat has been held by Liberal Greg Hunt since 2001. He was re-elected in 2012 with an 11.8 per cent majority. Trying to unseat him are Carolyn Gleixner (Labor), Willisa Hogarth (Greens), Ben Wild (Animal Justice Party), Yvonne Gentle (Rise Up Australia Party) and independent Shane Lewis. The campaigns of the six contenders vary significantly – from Mr Hunt’s professionally produced road signs and coloured brochures to a hand painted…

AN eroding coastline has experts and residents calling for urgent action to protect the Mornington Peninsula’s beaches and avert a costly drainage disaster. While coastal erosion has long been a problem on the peninsula and millions of dollars being spent on mitigation works including sea walls and groynes, recent storm damage has heightened concern that not enough is being done. Port Phillip Baykeeper Neil Blake has compelling data that suggests the increases in tide heights are substantially greater than predicted by a consultants’ reports prepared for the Port of Melbourne Corporation before the 2008-2009 channel dredging work. He has created…

SOUTHERN Port Phillip Bay anglers are invited to hear the “Big Fisherman” Rex Hunt and fisheries experts discuss the removal of commercial net fishing and the health of key bay species. They will be speaking at a conference, 5.30-9pm, Friday 12 August, at the Altona Theatre. “We’re keen to share the latest findings from our work in the bay and outline the substantial progress made this year in removing 33 of 43 commercial netters – the flagship commitment in the State Government’s $46 million Target One Million plan,” Fisheries Victoria executive director Travis Dowling said. “Presentations from experts will cover…

CONSERVATION groups opposing redevelopment of Sorrento’s historic Continental Hotel claim they are being kept in the dark over plans to sell an adjoining council-owned car park to the developer. The 900 square metre block, at 23 Constitution Hill Rd, is crucial to the hotel’s redevelopment and impending sale. The proposed works include refurbishing the heritage building, adding 24 new rooms with a new mixed-use development to the south consisting of 16 residential units and a wellness centre, including gym, as well as a cafe on Constitution Hill Rd, landscaped rooftop terrace above the gym and cafe, three-storey residential building above…

WHALE sightings are being reported in Western Port and Port Phillip bays in what researchers say has become an annual event coinciding with the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. The Dolphin Research Institute and the Two Bays Whale Project have been receiving reports of humpback and southern right whales in both bays. “Humpback whales regularly visit Port Phillip and Western Port from June through to mid-August and again from late September to November,” DRI research officer Sue Mason said. “The first reported sighting of a humpback whale usually comes into the institute around the Queen’s Birthday weekend, prompting DRI’s research staff…

MORNINGTON sailing enthusiast Cheryl Schumaker is a self-confessed “late starter” to the sport but that hasn’t slowed her rise to the top, becoming the first female commodore in 70 years. However that doesn’t mean big changes at the club. Ms Schumaker has a vision for the club that’s in keeping with its strong focus on community involvement, sports promotion and inclusion. “At one time the general perception was that sailing clubs were for the rich people down the street, but that is changing and our club is an example of that – welcoming and inclusive,” she said. “I started sailing…

THE sister-in-law of former Victorian Liberal Premier Ted Baillieu is standing for Dunkley in Saturday’s federal election. Sally Baillieu admits to not previously having political aspirations but decided to stand after seeing “what is happening in the arts sector … a direct attack upon the human rights of all of us”. “The prospect of entering politics is terrifying, but sometimes you need to put your hand up about something you think is important, and I felt that this was one of those times.” Ms Baillieu is one of The Arts Party’s 20 candidates seeking election and the only Victorian aiming…

WHOEVER loses, Dunkley wins. That’s the state of play for the electorate as the federal election campaign heads into its final week before polling day on 2 July. The party that wins government on 2 July will be obliged to see through its extensive funding promises for Dunkley even if its candidate does not win the seat. Both major parties have made pledges worth tens of millions of dollars to sporting clubs, schools and community groups in the marginal seat held by the Liberal Party by 5.5 per cent at the 2013 election. Former small business minister Bruce Billson’s retirement…

BUILDING the planned $800,000 skatepark at Mt Martha should take about three months, but work is on hold because Mt Martha Tennis Club has leased the preferred site until 2023. Mornington Peninsula Shire can seek to change the lease but it can only be revoked if the tennis club agrees. The club is opposed to the site chosen for the skatepark by the shire in 2012, but it is the only one acceptable to Heritage Victoria on the historic parade ground near Mt Martha Community Centre at the corner of The Esplanade and Dominion Rd. The club says the skatepark is…

A PARTIALLY-restored 1976 VW Beetle was among items stolen from 10 storage units in Barkly St, Mornington, last week. The car, valued at $15,000, was later recovered undamaged behind a Mornington take away. Detective Senior Constable Ben Watson, of Somerville CIU, said thieves either cut padlocks or forced open doors to the units overnight Sunday 19 June. Detective Watson said another a Porsche 911 was left behind in the raids in which a video camera, TV, electric bicycle and tools were taken. Adjoining unit holder Ryan Henderson said the thieves broke into his unit but unsuccessfully tried to open five…

RESIDENTS should have full confidence in the Mornington Brigade’s fire-fighting capabilities, its officer-in-charge says. The statement comes after weeks of controversy stemming from the fire fighters’ industrial dispute, the sacking of the CFA board and the resignation of its CEO. Mornington fire station chief Troy Thornton is concerned by fallout from the much-publicised and now politicised row, which had prompted some older residents to tell him personally that they feared their homes would not properly be defended in the strained circumstances. Last week he said residents “would have had to have been living on another planet to have not noticed…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has adopted its 2016/17 annual budget, keeping average rate rises below the state government’s 2.5 per cent limit. The mayor Cr Graham Pittock said the shire was still able to allocate more than $30 million for capital works from the $152.14 million rates income, which includes $900,000 in supplementary rates. The $180 municipal charge has been abolished, but is effectively replaced by a $193 waste service charge to cover kerbside waste collection, street sweeping, beach cleaning, street litter bin collection and capping the Rye landfill. Cr Pittock said the general rate in the dollar would “decrease significantly”…

PENINSULA LEAGUE PINES moved to outright second on the Peninsula Division ladder with a strong performance against Mt Eliza at Wooralla Drive on Saturday. Despite the Redlegs opening up a 25-point break on the Pythons in the second quarter, the visitors were able to boot nine goals to four in the second hour to win 12.13 (85) to 10.9 (69). It was a great performance from the Pythons, who tweaked some things during the major break that ultimately turned the game around. James Freeman got hold of Pines in the opening half but coach Patty Swayne shifted ruckman Beau Hendry…

NEPEAN LEAGUE SORRENTO got back on the winner’s list on Saturday, knocking over the in-form Frankston Bombers in epic fashion. The Sharks had lost their previous two games at home to Rye and Devon Meadows but with some returning players and a tweak in game style, the home side was able to take the Bombers down a peg. The Sharks had nine scoring shots to two in the opening term and never looked in danger, winning 15.11 (101) to 7.15 (57). With Scott Lockwood back in the team and joining Nick Corp in the forward 50 metre arc, the Sharks…

A PAINFULLY sudden death occurred on Monday morning to a little girl, eleven years of age, the daughter of Mr and Mrs Olding, of Carnegie. It appears that, in company with her younger sister, she was spending a holiday at Flinders and on Saturday morning last complained of a sore throat and not feeling well. She gradually got worse and on Monday morning a motor was procured and a start was made for home.   On arriving at Bittern it was discovered that the child was dead.. The remains were then brought on to Frankston, and on Tuesday morning Dr…

MEMBERS of the public can find out more about Ramadan – Islam’s holiest month – by attending a meal served after sunset on Sunday 3 July. The sunset meal is a tradition of breaking a fast and will be served as a buffet by members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Victoria. The community has a mosque at Langwarrin but the meal is being served at the Uniting Church in Frankston. Those attending will get the chance to speak with mosque members and find out more about Islam. The Interfaith Iftar Dinner, 4.30pm Sunday 3 July, will be held at the…