Month: June 2020

A MOTORIST who copped an $85 fine for parking in a space reserved for boat trailers at Safety Beach may have to pay up. Warren Renton said he had been unaware that the area near the Safety Beach boat ramp was off limits for vehicles not towing a trailer. He said the trailers-only car park at the boat ramp was more often than not empty during the week while parking spaces outside the shops opposite were in short supply (“Fine time not had by all” The News 26/5/20). The nearest side street has limited parking. Mr Renton, who lives at…

IT seemed as though the Mornington Peninsula became active again last Tuesday with the state government further easing COVID-19 restrictions. Playgrounds, skate parks, outdoor gym equipment and park equipment, such as furniture and barbecues, were reopened for up to 10 people, with the number expanding to 20 from 11.59pm on Sunday. Libraries, youth centres and other community facilities were given the go ahead to open with 20 people in a single area that complies with social distancing rules; men’s sheds and arts and crafts classes can resume; entertainment and cultural venues, such as galleries, museums, drive-in cinemas and historic sites…

NEW regulations proposed for beach boxes will eventually see their ownership restricted to Mornington Peninsula residents or ratepayers. At present, licence renewals for 56 per cent of the 820 beach boxes managed by Mornington Peninsula Shire are sent to addresses outside of the municipality. New regulations proposed by the shire aim to bring beach box ownership back to the peninsula and also limit the number of licences to one a person. Cr David Gill said owning property on the peninsula was a requirement for beach box licences “until recent decades”, making the change “a renewal of a lapsed policy”. He…

A MAN allegedly stole two bottles of alcohol from a Hastings bottle shop, 9.30pm, Friday 15 May. Police said he walked out of the bottle shop on Church Street without making any attempt to pay for them. The man is described as being in his late 20s, of medium height and weight, with short, dark hair and wearing a tan hoodie, black skinny jeans, white shoes and carrying a black bag. Anyone with information is urged to contact Hastings police 5970 7800 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Southern…

POLICE found more than expected when they searched a car during a routine intercept in a Mornington street, 3.40am, Tuesday 26 May. They allegedly found a sawn-off double barrel shotgun and quantities of the drug methyl-amphetamine, or ice. Two Mornington men aged 32 and 24 were arrested and charged with possessing a modified firearm and possessing a drug of dependence. They appeared at Frankston Magistrates’ Court where one was further remanded and the other bailed to reappear at a later date. Senior Sergeant Paul Edwards said the arrests were the result of “vigilant police work”. First published in the Southern…

MORNINGTON Senior Sergeant Paul Edwards said the relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions was “not the time to think everything’s back to normal”. “People still need to be aware of the numbers allowed at gatherings and events and to make sure they keep to 1.5 metre distancing,” he said. In a sign that many people think the danger has passed, parents have begun registering their children’s upcoming parties with the station. “People will still need to use commonsense and to check the Department of Human Services’ guidelines to ensure they know what is and isn’t allowed.” Senior Sergeant Edwards said police were…

ON National Sorry Day, Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors rejected adopting an Aboriginal name for the $50 million aquatic centre being built at Rosebud. Another public consultation process “targeted” at peninsula residents will now be undertaken with five suggested names, including three Aboriginal words. However, the final decision will be made by councillors with the delay costing ratepayers an estimated $200,000. The names on the list are: Gunawarra Aquatic Centre; Rosebud Aquatic Centre; Barbawar Aquatic Centre; Yawa Aquatic Centre; and Tides Aquatic Centre. Gunawarra means black swan, barbawar stingray and yawa to swim. Cr David Gill said council’s reluctance to vote…

DANCING schools say authorities determining rules for their reopening on Monday 22 June are out of step with the industry. More than 170 dance schools are lobbying the Premier Daniel Andrews to let them have a say in regulations being drafted by the Department of Health and Human Services which they say is based on recommendations from the Australian Institute of Sport. Australian Academy of Dance director Mike Harrison-Lamond said dance studio owners said the AIS was “not our governing body, nor do they have an understanding of our industry”. He said requiring four square metres a person, 20 people…

BORDER Watch officers have asked Mornington Yacht Club members to “look out for anything suspicious when [they are] out on the bay”. Club office manager Sarah Grant said the Border Watch officers appeared to be focusing on public boat ramps. “They were not after anything specific and they were in and out [of here] very quickly,” she said. The club regarded the advice as “general information for members”. The visit was part of a general sweep of the bay’s boat ramps. Officers handed out leaflets headed “Small craft border crime – Know the Flags” which said criminals “may attempt to…

THE state government has given $5 million towards the $22 million redevelopment of the ferry precinct at Sorrento. Nepean MP Chris Brayne said finance for the redevelopment – part of a $40 million upgrade to the Queenscliff to Sorrento ferry service – includes $16 million from Searoad Ferries and $1 million from Mornington Peninsula Shire. Half of the state government’s $5 million will go to Searoad Ferries for works in and around the terminal, including improved public amenities and access for visitors, and half to the shire for pedestrian and roadworks connecting it to Point Nepean Road. Work will start…