MESSRS A. Scott and Co. will hold their usual monthly sale at Tanti on Monday, when there will be a good muster of cattle, etc., as advertised. *** OWING to Tuesday next, November 2 (Cup Day), being proclaimed a public holiday there will only be the one delivery of letters—in the morning—at Frankston Post Office. There will also be only the morning despatch of mails. *** THE monthly meeting of the Frankston and Hastings Shire Council will be held at Somerville on Thursday next, at which tenders will be received for a number of works which are advertised in…
Year: 2015
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire could earn up to $10 million a year if it charged tourists to park their cars during the summer season. The suggestion comes from a member of a peninsula ratepayer group as councils around Victoria face the prospect of lower rate income under a state government plan to cap rate rises. The government announced earlier this year that councils would have to show “special circumstances” if they wanted to increase rates by more than the cost of inflation. So-called rate capping will be introduced for the 2016-17 financial year, and the shire will have to find new…
COUNCILS looking to get around the state government’s rate cap plan are believed to feel they have found an answer – special charge schemes, which are specifically excluded from the rate cap rules. Large city law firms who specialise in local government are advising councils, which hotly oppose the plan to end the pattern of big rate rises, on how to deal with the cap. Councils use special charge schemes to require landowners to pay part of the cost of such works as footpaths, bicycle paths, street kerbing and channelling, drainage, roadworks and off-street parking. Of these works, the Local…
A WALKING and running event is the main financial force behind a driver education program for thousands of year 11 students across the Mornington Peninsula. The annual Arthurs Seat Challenge raises money for the Fit2Drive program to help students become safer road users by focusing on better decision making when faced with risky situations. The program also increases community support, sharing knowledge with parents and schools in our local area. “It has been remarkable to see the growth and expansion of road safety education across the peninsula, and the shared response to reducing road fatality and injury involving young people…
THE peace at Arthurs Seat was disturbed by the sounds of tree lopping and bush clearing last week as Wangaratta-based contractors working for Arthurs Seat Skylift removed vegetation at the sites of the proposed bottom and top gondola stations. It was the first major work by Skylift on the $16 million ride, which it is hoped will be open before Christmas next year. On Friday morning, Skylift’s Simon McKeon and Hans Brugman inspected the two sites with representatives of Doppelmayr of Austria, which will be fabricating the ride, and Parks Victoria officers including district manager Libby Jude. The clearing Monday…
WATCHING goldfish in a bowl can be restful or compared to waiting for grass to appear. But that won’t be the outcome for hundreds of divers and snorkelers in the water at Rye and Flinders this summer as part of the biggest citizen science event on Victoria’s marine calendar, the Great Victorian Fish Count. “The huge amount of enthusiasm volunteers have for the Great Victorian Fish Count reflects the deep knowledge and passion that exists in local communities for our marine life,” Caitlin Griffith from the Victorian National Parks Association said. “This enthusiasm makes it possible to contribute large amounts…
MORE than 43,000 homes across several suburbs including Frankston, Baxter, Langwarrin and Karingal will have access to the National Broadband Network by the end of 2017 as part of an “accelerated plan” announced by the federal government. Dunkley Liberal MP Bruce Billson hailed the planned connection of “superfast internet” for many suburbs in the electorate, including some who have struggled with slow internet speeds, as “critical for our community”. “I most recently met directly with representatives from NBN Co to discuss solutions for some of the internet ‘black spots’ in Baxter, Frankston South and Seaford,” Mr Billson said. “I was…
WORK on the long-awaited shared path down the steep southern slope of Mt Eliza to Emil Madsen Reserve is set to begin next month. The nearly two-kilometre Wooralla Drive path from Tower Rd to the reserve will cost $500,000 plus an unspecified amount for a crossing of the tourist railway line at the bottom of the hill. The rail crossing is likely to add a significant amount to the project. It will be done under a different contract and must meet VicTrack requirements for a normal suburban rail line even though tourist trains only run three times a month. The…
SOUTH East Water has been forced to spend more money to repair a sewage leak at its Pentecost Rd, Mornington, sewage pumping station after the first attempt failed. Problems with the system were first revealed in August when contractors pumped out sewage from the station beside Tanti Creek near Nepean Highway over two nights prior to repair work. This required the partial closure of Pentecost Rd. The News understands the EPA had tested water in the creek on 10 August and ordered SEW to carry out repairs. A small amount of polluted water had entered the creek, which runs into…
FIVE private gardens in Mt Eliza and Frankston South will be open to the public over the weekend 7-8 November. The 5 Gardeners’ Gardens is an initiative of the Anglican Parish of Mt Eliza which is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the historic “little white church” on the corner of Koetong Pd and Nepean Highway, Mt Eliza. The parish held the event in 2009, 2011 and 2013 and, according to coordinator Lyn Whelan, it was a great success. “What better way to spend a spring weekend on the Mornington Peninsula than by rambling around Mt Eliza visiting five delightful private…
INVESTIGATIONS into the risk posed by bushfires to the proposed Arthurs Seat Skylift have highlighted the dangers to residents living in or around the precinct. The Mornington Peninsula is regarded as “one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world”, according to the municipality’s official fire management plan. And the towns around Arthurs Seat and its slopes have been assessed as being under “extreme” risk of “catastrophic” bushfires. The Bushfire Risk Assessment Register lists Arthurs Seat and its lookout and escarpment, Main Ridge and Waterfall Gully Central as “almost certain” to burn. The register is part of the Mornington Peninsula…
ORGANISERS of the annual Peninsula Health and Sustainability Expo say their perspective on health and wellbeing practices can help people pause to try out mindfulness techniques. Now in its fifth year, the expo provides tips and demonstrations on environmentally friendly practices and wellbeing techniques. Fiona Redding, nicknamed the Happiness Hunter, is one of 60 Mornington Peninsula businesses, health practitioners, nutritionists and wellness operators who “care passionately about living in a holistic and happy way”. “It doesn’t take much to change your own lifestyle – but sometimes it can be overwhelming to know where to start, and who to turn to,”…
FISHERIES officers are out to make sure anglers follow snapper bag and size limits in Western Port and Port Phillip bays. Anyone caught over the limit will face $433 on-the-spot fines for each offence, have their boats seized or be banned from fishing. Fisheries Victoria executive director Travis Dowling said officers would enforce catch limits, check fishing licences and educate anglers about fishing responsibly under Operation Billit. “Snapper are an icon fish so it is important anglers fish sustainably by obeying the rules, knowing their limits and taking only what they need,” Mr Dowling said. “Officers will be undertaking patrols…
BACTERIA and contaminants are flowing into ground and surface waters from more than 30,000 unsewered properties across the Mornington Peninsula. The problem is compounded by inadequately maintained septic tank systems. The shire is undertaking a septic monitoring program in unsewered areas, including Arthurs Seat, Red Hill and Point Leo, and looking at options to provide sewerage. The program includes electronic monitoring and barcoding of septic tank systems in high-risk areas as well as providing advice to septic system owners through the Smart Septics program. The shire’s new Domestic Wastewater Management Plan aims to prevent contamination from septic tanks along with…
NOMINATIONS are open for next year’s Mornington Peninsula citizen and young citizen of the year and the year’s best community event. “Right across the shire, we have so many ordinary people doing extraordinary things. These awards help to make sure these individuals are rewarded for their generosity, selflessness and community spirit,” the mayor Cr Bev Colomb said. “If you know a friend, family member, school mate, community leader or any person or community event that helps make our community a better place to live, help us to recognise their efforts by nominating them for an award! Nominating is easy and…
WHALE watchers, tourism operators and environmentalists are marvelling the record number of whale sightings this year in Western Port. Sightings of more than 110 humpbacks, one southern right and four orcas in the region have encouraged whale watching cruises to extend their schedules. The apparent increasing numbers of whale is also providing ammunition for those opposed to an international container port being built at Hastings. While off the state government’s agenda at the moment, the port expansion could be added to the state’s major infrasturcture list if Western Port is designated as the most appropriate site by Infrastructure Victoria. Conservationists…
ROSEBUD Secondary College has won this year’s Wakakirri Challenge for Secondary School Story of the Year. There were 247 entries in the event which has categories for primary and secondary schools. Rosebud’s entry One Of Us, with teacher Brea Low, tells the story of two Jewish sisters who are taken to the Warsaw ghetto after the infamous Kristallnacht riots. Death slowly consumes them at a concentration camp. One sister gets a new identity and survives to tell their story. The performance was described as “incredibly powerful” by critic Petra Glieson. Established in 1992, Wakakirri is reportedly Australia’s largest performing arts…
THE state government is offering “a new tool” to help users save money on their power bills, following the release of figures showing that nine out of 10 Victorians are paying too much for electricity. Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio says the Victorian Energy Compare independent price comparison tool lets Victorians enter data online from their smart meter or power bill to find the best offer. The average Victorian household spends about $2800 on energy bills every year, which represents about 2.3 per cent of the average household income and up to about seven per cent of income for lower income…
AN event to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of mental illness will be held Saturday 7 November, at Southern Peninsula Arts Centre. Blue Dog Night will kick off with a barbecue at 6pm and show at 7pm. Tickets are $20 at the door with those under 16 free. Artists and photographers will display work in the foyer for a silent auction. Entertainment will be by bands The Warrains, Ling Marra and SugaTree, and Melbourne band Lasseter’s Reef, and Isla Ka from Tasmania. Organiser Erin Watkins will play original tunes. The event drew inspiration from a night of live music,…
SUB-DISTRICT Rosebud will head into day two of its match against Skye in a commanding position after belting 9/316 in 76 overs on Saturday. A superb 108 from young keeper Kane Donald set up the massive total, however, it came on the back of some solid early batting as well. Matt Maher scored 60 batting at four and skipper Brad Glenn hit 36. Jason Mathers was rolled for a duck. Pat Clish was the best of the Skye bowlers, claiming all five of the nine wickets. Skye faced the final four overs of the day but escaped without loss. Dromana…
DISTRICT IT’S been a long time since Heatherhill has dominated a day of cricket but it certainly did that on day one of their MPCA District clash against Flinders. The domination came on the back of young gun Kristian Miller, who smashed 133 against the Sharks. Opening the innings, Miller clubbed 18 fours and two sixes as he dominated all eight Flinders bowlers used to try and dismiss him. Jake Theobald provided solid support for him early with 35 before skipper Nathan Martin got in on the act and helped himself to 66. Miller was eventually dismissed by Max Royal…
PROVINCIAL LONG Island has placed itself in a commanding position against Pines in MPCA Provincial cricket after scoring 9/263 on day one of the match. Despite a shaky start that saw the home team 3/49, Islanders’ skipper Scott Phillips (70), along with Justin Bridgeman (31) took the score to 117. Strong performances from Andrew Tweddle (49) and keeper Michael Chaplin (42) in the middle order then ensured the Islanders batted out their 80 overs and posted a strong score. Craig Entwhistle and Nick Wilcox each claimed a couple of wickets each for the Piners. The Piners will need to bat…
Daryl Braithwaite and band will be performing at the Chelsea Heights Hotel on November 2. Braithwaite, the former Countdown King of Pop is looking forward to returning to the Chelsea Heights, where they have always had a great reception. “We are heading to the Chelsea Heights again, which is a great gig. The venue is terrific with lots of space and a great sound,” says Braithwaite. “It’s the audience that make it and the Chelsea Heights always delivers.” Braithwaite has spent most of his life doing what he loves, and after more than 40 years in the music industry, is…
PRIVATE A. McArthur, of Mornington, is reported wounded. *** ON account of the ordinary train being cancelled on Saturday, the mails will arrive at 5.14, and be delivered up to 6 pm at the local post office, *** DR and Mrs Maxwell are at present spending a holiday at Healesville. Dr Bartram is attending to duties in the meantime. *** THE monthly meeting of the Somerville Horticultural Society will be held on Monday evening next, when Mr T. M. Bourke will deliver a lecture on co-operation. *** A welcome home, will be given Lieutenant Fisher, Sergeant Polglase and Private O.…
THE seemingly long wait over, it was all eager anticipation on 14 October at the first Mornington Peninsula Shire Council meeting in almost a month – at least for the eager ratepayers who filed into the gallery to observe democracy at work. There were … oh, let’s see … at least three or four of us. Councillors were not exactly tripping the light fantastic as they took their places. Their feet seemed leaden. CW sensed a frisson, always likely to produce some reportable highlights. They came, but CW was slightly repulsed by several of them. A significant sight for the…
THE Melbourne Press Club last week commemorated the death of Graham Perkin, one of Australia’s great journalists, 40 years ago. He was vitally alive in that room for the many who worked with him, and for those honouring the legend he has become, an enduring and inextinguishable presence in the annals of Melbourne. Ranald Macdonald, a former managing director of David Syme and Company who now lives at Flinders, appointed Graham Perkin editor and with him revived The Age, making it a newspaper of world renown. He spoke at the commemoration dinner. This is an edited text of his address:…
THE new Women’s National Premier League soccer consortium Southern United is interviewing prospective coaches and plans to announce appointees soon. Its policy is that, if a male candidate is successful, then the best female candidate will be offered an assistant-coaching role. The consortium represents one of the largest catchment areas in Victoria. It is an amalgam of Casey Comets, Mornington, Langwarrin, Seaford United and Peninsula Strikers juniors. The interim board consists of Michael Woodward (Strikers and ex-local zone representative), Rob Harrington (Strikers), Rosemary Meeds (Mornington), Dawn Stone (Casey Comets), Stuart McLeod (Casey Comets), James Honey (Langwarrin) and Willie Lynn (Seaford…
ARTIFICIAL tree hollows – although not the real thing – are still important to the conservation of Australian hollow-nesting animals. They complement the diminishing number of old, natural hollows, which take many years to form, but which are often lost when mature trees are chopped or fall down. This time of year there is much competition for the few available nesting spots. Bats, possums, gliders, owls, parrots, ducks, kookaburras, rosellas and kingfishers, as well as various species of frogs, snakes and skinks, are all searching for homes. Students at Mt Eliza Secondary College’s Real Time Learning program decided to help. …
THE tension between activist group GetUp and Environment Minister Greg Hunt rose another notch last week over filming of a demonstration outside his Hastings office. Freelance cameraman Brett Tyley says a “dressing down” from Mr Hunt “was intimidating, rude and unprofessional for a man that holds that office”. Tyley says Mr Hunt objected to being filmed addressing a crowd of protesters even though it was Mr Hunt “that walked into the front of the crowd who I was there to film as part of my job”. “I was shocked at this as it is very unusual to be addressed as…
THE state government will be asked urgently to pay for safety measures at Tassells Cove, Safety Beach, where cliff erosion is endangering children who ignore a restricted area to play in “caves” formed at the foot of the unstable clay. The problem was highlighted by Cr Graham Pittock as an item of urgent business at Mornington Peninsula Shire’s 14 October meeting. Councillors voted to “immediately” seek “redress from the Crown due to sea processes causing this emergency in order for rectifying the situation”; to get legal advice; to investigate the danger as a priority; and to ensure the safety of…