A RALLY to oppose the AGL gas import and Kawasaki hydrogen export projects in Western Port will be held at the Fred Smith Reserve, Hastings foreshore, 1pm, Sunday 1 July. The Crib Point AGL gas import project and the Kawasaki Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain pilot project have raised community concerns over the environmental, social and economic risks they pose to the values of Western Port, rally organisers say. Save Westernport and Westernport and Peninsula Protection Council are hosting the rally supported by Environment Victoria, Victorian National Parks Association and Blue Wedges Coalition. The Crib Point AGL floating regasification project aims…
Year: 2018
FRENCH Island residents concerned about ambitious plans by Chinese investors to turn the rural hamlet into a “second Phillip Island” will discuss their fears with Hastings MP Neale Burgess this Sunday (1 July). Since the sale of the former McLeod Prison Farm to the Chinese Wufu Group last year for a reported $4 million, the islanders have heard rumours about the new owners wanting to remodel their investment into something like their much-busier neighbour. Members of the French Island Community Association want to make plain their opposition to the reported plans, with one saying: “This is not government policy and…
THE daubing of a red swastika on a gum tree outside Bittern train station has drawn condemnation from members of a leading civil rights organisation. Hastings police are also trying to track down the offenders. Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich, who was sent photographs of the graffiti by an offended Bittern resident, Wednesday 20 June, described it as “repugnant”. “This repugnant Nazi graffiti is an assault on all residents of the Mornington Peninsula and violates our nation’s values of acceptance and respect for all people,” Dr Abramovich said. “The Nazi swastika is a universal symbol of hate that represents…
THE Mornington Peninsula can mean many things to many people. The 2016 census puts the peninsula’s population at 150,000, but the number on the ground is often much greater. Thousands visit on a daily basis all year and, over summer, the number of people staying overnight or for days at a time is in the tens of thousands. But what attracts these people – residents and visitors – is under threat. Planning regulations decreed by state legislators seem to regard the peninsula’s towns and villages in much the same way as that of Melbourne’s inner suburbs, allowing for higher buildings…
FORMER Socceroos assistant coach Scott Miller is keen to provide elite soccer coaching for junior boys and girls throughout the Mornington Peninsula. Miller is the principal of Identity Pro Academy based at Toorak College in Mount Eliza. The former Fulham assistant and Newcastle Jets head coach returned from Denmark last year where he worked as an assistant coach at Aalborg BK. Miller is one of the highest credentialled coaches in Australian soccer and is contracted to Fox Sports as a football analyst. He holds an AFC Pro Diploma and a UEFA A-Licence as well as tertiary degrees in sports science…
SOCCER A SUPERB first half-display from Frankston Pines and the shock resignation of Peninsula Strikers president Trevor Johnston were the big talking points to emerge from last weekend’s round of matches. Pines blitzed Heatherton United early and led 4-0 at the interval eventually running out an easy 5-0 winner. Ben Millward opened the scoring in the 13th minute and two minutes later CJ Hodgson struck. When Lewis Potter headed home from a set piece in the 31st minute Heatherton was staring down the barrel and Hodgson was at the back post right on half-time to drive another nail into the…
DIVISION TWO RED Hill have secured their fifth consecutive win in MPNFL Division Two football, continuing their rampaging run with a big win over Hastings. Hasting started well and kept in touch with Red Hill in the first quarter, but the game would not stay competitive for much longer. By the three-quarter time break, Red Hill had established a comfortable 32 point lead and put the game to rest. A six goal to one final term only made the pain worse for Hastings as they went down in an uncompetitive clash 7.5 (47) to 17.7 (109). Chris Irving and Jonathon…
DIVISION ONE SORRENTO Sharks have survived an almighty scare courtesy of Mt Eliza, but held on to claim all four points in their top of the ladder clash at Emil Madsen Reserve. Mt Eliza were fighting for the top position on the ladder, and had their chances boosted by the absence of Sorrento forward Chris Dawes. In wet conditions, Mt Eliza raced out of the gates to establish an early lead over Sorrento, going into the quarter time break with a 14 point lead. The Redlegs were well on top throughout the day, applying more tackles and playing more direct…
US Blues Rock Royalty Head Down Under With ‘New Beginnings’ California power-trio Radio Moscow have just announced their return to Australia with a two week tour planned for down under in just a few weeks. The hard-hitting band have carved their own sonic niche in international Blues, Rock and Psych circles since their formation in 2003, regularly playing some of the world’s largest festivals including Ride Festival, Desert Daze, Electric Funeral, Psycho California and more, also having supported the likes of Graveyard, Witchcraft, Joe Bonamassa and Pentagram throughout Europe, North America, South America and Australasia. Their retro sound, fuelled by…
A SEVERE and painful accident occurred at Crib Point Naval Base last week, by which Mr R. Brown, of Bittern, sustained severe injuries. He was attending to some machinery, when, by some means, his clothes became entangled, and they were practically stripped off him before assistance arrived. The services of Mr Prince, of the First Aid, were obtained, and he advised medical treatment. On the arrival of Dr Atkinson, the sufferer was found to have several ribs broken, and the body severely bruised. He was ordered to the Melbourne hospital, where he is now progressing as well as can be…
THE treatment of strays at the animal shelter and pound in Mornington has been called “unfriendly” by a rescue group. Victorian Dog Rescue and Resource Group and Dog Rescue Association of Victoria president Trisha Taylor has written to Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO Carl Cowie complaining about the shelter which she says has “developed a reputation as one of the least animal friendly in rescue”. The Dog Rescue Association was formed by volunteers in 2009 to “save the lives of companion animals”. Its members are “committed to rescuing animals from pounds and rehousing them with loving families”. “Why do you call…
A WOMAN in her late 70s died when she became trapped under a car in the driveway of her Mornington home last Friday morning. Sergeant Kylie Vaughan, of Mornington police, said the woman’s husband, also in his 70s, was parking the car at their Strachans Road property on Friday 22 June when she became pinned underneath. Mornington and Dromana CFA, ambulance crews and police rushed to the scene and used lifting equipment to raise the car but the woman had died as a result of her injuries. Sergeant Vaughan said it was unlikely any charges would be laid over the…
POLICE are seeking dash-cam footage of a silver coloured Holden Astra being driven erratically south bound on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway, 4.25am Saturday 16 June. The car, which was later involved in a single vehicle collision, was found with extensive front-end damage in the middle of the freeway blocking both lanes. The driver had fled the scene and mid-last week police were making inquiries about the registered owner. Police would like to speak to anyone who may have seen the car travelling on Peninsula Link or the Mornington Peninsula Freeway, or who may have come to the driver’s or passenger’s…
STATE Planning Minister Richard Wynne has agreed to studies being undertaken into the environmental and social impacts likely to be caused by reopening the old Pioneer quarry in Boundary Road, Dromana. Owner Hillview Quarries asked Mr Wynne for permission to undertake an environmental effects statement (EES) into its reopening proposal as well as “door-knocking” neighbouring property owners. Mr Wynne is expected to soon release details of the draft scope, or extent, of the investigation required, known as “scoping requirements”. In a letter to surrounding property owners Hillview CEO Paul Nitas said the minister’s decision meant his company would need to…
THE Liberal Party has pledged to throw out three-storey house height limits in areas across the Mornington Peninsula if it wins the November state election. Mr Davis said three storey height limits were “completely inappropriate for any areas in the peninsula”. “I think [Mornington Peninsula Shire] council has been quite right in saying this should be stopped in this area,” he said. “They [the shire] have had no support from the current government on that. We would certainly ensure that there were sensible protections put back in place for many of those areas.” Mr Davis said “sensible protections” meant reducing…
THE CFA wants to make sure residents do not “power a house fire” through appliances overheating or being damaged. CFA manager community safety Jude Kennedy said using damaged electrical equipment and appliances could result in fires urged that they be checked before being plugged in. “People need to remember that when electrical appliances are left on for an extended period of time they could overheat and have disastrous effects,” Mr Kennedy said. “We are urging residents to check their electrical appliances, including laptops and televisions, which are highly used in homes. “Make sure you turn off and unplug your electrical…
RESTRICTIONS on urban expansion and strong rural subdivision controls are at the heart of the draft Mornington Peninsula Green Wedge Management Plan. The plan was released for public comment at last Friday’s (22 June) green wedge summit at the Main Ridge Community Hall. Speakers included Flinders MP Greg Hunt, RMIT environment and planning professor Michael Buxton, Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board chair Tracey Cooper, fifth generation Red Hill orchardist Sheryn Mock, shire planning services manager David Bergin, Peninsula Speaks community environmental group co-founder Christine Haydon, and University of Melbourne food policy lecturer Dr Rachel Carey. More than 100 residents and…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s draft 2018 Green Wedge Management Plan is open for public comment. The draft plan aims to identify the long-term vision, objectives and actions for the sustainable use and development of green wedge-zoned areas. It also outlines key issues, opportunities and likely future pressures. The mayor Cr Bryan Payne said community responses already received showed a “high level of support for protecting our green wedge”. “We must protect and manage the green wedge to ensure it remains an area where the natural environment and biodiversity is preserved,” he said. “The green wedge is renowned for its rural charm…
THE Mornington Peninsula was set to play a greater role in feeding Greater Melbourne’s growing population, a speaker at the Green Wedge Summit at Main Ridge Community Hall, Friday 22 June, said. Melbourne University’s Dr Rachel Carey, who heads the Foodprint Melbourne project, said the increasing urbanisation of large areas of formerly productive farmland around Melbourne highlighted the importance of maintaining agricultural production on the peninsula. “The resilience of city food systems is facing growing challenges from population growth, urban sprawl, climate change and from declining supplies of natural resources, such as land, water and fossil fuels,” Dr Carey said.…
ABOUT 100 cyclists rode in the name of road safety on Saturday 16 June when The White Bike Foundation and Mornington Cycling Club staged their third memorial ride for Joel Hawkins. Their destination was the ghost bike honouring the memory of the Mt Martha 17-year-old who was struck and killed on the Nepean Highway at Ponderosa Place, Dromana, 17 June 2015. The annual memorial ride took place just days after five road users died on Victorian roads, including a 61-year-old cyclist who was struck by a truck at Moorooduc, about 16 kilometres from the site of Hawkins’ death and almost…
POLITICAL parties have been called on to release their green wedge and planning policies to re-affirm the protection of green wedge zones well before the November state election. RMIT University’s Professor Michael Buxton told last week’s Mornington Peninsula Green Wedge Summit that planning and population management was a “hot issue impacting on the community”. He said some of Victoria’s most important environmental assets, such as the green wedge zones, would face increasing pressures. “Greater Melbourne’s population explosion highlights the strategic value of the decisions taken in the 1960s to create the green wedges and, also, the importance of bipartisan support…
TWO Rosebud Secondary College students will take part in youth science forums in London and Singapore next month. Year 12 students Sean Donoghue and Steven Thein Kha Sie are members of the SEAL (Select Entry Accelerated Learning) program, reportedly the only fully accredited accelerated program on the southern peninsula. The forums run 25 July to 8 August, and are aimed at inspiring “scientists of the future” among students from schools all over the world. The selection program is highly competitive, with only a handful of applicants being chosen. The Rosebud pair will visit research and scientific establishments and hear from…
Police are currently on scene of a fatal car crash that has claimed the life of a man at Merricks North this evening. It is believed a vehicle was travelling south along Tubbarubba Road near Balnarring Road about 5.45pm. Police have been told the vehicle lost control and left the road before crashing into a tree. The male driver, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene. Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
PENINSULA Aero Club is hosting an open day for members of the public to visit and view some rare and exciting aircraft that participated in the highly successful recent air show, from noon Saturday 23 June. The Aero Club will be donating a record amount of air show proceeds to community groups during the day, continuing a tradition started almost 50 years ago when their first Air Show was held to raise funds for the world’s first fully equipped helicopter air ambulance, ‘The Angel of Mercy’ that initially operated from Tyabb. All air shows since have benefited the local community…
By Barry Morris THE St Vincent de Paul Society has seen a sharp spike in calls for assistance from the needy on the Mornington Peninsula in the past year, figures released by its Melbourne office reveal. The Vinnies’ figures for the southern region showed it provided help and support to the value of $890,000. In 2016-17, the number of food parcels handed out rose 11.3 per cent, the society was called on to provide help with housing for 12.9 per cent more people, the number of prescription medicines paid for rose 13.2 per cent and education costs shot up 27…
A RALLY to “save Western Port from two threats” is being held next month at Hastings. Rally organisers say the threats come from power company AGL’s plan to moor a 300 metre long floating gas terminal at Crib Point and the building of a pilot hydrogen gas-to-liquid plant at Hastings. While AGL plans to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) to be sold into the Victorian market after being turned back into gas, a consortium led by Kawasaki Heavy Industries wants to ship liquid hydrogen to Japan. Under the $496 million project – subsidised with $50m each from the federal and…
A MOOROODUC artist won a top award at this year’s Chelsea Rotary Art Show, taking out first place in the oils/acrylic category. Janis Barbieri’s Tropicana was deemed best in show in its category by judges at the 43rd annual Chelsea Rotary Art Show held at Chelsea Hall on 9-11 June. Barbieri, who signs her maiden name Janis Taber on her artworks, said it is the first arts award she has won since taking up inks and oils six years ago after working in the fashion industry. She said her art is “creative botanical and inspired by nature”. “I love combinations…
SOCCER SEAFORD United recorded its second win of the season and its first under senior coach Matt Morris-Thomas when it defeated Noble Park United 3-2 at North Seaford Reserve on Saturday. Harry McCartney reports that Seaford stunned the visitors in the 27th minute when defender Callum Richardson’s acrobatic overhead kick opened the scoring. Three minutes into the second half Dylan Waugh broke past two defenders before slotting the ball past Noble Park United keeper Andrea Stoilovic to make it 2-0. Seaford fans were in raptures in the 72nd minute after Cam Bryden’s clinical side-foot finish made it 3-0. But a…
DIVISION TWO DROMANA bounced back to claim a win this Saturday to avenge their first loss for the year in MPNFL Division Two football last weekend. After going down in a nailbiting six-point loss to Red Hill last Sunday, Dromana were faced with a more comfortable task in Crib Point at Dromana Recreation Reserve on Saturday. On paper, this looked like a complete mismatch, as it pitted top of the ladder Dromana against a Crib Point side that had remained rooted to the bottom of the ladder since Round One. Despite everything pointing to a comfortable Dromana win, Crib Point…
DIVISION ONE MORNINGTON put on their most complete display of football for the year, claiming a convincing victory over Rosebud at Alexandra Park on Saturday. The two sides, placed 8th and 9th on the ladder coming into the game, looked evenly matched in the first quarter, with the margin only standing at one point Mornington’s way at the first break. Mornington went on to kick ahead in the second quarter but only went into half-time with a 14-point lead on what was a cold and blustery day. Although the game looked alive up until the main break, things got off…