In the last week and a half, a small factory in Somerville has made 10,000 plastic face shields to protect workers during the COVID-19 crisis. A radiology clinic in Frankston closes after virus outbreak. No new cases recorded on the peninsula today. Key facts from today’s Victorian COVID-19 update: The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 1158 – an increase of 23 from yesterday. Yesterday a man in his 50s died in hospital and a woman in her 80s died at home, taking the number of people who have died in Victoria from coronavirus to 10.…
Day: April 6, 2020
IN the past week and a half, a small factory in Somerville has made 10,000 plastic face shields to protect workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Martyn Gittens said that his company, BerleyPro, which normally makes equipment for kayak fishing and visors for fish finders, could easily switch to making the medical shields. “It was really fun to ramp up and now we’re almost out of control,” he said on Monday. “I knew we had to run with it as so many people needed them.” Buying and sourcing materials was easy at first but had become problematic since the federal government…
THE I-MED radiology clinic in Frankston has closed after staff members tested positive to COVID-19. A joint statement issued last week by I-MED Radiology CEO Dr Shrey Viranna and Chief Medical Officer Dr Ron Shnier read that “a number of our employees at Frankston Radiology have tested positive for COVID-19.” “We have worked with the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure any patients who had experienced close contact with the employees were notified. In addition all employees who had experienced close contact have self isolated for 14 days and have been tested before recommencing work,” the statement read.…
Coronavirus cases in Victoria are at 1158 today – an increase of 23 from yesterday. The Mornington Peninsula’s figures are unchanged from yesterday’s number of 53. Nearby, the City of Frankston have 35 confirmed cases, an increase of one since yesterday. The City of Casey have 40 confirmed cases, with three new cases since yesterday. The Mornington Peninsula has maintained its position as the fifth highest number of infections of all the Local Government Areas, falling from second highest just six days ago. The ten worst affected Local Government Areas in Victoria are: City of Stonnington with 86 confirmed cases.…
INTERACTION between crews aboard overseas ships using the Port of Hastings and onshore workers are being kept to a minimum, but there is no physical barrier to crews coming ashore. The Victorian Regional Channels Authority says it has been assessing the potential impacts of COVID-19 since travel restrictions were placed on the movement of people from mainland-China in early February 2020. Hastings and other Australian are subjected to COVID-19 Australian Border Force protocols, but do not have ABF officers on duty at all times. Key trades at the Port of Hastings include the import and export of oil, liquid petroleum…
A PLEA for feed or the use of pasture to graze their 60 horses during the COVID-19 virus has proven positive for Gunnamatta Trail Rides. Proprietors Karen and Bekim Alija said a letterbox drop to nearby properties explaining that a sudden loss of income meant they were having trouble feeding their horses had been well received. “We are contacting you from a position of duress and desperation as this situation has hit our business and our horses extremely hard,” their letter said. “As with many businesses on the Mornington Peninsula we are unable to operate in these times which means…
THE beach at Mount Martha north is quiet, even though there is no shortage of sand. Beach box owners and other users of the leash-free area would normally be rejoicing, but the beach – shown as Hawker Beach on Marine Safety Victoria charts – remains partially closed. The loss of sand of sand at the beach has long been a sore point of contention between beach users, Mornington Peninsula Shire and the Department of Land, Water and Planning. With the shire and the government agreeing to only barricade the base of the cliff to lessen the chance of a major…
Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker will be given emergency powers to make decisions normally made only by elected councillors. A special meeting on council (Tuesday 7 April) is expected to agree to hand the powers to Mr Baker if councillors are ill or unable to meet because of COVID-19. Under the suggested new rules, Mr Baker will be able to approve items of up to $1 million (if already in an adopted budget); $750,000 for works; $500,000 goods and services; and $200,000 for goods and services and works. While Mr Baker is certain to get some extra powers, some…
Mornington Peninsula Shire library staff have created online opportunities to read, watch, learn and have fun. A social hub on its website features activities for those spending more time at home. Links connect to such things as the Social Distance Festival, which publishes a calendar of free online concerts, plays, readings and live theatre performances from around the world. The hub offers those working from home links to training and resources to help move and improve businesses online. The hub also has wellness advice and ideas for keeping children busy. New content is uploaded regularly and school holiday competitions include…
ALTHOUGH caught in the midst of unprecedented economic uncertainty, Mornington Peninsula Shire has released its proposed 2020/21 budget for public comment. Property rates will rise by 2 per cent, in line with a cap imposed by the state government, providing the shire with $191.6 million towards an overall predicted income of $244.9m, $8m less than the previous year. Rural living rates will drop by 6 per cent. The budget does not include any of the ongoing and extensive measures being taken by the shire to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (“Crisis backing for business” The News 31/3/20). The ultimate…
A MAN died in a three-vehicle collision at Frankston South, Friday 3 April. He was the driver of a van which was extensively damaged when it hit a four-wheel-drive causing it to crash into a truck north-bound on Peninsula Link, near Robinsons Road, about 6.40am. The men driving the grey four-wheel-drive and the truck, both sole occupants, were taken to hospital with minor injuries. Drivers were advised to avoid Peninsula Link where possible. Earlier, five cars were involved in a nose-to-tail south-bound on Peninsula Link near the Stony Point railway bridge, 6.15am, Friday 3 April. Sergeant Bruce Buchan, of Somerville…
A SEAFORD correspondent writes:– It seems evident that there are no motor headlight laws in Victoria, or if there are, very little attention is paid to them. Any night on Point Nepean Road, users of this road become subjected to the blinding glare of what are known as “dazzle hogs.” In many countries, headlight laws exist, which not only protect motorists, but the public generally. These laws are compulsory, and a heavy fine is imposed upon those who disregard them. It is high time some action was taken to enforce some such law here, and a strong move should be…
A BOAT possibly used by two fishermen missing off Flinders on the weekend has reportedly been found deserted at Pyramid Rocks, Phillip Island. The search continues for the men, aged 20 and 33, who left the Flinders boat ramp 6am, Sunday 5 April, in the three metre tinnie with outboard motor. The alarm was raised when a friend was unable to contact them about 9pm Sunday. Water Police, the Air Wing, Volunteer Marine Rescue and Western Port Coast Guard crews scoured Western Port Bay until late Sunday night and from first light Monday without sighting the pair. An AUSSAR Challenger…
Emergency services are searching for two men who failed to return to shore after going fishing in Western Port Bay on Sunday morning. The 20-year-old man and 33-year-old man set out on their vessel sometime before 6am from the Flinders boat ramp. Police have been told the men often fish off the Flinders coast, west of Phillip Island. A friend raised the alarm with police just before 9pm after being unable to contact the pair. The vessel the pair took out is described as a three metre aluminium “tinny” with an outboard motor. (Registration not known) Water Police, Coast Guard…