A SOMERS Primary School student has been a busy bee gathering more than 100 signatures on his petition to save the bees.
Rupert, 6, made a formal presentation at Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s Tuesday 8 October meeting pleading for the council to guard against the poisoning of local bees.
He was backed up by 120 signatures from peninsula school children and residents confirming they support his stand.
Concerns about the safety of bees have been raised over fears Department of Health officers will begin widespread “fogging” of the peninsula’s bushland areas in the fight against the Buruli virus. It is feared bees will become collateral damage.
The mayor Cr David Gill said it was “fantastic to meet such a young likeminded bee lover exercising his democratic right”.
“As a bee enthusiast and regular speaker about native bees, I applaud Rupert’s initiative and commitment to protecting our precious bee population,” Cr Gill said.
The mayor presented Rupert with a bee hotel which mimics the natural habitat of most types of native bees and counteracts the global decline of bee populations caused by the growth of our towns and cities.
Rupert and his parents met the mayor and CEO at one of the shire’s Meet-the-Mayor sessions where Cr Gill suggested he attend a council meeting to present the petition.
Council moved that Rupert’s petition be presented to the council’s environmental protection unit for review and further comment.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 12 November 2019
