THE owners of watercraft left for storage at Mornington Peninsula beaches may early next year be wondering where they have gone, especially between Blairgowrie and Sorrento.
Mornington Peninsula Shire and Whitecliffs management committee have joined forces to remove kayaks, dinghies and yachts being stored illegally on beaches and foreshores.
The clean-up will begin in March.
“Our foreshores are public spaces where everyone is welcome. Removal of unauthorised watercraft will enable healthy foreshore environments and ensure everyone can continue to enjoy these public spaces into the future,” the mayor Cr Steve Holland said.
He said some of the watercraft had been stored for many years, leading to trampled dune systems, as well as littered, buried and abandoned boats and equipment.
The Community Amenity Local Law 2022 bans anything from being stored or leave on council land without permission.
“This issue of watercraft on the foreshore in Nepean Ward is something that is raised every year by our community and visitors and was identified as a key concern during community consultation for the Sorrento Coastal and Marine Management Plan,” Cr Susan Bissinger said.
“We’re looking forward to working with the community to ensure our foreshores are beautiful, accessible, safe and with no loss of amenity.”
To learn more visit mornpen.vic.gov.au/watercraftremoval
First published in the Mornington News – 20 December 2022
