Author: Keith Platt

IS V-Nick a babysitter or a mother? A photograph of the dolphin known as V-Nick to the Dolphin Research Institute with a new calf has raised the two possibilities. Jeff Weir, the Hastings-based institute’s executive director, said last week that “future surveys with more images” would help determine V-Nick’s role in the calf’s upbringing. “The success of mothers like V-Nick is crucial to the survival of her community of dolphins. This is special because V-Nick is common dolphin number one in our catalogue,” he said. Weir has also announced that the institute’s Future Generations Appeal raised “a fantastic” $52,637, exceeding…

MORNINGTON Peninsula residents are being asked what special features, amenities or themes they would like to see on the Peninsula Trail, despite the project being at least $35 million behind in costs and no completion date in sight. The ambitious plan being promoted by Mornington Peninsula Shire links 130 kilometres of trails throughout the peninsula to create one of “the great walking and cycling trails of the world”. The shire last week issued a news release stating that for many years “our community has been telling us they dream of a connected trail network … we are ready to turn…

THE Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN) meeting on Sunday (16 July) will feature speakers on the topic Homelessness on the Peninsula; the hidden epidemic. All women are invited to attend and there is no need to book. SWAN meets at Mount Martha House starting with morning tea at 9.30am with the meeting starting at 10am. Speakers will be Belinda Rodman and Kara Van der Heyde from Southern Peninsula Community Support, are at the coalface of this issue. Mornington Peninsula Shire was this week set to consider asking the state government to amend planning laws so councils can approve secondary dwellings.…

THE first of the four surveys to gauge public satisfaction with the performance of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council starts this week and will be completed by the end of the month. The mayor Cr Steve Holland said quarterly surveys would provide the shire with “more timely feedback”. Results of the four surveys commissioned by the shire will form the basis for the annual review of municipalities made on behalf of the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. A “review of methodologies” has seen the shire hire Metropolis Research to conduct the four “community satisfaction surveys”. The decision by shire directors…

SPARE seats were in short supply for lunch on Thursday 29 June in Somerville as the Committee for Mornington Peninsula hosted a Victorian budget briefing with Treasurer Tim Pallas. Committee CEO Josh Sinclair said he and Pallas had discussed the need to keep funding allocated for infrastructure projects within the peninsula region. “We also talked about how we can better advocate within a metropolitan Melbourne designation and the importance of government investing in road, public transport and infrastructure upgrades – particularly on the Western Port side of the peninsula,” Sinclair said. Committee members asked Pallas about payroll tax concessions and…

IT may be a narrow section of remnant bushland with many open spaces squeezed between a busy highway and the sea, but the Capel Sound foreshore reserve is home to a wide variety of birds, reptiles and animals. Among the 83 species identified in a year long study of the foreshore reserves, are four introduced animals and four introduced birds. The fauna survey conducted for Capel Sound Foreshores management committee by Mal’s Ecological and Environmental Services has found the four kilometres of reserves are worthy of being recognised as having state and regional significance. The survey listed three species of…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has hired a Melbourne based social research company to conduct a “satisfaction survey” of residents. The shire says 400 interviews will be conducted with a “representative sample of residents”. The survey has been designed to assess the shire’s performance and identify services that need improving. The shire’s decision to commission the survey follows two consecutive years of poor results from community satisfaction surveys of municipalities made on behalf of the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (“Shire again misses survey satisfaction” The News 21/6/23). Results from the 2022 survey saw the shire rated at an “all-time low” followed…

A STRONG voice in lobbying efforts to get government backing for major projects on the Mornington Peninsula and in Melbourne’s south east has been lost with the death on Sunday in Germany of former Labor leader and ACTU president, Simon Crean. Crean, 74, was one of three directors of Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM), a lobbying group that represents the peninsula and the municipalities of Frankston, Casey, Kingston, Greater Dandenong, Knox and Monash. The third director is former Liberal Upper House MP Margaret Fitzherbert. Headed by Simon McKeon, the chair of Monash University, GSEM says it advocates on behalf of…

A PETITION has been launched to stop brown coal from the Latrobe Valley being used to make hydrogen gas and being shipped to Japan after being liquefied at Hastings. Friends of the Earth Melbourne’s No More Gas campaigner Freja Leonard last week said the proposed hydrogen energy supply chain (HESC) project “will drag Victoria further from realising our emission reduction targets of net zero by 2045 and drag the climate further into the danger zone”. “Amid a climate crisis, this new coal project would extend the life of Australia’s dirtiest fossil fuel and, according to analysis by The Australia Institute,…

THE federal government has announced it will give $500,000 towards a “community battery” at Flinders to store and distribute electricity from household solar panels. If successful, negotiations under way between Mornington Peninsula Shire, Flinders Zero Carbon Community and Yarra Energy Foundation will see the shire assume ownership of the battery and pay $30,000 for site preparation works. The federal grant from the Community Batteries for Household Solar Program, will pay for the battery and its installation. Adoption of the plan by the government and shire follows three years of work by Flinders Zero Carbon Community, including holding community forums and…

SOUTHERN right whales have returned to the bays and seas surrounding the Mornington Peninsula after spending summer feeding in sub-Antarctic waters. The southern rights, the only whales to calve in Victorian waters, arrive to give birth and raise their young from May to October. The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action said cows and their calves had been spotted at Flinders, Cape Schanck, Rye, while unaccompanied adult whales had been reported in Port Phillip. The Dolphin Research Institute said over the past month there had been a “huge growth” in whale sightings reported through PodWatch (270 per cent) on…

NON-professional deer hunters have been recruited by Parks Victoria to shoot deer at Devilbend Natural Features Reserve, near Moorooduc. Sections of the reserve are being closed to the public from 4pm to 6am while the hunt proceeds over the next month. Parks Victoria says its monitoring program had shown that the number of deer on the Mornington Peninsula had “increased rapidly” over the past two years. Acting area chief ranger Nick Jansen said the culling of fallow deer at Devilbend had been “stepped up … in a bid to eradicate them before their population increases and causes significant damage”. “We’ve…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has been unable to turn around results from a satisfaction survey last year that saw it rated at an “all-time low”. The same survey taken one year later on behalf of the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions has registered an overall performance score of 50, three less than in the 2022 Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey. The latest survey said “perceptions” of the shire’s overall performance had declined in the past two years, “reversing the stabilisation … experienced from 2014 to 2021” (“Shire hits ‘all time’ low in satisfaction” The News 5/10/22). It said perceptions…

A DELAY in starting a coastal strategy for the Mornington Peninsula led to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council receiving $200,000 from the state government. Despite the amount being less than half the $500,000 being sought, the shire hired consultants in January to “develop” the strategy under a two-year contract. Details of the delay and appointment of Alluvium Consulting were outlined in a report to council on 30 May. The report by water and coasts team leader Laura Crilly was made in response to a call by Cr Anthony Marsh for details of how $175,000 in the shire’s 2021/22 budget and $50,000…

THE machine used to remove “waste” from Mornington Peninsula beaches may itself become a rare sight near the foreshores. Although not specifically mentioned in a motion adopted unanimously last month by Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors, Cr David Gill says he wants to end to the use of “the mechanical beach raking machine”. Gill says his motion printed on the 30 May agenda did not mention using the machine because “that would not be allowed on operational grounds” overseen by shire CEO John Baker. Gill’s reasons for wanting to stop the use of mechanical beach cleaning machines were also left off…

HUNDREDS attended Sunday’s annual Reconciliation Walk run by the Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association at Hastings. The walk and celebrations that followed at the Pound Road gathering place followed this year’s theme: Be a Voice for Generations. The welcome to country was conducted by Bunurong Land Council’s Mark Brown followed by speeches from Willum Warrain president Jeanette Kaindel, Hastings MP Paul Mercurio, Mornington Peninsula Shire’s deputy mayor Cr Debra Mar and Willum Warrain CEO Peter Aldenhoven. “After the formalities were over we were entertained by Djalu dancers featuring Ganga Giri and our good friends from Mullum Mullum who come every year,…

AREAS of the Mornington Peninsula have been described as suffering from “third world neglect” because of their lack of reticulated sewerage. Polluted runoff from the peninsula’s 22,000 unsewered properties poses a public health risk as well as polluting drains, creeks and groundwater. As well as lobbying the state government and government agencies to set a timeline to fix the problem, Mornington Peninsula Shire will draw up a new wastewater management plan under the “guidance” of the Environment Protection Authority. Towns and areas which are not sewered include Rosebud, Red Hill, Main Ridge, Arthurs Seat, Baxter, Merricks and Crib Point. Cr…

OBITUARYAlan Nelsen, 25/6/1943 – 7/5/2023Engineer, doctor THEY may not know it, but residents across the Mornington Peninsula are the beneficiaries of Alan Nelsen’s logical thinking, foresight and persuasiveness about community issues, planning and development. An engineer, Nelsen kept a close eye on how developers and bureaucrats saw the future and if their views could help or hurt the peninsula. If he saw problems with a particular project or plan he would carefully map out an argument to lessen its impact or be dropped altogether. This would be achieved through negotiation, written reports or submissions and recruiting allies to back his…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire officers have been “working closely” with police and the Environment Protection Agency to “combat” the illegal dumping of car tyres. The mayor Cr Steve Holland said a large numbers of tyres had been dumped “at various spots” around the peninsula. “The investigation requires extensive intelligence gathering and a strategic approach with regard to removing the dumped tyres,” Holland said. “Illegally dumping waste is a serious offence and a breach of the Environmental Protection Act.” Holland said fines of more than $9000 could apply as well as a conviction if offenders were caught and prosecuted in court. He…

CONTINUED erosion and loss of sand on beaches has raised questions over the time being taken to draw up a Mornington Peninsula Coastal Strategy. Councillors allocated $175,000 in the 2021/22 budget and a further $50,000 in the current year but have been told the strategy is still more than two years away from completion. Cr Anthony Marsh told council’s 2 May public meeting that he was “pretty curious” about how the money had been spent. “If it takes four years to write a strategy we’re probably better off putting that money into tangible outcomes, and whether that’s fixing access or…

After 18 years and several name changes work has been scheduled to start next year on a university level research centre at Point Nepean. Once billed as a centre for marine education, Melbourne and Monash universities have now announced their backing for the Point Nepean Research and Education Field Station – Home of the National Centre for Coasts, Environment and Climate. The federal government has contributed $17 million towards the centre and the universities $8m. The universities say they are “finalising the designs to progress planning approvals and other regulatory processes” for the field station, including a new building. “While…

AN economic analysis of data from the 2021 census highlights the stark socio-economic differences between towns across the Mornington Peninsula. The socio-economic rankings from one – most disadvantaged – to 10 – most advantaged – are based on income, occupation, employment status and education. Australian Bureau of Statistics rankings based on the latest Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) released last week show towns across the peninsula vary from being most advantaged to most disadvantaged. Towns categorised as being most disadvantaged, or those having the lowest scores, are Hastings (1) and Capel Sound (1). Towns with a score of two, the…

AFTER more than 20 years of delay the Mount Martha community playground also known as the Mount Martha Eco Park in Glenisla Drive will be extended and refurbished. The playground was built at the instigation of local residents who stopped South East Water subdividing the land for 64 housing lots. “The outcome of the drawn out fight with authorities and Mornington Peninsula Shire was a much smaller subdivision and the land donated to the shire for a community playground,” said former shire president and state MP, Judith Couacaud Graley, a member of the group behind the creation of the park.…

ARTWORKS displayed in the foyer of Mornington Library this month depict the “wild wonders” growing in the Mornington-Moorooduc railway reserve. While travellers on the train run along the heritage line by Mornington Railway Preservation Society admire the passing landscape, environment groups say the nature that is so appealing to artists is threatened by plans to run the Bay Trail through the reserve. “The exhibition grew out of a desire to raise public awareness of, and connectivity to, the beauty, value and fragility of this very special local gem,” Jeanette Miller, who coordinated the exhibition with Mornington Peninsula Shire’s community arts…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Steve Holland says it is “unnecessary and without basis” for the state government to investigate the shire’s performance. “Based on recent benchmarking, [the shire] remains one of the most efficient councils in Victoria, compared to similar councils,” Holland said. “The shire continues to deliver a balanced budget every year and has the eighth lowest rates out of 79 councils in Victoria. This is the place to be.” Holland’s comments follow calls by two ratepayer groups for an inquiry. “Our request that the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry is simply an investigation, not an indication…

A “DESIGN” is underway to rebuild the deteriorating Fishermans Jetty at Mornington, according to Parks Victoria. The jetty was closed for safety reasons in June 2022 when Parks said planning for the future of Mornington harbour was “anticipated” to start late-2022. “We have engaged a project manager and will be seeking specialist advice on heritage values and other matters,” acting regional director southern and maritime region Graeme Davis said last week (“Jetty’s future tied to $6.7m harbour plan” The News 18/4/23). “We will be consulting with the community later in 2023 as the [harbour] plan is developed.” In June last…

ABOUT 20 artists and potters from Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula will be opening their studios to the public the Peninsula Studio Trail weekend, 29 to 30 April. The artists promote their work collectively and believe opening their studio doors makes it more accessible to the public. “The open studio weekends are a wonderful opportunity to meet talented local artists and visit their private working studios,” member artist Diane Williamson said. “Our diverse and gifted artists specialise in ceramics, painting (oils, watercolour and acrylic), textiles, printmaking, photography, sculpture. Some run classes or workshops and promote their work through exhibitions.” Williamson…

PROPERTY owners in Mornington Peninsula’s rural areas may find themselves in a quandary when it comes to their autumn burn-offs. The Country Fire Authority says it, “partner” agencies and property owners will be making the most of the cooler weather “to conduct fuel reduction burns to lower bushfire risk”. Although fire restrictions on the peninsula were lifted this week (Monday 24 April) but the Victorian Farmers Federation’s peninsula branch has asked farmers to delay burn-offs because the smoke could taint unpicked grapes. “The vine fruit will be impacted by any smoke taint during this critical period, immediately prior to harvest…

THE Hastings area has been earmarked as the hub of major projects resulting from the so-called transition to clean energy. Work is about to start on a $330 million battery energy storage system (BESS) at Tyabb. The Port of Hastings has been named as “the most suitable port” to support construction of offshore wind generators. The port is also part of a controversial plan to ship liquified hydrogen made from brown coal to Japan. GRM Energy says its Tyabb battery will “help fast track the country’s clean energy transition”. It has an agreement with Ausnet to build the transmission infrastructure…

PENINSULA Aero Club has failed in a bid to force Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and several Tyabb residents to pay nearly $124,000 in legal costs. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last month ruled that PAC and Westernport Airfield Pty Ltd could not claim costs as they were not “substantially successful” in their dispute with council over: the description of the use of the land as an ‘airfield’ or ‘airport’; the use of the east-west runway; the total number of take-offs and landings of aircraft with an all-up weight of between 4,500 and 12,500 pounds; and the prohibition on night…