IT’S an unfortunate global phenomenon and a dog act, and it’s happening on the Mornington Peninsula to the detriment of the environment. A small percentage of dog owners, or dog poo bag tossers, continue to either not pick up their pooches’ poo, or leave full poop bags on the ground, in trees, or on the beach – often within metres of a rubbish bin. Lazy dog owners who refuse to dispose of their dog’s waste responsibly are being warned that fines will almost double from $100 to $185 on 5 October when the new community amenity local law comes into…
Author: MP News Group
A FACEBOOK post about the Queen by the Liberal Party’s candidate for Hastings Briony Hutton was changed within the hour. The first post read: “Queen Elizabeth II perhaps the most famous, and famously inscrutable, woman in the world. “Even before she became Queen at the impossibly young age of 25, Elizabeth set the tone for her reign by declaring, in effect, that the job was bigger than the person. “And so is my job as your candidate for Hastings. I am and will continue to be devoted to your service.” Within a short time Hutton’s message was changed to: “Queen…
GREENS MPs holding the balance of power in the Victorian parliament “could be a successful way of going forward on climate”, according to Mat Morgan, the party’s Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria, which includes the Mornington Peninsula. “If we can’t get climate change right, then there’s no point,” Morgan said. “If successful in getting into parliament, I will look out for Mornington Peninsula residents on my watch.” Morgan was speaking at Balnarring Hall at a “meet the candidate event launch” on Saturday 24 September along with three Greens candidates for the Lower House seats of Hastings (Paul Sanders), Mornington…
YOUNG people from the southern end of the Mornington Peninsula will have access to youth support services and programs when the Southern Peninsula Youth Hub opens in 2024. The $13 million project at Olympic Park, Rosebud is being paid for by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and state and federal governments. The council will work with young people and key stakeholders to plan, design, deliver and manage the youth centre, with building expected to start this month, October. The mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said the hub would meet the current and future needs of young people in the southern peninsula. He…
POLICE are seeking witnesses to an accident on Browns Road, Main Ridge on Saturday night (1 October) where two police officers from Rosebud dragged the driver from his utility which was leaking fuel. The acting sergeant and senior constable were first to arrive at the scene to find the vehicle on its side about 11pm and were able to tear open the vehicles smashed windscreen to rescue the man. The 23-year-old man from Officer, who police have been told was on a buck’s weekend, was given a preliminary breath test and returned a positive result. He was taken to hospital…
AFL players added to the pre-grand final buzz during a successful community event on Somerville on 21 September, which raised more than $3000 for research into a debilitating progressive disease. The family of 21-year-old Somerville resident Tyson Stanley, who has Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP), organised the event to raise community awareness of the disease and to fund much-needed research. There is currently no cure for the rare and crippling disease, which causes bones to form in muscles and other soft tissue. Tyson said he was pleased football players Will Hayes and Lachie Hunter gave up their time to attend the…
OPINION By Max Bryant – PresidentWestern Port Oberon Association FIRSTLY I must apologise to all Victorians, the residents of the Mornington Peninsula and in particular the people of the Hastings and Crib Point. I apologise for the loss of the submarine, the former HMAS Otama, which was to be the centre piece of a project to create a world class tourism destination at Crib Point. Western Port Oberon Association (WPOA) had purchased Otama for $55,000 with a receipt and clear bill of sale from Defence Disposals (DD). Many would say “well the submarine has sat there for over 20 years…
Affordable housing not council’s domain Using emails and social media, our Mornington Peninsula Shire Council intends to urge the owners of holiday houses and investment properties to rent these to long term tenants (“Long-term rentals key to housing ‘crisis'”, The News, 13 September). Dream on. The peninsula is the sixth worst municipality for rough sleepers because there is an abundance of sheltered beaches, foreshore and parks. Affordable housing and social housing are the domain of federal and state governments and councils should not try to triplicate this. Our federal government has, as an economic policy, firm plans to bring in…
HOCKEY A FRANKSTON Hockey Club stalwart’s epic scramble to score in a sudden death penalty shootout has seen the Stingrays secure premiership glory in the men’s Vic League Three grand final. After missing his initial chance early in the shootout, Brendan Taylor’s penalty goal gave the Stingrays a 3-2 lead in the shootout. Scores were tied 1-1 with RMIT at full-time in last weekend’s grand final at the State Hockey Centre. Frankston’s Nicholas Nixon scored early in the second quarter, with the Stingrays overall dominating the first half. In the second half RMIT played quick counter-attack hockey and evened the…
THE Art Gallery of New South Wales has announced the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery (MPRG) as the exclusive Victorian venue for the Archibald Prize tour in 2023. The exhibition will run from 15 September to 5 November 2023. The Archibald Prize for portrait painting is the country’s favourite and most significant art award. Judged by trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW, the prize is awarded to the best portrait painting. Since 1921, it has highlighted figures from all walks of life, from famous faces to local heroes, reflecting back to us the stories of our times. MPRG last hosted…
BURN off restrictions will be eased for small properties throughout October to allow Mornington Peninsula residents to prepare properties for fire prevention purposes. During October, open air burning will be permitted only on Fridays and Saturdays between 9am and 4pm on land between 500 and 1500 square metres, provided that: the property is within the Mornington Peninsula Shire Bushfire Prone Area.For the purposes of fire prevention.No more than 1 cubic metre of vegetation is burnt at any one time.The fire is not within 10 metres of any neighbouring dwelling.The General Fire Safety Provisions are followed at all times. The easing…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council will use the results of a community survey to push the state government to fund a cross-peninsula bus service and rail electrification between Hastings, Langwarrin and Frankston. As part of council’s ‘better buses’ advocacy campaign and ahead of the Victorian election, the ‘better buses’ survey has tracked people’s views on public transport for the peninsula. According to the council, an incredible 82 per cent of the peninsula is not serviced by public transport, and there are no opportunities for many residents to catch a regular bus or a train to parts of the peninsula. Shire mayor…
Frankston Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating after an allegedly stolen vehicle crashed in Mount Eliza this morning. The car first came to police attention on Frankston Flinders Road when it was spotted driving erratically and over both lanes with no headlights in Frankston about 2.15am. Police attempted to intercept the car at the intersection of Frankston Flinders Road and Sages Road, but the driver failed to stop. The Hyundai IX35 continued to be driven at speed along the Moorooduc Highway before it crashed and rolled at a roundabout on Wooralla Drive. A 16-year-old Ascot Vale boy, who was driving…
Otama fate a disgrace after years of inaction Having read the article (“Scrapyard may be Otama’s next berth” The News 14/9/2022) it beggars belief that Parks Victoria would choose as the only option available to spend $5 million hiring a submersible vessel and remove the Otama to be scrapped in Western Australia when for the estimated amount of $500.000 it could have been brought ashore and put on display in Crib Point. Without doubt this project has, over its 20 year history, been the victim of bureaucratic ineptness and a serious lack of “political will” on the part of both…
Victoria Police will increase its focus on motorcycle safety in an effort to reduce rider deaths from reaching a record five-year high. It comes as police launch Operation Scoreboard, a statewide road policing effort to coincide with the AFL Grand Final long weekend. The operation has been extended to account for the additional National Day of Mourning public holiday on 22 September, with many motorists expected to take advantage of the four-day long weekend across Victoria. Police across the state will target speeding and distracted drivers heading out to regional areas on high-risk rural roads and highways. Police are also…
WARNINGS have been issued to be wary of wildlife on land and at sea for their protection and to avoid personal injury. The Conservation Regulator wants visitors to keep their distance from whales as videos of dangerous interactions increase on social media. Videos of swimmers, surfers and people in boats getting too close to whales posted on social media encouraging behaviour which threatens the animal’s health and welfare. Investigations are being made into nine reports of boats being too close to whales this season as well as individuals seen in several videos posted online. Water patrols are being carried out…
THE Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation 2022 project is well underway, with more than 14,000 trees planted this year around Balnarring and Merricks, and another 6000 scheduled for planting by the end of October. This year marks the project’s third year to establish vegetation corridors linking fragmented populations of koalas. Thousands of trees were planted at Arthurs Seat, Somers and Balnarring during 2020/2021. Group president, co-founder and 2022 Mornington Peninsula Shire Citizen of the Year Dirk Jansen said the project had received support from property owners providing land for tree planting, and volunteers. “We would love to welcome more of the…
SURFERS, paddlers, and other aquatic board and craft riders are being urged to prioritise their safety around water after new research from Life Saving Victoria showed the activities were a leading cause of drownings. Last summer dozens of incidents involving stranded water users were recorded on the Mornington Peninsula by water rescue operators, including LSV, the SES, water police and the coast guard. In January, two teenage paddle boarders had to be rescued at Mount Eliza after being blown nearly five kilometres offshore, and a 12-year-old boy at Frankston had to be rescued after he was unable to paddle to…
THE opening of the newly refurbished McCrae lighthouse on 28 September will coincide with the placing of a time capsule to give people in the future a glimpse into the lives of people today. The lighthouse, built in England in 1874, was shipped out and assembled on the McCrae foreshore in 1883 and shone bright for the next 111 years before being retired in 1994. In preparation for its official opening after a significant refurbishment thanks to a $1 million grant from Heritage Victoria, the McCrae and District Lions Club is calling on community input for a time capsule to…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Councillors have rejected a second planning permit by Ryman Healthcare for a retirement development in Kunyung Road, Mount Eliza. The company’s first attempt to build on the former Moondah Estate was knocked back by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last July. At Last Tuesday planning services committee meeting, council again rejected the application on the basis it was an “overdevelopment” and the “design and scale” were inappropriate. The council noted 12 other grounds in refusing the permit, including that the proposal did not adequately conserve and enhance the significance of the “heritage place”, and the car…
MOUNT Martha resident Richard Hunt likes to push his limits, and a 300 kilometre bike ride around the bay is just the thing to do it. On Sunday 9 October, under the banner of Around the Bay 2022, Hunt will ride 300 kilometres to raise money for The Smith Family to kelp young people in need. Although riders can choose shorter sections of the ride, Hunt will attempt the whole 300 kilometres and says he feels confident he can make the distance. Every year, the 300km loop challenges hundreds of the most seasoned riders while giving the full experience of…
HO, ho, ho, it’s not quite Christmas that but doesn’t matter to the every-jubilant Mr C, also known as Nicholas Clause. The motorbike-driving Santa fan has for the past few years been spreading yuletide joy all year on the Mornington Peninsula, albeit in different colours and in suits he makes himself. “At Christmas I stick to my red suit, but I like to spread joy at other times of the year so I have a range of colours,” he said. “There’s Yuletide in June, when I wear blue, Christmas in July is white, Spring is a green suit, the feast…
THE Peninsula Raiders superules football club has broken a 27-year drought this season, with the over 45’s team taking home premiership and bringing home the gold. The club is based at Alexandra Park in Mornington and has about 110 players across four teams. Club secretary Matt Thomas said the finals two weeks ago was a massive confidence boost for the members, bringing some players to tears and cementing the camaraderie within the club. “Some of these guys have joined us after taking breaks from the game for up to 25 years, so it’s great to see them get out there…
Cat ignores curfew Despite the 24-hour cat curfew in Mornington, there is a cat that’s allowed to roam at all hours in our area. The result is two dead possums in my backyard (pictured above) and one on the front nature strip, all within five days. Also throw in several shredded birds over a period. The owner seems to be unaware or simply doesn’t care about what the cute little darling gets up to when running loose, especially at night. This clearly shows why there is a curfew. Cats are instinctive hunters and whatever they catch they certainly don’t wish…
A THEATRE group desperate for storage space has been advised to look at “funding options” given the shortage of suitable venues on the Mornington Peninsula. Panorama Theatre Company, which recently lost the use of a storage area in Hastings, has presented a 1221-signature petition to the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council calling for support to find a new storage venue. The shire’s manager property and commercial services Nathan Kearsley said the shire had no building available to for the theatre company. He said the budget community submission process and grant application process could be a way to obtain money to help…
EASTBOURNE Primary School students dressed in yellow on R U OK? Day and were involved in activities that provide strategies to help students in dealing with mental health issues. “The day has been an excellent one that also provided many fun activities at recess and lunch,” wellbeing coordinator Skye Miller said. Last Thursday (8 September) students danced in the hall to recorded music while handicraft activities took place in the library, cooking in the school’s kitchen and bubbles floated through the playground. The afternoon session included Jeannette Hausley from Jimmies, speaking to the upper school students about mental health and…
A STATION wagon that ended up in the water after the driver accidentally drove off the Rosebud pier last Friday morning (9 September) was lucky to escape unharmed. The driver told police he drove his car and boat trailer onto the sand back to retrieve his boat about 6.30am but ended up in the water. The car was recovered but was extensively damaged. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 13 September 2022
POLICE want vehicle owners to lock cars and keep keys well-hidden following the continuing theft of high-end vehicles on the Mornington Peninsula. Senior Sergeant Eddie Lagonda said targeted car thefts were regularly occurring in wealthier suburbs around the peninsula, such as Mount Martha and Mount Eliza. He said the thieves often belonged to online networks of people looking for high end cars to joyride and were not necessarily linked to organised crime and rebirthing operations. “To a certain extent it’s opportunistic, so we want car owners to always be careful to lock vehicles, garages and house doors, and never keep…
FLAGS across the Mornington Peninsula have been flying at half mast ever since of the death of Queen Elizabeth II became known last Friday. Possibly the first to be lowered were those flying outside the municipal offices at Mornington which were adjusted downwards by Louise Stewart, the first to arrive at the offices in the appropriately named Queen Street. Because they are illuminated at night, the flags are permitted to fly at all times and were probably the first to be lowered on the peninsula. The Queen’s death on Thursday 8 September also set in motion the time-honoured protocols for…
Kindness par for course in wake of companion’s loss In an era when so much emphasis is on bad news it was particularly uplifting to read Phillippa Ransome’s letter (“Community helps” Letters 24/8/22). It prompted me to outline a story of wonderful, unsolicited kindness I have received. My beautiful Australian shepherd Brocci was my constant companion. He was a special dog, universally loved, particularly by children. I regularly took him into the primary school as a “story dog” where he would sit with children while I read them a story. They could touch and pat him which helped them relax…