THE Planning Minister Richard Wynne says the exhibition of power company AGL’s environmental effects statement on its proposed gas import terminal at Crib Point will last 40 days, 10 days longer than usual. He says the extra time will ensure the exhibition and inquiry is conducted fairly during the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Wynne’s directive was dated 1 June. After the exhibition, a public inquiry will be held to consider the project and its environmental effects. If required, the inquiry’s proceedings may take place by videoconference. Community group Save Westernport said Mr Wynne’s decision was “inconsistent with state government extensions of…
Author: MP News Group
PRIVATE pool and spa owners on the Mornington Peninsula now have until 1 November to register them with council. The five-month extension from the original 1 June deadline has been granted because of the impacts of coronavirus on families and council staff workloads. The safety measures are being introduced to reduce the number of drownings of children under five. Over the past 20 years 27 youngsters have drowned in private pools and spas in Victoria. The coroner reportedly found that, in at least 20 of these cases, a non-compliant safety barrier was likely to have played a role in their…
By Barry Morris THE leader of the Willum Warrain Aboriginal Gathering Place in Hastings has spoken out against Aboriginal deaths in custody following the death of African American man George Floyd in Minneapolis, US. “Black lives matter here too,” Willum Warrain’s executive officer Peter Aldenhoven said. The shocking vision of George Floyd’s death that precipitated race riots across America paralleled that of the Aboriginal teenager slammed face first by a policeman into a Sydney footpath last Tuesday, Mr Aldenhoven said. Aboriginal people did not need reminding that 432 Indigenous Australians had died in custody since the Royal Commission into Deaths…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire services will gradually reopen during June with further easing of coronavirus restrictions. The shire is following state government guidance by taking a staged approach with “necessary modifications … to keep our community safe and the pandemic curve flat”. Services will operate with shorter opening hours and limits on numbers and time spent at the service. The shire says its priority is to keep the community safe, and only services that can maintain physical distancing guidelines and numbers limits will open “at this stage”. Updates about further changes to shire services will follow the state government’s announcement of…
PENINSULA virtual pub has teamed up with the Mornington Peninsula music network to present the Soda virtual festival, a Facebook live stream event, Sunday 14 June. Peninsula virtual pub has been running Friday night live music since April to raise awareness and money for the peninsula’s live music community. Publican Garry Gosling said the industry needed “more help than ever as it continued to face hardship and struggles due to limited event capacities surrounding COVID-19”. He said Soda – to stream from 2pm – aimed to support live music and those whose livelihoods depended on the industry. It will present…
MCCRAE Lighthouse will receive $1 million for urgent conservation works under the state government’s Living Heritage Program. The landmark, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register, needs repairs as a result of its age and the harsh conditions it has endured over the past 137 years. The works will repair or replace the lighthouse’s gutters, windows, balcony and copper dome and will also include sandblasting and repainting of the riveted iron structure. Reportedly the state’s tallest at 31 metres and an essential Port Phillip navigation aid, McCrae Lighthouse was built in Birmingham in 1874 and shipped to McCrae in 1883.…
STAFF and doctors at The Bays Hospital in Mornington wore their crazy socks “loudly and proudly” on Friday 5 June. The aim of the colourful display was to bring attention to the challenges faced by doctors and the disproportionately high suicide rates in the medical profession. Cardiologist Dr Geoffrey Toogood, a long-time advocate for mental health, came up with the idea of Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day to raise awareness of mental health problems among health professionals. Dr Mark Savage, of the hospital’s intensive care unit, said: “As members of a caring profession, healthcare professionals strive to provide the very…
WESTERN Port Secondary College students embraced the brave new world of remote flexible learning during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Years 11 and 12 VCE and VCAL students, who returned to school last week, had direct instruction with subject teachers as a class to ensure a continuity of learning over the past seven weeks. “We tried to keep the structure of the timetable similar for students while working in an achievable and sustainable way during remote learning,” principal Chris Quinn said. Lessons were held on the Microsoft Teams platform with students logging in for lesson plans at 9am each day with their…
IN May two residents who live at Village Glen were widely celebrated as they enjoyed their centurion birthdays. What an amazing achievement, even COVID19 couldn’t dampen the social distancing celebrations that were had! Col turned 100 on the 8th of May and has a wonderful story to tell alongside his beautiful wife Joy. Col fought for Australia in the Navy in the Second World War and on his return, he started his life with Joy. He has had many and varied passions over the years including working as a motor mechanic for his father, a chicken farmer, building his family…
IT seemed as though the Mornington Peninsula became active again last Tuesday with the state government further easing COVID-19 restrictions. Playgrounds, skate parks, outdoor gym equipment and park equipment, such as furniture and barbecues, were reopened for up to 10 people, with the number expanding to 20 from 11.59pm on Sunday. Libraries, youth centres and other community facilities were given the go ahead to open with 20 people in a single area that complies with social distancing rules; men’s sheds and arts and crafts classes can resume; entertainment and cultural venues, such as galleries, museums, drive-in cinemas and historic sites…
A MAN allegedly stole two bottles of alcohol from a Hastings bottle shop, 9.30pm, Friday 15 May. Police said he walked out of the bottle shop on Church Street without making any attempt to pay for them. The man is described as being in his late 20s, of medium height and weight, with short, dark hair and wearing a tan hoodie, black skinny jeans, white shoes and carrying a black bag. Anyone with information is urged to contact Hastings police 5970 7800 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Southern…
POLICE found more than expected when they searched a car during a routine intercept in a Mornington street, 3.40am, Tuesday 26 May. They allegedly found a sawn-off double barrel shotgun and quantities of the drug methyl-amphetamine, or ice. Two Mornington men aged 32 and 24 were arrested and charged with possessing a modified firearm and possessing a drug of dependence. They appeared at Frankston Magistrates’ Court where one was further remanded and the other bailed to reappear at a later date. Senior Sergeant Paul Edwards said the arrests were the result of “vigilant police work”. First published in the Southern…
MORNINGTON Senior Sergeant Paul Edwards said the relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions was “not the time to think everything’s back to normal”. “People still need to be aware of the numbers allowed at gatherings and events and to make sure they keep to 1.5 metre distancing,” he said. In a sign that many people think the danger has passed, parents have begun registering their children’s upcoming parties with the station. “People will still need to use commonsense and to check the Department of Human Services’ guidelines to ensure they know what is and isn’t allowed.” Senior Sergeant Edwards said police were…
DANCING schools say authorities determining rules for their reopening on Monday 22 June are out of step with the industry. More than 170 dance schools are lobbying the Premier Daniel Andrews to let them have a say in regulations being drafted by the Department of Health and Human Services which they say is based on recommendations from the Australian Institute of Sport. Australian Academy of Dance director Mike Harrison-Lamond said dance studio owners said the AIS was “not our governing body, nor do they have an understanding of our industry”. He said requiring four square metres a person, 20 people…
A HERITAGE locomotive number plate (above) was stolen from the Mornington Railway Preservation Society’s depot at Moorooduc in an early morning burglary last week. Doors and fences were damaged in the raid which was captured on CCTV, 4am, Saturday 16 May. “We were lucky that they didn’t steal more items,” society secretary Robert Reed said. “One of our volunteers just happened to be on site and ran in to them and they fled.” Mr Reed said the thieves were preparing to use a wheelie bin to remove valuable engineering equipment and machinery from a storage shed when they were interrupted.…
CAR owners may breathe a little easier with the arrest of a Mount Martha man over a spate of late night tyre slashings last year. The 25-year-old was nabbed by Somerville detectives after they “received some information”, Tuesday 19 May. The man is facing eight counts of criminal damage with more charges expected to follow. The tyres of up to 40 cars parked outside their owners’ homes in Mornington and Mount Martha were allegedly slashed with a box cutter or sharp knife from September to December. More than one tyre was slashed on most cars. Black and white images captured…
MORNINGTON footwear manufacturer Bata is donating shoes to health care workers fighting COVID-19. The offer is part of the company’s global effort to provide one million pairs of shoes to health care workers, volunteers and their families. “The generosity of local businesses, such as Bata Shoes, in recognition of the role of health care workers has been tremendous,” Peninsula Health’s chief operating officer Helen Cooper said. “Our hardworking team spends a lot of time on its feet, so a new pair of work shoes is invaluable.” Bata managing director Jon Moore said it was important to show appreciation for those…
AUSTRALIANS reportedly lose more money on gambling each year, per person, than residents of any other country. Encouraging them to bet is gambling advertising which is prominent across all media, particularly in sports. Social researchers are questioning whether poker machines should be switched off for good as they are in Victoria now because of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. Mornington Peninsula Shire is one area of government counting the mental health costs and social disruption caused by gambling excesses. It says it is “committed to preventing gambling harm” in a world where smartphones are keeping us connected to betting sites. To…
STUDENTS Molly, Sara, Isla and Grace were jumping for joy when they found out their classmates would soon be joining them at Our Lady of Fatima school, Rosebud. The girls have been attending classes during the COVID-19 pandemic as their parents are essential workers. Visual art teacher Amanda Heggen said they made the “welcome back” rainbow arch to let everyone that school “is a happy and safe place to learn”. Picture: Supplied First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 26 May 2020
POINT Nepean Men’s Shed members are cock-a-hoop after receiving shire approval to build a shed for their mobile workshop van and equipment storage at Stringer Reserve, Blairgowrie. The 120 square metre shed of corrugated iron on a concrete slab will be additional to their workshop in the former Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad hangar, Hotham Road, Sorrento. Members have been busy on various community projects, such as building planter boxes, potting tables and garden retaining walls at Sorrento Primary School, bicycle maintenance and restoration at Rye Primary School, building whisper phones for St Joseph’s Primary School, raised planter beds and a…
STAFF at a Mount Eliza florist were terrified when they spied an intruder lurking in the darkness early on Mother’s Day morning. Abricot Mornington Florist manager Matilda Alievski said the unidentified man shining a torch seemed to avoid CCTV cameras behind the Mount Eliza Way shop Saturday 9 May as he made his way slowly towards the back door (pictured). He was wearing a hoodie, beanie, gloves and boots, and covering his face. “Our staff were working inside the shop trying to get our orders ready and we saw this man on our cameras and immediately panicked,” Ms Alievski said.…
PENINSULA Grammar will stand down staff in the school’s administration, marketing and maintenance departments”. The Mount Eliza private school, which admits to being “greatly impacted by the global pandemic”, said in a statement it had “made the difficult decision to commence a staff consultation process that will potentially impact” staff numbers. The statement, attributable to a spokesman, released on Friday 15 May Sarah Coghlan, senior account executive of Civic Financial Communications, said there would be “no staff cuts to student-facing roles”. The cuts to “non-student facing roles” were being made to “ensure the school’s strong financial position is maintained”. No…
ANIMAL management breaches prompted Mornington Peninsula Shire officers to issue 587 infringements during the first three months of the year. Data contained in the shire’s Quarterly Community Report: January-March 2020, released last week, shows that officers responded to 3215 animal management matters from January to March. During that period 147 cats were impounded at the shelter in Watt Road, Mornington, with only 50 found to be registered. Of these, 30 were returned to their owners, 31 were adopted through the shire’s adoption program, 30 were re-homed by rescue groups, and 35 were euthanised. All were registered at the time of…
By Barry Morris* BALCOMBE Estuary Reserves Group has warned of an “environmental disaster” if sediment continues to fill the estuary at Mount Martha. Its president Peter McMahon has accused Melbourne Water of “sitting idly by as we slowly lose this beautiful estuary to indifference, penny-pinching and demarcation issues”. Melbourne Water says it has been “consulting” with Mornington Peninsula Shire and BERG “for more than a decade” to stop the accumulation of sediment which comes from unsealed roads. The 76-hectare estuary and adjoining reserves are home to hundreds of native birds and animals and a popular recreation area for residents and…
DESPITE being hit by high winds and storms, work continues on the sandbag seawall at Portsea’s front beach. New sandbags are replacing old ripped inside the area protected by a temporary rock wall. With nearly 30 per cent of the work completed, contractors plan to remove the timber handrail at the rear of the sandbag seawall to make way for the final rows of sandbags. The handrail will eventually be replaced further back. A geotechnical investigation has been made on the stability of the cliffs east of the sandbag seawall. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 12 May…
EXTRA measures to ensure those experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence know where to get help during the coronavirus pandemic. The Help is Here campaign is part of a $150 million federal government package helping support services meet demand. Advertising will be splashed across TV, digital, social media, radio, magazines and newspapers, as well as at shopping centres, hospitals and GPs’ surgeries. This comes after a family violence victims’ advocate said she feared enforced isolation because of enforced restrictions could lead to an increase in abuse. Dromana resident Geraldine Bilston said isolated living, less contact with people outside their homes,…
HASTINGS police arrested and charged a Gippsland couple with a range of offences last week. The couple, in their 20s, from Bairnsdale and Morwell, were nabbed at a Hastings house on Wednesday 6 May after a verbal dispute with neighbours. They were charged with armed robbery, home invasion, burglary, possessing stolen property, car theft and driving offences – as well as breaching COVID-19 restrictions. Acting Senior Sergeant Stephen Reidy, of Hastings police, said the man was also charged with possessing a loaded homemade handgun, or pen-gun. The pair appeared at Frankston Magistrates’ Court. They were remanded to appear at the…
A WOMAN arrested at Rye last week has been charged with 11 counts of burglary of homes and holiday homes on the southern Mornington Peninsula. The 41-year-old, of Tootgarook, faced Frankston Magistrates’ Court charged with stealing clothing, jewellery and household items. She was further remanded to again face court at a later date. Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Tony Henry, of Somerville CIU, said the woman’s arrest on Wednesday 6 May followed a series of burglaries at Tootgarook, Rosebud and Rye over several weeks. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 12 May 2020
THE Peninsula Community Legal Centre is offering free over-the-phone legal assistance during the coronavirus crisis. The centre can help with family law, family violence, tenancy, fines and general law, debt, crime and employment issues. While COVID-19 restrictions apply, the centre will provide duty lawyer services remotely at the Federal Circuit Court in Dandenong and the Magistrates’ Court at Frankston and Moorabbin. The centre’s social worker is available to help with non-legal needs. Phone appointments can be made by calling 9783 3600, 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 12 May 2020
ROSEBUD Memorial Hall has become a busy distribution centre for non-perishable and personal hygiene items for those doing it tough during the pandemic. Redeployed Mornington Peninsula Shire staff and up to 800 volunteers pack and send the goods bought from funds donated by members of the community. They are distributed through community information and support centres at Mornington, Hastings and Rosebud and other peninsula-based food relief programs. “It’s amazing how the staff and the volunteers have come together to help,” the mayor Cr Sam Hearn said. “It an example of community caring in which up until last week had distributed…