Author: Stephen Taylor

THE Portsea Camp may be needed more than ever with young people reporting that their mental health deteriorating since the outbreak of COVID-19. But the camp needs community support to keep the doors open. The camp, near the beach in a bush setting, was established in 1946 as a non-denominational and registered charity governed by a board of directors. Since then, it has provided a holiday for more than 75,000 children. Chairman Mark Betts said the camp’s role was to provide community and charitable services to at-risk children and their carers – predominantly children with a range of neuro-diversities, LGBTQ+,…

DETECTIVES are hunting a man responsible for stealing upwards of $50,000 in cigarettes and smoking supplies from service stations in the Western Port area over the past two months. Senior Constable Natasha Van Den Brink, of Somerville CIU, said the lone burglar had used a crow bar and angle grinder to force entry and steal the items from only United service stations in the early morning raids. The first occurred in the first week in September and the latest last week. Service stations targeted included the Hastings United on Marine Parade, Hastings, 3 September, when $4300 in cigarettes was stolen;…

THE partially-built Peninsula Trail has so many community benefits that Mornington Peninsula Shire is pushing the state and federal governments to deliver $50 million for its completion. This would include $20 million for phase 1 (2022-26) on top of $2m already secured from the federal government for the Somerville to Baxter section. The completion of the 100km trail – described as “transformational” by the shire – has also received the official endorsement of all eight peninsula Rotary clubs with Rotarians working on projects to enhance the trail, such as rest stops. The government money would fill “significant gaps at strategic…

DETECTIVES from the Security Investigation Unit have charged a Mount Eliza man following a fire at a 5G phone tower in Mount Eliza. Nathan Glover, 44, was arrested at his home in Clendon Close, off Tower Road, Thursday 14 October. He was later charged with causing criminal damage by fire, possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing cannabis, possessing a drug of dependence, and committing an indictable offence while on bail. Mr Glover appeared via video link from Melbourne West police station at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last week and, after being refused bail, was remanded in custody to reappear on 13 January.…

PREPS at St Thomas More Primary School, Mount Eliza, were planning to spend a big part of their first day back after lockdown yesterday (Monday) reacquainting themselves with their classmates. Principal Martine Verhagen said the 12-week break must have seemed an eternity for the 33 youngsters in their first year of school. “They will spend time sharing, chatting and reconnecting with each other as well as some learning today,” she said. “We have dressed up and hung balloons to help build up a sense of wellbeing and belonging among them. We want to show them how excited we are to…

THE owner of a new electric Porsche was said to be mortified when his pride and joy was engulfed in acrid smoke at a Red Hill winery last week. The $350,000 2021 Taycan Cross Turismo had just been driven into Eldridge Estate, Arthurs Seat Road, when smoke began coming out from under the bonnet, 2pm, Wednesday 13 October. Red Hill CFA Lieutenant David Breadmore, who was on the scene within five minutes, along with three appliances and six firefighters, said their quick action prevented more extensive damage to the grey sports sedan – reputedly the only one of its kind…

CHANGES to the Mornington Peninsula Shire Planning Scheme under the proposed C219morn amendment could impact the size and scope of house extensions and unit developments. If adopted, the amendment could trigger a drop in property values as the building footprint on new homes and extensions will be reduced as setbacks from side and rear boundaries are increased. Community consultation for the planning scheme amendment closes 5pm, Friday 29 October. Submissions must be lodged by the closing date. The shire says the amendment will “ensure housing occurs in appropriate locations and respects the special values and character” of the peninsula which…

A TYABB family whose world “fell apart” when their son was diagnosed with cancer says support from their school was the “shining light” that helped them through. Miller Reid, who is being treated for a rare cancer of the spinal cord at Monash Children’s Hospital, has received strong backing from St Joseph’s in Crib Point, which included raising more than $3200 on his behalf for children’s cancer charity My Room. Miller’s parents, Jessica and Chris Reid, said since July last year, when Miller was diagnosed, the family has “been through what can only be described as hell and back”. But…

THE Dromana community is “devastated” by the closing off of the pier amid concerns that the lack of a response from Parks Victoria means its future is in doubt. The Department of Environment Lands Water and Planning has fenced off the last 40 metres of the concrete structure because erosion underneath has made it unsafe. The lower landing is still in good condition and is open for use. Cr Antonella Celi said the community was “very concerned about the state of the pier and [in not getting] a response from Parks Victoria or the state government about its repair or…

THE 2021 AFL Grand Final will never be “over” for Rosebud sisters Lizzy Peel and Janet Foote. The mad keen Demons fans are still daily reliving every exciting moment. “Janet and I were ecstatic with Melbourne’s win [against Footscray] and becoming 2021 premiers,” Ms Peel said last week. “We have followed them all our lives but never got to see the previous premiership in 1964 as we were too young.” That all changed on the last weekend in September, when the sisters sat together and watched their heroes walk tall. “We have been celebrating ever since,” Ms Peel said. “On…

DESPITE the rapid rise in positive COVID-19 cases on the Mornington Peninsula the Department of Health will now only publicise sites classified tier 1. A tier 1 site is where a confirmed case has attended and where there is a high risk of transmission recurring. The decision means there is no easy access to detailed information on where and when all positive cases were detected, or where they visited and at what times. Thirteen cases were detected in the five days to Sunday (10 October) by staff at Rosebud Respiratory Clinic. Last Thursday the clinic detected 13 positive cases. The…

THE proposed killing of a large mob of kangaroos at a Cape Schanck property may have been averted after a “holistic solution” between the property manager and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council was thrashed out last week. The manager, who asked not to be named, said he had met with Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker at the Patterson Road property and they had agreed on a one or two month moratorium on the cull. Mr Baker told councillors at last week’s meeting there was an “undertaking on the table to suspend the culling for up to eight weeks while alternative…

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has knocked back a proposed retirement village in Mount Eliza. Plans for the proposed $160 million Beachleigh “retirement community” at 33 Jacksons Road, included 105 independent living units in 12 buildings. Parts of existing buildings would have been demolished and vegetation – including 63 trees – removed. The former Peninsula Health Mount Eliza Centre on 3.4 hectares dates back to the 1920s. At various times it was a children’s hospital and a geriatric hospital. Most of the buildings were demolished in 2019 but three remain – all with heritage value. Melbourne-based developer Hengyi Pacific reportedly paid…

A BOAT owner wants Parks Victoria to replace or repair the timber jetty inside Mornington harbour that it closed one year ago. Paul Hasenkam, of Mount Eliza, says Parks should increase annual mooring fees and use the extra money to maintain the jetty. He says the jetty and stone wall area should always be open to the public. “Normally, lots of kids fish off the jetty as, during rough weather, it’s more sheltered than fishing off the breakwater,” he said. Mr Hasenkam has asked Parks to provide financial details of all its piers and jetties to determine what income they…

CLUBS and social or sporting groups on the Mornington Peninsula are heading into unknown territory as they prepare to welcome back members emerging from lockdown. But will those who are vaccinated and those who are not be treated differently? Will entry depend on being able to prove a double jab? Similarly, how will Mornington Peninsula Shire deal with the vaccinated and the unvaccinated? Will those who have declined be banned from entering shire halls, libraries, or offices? Who will police entry? State government rulings are often hard to follow. Last week, many tennis clubs delayed opening while they sorted through…

DEMAND for COVID-19 testing at Rosebud Respiratory Clinic increased in the past week but there is capacity for more people to get tested. Positive cases were detected last week among residents from Dromana, Tootgarook and Safety Beach. “After speaking to the patients we know of some additional exposure sites on the Mornington Peninsula,” the clinic’s Dr Sally Shaw said. These are Dromana IGA, where a positive case visited 6.40-6.55pm, Saturday 25 September, Xpress Gourmet Pizza & Pasta, Dromana, 6.54-7.10pm, Saturday 25 September, and Mavi Fish & Chips, Dromana, 11.30am-12.30pm, Sunday 26 September. Another positive case travelled on the 788 bus…

THE manager of a Cape Schanck property preparing to cull upwards of 250 trapped kangaroos blames “passionate, but misguided and ill-informed animal activists” for their fate. “If they had left our fencing alone, these kangaroos would be happily living their lives in the park,” said the manager, who did not wish to be named after receiving what he claimed were “death threats” on social media. “I could be happy spending my time farming instead of dealing with the problem that they alone have created through their misguided efforts resulting in the need to cull this regal animal to only be…

WELL-WORN tracks inside the fence are a reminder that kangaroos awaiting their fate on a Cape Schanck property have been trying to find a way out for some time. The wire fence preventing the kangaroos getting back to Greens Bush National Park was recently repaired so that more than 200 are trapped on the 70-hectare property. The anticipated culling of the kangaroos – for which the Department of Environment Lands Water and Planning has issued a permit – has galvanised opposition among wildlife groups and concerned neighbours. Several wildlife groups visited neighbouring properties on Patterson Road last week and received…

A RED Hill man was trapped in his car for two-and-a-half hours after hitting a guardrail, becoming airborne and smashing into trees four metres above the ground off White Hill Road, Dromana, 5pm, Thursday 30 September. CFA crews from Dromana, Red Hill, Mount Martha and Mornington CFA and the Fire Rescue Victoria pumper from Mornington worked frantically to free the 50-year-old who was taken to The Alfred hospital and reported to be in a serious but stable condition next day. Ambulance Victoria said the man was in a serious but stable condition with upper and lower body injuries. Rescuers had…

THE peninsula’s arts sector has received a boost as it seeks to recover from COVID-19 with the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery being given $300,000 from the federal government. The grant will be used to set up public art events with 15 artists being commissioned by November to create works that “respond to key sites and stories that have shaped the Mornington Peninsula”. “It doesn’t happen every day,” gallery director Danny Lacy said. “This is a great opportunity to present a broad project that displays the whole of the peninsula.” Mr Lacy said the gallery was a major partner in the…

TWO Mornington Peninsula hospitals are preparing for a spike in COVID-19 cases over the next few weeks. Acting on instructions from the state government restrictions were placed on elective surgery from Friday 1 October, and beds were set aside to treat pandemic patients. Ramsay Health Care’s chief nurse and clinical services director Dr Bernadette Eather said elective procedures at the company’s hospitals, including Beleura Private, were being reduced. “As was the case last year when elective surgery was reduced, [we] are ready and willing to assist with the state’s pandemic response.” Dr Eather said Ramsay Health was “not currently treating…

IT WILL be “tickets please” from a real station when the old Cheltenham railway station building is erected at Mornington Railway Preservation Society’s base at Moorooduc. The 140-year-old timber structure was recently trucked down to Moorooduc in flat-pack form where it will be assessed in detail before being put together to join other historic pieces of railway infrastructure on the site. The preservation society’s president Andrew Swayne sees it as an “absolute landmark project” that will provide a missing link in the station’s redevelopment. “We couldn’t even get the old station from Mornington,” he said, referring to the line which…

A TRAILER equipped with CCTV cameras is helping Mornington police watch out for crime. The solar powered trailer can be parked anywhere, making it especially valuable during the warmer months while keeping an eye on schoolies and during police operation Summersafe. “It provides a great deterrent to would-be criminals and also assists us in detecting and preventing crime,” Senior Sergeant Paul Edwards said. “We have access to the footage in both real time and stored. The footage remains inside the equipment for four weeks before being overwritten.” Senior Sergeant Edwards can look through the camera while sitting at his office…

“KOALAS on the Mornington Peninsula are under threat and in order to protect them we need to understand them.” So says Kelly Smith, from Federation University, who is conducting a genetic study of the Mornington Peninsula koala population. The peninsula forms part of the Gippsland plain bioregion that extends into South Gippsland, including the Strzelecki and Wilsons Promontory bioregions, which contain a remnant koala population of special significance because of its high genetic diversity, Ms Smith said. “Prior to European settlement in the 1800s koalas were interconnected across the entire Gippsland plain, but are now separated by extensive areas of…

STAFF at testing centres at Rosebud and Seaford have returned the highest number of positive COVID-19 test results “since the start of the pandemic”. Dr Sally Shaw said tests at the centres recorded 11 positive cases of the virus over the past two weeks – including five on Wednesday and four on Thursday. She said no sites on the Mornington Peninsula had been added to the state government’s COVID-19 exposure site website website since 10 September, which meant possibly hundreds of exposure sites were not being listed. “We have been fairly sheltered so far on the peninsula and have all…

WILDLIFE groups are frantically seeking to save a large mob of kangaroos from being slaughtered on a Cape Schanck property. Members of Mornington Peninsula Wildlife Action Group said the kangaroos appeared to be trapped behind wildlife exclusion fencing along all boundaries of the 70-hectare property on Patterson Road. They said up to 200 animals could not escape back to neighbouring Greens Bush wildlife reserve “even if they wanted to”. The group said neighbouring landholders had told them a kangaroo cull took place on the property last year and “their concern is another cull is imminent”. Neighbours had said no other…

EFFORTS to save an historic section of Flinders pier have been reinforced with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council voting unanimously to back its retention. The decision adds impetus to the efforts of the Flinders Community Association to have the 180-metre long timber section added to the Victorian Heritage Register (“Heritage bid adds time for ageing pier” The News 7/9/21). It also acknowledges the backing of environment “royalty” Sir David Attenborough who stepped in to bat for the pier as a way of protecting the habitat of the weedy seadragon (“Attenborough supports Flinders pier” The News 12/7/21). The Save Flinders Pier group’s…

FLAMES and smoke billowing over the past week from ESSO’s Long Island Point fractionation plant occurred because a customer had shut down and was unable to take as much ethane as usual. Plant manager David McCord said a reduced quantity of the gas was being sent to plastics manufacturer Qenos and the excess was being emitted from the plant’s chimneys in short bursts of flame and smoke. Hastings-based photographer Celia Furt said yesterday (Monday) the chimney was “bleeding flames and black smoke again with a small portion of the flame breaking loose”. “Yesterday when I went out it seemed to…

THE deadline to bring former HMAS Otama submarine ashore has been pushed out to 2 October. Western Port Oberon Association says it has been given a two-week reprieve as it tries to find a way to haul the 1978 submarine out of Western Port and onto land near the Crib Point jetty as part of a marine tourist attraction. Association vice-president Keith Claughton said yesterday (Monday) that consultants were completing plans detailing the work required, timeframes and expected costs of bringing the sub ashore as part of applications for permits from Mornington Peninsula Shire and the Department of Environment Land…

A PROJECT seven years in the making and described as an “excellent example of the council, government and community coming together to deliver state-of-the-art facilities” in Mornington is awaiting state government approval. The Alexandra Park Pavilion redevelopment in Main Street will involve the co-location of allied health and medical suites from The Bays hospital into new buildings also housing existing cricket, football and netball clubs and recreation facilities. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council last week submitted a combined planning scheme amendment and planning permit application to Planning Minister Richard Wynne. “We’re looking forward to a prompt and positive response from the…