FRANKSTON Civic Centre was evacuated and a member of Mount Eliza Bowling Club was injured during last week’s earthquake.
The epicentre of the 5.9-magnitude earthquake was about 10km below Mansfield, 81km from Melbourne. It was the largest recorded in Victoria and was felt in Tasmania and New South Wales.
On the Mornington Peninsula houses, shops and factories shook for about 10 seconds.
Two smaller quakes were recorded at 9.30am and 9.54am and there were no other reports of injury or property damage on the peninsula.
The Mount Eliza man, in his 70s, was treated at the scene for upper body injuries after structural work fell on him about 9.45am, Wednesday 22 September.
He was later taken to Frankston Hospital for further treatment.
Ambulance Victoria reported the man to be in a stable condition the next day.
Frankston mayor Cr Kris Bolam said the initial earthquake caused some superficial damage in the Davey Street civic centre
He said the building was evacuated and “importantly, no one was injured”.
Cr Bolam said the building was reopened after being “thoroughly investigated” by a building surveyor and structural engineer.
“An audit of other council facilities for damage is ongoing and I urge residents with concerns or who witness damage to these facilities or infrastructure managed by council such as footpaths to contact us via the Snap Send Solve App,” he said.
“Our teams will always respond as quickly as possible and for more information.”
Cr Bolam said he was “acutely aware the earthquake has undoubtedly added to the stress and uncertainty we’re all feeling due to the current lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic”.
“These feelings of stress and anxiety have been exacerbated by the recent protests in central Melbourne.
“Yesterday’s earthquake is another hurdle, but is not insurmountable. We’re a resilient community and together we’ll come out of this stronger than before.
“In the meantime, stay safe and look out for each other.”
Property damage can be reported to the State Emergency Service (SES) or visit www.ses.vic.gov.au
For further information about the earthquake, visit emergency.vic.gov.au
Keith Platt with Stephen Taylor
First published in the Mornington News – 28 September 2021
