A PLAN to build a $47.7 million sports facility on the Mornington Peninsula complete with skate parks and wakeboard lakes has outraged residents who fear it will “ruin what we have left” of the region’s cherished green wedge.Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors endorsed the massive development at their 9 September meeting which would see an existing 200-acre adventure park called The Ranch expanded at 810 Boneo Rd, Boneo.The green wedge site, which currently has horseback riding, archery, tennis courts, rock climbing and more, would feature a new indoor and outdoor skateboarding facility, mountain biking trails and BMX tracks, dry-ski snowboarding slopes,…
Author: Brendan Rees
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has given the green light for a retirement village to be built at the site of a heritage-listed former hospital in Mt Eliza after the plans were initially rejected.The design concept proposal by developer Hengyi Pacific is for a low-rise, 104-unit village set on a 3.4-hectare estate at 33 Jacksons Rd, which is home to the former Mt Eliza Centre built in 1929-30 as the Orthopaedic Branch of the Children’s Hospital. It is recognised on the council’s heritage overlay because of its “local historical, architectural and aesthetic significance to the Shire of Mornington Peninsula”.The decision to allow…
WILDLIFE authorities have issued a stern warning to the community following six reports of flying foxes being entangled in illegal residential fruit netting on the Mornington Peninsula this year.The Conservation Regulator, Zoos Victoria, RSPCA Victoria, Wildlife Victoria, and Animal Welfare Victoria have partnered to address the dangers illegal household netting pose to wildlife, especially native bat species.They are also reminding household growers to use safe, compliant fruit tree netting.Since 1 September 2021, it has been illegal in Victoria to use or sell household fruit tree netting with a mesh size bigger than 5mm by 5mm, as larger mesh netting is…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has left the door open to rolling out paid parking at popular beach foreshores despite significant concerns raised during a recent trial – with one councillor labelling it “total mayhem”.The controversial parking trail, which began last December, has seen visitors charged $6.20 an hour or $19.50 a day to park at Sunnyside Beach, Mt Eliza, Schnapper Point (near the pier), Mornington and near Flinders pier. Parking is free for peninsula residents who have an e-permit.The trial aimed to “not only generate a steady revenue stream for the council but also ensure that visitors contribute fairly to the…
DAMAGING winds lashed the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston areas last week, causing significant disruption and destroying iconic beach boxes.From 7pm on Sunday September 1 and 3pm on Tuesday September 3, the SES received more than 1500 calls for help in the southern metropolitan region. Of those, 1100 were related to downed trees and more than 400 for building damage. Frankston was the hardest hit with 285 jobs. Hastings SES were called to 176 jobs while Sorrento SES had 130 requests for help.Many beach boxes were severely damaged or ripped apart particularly along Shire Hall Beach after wind speeds as high…