AN inspection of hi-tech waste facilities in China in 2017 by officers and councillors was indicative of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s commitment to better waste management, it is claimed. Shire infrastructure services manager Jessica Wingad said the visit aimed to progress the use of advanced waste and resource recovery technologies to reduce the need for more landfill sites. The technology also improved resource recovery from municipal, construction and commercial residual waste, she said. “Mornington Peninsula Shire was committed to best practice waste management and resource recovery, taking an active role in transitioning the state to waste-to-energy technology,” Ms Wingad said. “We…
Author: Stephen Taylor
HOPES are high that a “hyper-intelligent” eco-solar farm will be built on the outskirts of Dromana. Bunjil Energy and renewable energy developer Volt Farmer have applied for Mornington Peninsula Shire permission to create the 4MW solar farm to ramp up the southern peninsula’s electricity supply and power 1000 homes. It is hoped the pilot site will get the council’s nod mid-year. The energy company says the plant will produce clean energy as well as provide an “education experience centre and climate smart agricultural showcase” on Collins Road. Bunjil Energy founder Isaac Harrison launched the project at a gathering of industry…
ALL stops are out in the war against Buruli ulcer – especially on the Mornington Peninsula. Researchers from the Department of Health and Human Services are collecting soil and faecal samples from possums, have laid mosquito traps and conducted field surveys of properties as part of the Beating Buruli in Victoria project. On a second “front”, peninsula residents are being encouraged to get involved in a case-control study by filling out a questionnaire, looking at possible risk factors and understanding how people may become infected. They don’t need to be diagnosed with Buruli ulcer to be included. “We would encourage…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is being forced to send recyclables to landfill. The shire will continue collecting household recyclable waste, but with 130 tonnes “temporarily” stored at the Rye transfer station which has now reached capacity. Meanwhile, the shire has joined other municipalities in trying to force the state and federal governments to find a solution to the growing crisis. Shortcomings in the state’s recycling operations were exposed on 15 February when the EPA ordered processing giant SKM – which collects the peninsula’s recycled waste – to stop drops at its Coolaroo and Laverton sites over concerns the stockpiled plastic posed…
A HASTINGS resident says he is “absolutely fed up” with children riding motor bikes and trail bikes on grass areas and pedestrian paths along the foreshore. Richard Harrison, of Skinner Street, said he had seen a number of “near misses” between the so-called “monkey bikes”, pedestrians and cyclists and fears “someone, quite possibly a child, will be killed if nothing is done”. He says repeated demands for action from Hastings police have come to nothing: “I was told the police must literally catch the perpetrators in the act before they can do anything. “Yet if a perpetrator is injured in…
THE invasive pest phylloxera hasn’t got a foothold in the Mornington Peninsula’s estimated 1000 hectares of grape vines – yet. And that’s why the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons’ Association and Agriculture Victoria have launched a campaign to prevent it gaining a foothold. Mornington Peninsula Shire is also in the fight seeking “insider knowledge” of the presence of the pest in every nook and cranny. The phylloxera insect can devastate a commercial vineyard and is easily transmitted between vines. This occurs when infected soil or plant material is carried from infected areas, possibly on shoes or clothing. Peninsula residents are being asked…
Storm damage: The Jillian lies battered and broken on McCrae beach. Pictures: Supplied ONE of Rye and Rosebud’s longest-serving fishing charter operators suffered a blow last week when The Jillian was wrecked in a fierce storm. Operators Jon and Steve Dart’s Pompei-built 32 footer was washed ashore in huge waves while moored at McCrae, Saturday 9 February. Its cabin and covered area was torn off and the hull split along one side. Last week the 20-passenger boat was sitting high and dry and roped off while the brothers decided what to do with her. In an open letter to friends…
A RED Hill boy was left fighting for life late last week after the car being driven by his mother crashed head-on into another car in Red Hill South. Paramedics rushed to the horror scene on the Point Leo Road just after 4.30pm, Wednesday 13 February. The Red Hill community is rallying around the family, with the Mornington Peninsula Shire, CFA, Consolidated school, scouts and residents helping them cope in their time of need. The 11-year-old was flown to The Royal Children’s Hospital by helicopter ambulance in a critical condition with head, chest and abdominal injuries. Police said the badly…
DON’T mention gas, coal or oil to the Brooks family of Dromana. They’ve made a conscious decision to distance themselves from those passe fossil fuels and, instead, are gearing for an all-electric future. Simon, the Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor, and his wife Allison are “keen to do their bit” to reduce their carbon footprint by buying an electric car, installing electric appliances, electric heating and cooling and roof-top solar panels. “As a councillor I’ve made it a focus to become even more informed about climate change and how practical steps can be taken by everyone to reduce our carbon footprint,”…
ORGANISERS of the 50th Western Port Festival at Hastings say they have knocked back potential sponsorship from AGL despite being short of money and “up in the air” over grants promised by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. The festival committee is hoping to raise $200,000 through online fundraising, but by Monday had received just $1600, including $1000 from the Save Westernport group. “A unanimous vote [of the committee] was passed to not accept any AGL money,” event manager Yvens Ferraz De Camargo said, citing community concerns over the power provider’s plans to moor a floating gas import and processing terminal at…
LENA Taranto has come a long way in a long time. The mother of three, who enjoyed a 100th birthday lunch for family and friends at a Mornington nursing home last week, was born in the town of Waltham, Massachusetts, US, on 7 February 1919. When she was just four her Italian family pulled up stakes and returned to Italy. Then, in 1927, they again set out “for a better life”, this time migrating by ship to Australia. Two more children were born in Melbourne with the family of seven running a fruit shop in Glenferrie Road, Malvern. Money was…
A DEVELOPER’S bid to build 10 apartments on a 1003 square metre block in Mornington comes as Mornington Peninsula Shire holds a series of public meetings aimed at guiding future development across residential areas and reinforcing what makes areas “special”. The proposed apartments, in Williams Road, have been knocked back by the shire as an “overdevelopment of the site and out of character for the area”, prompting developer Kencole to appeal to the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal. The outcome of the appeal could be seen as a test case on how far developers will be able to go on the…
SOUTHERN Peninsula Rescue Squad members are being run off their feet by the number of calls for help. From Christmas through to the end of January, the squad has answered 42 rescue calls involving 150 people on the water. The areas covered have ranged from Martha Cove to Dromana, Rosebud, Rye, Blairgowrie, Sorrento, Portsea, Queenscliff, St Leonards and even out into Bass Strait. Types of craft in trouble have included motor boats, yachts, jet skis and kayaks, as well as snorkelers and divers. Problems encountered were flat batteries, running out of fuel, mechanical problems, changing weather conditions, tidal influences, and…
SORRENTO and Mt Martha beaches recorded the highest number of offences by jet skiers during the Water Police’s Operation Jetwash. Thirty-one offences were detected at each of those beaches in the operation which targeted unsafe behaviour over the holiday period. Twenty-five offences were detected at Rye, 24 at Martha Cove and 22 at Frankston during the six-day blitz. As the name of the operation suggests, the police’s major focus was on jet skis and their owners’ behaviour. More than 220 infringements were issued including 53 for speeding – the most common offence. This included 39 for exceeding five knots within…
DESPITE work about to start on the footpath and road upgrade in Coppin Road, Sorrento, the gulf between those wanting it and those opposed is as wide as ever. Geoff Allen says the project was “ill-conceived, poorly planned and administered, and a significant waste of ratepayers’ money”, while Cr Hugh Fraser says it will “benefit residents, businesses and visitors; the Sorrento community is looking forward to seeing [it] come to fruition”. Works will start on the up-scaled $900,000 project next month, after almost four years of claim and counter claim. It will take four months to complete. Money has come…
A SERIES of fires on the Mornington Peninsula had brigades on full alert over the weekend. Dromana CFA Captain Tim Desmond said crews were called out six times on Sunday 3 February – three times to tackle a “suspicious” grass and scrub fire at the foot of Arthurs Seat, Dromana, that had been set alight the previous day. Five CFA crews took 25 minutes to bring the original fire under control on Saturday, just after 9am. The fire below the Dromana cemetery was visible from Peninsula Link and fire crews were called to return several times on Sunday afternoon when…
BALNARRING residents opposed to the building of an aged care home in their street “will most definitely” fight the bid when it goes before the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal. The planning application by developer Arcare will be determined by VCAT because Mornington Peninsula Shire was unable to process it within the required 60 days. Jan Eyles, of Brooksby Square, said VCAT “will be the decision maker in the process”. The shire’s team leader planning services Lucas Gardiner confirmed the planning application was heading to VCAT as the shire was unable to make a decision within the 60-day statutory time…
SOLAR power to be installed on some of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s largest buildings is aimed at cutting carbon emissions and saving on power bills. In the second stage of the shire’s Solar PV project 584 panels will be installed at Rosebud Library, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery and Pelican Park. This is tipped to provide annual savings of more than $30,000 while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 250 tonnes. In stage 1 of the project last year, Rosebud Municipal Office, Civic Reserve Recreation Centre and Hastings Library went solar with 822 panels generating 250 kW. When the rooftop Solar PV rollout…
Clarification Nepean MP Chris Brayne wants to make it clear that he does not intend to hire his former Liberal opponent, Russell Joseph, as a consultant, although he is willing to “tap into” Mr Joseph’s “wealth of knowledge of the peninsula”. Updated, as published in the Southern Peninsula News – 12 March 2019 IT might have been just over two months ago but “new” MP for Nepean Chris Brayne still marvels at the emotions stirred within him on the “most intense night of my life”. The 25-year-old, of Balnarring, could be forgiven for having only a hazy recollection of election…
A YOUNG chef determined to set his own course instead of the more accepted school-followed-by-university route is reaping the rewards and kicking goals. Balnarring resident Kobi Watson, who runs his own restaurant, Kobi Jack’s at McCrae, said he had been determined not to embark on a “pointless” tertiary course just for the sake of it and coming out at the other end not really knowing what he wanted to do. Watson, 19, says he was an above average student at Dromana Secondary College when he “basically just got sick of school”. So, while going through the motions of getting ready…
WHAT could be more fun than competing in a billy cart derby? Point Nepean Men’s Shed members have got together with Rye Community House by holding a Buy a Bale Billy Kart Derby to help struggling farmers. The derby, to be held in Wilby Street, Sorrento, 9am-4pm, Saturday 16 March, also aims to revive the time-honoured art of billy cart making. Feature races will be held for children aged 6-11 racing karts built to a specific design but with their own decoration. Men’s shed member Terry Phippen said he got the idea for the derby when collecting donations. “I saw…
The Mornington Peninsula has featured in many of the 20 drownings since the start of summer, which also saw deaths at Phillip Island, Gippsland, the Grampians and Brighton Beach. The most recent drowning occurred at Bushrangers Bay, near Cape Schanck, when a young musician was swimming with a friend, Tuesday 22 January. They got into trouble about 5pm. Police and emergency services found the man in the water about 6.30pm and attempted to resuscitate him, but he died at the scene. His female friend was able to swim back to shore. Life Saving Victoria spokesperson Blair Morton said the…
ENVIRONMENTALIST and anti-litter campaigner Josephine Jones is Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Citizen of the Year. Ms Jones, of Rye, is a campaigner and advocate for cleaner beaches. She inspires others around the community to reduce litter entering Port Phillip and to help protect marine life. Her current focus is on reducing cigarette butt litter. She has delivered anti-litter education campaigns to schools, community groups and businesses in an effort to raise awareness of the harm litter, and especially plastics, can do. Her belief that every child deserves to experience the environment untouched underpins her work. Young Citizen of the Year is…
FISHING and boating minister Jaala Pulford is tipped to make an announcement on the future management of six Mornington Peninsula boat ramps next month. This comes after a promise by Premier Daniel Andrews on the Channel 31 Talking Fishing show to create a stand-alone boat ramp authority and abolish boat launching and parking fees on the Mornington Peninsula. It was the premier’s only “live” television appearance during the 24 November state election campaign. David Kramer, who hosts the Fishing Show, had earlier said called the shire’s boat ramp management a shambles. “It astounds us that the Mornington Peninsula Shire is…
A RACEHORSE which threw its rider during a workout at Balnarring beach last week later panicked and swam out to sea and drowned. Regular beach walker Marnee Fraser, who witnessed the incident, said she saw the rider-less horse – later identified as Miss Pandanus, trained by Mick Kent and David Noonan, of Cranbourne – standing distressed and alone near the creek, 8.30am, Tuesday 8 January. “It looked at me and it was a big animal and I’m not a horse person,” she said. “Apparently it had thrown its female rider after its regular rider had called in sick. It galloped…
RYE artist Claire Spring capped off a successful week’s exhibiting at the Rotary Club of Sorrento’s 35th art show last week by selling her “most spectacular painting”: Yachting – Tranquillity on the Bay. She was one of several Mornington Peninsula artists to reap the rewards of exhibiting at what she described as the biggest and most important art show on the peninsula. Other locals to achieve success in the long-running show, held at the Sorrento Community Centre in the first week of January, were John Bredl, who won Best Oil, Joanne Seberry (Best Pastel) and Belinda Nye (Best Painting Under…
THE staging of the Sufferfest Triathlon at Mt Martha in March is “up in the air” while Mornington Peninsula Shire Council reviews its events policy. Community consultation on the proposed policy closes on Friday 1 February – just weeks before the triathlon is scheduled to run on 23-24 March. However, bookings for the triathlon are being taken on a website that makes no mention of the need for council permission. Last year’s triathlon clashed with Clean-Up Australia Day and required closing of the Esplanade from Mornington to just around the corner from Safety Beach. Shoppers at Mt Martha arrived to…
TOW-away zones and permit-only parking areas are among options suggested by police to control crowds at The Pillars cliff jumping site at Mt Martha. The tougher measures aimed directly at motorists come at the same time that police have confirmed they will not cross the “temporary” fence erected by Mornington Peninsula Shire to enforce alcohol bans. Water Police have been told to patrol beneath the cliffs and monitor boating offences and people drinking alcohol while on the water but will not be enforcing the shire’s proclaimed 200 metre no go zone. The shire’s fence has created mixed reactions among residents…
PLANNING minister Richard Wynne has been called on to “abandon his hand-picked committee” to deal with the controversial Kaufland supermarket proposal in Mornington and return decision making to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. The minister’s advisory committee, formed under the Planning and Environment Act 1987, is assessing the veracity of the German supermarket giant’s proposed six sites scattered throughout the metropolitan area, including beside the Bata factory at 1158 Nepean Highway, near the corner of Oakbank Road. Speaking in the lead-up to state parliament’s closing for the year, Mornington MP David Morris said the minister’s committee “has been asked to provide…
TWO of Mt Eliza voluntary organisations are involved in a slanging match over tree felling, road-making and land clearing. In June Mt Eliza Association for Environmental Care alerted the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to what it calls the “unauthorised and uncontrolled vegetation clearing, soil displacement and destruction of native vegetation” by the Mornington Railway Preservation Society at its reserve in Mt Eliza. The environment group’s president Des Berry said the shire followed up the complaint by visiting the site and requesting that any vegetation clearing cease. Mr Berry said the Mornington Railway Preservation Society “ignored this request and continued with…