NEW rules exempting certain community accommodation from planning permits are expected to speed up construction of a new purpose-built NDIS development in Rosebud, potentially paving the way for similar accommodation elsewhere on the Mornington Peninsula. The project by builders Balmain and Co to be launched on Monday (4 December) with a turning of the sod and welcome to country ceremony, is expected to fill a need for NDIS housing in the area. According to data, around 75 per cent of NDIS housing is older stock, and not fit for purpose for a range of client needs. There is also a…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
A FORMER Mornington Secondary College student has blamed vaping for an extreme allergic reaction that led to medical treatment. Now in his 20s and a cigarette smoker, he had turned to flavoured, over the counter vapes in an effort to quit, but believes he ended up suffering an allergic reaction from unknown chemicals contained in the product. His skin began itching and his lips “blew up” to three or four times their size within hours of vaping, he told The News. “It was pretty scary, I wasn’t sure what was going on but I know that an anaphylactic response can…
SOCCER BILLY Painting joined Rosebud last week hellbent on being part of the Olympic Park club’s title tilt next year. “I’m not just here to make up the numbers – I’m here to win the league,” Painting said. “And from what I hear that seems to be the mentality of everyone down there.” Painting’s switch ended a seven-year stint at Skye United and the 28-year-old central defender is hoping the move reignites his passion for football. “I really needed a new challenge because I’d fallen out of love with the game,” he said. “I don’t really know why. “I just…
PETER Gordon Hannah, an ex-constable of police, appeared, on Tuesday, before Messrs. Armstrong (chairman) Oates, and Brown, J.’sP., on remand from the City Court, and was charged with having, on the 18th inst., shot with intent to murder Senior Constable James Culhane, and Constable James Alexander Graham. Sub-Inspector Spratling prosecuted, Detective Sergeant Armstrong assisting. Accused was defended by Mr. E. F. S. England. In outlining the case Sub-Inspector Spratling detailed the happenings from the time accused was seen in the Prince of Wales Hotel, up to the time the shooting took place. James Culhane, senior constable, sworn, said “that on…
Time running out for comment on harbour options Have readers taken part in any community consultation about the proposed plan to commercialise Mornington harbour, put up by Parks Victoria? Not likely, as there is no publicity. Do we want to see another long jetty built alongside the existing one? Do we want to lose the moorings for the yachts that are part of our harbour landscape? Yes, Fisherman’s jetty needs rebuilding – and the government has budgeted $4 million to do so – but now Parks has come up with further options for the future. That jetty may have an…
THE paid parking trial that started last Friday at three foreshore parking areas is continuing to draw criticism from ratepayers and visitors to the Mornington Peninsula. Timed and paid parking is already implemented by all councils across Melbourne’s waterfront areas, but the change is proving a hard pill to swallow for peninsula beach users accustomed to free, all-day parking. The trial was labelled a “fiasco” at Flinders before it started and Mornington’s Schnapper Point car park is also proving problematic where Snapper Point Angling Club members and other boaties rely on easy access to car and trailer parking spots and…
ALTHOUGH he did not realise it at the time, stacking firewood 25 years ago led directly to the opening this week of an exhibition of Hugh Montgomery’s sculptures. Included in the firewood waiting to be stacked was a “solid block of seasoned red gum” that Montgomery regarded as being “too good to burn”. The red gum was taken to his home in Dromana and became the first of his “visitors” or “characters”, made from timber and plastics that Montgomery has collected from Mornington Peninsula beaches. “After collecting, preparing and assembling the pieces I have made moulds of the work and…
AN exhibition at Baluk Arts, Mount Eliza will feature work by First Nations artist from Waradjuri country, Uncle Kevin Williams. The exhibition, Totems of the Waradjuri, will open from 6pm on Thursday 7 December and will run until the end of January. The gallery’s Bronwyn Smart said the artist was a descendant of the Waradjuri people, born in Narrandera, New South Wales, and now resided south of the Murray River. “As a young boy he learnt how to make boomerangs from his father and grandfather and he learnt how to paint from watching his mother in action,” she said. “What…
THE summer paid parking trial is now underway at three Mornington Peninsula foreshore car parks. Despite concerns about fairness and its online operation, Mornington Peninsula Shire last week said it had “compiled everything you need to know to park with ease”. The three car parks at Sunnyside Beach, Mounty Eliza, Schnapper Point (near the pier), Mornington and near Flinders pier. Two and four hour restrictions apply at Mornington, but Sunnyside and Flinders have no time limits. Parking is free for peninsula residents who have an e-permit and $6.50 an hour for visitors or $19.50 a day at Sunnyside and Flinders.…
LIBERAL MP for Nepean, Sam Groth has described the federal government’s decision to cut $75 million from Mornington Peninsula transport projects as being “bitterly disappointing and a kick in the guts” for motorists using the Mornington Peninsula Freeway”. The “blow” to southern peninsula residents means the cancellation of both the Jetty Road, Rosebud overpass and sound barriers on the freeway (“Budget cuts end travel plans” The News 21/11/23). Groth said the previous federal coalition government had committed money for both projects in 2019. “Locals have long called for a solution to the chronic congestion at the end of the Mornington…
THE paid parking trial about to start near Flinders pier has been called a fiasco and one that will endanger people who would rather walk down a narrow than pay to park. Flinders Community Association president Mary Iles said the free e-permit offer for ratepayers and residents had “difficult to follow requirements, the website is unstable, and the process is a fiasco”. “Many other issues have been raised with council to ensure a far simpler outcome. Even a sign which has already been installed at the Flinders pier is misleading,”. The FCA have for months been actively campaigning about the…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has not provided details of who made the decision to fly the Pride flag outside its offices. It has been more than one month since the shire was asked for details by The News following readers’ complaints about costs and decisions connected to the flag being flown. The shire did not directly respond to questions about whether the flag would be flown permanently, who had decided to fly the flag, were councillors told and could other groups ask for their flag to be flown. However, following the publication of a letter – Help homeless, not flags (The…
CRIB Point Fire Brigade is holding an open day on Sunday 3 December from 10am to 2pm. This year the focus will be on families, and there will be activities for children. Anyone new (or not so new) to Crib Point is invited to join in, there will be a jumping castle and coffee, plus information on fire safety and smoke alarms, the fire danger rating system, getting ready for summer, and being a CFA volunteer. First published in the Western Port News – 29 November 2023
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire sees part of its mission as “keeping [the public] up to date with what is happening across the shire in an open and direct way”, but councillors have decided against publishing summaries of their secret discussions, or briefings. Cr David Gill said the summaries would help the public understand what topics were being discussed before they came up for a decision on a council agenda. “This is about transparency. It’s about inclusiveness. It’s about bringing our community with us when we’re discussing things,” Gill said. Briefings were noted on agendas, but the details remained secret, and it…
Federal cuts to transport needs are no surprise The cancellation of the extension of Frankston to Baxter line is no surprise as the federal government has no infrastructure revenue to fork out (“Budget cuts end travel plans” The News 21/11/23). Governments in Australia are not as wealthy as they used to be, partly because most of our gold was sold by a former Liberal treasurer for $300 an ounce and the rest what is left is in the vaults at the Bank of England not in the Reserve Bank of Australia, which is a government bank. Victoria is in debt…
RADIO station RPP Plus is about to launch a new online show In Good Company, giving listeners “two hours of amazing music from all kinds of astonishing artists”. Host Ross Woodward has been collecting music for nearly 50 years and has a “massive passion for all kinds of bands”. He says that over the years he has met Cold Chisel’s Don Walker, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, Men at Work’s Colin Hay, Joe Camilleri of the Black Sorrows, Iva Davies of Icehouse, Jimmy Webb, Jimmy Barnes, Richard Thompson and Vika and Linda Bull. “A whole range of incredible artists…
THE rich history of the Mornington Peninsula has captivated the imaginations of many of those who have delved, but it’s also behind a new wave of history-based tourism. The interest in the peninsula’s past adds another feather to its cap, joining the beaches and the rolling verdant pastures as a reason to visit. History teacher and Eerie Tours proprietor Nathaniel Buchanan said his passion for history led him to the quarantine station at Point Nepean. “When I learned all about the history of the quarantine station I was amazed – it’s got a colourful, tragic and interesting past that many…
THERE is plenty of evidence, documented and anecdotal, that community gardens are beneficial to the environment, to the health and wellbeing of users, and can help reduce the impact of high cost of groceries while providing nutritious food. So, it’s no surprise that community gardens are increasing on the Mornington Peninsula, with a new one popping up in Balnarring and many established ones dotted around the peninsula. The Coolart Community Garden is now up and running in the space of a former herb garden, which was the original Luxton family’s vegetable garden that was overhauled in the mid-1980s. Spokesperson Julie…
POLICE from Rosebud responded to multiple calls on Sunday 20 November of a motorcycle being ridden dangerously in the Capel Sound area. Police were able to identify the offender and searched premises in Capel Sound early Monday morning. The 36-year-old suspect was found hiding under a bed and was arrested and charged with several driving related offences. He was bailed to appear at court at a later date and his Yamaha R1 motorcycle was impounded. Anyone with information about criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Mornington News…
By Zoe McKenzie* THE failure of the Victorian Labor government to address local infrastructure needs last week resulted in our loss of $300 million. The 90-day review, which took more than 200 days, saw two local projects dumped due to a lack of matching or completion contributions from the Andrews/Allan government: $225 million was lost to electrify the Baxter rail line, and $75 million cancelled for the Jetty Road, Rosebud overpass. Now, $100 million of the peninsula’s funding will be spent on a road project in Ballarat, in the infrastructure minister’s own backyard. Other funds that would have been spent…
By Despi O’Connor* THE Mornington Returned and Services League (RSL) has its first female president in Meryn Cooper. Cooper joined the Women’s Royal Australian Navy in 1981 and was based at HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point for her new recruits’ course, proudly wearing her uniform. She completed her category training on the base and as a cook was then posted to HMAS Albatross, Nowra Hill, NSW home of the Fleet Air Arm. Eighteen months later Cooper was posted to HMAS Coonawarra, in Darwin. Prior to 1985, women were not able to go to sea, so for her four years of service…
NEWLY elected Mornington Peninsula Shire Council mayor Cr Simon Brooks says he is honoured to have received the support of his fellow councillors. Brooks was appointed at last Tuesday’s (21 November) annual council meeting at Rosebud, along with deputy mayor Cr Antonella Celi. A second term councillor, Brooks first represented the Seawinds Ward from 2016 to 2020. In February this year, after losing the 2020 election, he was elected on a countback following the December 2022 resignation of Kerri McCafferty (“Brooks back in council on countback” The News 7/2/23). With a background in building and design, and five years as…
THE National Trust’s Mornington Peninsula branch is holding an auction on Sunday 3 December of paintings, drawings and prints donated by branch members and friends. Branch president Victor Sullivan said a chance remark during a gathering of members inspired the “unique fundraising idea”. “Conversation between colleagues drifted to the topic of what happens after downsizing when people retain some or even all of their much-loved art collections, but do not have wall space to hang items,” he said. “An appeal to members and friends has been hugely successful and we have gathered excellent examples of art for the auction.” He…
Police have discovered what is believed to be human remains in Port Phillip Bay as they continue to investigate a plane crash in Mount Martha on Sunday. They are believed to be the missing occupants of the plane, a 56-year-old Brunswick man and a 30-year-old Surrey Hills man. It comes after police located wreckage from the plane off the shore of Mornington on Monday evening. Water Police, Air Wing and Uniform officers have carried out extensive searches across Port Phillip Bay as part of a complex operation since the crash on Sunday afternoon. Emergency services were called to reports two…
MORNINGTON Peninsula four-piece indie rock band Teenage Dads has been jettisoned into the music media spotlight after winning the Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist ARIA award last Wednesday. Teenage Dads was formed by self-taught musicians Jordan Finlay and Connor McLaughlin in Mount Eliza in 2015, with Angus Christie and Vincent Kinna joining the band later. They have been playing locally and toured Europe and America but have not yet hit the heights of commercial success. All that is set to change, with the band now recognised by one of the most prestigious industry awards for up-and-coming bands. Angus Christie’s father Greg…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is reconsidering its mechanical beach cleaning practices after doubts were raised about the effectiveness of the process. Rye-based environmental advocate and former Citizen of the Year Josie Jones said mechanical beach cleaning was creating more macro plastics on the beach and causing serious pollution issues. Jones has produced a report after spending months researching and collecting plastic waste from Safety Beach and Capel Sound to prove that mechanical beach cleaning does not remove all of the waste but shatters it into smaller pieces that get buried in the sand. “I have doubted the effectiveness of the…
Police have located wreckage following a plane crash in Mount Martha on Sunday afternoon. Water Police, Air Wing and Uniform officers have carried out extensive searches across Port Phillip Bay as part of a multi-agency operation. Emergency services were called to reports two small planes collided over the bay about 1.45pm on Sunday 19 November. One plane crashed into the water, the other safely landed at Essendon airport. After searching water, a large part of the body of the plane was located off the shore of Mornington. Police are working to remove the fuselage of the plane from the water,…
VISITORS are being urged to look out for hooded plovers nesting along Mornington Peninsula shorelines and help the birds by giving them plenty of space and keeping dogs away from breeding areas. Now in its third season, the Conservation Regulator’s Operation Save our Hoodies (SoHo), run in partnership with Parks Victoria and Birdlife Australia, is helping protect the threatened beach-nesting birds during their breeding season. Hooded plovers lay eggs in shallow sand scrapes and raise their chicks on beaches between August and March. They face threats from people trampling nests or scaring them into abandoning their eggs, and from dogs…
WILDLIFE groups have welcomed a proposal to remove kangaroos on the Mornington Peninsula from the commercial kangaroo harvest scheme. If adopted, the changes will come into effect in 2025 and last until 2028. However, property owners will still be able to apply for permit to “control wildlife”. Public comments can be made about the Victorian Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan 2024-2028 until Monday 4 December. The Save Kangaroos on the Mornington Peninsula (SKOMP) group hailed the peninsula kangaroo’s removal from the plan as “great news”. Kangaroos are the peninsula currently included in the Gippsland harvesting zone, which wildlife advocates say distorts…
PLANS to improve Mornington Peninsula road and rail services came to a sudden halt last week with the federal government announcing cuts of more than $300 million from infrastructure projects. The move means the cancellation of both the Jetty Road, Rosebud overpass and the electrification of the train service from Frankston to Baxter. The $225 million promised by the previous Coalition government to duplicating and electrifying the line to Baxter came nowhere near to the estimated $1.5 billion needed. Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the federal government said the infrastructure cuts included “projects that were not realistically going to be…