MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has hired a Melbourne based social research company to conduct a “satisfaction survey” of residents. The shire says 400 interviews will be conducted with a “representative sample of residents”. The survey has been designed to assess the shire’s performance and identify services that need improving. The shire’s decision to commission the survey follows two consecutive years of poor results from community satisfaction surveys of municipalities made on behalf of the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (“Shire again misses survey satisfaction” The News 21/6/23). Results from the 2022 survey saw the shire rated at an “all-time low” followed…
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THE results are in for one of the largest reviews of heritage places in the Western Port and the hinterland region in nearly 25 years, with comment open until 28 July. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council recently commissioned a heritage review of Watson, Cerberus and Red Hill wards to identify places of heritage significance that should be protected under the heritage overlay of the peninsula’s planning scheme. The overlay is designed to ensure heritage places are conserved and enhanced and that new development does not adversely impact their significance. The review was undertaken by experts and identifies places recommended for heritage…
THE state government’s plan to continue its Kangaroo “harvesting” program and potentially increase the cull rate on the Mornington Peninsula has angered wildlife advocates who say the peninsula’s native marsupials should be protected. Victorian harvesting quotas are based around population figures of seven zones, with controversial aerial surveys last year estimating that kangaroo numbers in the Gippsland zone, which includes the peninsula, Wellington Shire and South Gippsland, had increased since 2018 to 17700, and across Victoria to 2,418,000. The Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Change recently announced the culling program – which put the kill quota of eastern grey…
INCREASING numbers of pet owners on the Mornington Peninsula are giving up their animals because they can no longer afford to look after them. Pet rescue groups say they are overflowing with unwanted and surrendered animals, while social support groups report that they are getting many requests for help to feed pets. Rising household costs and power bills mean there is nothing left in many family budgets to feed animals. The last straw is when animals need veterinary care, or owners have to pay expensive release fees if their pet ends up in the shire’s animal pound. Western Port Community…
PET owners are being warned to be vigilant when walking their dogs and to keep them on leads, after several incidents involving animals being poisoned on the Mornington Peninsula. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is investigating but unable to give further details of the poisoning of a dog in Tootgarook. It is not the first-time pets have been targeted, with a number of dogs poisoned in recent years in Mount Martha and Mornington after eating animal remains believed to be baited with rat poison. Mornington Peninsula Dog Rescue group is warning of a spike in dog baiting. The group is aware…
ELECTRONIC permits issued during a nine-month paid parking trial will be linked to individual licence plates to prevent them being shared. The plan to charge visitors to the Mornington Peninsula for parking in foreshore areas has sparked a hostile reaction from many residents, despite other Port Phillip bayside councils already having paid parking in place. While the trial will begin in summer and run for at least six months, the shire says it will use feedback and results to decide whether to make it permanent. The shire has allocated $1.16 million over two budgets to pay for the paid parking…
A DELAY in starting a coastal strategy for the Mornington Peninsula led to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council receiving $200,000 from the state government. Despite the amount being less than half the $500,000 being sought, the shire hired consultants in January to “develop” the strategy under a two-year contract. Details of the delay and appointment of Alluvium Consulting were outlined in a report to council on 30 May. The report by water and coasts team leader Laura Crilly was made in response to a call by Cr Anthony Marsh for details of how $175,000 in the shire’s 2021/22 budget and $50,000…
THE machine used to remove “waste” from Mornington Peninsula beaches may itself become a rare sight near the foreshores. Although not specifically mentioned in a motion adopted unanimously last month by Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors, Cr David Gill says he wants to end to the use of “the mechanical beach raking machine”. Gill says his motion printed on the 30 May agenda did not mention using the machine because “that would not be allowed on operational grounds” overseen by shire CEO John Baker. Gill’s reasons for wanting to stop the use of mechanical beach cleaning machines were also left off…
A SIX-month paid parking trial will be extended across all Mornington Peninsula foreshore areas if it is considered “successful”. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has allocated more than $1 million over two annual budgets for the trial to be run in three popular tourist spots. Despite paid parking being the norm across all other bayside councils, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is being criticised over its plans to charge $6.20 an hour for timed parking at three locations next summer. The plan has been slammed by people who live, work and holiday in the shire, with claims it will cripple businesses and…
Yes to Voice will not make parliament unworkable As a voter in the electorate of Flinders I was saddened and very disappointed by [Flinders MP] Zoe McKenzie’s article and her address to the Parliament in support of the No vote, although not surprised (“A risk to executive government” The News 30/5/23). Both the High Court Judge Kenneth Haynes and Professor Anne Twomey have refuted the claim that giving our First Nations people access to executive government will make our parliament unworkable. The Voice is only advisory. The power to make laws and policies lies with the government and parliament. We…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Council is considering a paid parking trial along some of its busiest foreshore areas. The move at this week’s public meeting (Tuesday) is believed to have been instigated because of parking congestion over summer, and the increasing costs involved in providing tourism-related infrastructure. Ratepayers now pay $8 million a year for the maintenance of foreshore-related council infrastructure, such as car parks, public toilets and access paths. Last summer brought the issue of lack of parking to a head, with council flooded with complaints that residents were effectively blocked from parking at shopping centres, in residential streets and near…
THERE may not be a lot of cost-of-living relief in the state budget for Mornington Peninsula residents but depending on which side of the political spectrum you’re on it’s not all bad news. Hastings Labor MP Paul Mercurio was busy last week making announcements about infrastructure and service improvements, particularly for boating and transport. Apart from Wednesday’s promise of a cross-peninsula bus service, the budget provided $271,000 to replace the northern pontoon at Hastings boat ramp, $100,000 for Community House Network Southern Region, $1 million each for Somers and Somerville primary schools for basketball court covers, $900,000 to upgrade the…
By Peter Aldenhoven, CEO Willum Warrain Gathering Place THE 1967 referendum produced the highest ever Yes vote in support of including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the census for the first time. Up until then, the Australian government had a clearer idea of how many sheep were in the country than Aboriginal people. It was a heady achievement. Australian people voted to right a great wrong; they voted for fairness and justice for First Australians. The best version of ourselves as a nation rose to the fore. Together, we can do this again in 2023. We can make…
By Zoe McKenzie, MP for Flinders THERE are times when something very special happens in the Australian Parliament, when a debate makes us look carefully and critically at ourselves and the society in which we live. This parliamentary sitting fortnight’s focus on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament has been one of those moments. I have seen parliamentarians of all backgrounds bring their best selves, their love of our country, their sense of responsibility and their reflection of their communities, to the debate – for all to hear and see. If you have time, read Hansard. You will not be disappointed…
Clearing not the solution to fire protection I was surprised to read that 28 residents have called for Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to potentially clear “high-value remnant vegetation” because they are concerned about fire risk (“Balancing fire risk and vegetation” The News 23/5/23). Living in rural Victoria for 30 years and fighting the Ash Wednesday fire it became obvious that no amount of clearing or burning has any effect on the advancement of fire when the wind is strong, the vegetation dry and the temperature hot. A related finding from the Bushfire Royal Commission after the 2019-20 fires was that…
SOCCER THE friendship between Aaran Currie and Liam Baxter played a major part in reuniting their striking partnership last week. It led Currie to drop from State 2 to State 4 level quitting Frankston Pines and heading to Baxter Park. Currie, whose CV includes spells at Langwarrin, St Albans Saints, Peninsula Strikers and Casey Comets joined Pines last year and along with teammate Baxter formed part of a formidable strike force that helped win promotion from State 3. Baxter was Pines’ leading scorer but left at the end of the season. Currie’s decision to leave Monterey Reserve last week caught…
A MOUNT Eliza homeowner who found out she was not covered for theft by cleaners is urging people to check their policies before letting workers into the home. The woman – who did not want to be named – recently discovered jewellery worth about $50,000 was missing from her house and, after checking security footage, was shocked to see that two agency cleaners working together were responsible. But when the woman tried to make a claim through her insurer, she discovered a clause that invalidates claims if the theft is perpetrated by a person “invited into the home”. After alerting…
THE Chatty Cafe movement is gaining momentum on the Mornington Peninsula, helping people connect with others over a cuppa and combatting the “loneliness epidemic”. Under the umbrella of the Chatty Cafe Scheme Australia, the charity encourages hospitality venues across the peninsula, such as cafes, restaurants, clubs, pubs, community centres, libraries, churches, schools, aged-care residences, retirement villages, neighbourhood houses, pubs, hotels, clubs, wine bars and art galleries to provide a shared Chatty table where people can sit if they are happy to talk to other customers. Peninsula coordinator Jacky Howgate said May was a good time to warm up over a…
AREAS of the Mornington Peninsula have been described as suffering from “third world neglect” because of their lack of reticulated sewerage. Polluted runoff from the peninsula’s 22,000 unsewered properties poses a public health risk as well as polluting drains, creeks and groundwater. As well as lobbying the state government and government agencies to set a timeline to fix the problem, Mornington Peninsula Shire will draw up a new wastewater management plan under the “guidance” of the Environment Protection Authority. Towns and areas which are not sewered include Rosebud, Red Hill, Main Ridge, Arthurs Seat, Baxter, Merricks and Crib Point. Cr…
MPNFL DIVISION ONE REIGNING premiers Frankston YCW have returned to the winner’s circle with a hard-fought victory over Red Hill. The Stonecats were looking to bounce back after a surprising defeat the week prior. Red Hill looked their equal though, and at half time the Hillmen were ahead. Frankston YCW established control in the third term, and took a seven point lead into the last quarter. The Stonecats wrapped up the win with a four goals to two last quarter. The final score read Frankston YCW 12.13 (85) to Red Hill 9.8 (62). Luke Paynter and Luca Goonan were excellent…
THE Point Nepean Road is becoming notorious for the number of motor smashes and mishaps occurring on it lately. Another one of these distressing accidents happened at Seaford on Sunday afternoon. At about 4pm, Mr. Fred Shenfield was returning on his motor cycle to his home at Seaford with his father, Mr. L. J. Shenfield, who was in the side car. When nearly opposite “Fernlea”, the cycle suddenly swerved and crashed into a stout electric light pole with a sickening force. Mr. Shenfield, senr., was pinned under the body of the heavy cycle, and considerable difficulty was experienced in extricating…
Inquiry should be into shire officers, not the councillors There’s been much comment about the poor results for the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council in a local government satisfaction survey (“Shire hits all time low in satisfaction” The News 3/10/22; “Ratepayers want inquiry into shire” The News 11/4/23). The survey actually referred to the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s performance as a whole, rather than the council itself. Further, the results are historical, and most likely refer to perceptions of shire performance prior to the term of the current councillors. At the last council elections, the people clearly demonstrated their opinions of council…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire officers have been “working closely” with police and the Environment Protection Agency to “combat” the illegal dumping of car tyres. The mayor Cr Steve Holland said a large numbers of tyres had been dumped “at various spots” around the peninsula. “The investigation requires extensive intelligence gathering and a strategic approach with regard to removing the dumped tyres,” Holland said. “Illegally dumping waste is a serious offence and a breach of the Environmental Protection Act.” Holland said fines of more than $9000 could apply as well as a conviction if offenders were caught and prosecuted in court. He…
CRIME on the Mornington Peninsula decreased slightly over the past 12 months, despite an almost 24 per cent rise in the number of rapes reported and a 51 per cent jump in sex offences. Also of concern was a 43 per cent surge in serious drug offences such as trafficking and manufacturing. Growing use of methamphetamine (also known as ice) was highlighted as the most significant drug issue. The latest Victoria Police statistics for the year to 30 June show the total number of crimes recorded on the peninsula fell 0.1 per cent from the previous year, compared to a…
STATE government MP David Morris claims federal funding to Mornington Peninsula Shire has decreased and has warned against giving the commonwealth more power over local government at a referendum in September. Mr Morris, the Liberal MP for Mornington, said funding for the coming financial year was $166,412 less than received for 2012-13. Describing the cut as a “major blow for the council when it is finalising its annual budget”, Mr Morris said federal funding to Victorian councils had decreased by $13.4 million in 2013-14. “The hardest hit councils have lost almost half a million dollars in federal funding,” he said.…
THE protection of Melbourne’s natural environment with Green Wedge Zones was a signature achievement of former Mornington Peninsula MP Alan Hunt, who died in the early hours of Friday morning at age 86. Mr Hunt, the father of five sons including federal Flinders MP Greg Hunt, his youngest, died at Peninsula Health’s palliative care unit in Frankston where he had been for two days after being transferred from Frankston Hospital. Mr Hunt’s eldest son Bob, 61, drove from southern NSW and arrived at the palliative care unit at about 3am and was with his father at the end. Greg Hunt…
THE spate of burglaries at schools on the Mornington Peninsula continues with three raided over the past week. Rosebud police believe there may be a link between two burglaries that occurred on the same night, at Boneo Primary School and Red Hill Consolidated School. Senior Constable Chris Zurek of Rosebud crime investigation unit said laptop computers were the target in both cases. Security alarms at Boneo primary went off about 1.40am on Wednesday 5 June. Three notebook computers were stolen from the administration area. Senior Constable Zurek said that there was no sign of a forced entry. A few hours…
ASSAULTS, drug offences and car thefts have risen across the Mornington Peninsula in the 12 months to March, according to the latest police crime figures. While crimes against people were up by 26 per cent, burglaries, theft from cars and property damage were all down. Acting Inspector Paul Cripps said the crime statistics were “a mixed bag”. “Of particular concern to police are crimes of violence such as assaults and family violence, which increased during the past 12 months.” Inspector Cripps said a team had been set up to investigate family violence, the biggest single assault offence. He said team…
POINT Nepean at the end of the Mornington Peninsula is one of four national parks slated for tourism development. Over Easter, the state government released guidelines for the building of hotels, restaurants and other visitor facilities at Point Nepean, Port Campbell, Wilsons Promontory and the Grampians (Gariwerd). The government’s intentions were first outlined in The News last year (“Parks a govt development target”, Western Port News 14/8/12 and Mornington News 21/8/12). The News reported that extensive work had already been done developing Point Nepean National Park. It is one of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s top tourist priorities – “accommodation, conferencing and…
AN old quarry on the eastern side of Arthurs Seat could become the Mornington Peninsula’s newest rubbish tip. Hillview Quarries, owned by R E Ross Trust, is expected to submit an application to the shire council in about four weeks. The landfill plan would see the former Pioneer Quarry, which is east of Arthurs Seat State Park and north of Arthurs Seat Rd, used to dump household waste – 75 per cent from the shire and 25 per cent from outside. Up to 100 trucks a day would enter the bush precinct off Boundary Rd in Dromana. The proposal has…