CONCERNS about fishers causing environmental damage in the Balcombe Creek estuary at Mount Martha are being investigated, following complaints about people leaving rubbish, trampling the bushland, and using the area as a toilet. One resident who walks the estuary boardwalk daily said groups of visitors from Melbourne were fishing at the estuary every day, causing significant damage by walking through the wetland areas to fish and relieve themselves in the bushes. She said she was also concerned about “unsustainable” fishing and claims she had witnessed fishers carrying away large bags of adult and juvenile fish. “I have tried to say…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
A SMOKE-free trial run by the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is among the finalists in the 41st annual Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria’s Tidy Towns & Cities – Sustainability Awards. In the litter category, the Safety Beach smoke free zone specifically has been hailed a success in navigating a smoke free environment. Since the original smoke free trial in April 2021, Beach Patrol volunteers have monitored the uptake of butt bins, with findings showing a significant decrease in butt litter. Local businesses were also surveyed, with 42 per cent noticing a reduction in butt litter near their businesses. The council has…
The Voice: It’s Your Choice, Not Ours – Councillor Mar Let’s be clear why the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has not taken a position on The Voice to Parliament and the reasons why. Australian citizens will be called upon to formalize their personal position from media, print and letterbox drops and place their vote at the polling booth on 14 October 2023. The Voice to Parliament is a personal decision where democracy is playing its important role that will help shape the future for Australia. I sought my information talking to locals, Bunurong Land Council and our friends at Willum…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council will launch mental health training for small businesses next month. Together with Mornington Peninsula organisation Speak & Share the council has developed mental health workshops for small businesses with a $15000 grant from Business Victoria. The mayor Cr Steve Holland said discussions around the importance of good mental started as early as kindergarten, and for young people mental health discussions came with little stigma because it was a natural topic to talk about for them. Holland said the state government was introducing legislation around occupational health and safety regulations in a bid to recognise hazards that…
VICTORIANS opposing what they think is unsuitable property development will have a new rallying point next week after the launch of a public declaration for a “Liveable Victoria”. The declaration is the joint effort of Planning Democracy, and Green Wedges Coalition. Planning Democracy was formerly known as Planning Backlash, an umbrella group formed by veteran planning activist Mary Drost OAM in 2003. Backlash was a loose alliance of 250 community groups across Melbourne and Victoria lobbying for more democracy in local and state planning. Planning Democracy convenor Kelvin Thomson – the former federal MP for Wills with a long involvement…
THE state government is considering a tax on short-term stays and Airbnbs, which are a dominant factor in the Mornington Peninsula holiday rental market and have been blamed for adding to the housing crisis. State cabinet considered a new levy of up to 7.5 per cent on short-stay accommodation like Airbnb on Monday (18 September). Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula CEO Joshua Sinclair said the “significant funding” must be re-invested on the Mornington Peninsula. “Our region will generate more than $10 million in revenue from a tax like this, and a significant portion of that should be spent on…
A probationary licence holder was been caught more than four times over the limit in Hastings on Saturday 16 September. The Hastings van was on patrol when they notice an illegally parked car on High Street about 3.50am. Officers checked the vehicle and found a woman slumped across the front passenger seat and asleep. The 39-year-old woman, who had been driving the vehicle, was taken back to a local police station where she returned an evidentiary breath test result of 0.18. The Crib Point woman was served with an immediate suspension of her licence and had her car impounded for…
THE local answer to the Archibald Prize, the Oak Hill Archies, is set to coincide with the “real” prize coming to the Mornington Peninsula. The Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery expects up to 50,000 viewers will come to see this year’s Archibald works when exhibited there from 15 September to 5 November. The Oak Hill Archies will be at Oak Hill Gallery from Saturday 16 September. Oak Hill Gallery is a community arts centre designed to promote and develop the arts. Board member and artist Michelle Nixon said the event, which had a prize pool of $1000, had attracted some “remarkable…
THE Western Port Biosphere Reserve has retained its UNESCO status for the next decade and rebranded itself with a more contemporary logo. The two moves coincide with the state government’s “investment in marine ecosystems and blue carbon” through the foundation and the Bunurong Aboriginal Land Council. The UNESCO status renewal confirms the reserve as being south-eastern Australia’s only member among the 748-members from 134 countries in the world biosphere reserve network. The foundation’s CEO, Mel Barker, said UNESCO’s decision. Followed a “rigorous review” which also marked the Western Port Biosphere Reserve entering its third decade. “This is fantastic recognition of…
A FESTIVAL in October at Main Ridge will feature 100 singers performing to raise money for support programs for homelessness on the Mornington Peninsula. According to Mornington Peninsula Shire 35 per cent of peninsula residents are in rental stress, while 12 per cent of those experiencing homelessness are sleeping rough in cars or on the foreshore. Low income residents are being forced off the peninsula and away from their support networks and family as fewer than one in three peninsula rental properties are affordable, according to Southern Peninsula Community Support CEO Jeremy Maxwell. Maxwell said housing and homeless support programs…
IN a post-COVID world where many people are searching for meaning and purpose, one organisation is reaching out to offer a way to fill the void. The volunteer-based CFA is always seeking new volunteers to help it continue its mission of helping the community, responding to emergencies and supporting other services in times of community need. Mornington Fire Brigade is currently on a recruitment drive after its volunteer numbers have since 2016 dropped from around 80 to 30. Captain Michael Licciardo said the sense of satisfaction volunteers got from helping the community and being involved in something bigger than themselves…
VETS for Compassion, a not-for-profit organisation of vets and assistants, spent more than a week trying catch a skinny and wheezy ginger cat hanging around a factory at Hastings. After many attempts, the crew was finally able to capture the scared and hungry cat, which was treated by the vets and is now in care with Forever Friends Animal Rescue until it is ready for adoption. The animal, which was suffering from a respiratory illness, had been hiding under machinery, coming out from time to time at workers – almost asking for help. Vets for Compassion is a registered charity…
THE state government has announced that a terminal to assemble offshore wind turbines will be built at Hastings while at the same time saying there will be “a thorough environment effects statement (EES) process” before the project progresses. In a statement issued on Sunday (10 September) the government says the terminal will be built at the Old Tyabb Reclamation Area and be equipped “for the receival, assembly and installation of offshore wind foundations, towers and turbines as a multi-user facility, with new berths, heavy duty pavements and major supporting infrastructure”. Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio and Ports and Freight…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is looking to strengthen planning controls around advertising signage following residents and councillors’ concerns about large, brightly lit neon signs in Mornington. A report presented to council on 8 September called for “strategic work” to tighten its planning policy in a bid to provide “better guidance” on major promotion signs. Cr Anthony Marsh pushed for the policy review after council lost a fight at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to ban a large, electronic sign in Nepean Highway, Mornington, with the tribunal finding that the sign adhered to all current policies. First published in the…
By Hugh Fraser* A DIVIDED and dysfunctional Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has voted down a motion by Cr David Gill to restore the right of councillors to transparently question council officers during public council meetings. Gill was right to bring this issue to the attention of council and the community. In a democratic, functional and responsible council, his motion ought to have succeeded. The democratic right of councillors to question council officers and senior management in council meetings is an essential council and transparent process. It assists in making a CEO, shire officers and management accountable to council and the…
LOCAL laws officers have started patrols at Shoreham Foreshore one week after the death a wallaby joey at Shoreham foreshore whose mother was apparently chased by dogs on Sunday 3 September. The death prompted an outcry from residents and the Shoreham Foreshore Reserve Committee, which is calling for greater awareness of the risk unleashed dogs pose to wildlife. The dead joey was found in the foreshore reserve on the Monday morning, following an incident on Sunday night in which it is believed barking dogs chased the mother and caused it to eject or lose her joey. Management committee chair Toby…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have rejected a call that would have allowed officers to be questioned in public about the contents and possible consequences of their reports. The bid by Cr David Gill to clear the way for the public questioning of officers was defeated last week on the casting vote of the mayor, Cr Steve Holland. With one councillor absent, the vote was tied five all and Holland, in line with accepted procedure, used his extra vote as meeting chairperson to retain the status quo, which prevents the officers being questioned at public council meetings. In the lead up…
Carrum Downs artist Jaq Grantford has been named as the Archibald Prize 2023 ‘People’s Choice’ winner for her winning portrait of former Playschool presenter and beloved Australian personality Noni Hazlehurst. This month, the highly anticipated Archibald Prize 2023 opens at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery – the only Victorian destination for this popular event. Thousands of art lovers and curious cultural adventurers will head to Mornington to see the 57 portraits hanging side-by-side, including Jaq’s now famous portrait and this year’s winning work of Montaigne by Julia Gutman. Portraits have always intrigued the viewer: the eyeline, the position of the…
The Voice: Residents look to councillors for leadership I attended the 5 September public meeting of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council meeting with the expectation that councillors would debate whether they should support a Yes vote in the forthcoming referendum. I was deeply shocked and disappointed that questions regarding the referendum were dismissed, with the CEO advising that council would not be taking a position on this matter. Local councils play a pivotal role in representing and reflecting the sentiments of their community. The shire has previously shown its support for Indigenous rights and reconciliation in its Reconciliation Action Plan, so…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is calling for nominations for its 2024 Australia Day awards. Nominations of a friend, family member or colleague in the categories of Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year until Friday 17 November if they have made an outstanding contribution to the community. Last year’s Citizen of the Year was Jack Van Der Zwart, in recognition of his work caring for foster children, cooking for the homeless in Rosebud and providing meals for the needy. There is also an opportunity to recognise events, through the category of community event of the year. The…
THE St Andrews Beach Brewery is on the market, with agents calling it a “significant coastal land-banking” opportunity and say they expect interest from throughout Australia. The former horse training centre once owned by the Freeman brothers is on 37.2 hectares and includes a wholesale business as well as restaurant and bar. The property is being offered for sale and expressions of interest are being sought by J L L Hotels and Hospitality’s Will Connolly, Peter Harper and Lachlan Persley. Formerly known as Markdel, the Fingal property was redefined in 2017 to create a hospitality venue and on-site brewery. It…
A SPRING cold front caused havoc across the Mornington Peninsula overnight Thursday (8 September) and into Friday (9 September), bringing rain and strong winds, as well as general misery for football fans ahead of the AFL finals. Gale force winds downed trees and dislodged anything not tied down as blasts swept across the southeast and the peninsula over Friday and Saturday. On Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology issued wind warnings for Western Port and Port Phillip, but for some boat owners they came too late. The extreme weather also saw emergency service volunteers, and CFA and SES teams clearing trees…
ARTISTS who regularly open their studios along the Peninsula Studio Trail are holding their annual combined art exhibition at Mornington. The annual studio trail started 15 years ago and includes about 30 artists working in a variety of mediums, including painting, textiles, ceramics, printmaking and sculpture. New works will be displayed at this month’s exhibition and visitors will have a chance to meet and speak with the artists. The exhibition is being held at The Studio, 91 Wilson’s Road, Mornington. Tickets to the opening night on Friday 22 September are $15 a person and include food and wine and entertainment…
RISING food bills, vet bills and the surrender of dogs and cats “adopted” during the COVID pandemic have created a “sad situation”, according to Rosy Fischer. Fischer, of Mornington, has compiled a list of pet organisations that may help pet owners who are struggling to keep their pets. “Many people are surrendering their pets with most shelters and rescue groups overwhelmed with pets,” she said. “I regularly see people posting online pets for rehoming and asking for pet food, or assistance with vet bills. “Financial constraints due to increased costs of living, vet fees, lack of pet friendly rentals, COVID…
THE removal of at least five trees at Tyabb Primary School has left some residents distraught at the loss of a piece of the area’s heritage. Contractors for the Department of Education removed the trees from the school yard, including English oak, Norfolk pine and desert ash. Former student Alden Collins said he was devastated to see that the Norfolk Island pine gifted to the school by Harriet Benton, a sewing mistress for the school and part of an early pioneering family, had been razed. The tree was planted with Benton’s class in 1908 as she was leaving to go…
WARNINGS to use only wildlife-friendly baits for rats and mice have been issued after at least six birds of prey, including tawny frogmouths, owls and goshawks have been found dead on the southern Mornington Peninsula. The birds did not show any signs of injury and all except one were dead when discovered. Peninsula marine advocate and researcher Kent Stannard said birds of prey dying from baits was a long-standing issue in the area, but mainly on the back beach and national park. Stannard said he recently found several dead birds near the Whitecliffs foreshore camping ground and suspected they may…
WELFARE services say it is “time to act” on homelessness, with the Peninsula Voice adding its views with a report “Working together on the homelessness crisis on the Mornington Peninsula”. Peninsula Voice president Peter Orton said the community had “watched the growing homelessness crisis on the Mornington Peninsula damage lives”. “It’s a complex issue, so it’s vital that our community understands the drivers behind this crisis and how broadly it impacts us, so we can work together on local solutions,” he said. Orton said that to support the issued, Peninsula Voice had held three events aimed at taking a “deeper…
A DECISION to change courses has paid off for Leela Subramaniam who has been named Apprentice of the Year at the 2023 Victorian Training Awards. The former Chisholm Institute student was studying a double degree in commerce and law before switching to cooking. After completing a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery at Chisholm’s Mornington Peninsula campus, Subramaniam now works as a full-time junior sous-chef at Flinders Hotel, Flinders. As well as the training awards win she was named Apprentice of the Year at the 2023 Chisholm Education Awards and was the Victorian winner and national bronze medallist at the 2022…
THE Fair Work Ombudsman has started legal action against a Boneo celery farm – one of Australia’s largest celery producers – alleging it underpaid three visa holders $91,907 across one year. The FWO says it investigated A & G Lamattina & Sons Pty Ltd after receiving requests for assistance from three farmhands who alleged they had not been paid during extended periods of their employment. It is alleged that Lamattina underpaid the farmhands between February 2020 and February 2021. One of the farmhands was allegedly underpaid more than $37,000 while the other two were each underpaid more than $27,000, respectively.…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council’s community animal shelter and pound will desex dogs and cats for pet owners over 60. Under the new initiative, Seniors Card holders who have a dog or cat registered with the shire can get their pets desexed for free. The mayor Cr Steve Holland said the program would enhance the wellbeing of both pets and their owners, but also aimed to encourage responsible pet ownership and reduce the number of stray animals. Holland said the community animal shelter and pound had been caring for animals for more than 30 years, and understood the role pets play…