NEWS DESK
Tracks to reopen: The Frankston Motorcycle Park will be open again after the facility was shut in April following a fatal collision on the main track. Picture: Gary Sissons
Motorcycle park open for summer KEEN motocross riders will be able to take to the track again at the Frankston Motorcycle Park after the Frankston City Motor Park Incorporated club signed a new lease agreement last Wednesday (14 October). The motorcycle park has been closed since of the death of 25-year-old Danny Edlington in early April after a collision on the main track at the Frankston Motorcycle Park (‘Fatality closes motorcycle track’, The Times 13/4/15). Council has agreed to a new management model and the park will now operate under an affiliation with Motorcycling Victoria. Club members will be covered by MV’s insurance policy. The imminent reopening of the park ends months of uncertainty over the future of the facility. Club president Ralph Ridley welcomed the signing of the lease. “We look forward to welcoming our mem-
bers back to the motorcycle park and working together to get back to doing what we all love,” he said. Council set up a transition committee, including members of the motorcycle club committee, to find a way to reopen the track “without compromising the safety of riders”. Cr Glenn Aitken, chair of the transition committee, thanked all those involved for their patience and time spent working with council to reopen the motorcycle park. “If we hadn’t had the cooperation of the club’s committee membership, the track wouldn’t be reopening,” Cr Aitken said. “I also wish to acknowledge the participation and assistance of Motorcycling Victoria.” The club will manage memberships and fees at the motorcycle park and will shortly announce the reopening date to their members. Neil Walker
Casting an eye on snapper anglers
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FISHERIES officers are out to make sure anglers follow snapper bag and size limits in Western Port and Port Phillip bays. Anyone caught over the limit will face $433 on-the-spot fines for each offence, have their boats seized or be banned from fishing. Fisheries Victoria executive director Travis Dowling said officers would enforce catch limits, check fishing licences and educate anglers about fishing responsibly under Operation Billit. “Snapper are an icon fish so it is important anglers fish sustainably by obeying the rules, knowing their limits and taking only what they need,” Mr Dowling said. “Officers will be undertaking patrols in uniform and plain clothes, and from marked and unmarked vessels, including jet skis, which are a new addition to the fleet this year.” Mr Dowling said boats would be checked on the water and at boat ramps. “Those concealing illegal snapper catches aboard should expect to have their vessel seized on the spot and, for serious offences, the courts can prohibit anglers from fishing altogether for periods of one year or more,” he said. Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 21 October 2015
Mr Dowling said fishing sustainably for snapper meant following a few simple rules: Abide by the minimum size of 28cm and the bag limit of 10, of which only three can equal or exceed 40cm, and land snapper whole so they can be measured by officers if required. He said it was illegal to make several fishing trips in one day returning with the bag limit each time. It was illegal to shorten the length of a snapper by clipping their tails or for one angler to use more than four lines. Rules are outlined in the Recreational Fishing Guide, which is available free from most tackle stores or by downloading the free Vic Fishing app for smartphones. Fisheries officers and Maritime Safety Victoria officers will also check to make sure boats are carrying the correct safety equipment; stay clear of ships while under way; and do not anchor in shipping channels or fairways. Suspicious or illegal snapper fishing can be reported to Fisheries Victoria’s 24-hour reporting line 13FISH (133474).