Millions paid to cast-off port staff Keith Platt keith@baysidenews.com.au SACKING staff at the Port of Hastings Development Authority has seen millions of dollars “lost” to Hastings, according to Opposition leader Matthew Guy. Speaking to journalists in Seaford last week Mr Guy said 55 jobs had gone and payouts “will cost millions”. A news release from Opposition ports spokesman David Hodgett said the state government had paid out $2.64 million to 17 staff made redundant at the planning authority. “That works out to an average redundancy payment of over $155,000 a worker,” Mr Hodgett stated in a news release. “These 17 jobs should never have been lost because a second container port is critical for Victoria’s economic future.” The downsizing of the development authority – formed by the previous government when Mr Hodgett was ports minister – came soon after Labor’s election win and its decision to lease out the Port of Melbourne for 50 years, effectively mothball-
ing plans for a major container port at Hastings. Instead, the Labor government has earmarked Hastings as a “bulk” port for ships delivering and collecting petroleum products, natural gas and, possibly brown coal. The government is also giving Infrastructure Victoria the job of investigating whether a container port is eventually best built at Bay West, north of Geelong in Port Phillip, or Hastings. Backing for a container port at Hastings continues to come from Mornington Peninsula and Frankston councils, but is being opposed by the Shire of Bass, which borders Western Port. The three municipalities are part of the new South East Melbourne Group of Councils (SEM) lobbying the government on a range of issues, including business investment, jobs, public safety and education. Despite Bass’s opposition, a container port for Hastings is included in SEM’s regional plan, along with planning for a major airport. The other four councils in the SEM group are Kingston, Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong.
Both the Mornington Peninsula and Bass councils have written separately to the government, one (the peninsula) calling for the establishment of a “green” container port at Hastings and the other (Bass) opposing any expansion of the port. Frankston has promoted itself as being ideally suited to be the commercial centre for and expanded Port of Hastings. Its mayor, Cr Sandra Mayer, as the inaugural head of SEM, issued a news release stating “30 per cent of all shipping containers from the Port of Melbourne end up in south east Melbourne, so development linked to tourism and shipping are certainly areas we will be pushing hard, including the Port of Hastings expansion”. Mr Guy, when criticising the government virtually disbanding the Port of Hastings Development Authority, said the container port would have been a “boon for jobs on the Mornington Peninsula and south eastern suburbs”. “The Port of Hastings should be on the [government’s] agenda. Melbourne needs planning to begin for a second container port,” he said.
Surf club’s up...soon: Kingston Council has approved plans for a $4 million new building for Mordialloc Life Saving Club.
New clubhouse gathers support WORKS are set to begin on a $4 million lifesaving club and Indigenous Gathering Place in Mordialloc. Kingston Council at its latest meeting appointed a builder for what it describes as “an exciting new community building”. FIMMA Constructions is expected to begin work next month. The funding is a partnership between Kingston Council ($2.94 million), state government in association with Life Saving Victoria ($1m) and Mordialloc Surf Lifesaving Club ($100,000). Mayor Cr Geoff Gledhill said the project was a highlight of the council’s 2015/16 budget and would provide a valuable community asset. “The Gathering Place will serve as a place of welcome for Aboriginal community members where they can connect, learn new skills, learn from Aboriginal elders, undertake ceremonial activities, share cultural heritage and hear Elder talks on caring for coastal and sea country,” Cr Gledhill said. “The space could also be a resource for the broader Kingston community to learn about Aboriginal culture,
promote Aboriginal cultural heritage and to strengthen community connections.” The building will also provide Mordialloc Life Saving Club with muchneeded facilities. “Council is pleased to invest in this vital project that will help the club in its good work of keeping the community safe on our beaches each summer,” Cr Gledhill said. “The Kingston community is grateful for the time dedicated by our volunteer lifeguards and recognises the need for them to have modern and functional facilities.” Mordialloc Life Saving Club president Grant Rattenbury said he was thrilled with the project. “The whole club is buzzing,” he said. “Our current building has limited space and is 60 years old – so this couldn’t come at a better time. “This new facility will offer improved meeting rooms, training facilities and storage space for our 600 members and help our volunteers better serve the community through our summer beach patrols.”
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