NEWS DESK
Focusing on life down under Keith Platt keith@baysidenews.com.au SHEREE Marris submerges herself in her work. An outspoken advocate the Mornington Peninsula, she concentrates on its rarely seen and hidden attractions. To actually see Marris at work requires some beach accessories, but not the ones advertised in style magazines or found hanging in trendy boutiques. An aquatic scientist, Marris is more usually billed as a “marine educator” and has long promoted the attractions that live under the waters of Port Phillip. Marris has been widely published and exposed on TV and radio in her quest to highlight the unusual and unexpected life forms that dwell beneath the bay’s surface. Her latest foray into the abundant waters is the documentary, Melbourne Down Under, which “brings to life” the coffee table book of the same name she published in 2011. A trailer for the production shows glimpses of life, and death, between the surface and the seabed, including seals and birds have successfully adapted to catching their prey underwater. The film shows the beauty and majesty unwittingly presented by life forms that live solely in the watery environment, their colours, agility and movement, especially shoals of fish. It also shows how suddenly things can change: the crab moving towards the camera with claws raised is oblivious to the danger from behind until the octopus strikes.
On the other side of the ledger a moment of wonder is created when a seal comes nose to nose with a weedy sea dragon, an seahorse-related marine fish that has to be seen to be believed. The former Hastings resident and Young Australian of the Year (2002), Marris says the documentary aims “to promote the wonders of Port Phillip, encourage exploration and use it as a platform to discuss how we can look after it”. “If people don’t know what exists on our front door step we can’t expect them to care.”
Most of the footage is shot in the waters around the peninsula by Marris and a small team of cinematographers. ”We also filmed a number of world first behavioural sequences which was exciting,” Marris said. Free screenings of Melbourne Down Under are being held at the Speigel Zelt (Three Palms), 154 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento, 1-5pm and 2-8pm Monday 25 January. The first session includes a display of “beachcombing treasures” for children while the later session also includes the feature, Sex in the Sea.
The other world: Filmmaker, author and marine educator Sheree Marris takes a dive in Port Phillip, left, home to a variety of life forms, including the southern blue devil, right. Pictures: Jarrod Boord and Sheree Marris
Sky-rail proposal still ‘up in the air’ Continued from Page 1 An office of the Victorian Government Architect report released in 2014 found an elevated road or rail structure is “often a cheaper solution” but “will have a significant physical presence and impact on a place” (‘Elevated rail debate’, The Times 15/6/15). RMIT University lecturer on urban design Ian Woodcock told The Times last year he believed elevated rail lines are a good solution since they free up land for other uses underneath the rail line. “You can use the land for all kinds of stuff. You can create open public land there,” Mr Woodcock said. “You can put shops around the station area and integrate it better with the neighbourhood. There’s potentially a
huge public benefit with elevated rail at the right locations.” Mr Davis acknowledged elevated rail may be the best option at some, but not all, level crossing sites. “Nobody is arguing that there’s no location where this may be part of what’s required but this is being proposed as a solution on several lines for long distances and it’s clearly going for the cheapest option,” he said. “Cost control is important but not at the expense of long-term outcomes. These level crossing removals … are a once in a century change and it has to be done right. “There has not been genuine community consultation on this.” The Labor state government had
pledged to separate 50 level crossings across Victoria within eight years including eleven along the Frankston line. Frankston Council acting CEO Tim Frederico said council had been briefed on grade separation projects “but there has been no discussion regarding a raised rail network”. RACV public policy general manager Brian Negus has said all options must be looked at to separate rail from road at level crossing intersections. “Two examples where elevated rail solutions may well be the superior alternative are the Dandenong and Frankston corridors. “The key to finding the right solution is through good planning and urban design and consultation with the community.”
Line works: Level crossings removal works will be a common sight along the Frankston line in the next few years. Picture: Gary Sissons
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Happy
Australia Day
“Australia Day is always a fantastic day to celebrate with loved ones and remember the things that make our country and community so great.”
Bruce B
BILLSON MP Fe Federal Member for DUNKLEY PAGE 10 Frankston Times 18 January 2016
20 Davey Street, Frankston VIC 3199 T 03 9781 2333 E B.Billson.MP@aph.gov.au www.brucebillson.com.au Authorised by Bruce Billson MP, 20 Davey Street, Frankston VIC 3199.