NEWS DESK
Dramas of all sorts occupy councillors By David Harrison Venue: Hastings Hub, 22 June 2015. Fine buffet, but spartan for the discerning vegetarian, with carnivores far more generously catered for. A restrained dessert; sugar addicts could fall back on soft drink. A dearth of orange juice. THIS being Cerberus ward’s turn to host what is now its sole annual community meeting, parish news was to the fore. There was a big footpath scheme for Somers, good news on the Stony Point rail line’s level crossings, bad news on hoon motorbikes in Hastings (they’re getting worse) and more good news on the Warringine boardwalk. The popular boardwalk, destroyed in last summer’s bushfire, will be rebuilt with an eye to further such events, sectioned by non-flammable material to limit damage. Harder to control will be the wildlife that is already repopulating the blackened area. Councillors were told the sighting
of a rare swamp daisy had brought delight to a ranger, who hastened to bring colleagues back to see it. Alas, by the time they returned the plant was gone. Around the site were telltale wallaby tracks – small ones, indicating at least a joey had survived the blaze. So, many such rare plants are being encased in joey-proof wire, in an effort to prevent the protected from eating the endangered. From there to a small drama in Question Time, when gallery stalwart Barry Robinson, once-branded a “pest” and banned from asking questions about Pelican Park, was seeking information about the shire budget. A sudden tumult occurred in the vicinity of Cr Lynn Bowden as the question was asked. People were hurrying to her aid. CEO Carl Cowie
announced gravely that a serious table collapse was occurring: a trestle leg had failed. As the matter was attended to, Mr Cowie quipped that the gallery could now see that shire “will do virtually anything to avoid answering Barry’s questions”. Discontent about the 5.2-kilometre $1.5 million Somers footpath-boardwalk plan was raised in a question from Del Skinner, who queried whether the scope of the project “is excessive for this rural coastal village”. Half the bill is paid by property owners past whose fences the path passes. CW calculates the works will cost $288.48 a metre, give or take a couple of cents. Infrastructure director Alison Leighton poured bureaucratic oil on the troubled waters – there could be a range of views in a community on such projects, statutory processes to be followed, and so on. Questioner Roger Stanley of Crib Point was assured by Cr Anne Shaw of the Mornington Peninsula Cemetery Trust committee that there were
“absolutely” no plans for a crematorium on the peninsula “at this stage” but the trust was creating a business plan where “a number of things will be considered”. Dog excreta was the topic David Lines of Tyabb raised, particularly the alleged – CW must take legal care – lack of shire response to his proposal that “dispenser units” be installed at leash-free beaches across the shire for canine waste collection. Mr Cowie said he recollected telling Mr Lines at a recent meeting that “this was seen as a very expensive option and not something we were going to look into at this stage, beyond what we have already done, notwithstanding that it is a sensible proposal”. Which was a timely reminder to dog owners to clean up after their pooches. CW, whose large curly part-poodle Henry is a prodigiously efficient converter of dog food to waste, must be closely watched when dashing around with his friends. Then, two questions on possible bushfire threats to the Arthurs Seat
Skylift. Skylift company leaders Simon McKeon and Hans Brugman were in the gallery to witness final councillor approval of their plans for this tourist attraction. The questioners were assured that “all emergency plans will satisfactorily address the operational delivery of emergency services to the site”. Beautiful bureaucratese. Finally, CW wishes to record a vigorous exchange between Cr Tim Rodgers and the mayor, Cr Bev Colomb. Cr Rodgers wanted to ask a question. He persevered with his request. Meeting chair Colomb told him a “process” was being followed and it did not include questions. Still he persisted: her brow darkened. She suggested he might remove himself from the meeting. Then, in a tone CW could vividly recall from combat with his mother in early childhood, the chair ticked off Cr Rodgers. CW was most impressed, as apparently was Cr Rodgers. He desisted. The chair, as it must, held sway. The “process” resumed.
Staying strong on heritage for 30 years Toast to 30 years: Former National Trust peninsula branch president Peter Holloway, left, shire mayor Bev Colomb, National Trust Victoria CEO Martin Purslow, current branch president Judy Walsh and former National Trust Victoria chairman Simon Molesworth get set to toast the peninsula branch’s 30th anniversary at Beleura House last week. Picture: Murray Adams
Mike Hast mike@mpnews.com.au PRESERVATION of the peninsula’s natural and built environment is as important as ever, environmental law pioneer and former National Trust stalwart Simon Molesworth told about 70 people at Beleura House in Mornington last Thursday. Professor Molesworth, now chairman of the International National Trusts Organisation, was one of several speakers at the 30th birthday of the Mornington Peninsula branch of the trust. The Victorian branch was formed in 1956. Brandishing a fistful of papers, Professor Molesworth told the audience he was holding his notes from the speech he made when the branch was formed at The Briars Park in Mt Martha on 21 June 1985, found in his garage at 2.30 that morning. “When we started the peninsula branch, there was much to fight for and preserve, and it’s terrific to see the branch remains strong, lobbying to preserve both the natural environment and historic places – all the things we care about – for our children and grandchildren,” he said. It was a call to arms to continue resisting the pressure of inappropriate
development. “Members should continue to hold strong views and push those views,” he said. Professor Molesworth said early battles were fought over Sullivans Cove in Sorrento (Victoria’s first settlement site in 1803; still under pressure from development), Greens Bush at Main Ridge (now part of Mornington Peninsula National Park), and Point Nepean, which could have ended up as housing development but is now also part of the national park. He said it was vital to have good relationships with governments and recalled that the late Alan Hunt – a Mornington resident, state MP for 31 years and creator of Melbourne’s green wedges with then Premier Dick Hamer – attended the foundation
meeting at The Briars and supported the branch’s formation. “The notes I made 30 years ago are still relevant – the branch always needs members, we should continue to seek new classifications to protect places, and we should go for the best; save the places that are most important.” Professor Molesworth said members were the “eyes and ears” of the National Trust: “They know what’s at risk.” Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Bev Colomb said the trust had worked with shire heritage planners for many years including former planners Peter Brown and Simon Lloyd, and current planner Dale Kelly as well as heritage advisers Helen
Lardner and Lorraine Huddle. The shire and trust had jointly presented the Mornington Peninsula Heritage Awards since 2011, she said. The trust had supported the shire at planning hearings. “The branch has made a great contribution to the peninsula’s unique appeal and I congratulate you all for your past endeavours,” Cr Colomb said. National Trust (Victoria) CEO Martin Purslow, who came from the United Kingdom to lead the trust a decade ago and has been living on the peninsula for five years, said there were 5.5 million National Trust members around the world. The Victorian branch had 120 staff and 500 volunteers, not counting branches like the peninsula’s. Other speakers were former branch president Peter Holloway and current president Judy Walsh, who named branch stalwarts including Dorothy Houghton (who lead the fight to save Sullivans Cove), historian and naturalist Winty Calder (whose latest book A journey along Balcombe Creek was launched last month), Shirley Davies of Hastings–Western Port Historical Society (who led the refurbishment of Sages Cottage), and Gillian Tolley (Endeavour Fern Gully at Red Hill), all of whom were at the
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Mornington News 30 June 2015
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celebration. Ms Walsh said other branch activities had included helping preserve Devilbend Reservoir, Mt Eliza’s Woodland precinct, Ranelagh Estate in Mt Eliza, and St Macartan’s school in Mornington, which became a mixture of new homes and apartments in the heritage two-storey school block. She thanked Anthony Knight, director and trustee of Beleura House and Garden, for hosting the 30th. After speeches, light lunch and tours of the house and garden, pianist Alan Kogosowski and singer Galit Klas delighted attendees with a recital of works by Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt in the Tallis Pavilion, Kogosowski dazzling on one of Beleura’s two 102-key Stuart & Sons Huon pine grand pianos, and Klas bringing tears to many eyes with her final song, a stirring rendition of Edith Piaf’s signature song Non, je ne regrette rien (No, I regret nothing). National Trust Mornington Peninsula branch, phone 5988 9853. Beleura conducts regular five-hour tours of the 1863 Italianate house and its garden that include morning tea and light lunch as well as many other events. Details and bookings: 5975 2027, www.beleura.org.au
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