NEWS DESK
Repair of stairs to quarry
Prize offer for budget ideas MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is offering a prize for residents’ “ideas and aspirations” for its next budget. The inducement follows the unprecedented backlash the shire faced over its secret decision to allow the wildlife sanctuary at The Briars, Mount Martha, to be used for the sound and light show, Harry Potter: a Forbidden Forest Experience. Despite weeks of saying it was not possible, the shire last week moved the show out of the sanctuary and into the community forest, dog leash-free area (Sanctuary may be forbidden for Harry, The News 13/2/24). Suggestions for items to be included in the 2024-25 shire budget can be made until 15 March. “By participating, you have the chance to win a $100 voucher from one of the many food establishments that were nominees in the hospitality category for our 2023 Business Excellence Awards,” a news release stated (including exclamation marks) and issued by the shire the day before it performed the Harry Potter backflip. Budget suggestions can be made at mornpen.vic.gov.au/budget-2024-25 “If your name is chosen, we’ll be in touch via email to arrange your chosen voucher. Easy and delicious!”, the shire quoted the mayor, Cr Simon Brooks: “Don’t miss your chance to go in the draw! Your feedback is food for thought for council, so what better way of thanking our community than with a good feed?” Keith Platt
THE timber stairway at Moorooduc Quarry has had a new-age facelift. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council last year upgraded the stairs refurbishment project to include the landing of the stair to long-lasting fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP). The fire access to the quarry was also repaired and the two timber foot bridges at the top of the reserve were upgraded with FRP material, including new handrails. The cost, including the fire access track, stairs, and bridges, was $90,000. The mayor Cr Simon Brooks said the project involved labour-intensive work due to accessing the site, transporting materials and removing waste. He said the stairs had taken more than one month to complete. “Moorooduc quarry is a fantastic open space for our community and we want to ensure residents are able to enjoy it for many years to come,” Brooks said. “I’m pleased we have been able to incorporate fibre-reinforced polymer into our upgrade of the quarry access steps and track. It’s a more effective material than wood and lasts significantly longer, so there should be little or no ongoing maintenance needed. “Trying to juggle the many competing infrastructure maintenance priorities across the peninsula is a perennial challenge with the limited resources we have as a council.” Members of the project crew were on site last week for an extra three days for minor repairs on the stairs and to carry waste to the bottom of the stairs. Fibre-Reinforced Polymer is a composite material made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibres. With one of the highest strength-toweight ratios of any material, it is strong and durable, ready for years of dependable use Liz Bell
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The by-election will be held on Saturday 2 March 2024. Only people enrolled in the division of Dunkley are eligible to vote. Voting is compulsory if you are enrolled to vote in the federal electoral division of Dunkley including if you are 70 years of age or older.
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21 February 2024
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