NEWS DESK
Appeal likely after council approval ANOTHER Sorrento development proposal in the historic commercial precinct of the town has effectively been rejected by way of last-minute councillor changes. It is almost certain to go to VCAT, where the planning tribunal recently overturned an earlier refusal by Mornington Peninsula Shire in the heritage Ocean Beach Rd. Council is considering taking that tribunal decision on appeal to the Supreme Court. Such appeals can only be made on points of law. Nepean ward councillor Hugh Fraser and Red Hill ward councillor Tim Wood are both experienced lawyers. In the current application, council planners recommended approval of the mixed use building as presented to them. But councillors voted for significant changes, including to the view of the building from Ocean Beach Rd. The applicant, Kato Group, sought to develop a mixed use building comprising seven apartments, two retail shops and a medical centre with two practitioners. A reduction in car parking requirements was also sought.
The main changes councillors approved were to push back the glass entrance to one of the shops and to delete the top apartment, which meansmaking “appropriate changes” to the roof. The application drew three objections, including one from Dr Ursula De Jong, a local expert on Sorrento heritage and an architectural historian who, in her words, “teaches the next generation of architects” at Deakin University. She told councillors Sorrento was an historic coastal town whose natural and cultural heritage values had made it a major tourist destination. “Why push the envelope of the development of Sorrento at the scale and density demonstrated by the proposal,” Dr De Jong said. “A reminder that many years ago the Shire of Flinders suggested that it was important to put in place a policy that allowed Sorrento to age graciously.” Opposing the changes to the developer’s plans, Cr Anne Shaw Shaw said it was not fair to make such substantial alterations at such a late stage. It was planning on the run, she said – “not a good idea, not smart”. David Harrison
Pictures: Gary Sissons
Eagle soars back to find family ONCE reunited with his parents, the young wedge-tailed eagle released at Bittern a week ago on Monday is going to find it hard to explain his absence. The bird spent three days with wildlife carer Jennie Bryant, which included being checked by a vet, being taken to Healesville and being fed meals on lean meat and vitamins. After being given the all clear for take-off, the young wedge-tail was released back into the wild on Monday close to where he was found and where Ms Bryant believes his farsighted parents will soon welcome him home. Ms Bryant was called to the stricken bird on Friday by some people who spotted it walking on a road. She was able to catch it when it went became tangled in a tree by throwing a towel over its head.
Once back at Ms Bryant’s Koala Rescue at Tyabb, the wedge-tail was assessed, fed and then taken to visit the vet and Healesville. Ms Bryant said it appeared the bird had only recently left the nest and was unable to fend for itself. The bird appeared healthy besides being underweight and having a small smear of blood on one wing. “I fed him up a bit, but he didn’t seem to like rabbits or duck, which is something he’ll learn from his parents,” she said. With the wedge-tail released, Ms Bryant is now busy with looking after other injured wildlife; including a female koala (“she’s got problems with her hands”) that has to undergo 45 days of injections for a chlamydia infection. Keith Platt
Ageing power lines sparks fear as summer fire season starts Continued from Page 1 Many of the ageing cables are estimated to be up to 30 years old. It is believed only a fraction of the work will be done by the end of this bushfire season with the remainder being done on a priority basis by 2020.
Mr Dixon said the power lines needed to be replaced as soon as possible. “The fault has been recognised so they should be replaced before the fire season. If the current plan [prevents] them being replaced then the plan should be changed.”
Mr Dixon said the Red Hill and Main Ridge power lines came from a “faulty batch that had not lasted as long as they were expected to and had already caused fires” – even though extra insulation was supposed to improve their fire safety capabilities.
The insulation appeared to be perishing quickly and breaking away and exposing the wires, which he described as “a recipe for disaster”, he said. Mr Dixon said Main Ridge CFA “recognised the issue as serious and that it needed to be fixed straight away”.
CHRISTMAS AT ROSEBUD PLAZA Come and meet Santa and enjoy more time to shop over the festive season with extended trading hours at Rosebud Plaza.
SANTA’S ARRIVAL PARADE
SANTA PHOTO’S
Santa Claus is coming to town! Don’t miss Santa’s Parade at Rosebud Plaza.
Have you been naughty or nice?
Meet Santa and his friends and be the first to have your photo taken with him! LOCATION Outside Target DATE Saturday 5 December 2015 TIME Christmas entertainment from 10.00am Santa Arrives at 10.30am *
Have your photo taken with Santa and tell him your Christmas wishes! LOCATION Outside Target DATE Saturday 5 December to Thursday 24 December TIME 10.00am to 5.00pm*
Santa photography hours may vary. To view the full Santa photography hours and for more information on trading hours, visit www.rosebudplaza.com.au
Cnr Boneo Rd & McCombe St Rosebud VIC 3939 T (03) 5950 2400 www.rosebudplaza.com.au
PAGE 6
Southern Peninsula News 1 December 2015
He said he would get a full briefing from United Energy on Monday next week. “We will find out if we can quicken the replacement process or, if not, I will be taking it up with the Energy and Resources Minister [Lily D’Ambrosio] and or the Ombudsman.”