NEWS DESK
Community house given new home THE former Annie Sage centre in Blacks Camp Rd, Somerville, will be refurbished as the new home of Somerville Community House. This follows a $270,000 grant from the state government’s Interface Growth Fund. The mayor Cr Bev Colomb said the Mornington Peninsula Shire was thrilled to receive funding for the project that will help create a real community hub for the town. “Mornington Peninsula Shire Council appreciates the state government's funding support,” she said. “The Interface Growth Fund is sup-
Business breakfast WESTERN PORT Chamber of Commerce & Industry marketing manager Angie Baker will speak about community and business renewal at tomorrow’s Somerville Tyabb Rotary Business Breakfast at Tilly’s at Tyabb, 1552 Frankston Flinders Rd, Tyabb. The door opens at 7am for a 7.15am start and breakfast runs to 8.15am. The $10 cost includes breakfast and tea or coffee. Bookings are essential for seating and catering purposes. Visit TryBooking by 2pm, today (Tuesday) and advise of any special dietary requirements. Details: Su Pilkington, 0419 283 363 or email: susan.smp@bigpond. com
porting real contributions to communities of interface councils – councils like the Mornington Peninsula that are just on the outside of metro Melbourne.” Cr Colomb thanked Cr Lynn Bowden for her passion for the township and her vision through the Somerville Community Planning and Development Project. Cr Bowden said the Somerville Community House had outgrown its current facility. “The funding support will enable refurbishment of the former kindergarten building. It’s thought that placing the community house with the Somerville Senior Citizens Centre and pre-school nearby will bring a cohesive and centralised hub of services to the Somerville community. “Funding will also help improve programs and services across the broader Somerville community, including those for children, students and older residents,” she said. “Delivering this community facility has been a priority of council and the community as identified through the community assessment study. “On behalf of the community I sincerely thank the state government for their support for our town - we look forward to bringing this much-needed community facility to the community.” The shire has contributed $30,000 towards the detailed design. The works are expected to start early next year.
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Wetland protection for the birds PROTECTING wetlands in Western Port and Port Phillip which are integral to the survival of migratory birds, ranges from controlling pest plants and animals to increasing understanding about their importance. Management of the three internationally recognised Ramsar wetlands - Edithvale-Seaford, Western Port and the western shoreline of Port Phillip Bay – is coordinated out by the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA). “In addition, the PPWCMA has started the Improving Wetlands Project supported by the state govern-
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the Ramsar wetlands under pressure.” Mr Morrison said the five-year, $3 million Improving Wetlands Project “will contribute to improving the ecological health and condition of mangrove and saltmarsh vegetation communities across the sites”. “It will also help to reduce the threats from feral animals to native wildlife, and community engagement activities will raise awareness of wetland values and increase community and public knowledge. For more information on the PPWCMA’s work at the Ramsar wetland sites, visit www.ppwcma.vic.gov.au.
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ment’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning involving partnerships with councils, government agencies, community Landcare groups and private landholders,” the authority’s Andrew Morrison said. “Some birds, such as the eastern curlew, migrate annually over 10,000 kilometers from places such as Siberia to Australia, and rely on our wetlands to rest and feed as part of their amazing yearly ritual. “However, some pests and modern land uses and activities, including weeds, foxes, feral cats and increasing urbanisation and recreation have put
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Cat trap: Julie Trezise, of the French Island Landcare Grou and Scott Couts, Parks Victoria, and setting a feral cat trap to help protect wetlands on the map for international bird travellers. Picture: James Lauritz
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Western Port News 27 October 2015
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