Port hopes ebb away Keith Platt keith@baysidenews.com.au
Imagine that: An adaptation of children’s book The Little Prince will hit the stage at Kingston City Hall early next month.
Children’s classic tale on stage CHILDREN’S book The Little Prince will bring the Kingston Arts stage to life next month. Presented by Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, The Little Prince is sure to delight the young and young-at-heart. Adapted from one of the most widely read books in history with over 140 million copies sold worldwide in more than 250 languages, The Little Prince tells the story of a curious prince who leaves his tiny planet and journeys across the universe, discovering that adults have very strange ideas about the things that really matter. Exquisitely hand-carved puppets bring the Little Prince, Rose, the Fox and the charming Snake, to life. Spare Parts associate director Michael Barlow said The Little Prince reminds us of the magic of imagination. “The work speaks strongly about what really matters in
life: It isn’t the expensive or flashy things that have the greatest value, it’s the people we form relationships with,” he said. Kingston mayor Cr Tamsin Bearsley said the production was a fine opportunity for parents to introduce their children to the world of theatre. “I encourage schools, parents and grandparents to come along to this beautiful production that will engage and inspire our young people,” she said. The Little Prince is suitable for children aged four-plus. It is on 10am and 1pm, Thursday 9 June, at Kingston City Hall, 985 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin Junction. Tickets: $18 each or $12 for groups four-plus, with teachers free. Bookings: 9556 4440 or kingstonarts.com.au
ANY prospect of a container port being developed at Hastings is likely to be decades away, according to Mornington MP David Morris. This prediction by Mr Morris follows revelations that the state government has not asked Infrastructure Victoria to investigate the best site for Victoria’s next major port. Soon after its election in November 2014 the incoming Labor government announced Infrastructure Victoria would assess site for the next port, including one at Bay West, north of Geelong in Port Phillip. The government withdrew funding for the Port of Hastings Development Authority, causing the loss of many jobs and a cessation of studies necessary for a future port at Hastings. Mr Morris said the cuts “effectively gutted the Port of Hastings Development Authority”. He said Port Minister Luke Donellan had told the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee in May last year that the government would “seek independent advice from Infrastructure Victoria about Bay West as an alternative site to Hastings for Victoria’s second container port”. “Twelve months on and Infrastructure Victoria has spilt the beans that it has not looked at options for Hastings, Bay West, or indeed any other major project in the state,” Mr Morris told The News. “Donellan told the same hearing that ‘I would also like to see them [Port of Hastings] look at chasing down business in the energy sector, because the Latrobe
Valley has enormous brown coal deposits…’ Mr Morris said not referring development of a container port to Infrastructure Victoria “means that not only might the development of a container port[at Hastings] be delayed for decades, there is a real risk that the port will be relegated to bulk status, reduced to handling the sort of cargo not acceptable to other ports”. A current leaseholder at the Port of Melbourne, International Container Terminal Services, wants to expand capacity at the port. “The return to taxpayers resulting from the sale of the Port could be increased if we were permitted to act now to expand port capacity,” ICTS spokesperson Gerry Bullon said. “ICTSI wants to invest in new infrastructure for the Port of Melbourne now, making it more attractive for buyers. “The Port of Melbourne is Australia’s largest and busiest port and Australia’s most significant trade gateway. Webb Dock will be the most advanced container terminal in the world. We will have the world’s most efficient and reliable container terminal here in Melbourne.” The government hopes to raise about $6 billion with the privatisation of the Port of Melbourne, with first round bids due 14 June. At least four consortiums are reportedly lining up for the 50-year lease which the government hopes to finalise by the fourth quarter of the next financial year. Money from the lease has already been committed by the government to pay for the removal of level crossings and a “rural fund”.
Everything on UP TO 50% OFF
Must End Mon 23rd May
MASSIVE STOREWIDE SAVINGS!
shop IN-STORE and ONLINE
ON ALL FURNITURE & HOMEWARES
COMPTON 3 seater sofa in bendigo fabric WAS
$1899
$1449
NOW
BARISTA
150-260w extension dining table in white wash WAS $2099 SUPER SAVER CRIMSON dining chair WAS $279 NOW $179
$1199
CLARENDON
modular combo with reversible chaise in jake fabric WAS NOW
$3649
$2799
JULIAN
ALASKA
195h bookcase in white wash WAS SUPER SAVER
$1249
$699
designer chair in teal fabric WAS SUPER SAVER
$799
$399
www.ozdesignfurniture.com.au
Everything on Sale available storewide on all new orders of furniture and homewares from 26-04-2016 till 23-05-2016 inclusive. Discount varies product dependent with minimum discount of 20% applicable, with savings of up to 50% off selected lines only. Excludes Glasshouse and Circa candles and purchases of gift cards. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer including Super Savers and finance. Terms and conditions apply see www.ozdesignfurniture.com.au for more information.
OZ DESIGN FURNITURE MORNINGTON PH: 8560 1137, SHOWROOM D4, PENINSULA HOME, 1128-1132 NEPEAN HIGHWAY VIC LOCATIONS: BENDIGO 8692 2589, ESSENDON 8560 1130, GEELONG 8560 1124, HOPPERS CROSSING 8560 1141, MORNINGTON 8560 1137, NORTHLAND 9471 0244, NUNAWADING 9894 1566, RICHMOND 8560 1120 Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 18 May 2016
PAGE 5