NEWS DESK
Drain changes ‘dangerous’ Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au A DRAIN installed on the beach in Mentone is causing safety concerns for residents. The drain, which received a “major upgrade” last month, is located near the life saving club. Kingston councillor Geoff Gledhill raised the issue on his Facebook page. “I’ve been contacted by a number of residents who are concerned about the design of the new drain infrastructure on Mentone Beach. It is a substantial drop into what can be deep water, or at low tide, rocks with obviously insufficient barriers to stop a small child,” he said. “I have asked City of Kingston to apply a temporary fix however they apparently have to wait for Melbourne Water to do something as it’s their property. Please guys stop squabbling and someone take responsibility, it is dangerous, there are people everywhere on the foreshore.” Melbourne Water project manager Josh Kar told The News that “although the existing rail meets Australian Safety Standards we’ve gone further and erected temporary additional fencing while permanent options are investigated.” A statement issued by Melbourne Water last month read that the recent changes to the drain were “crucial for the safety and function of the drain after a combination of events, including sand blocking the drain opening and flooding from heavy rainfall, caused it to fail.”
THE entrance to Alex Fraser Group’s concrete crushing facility in Clarinda. Picture: Supplied
Recycler wants to stay at site
A NEWLY refurbished drain in Mentone. Picture: Supplied
Continued from Page 1 “The Clarinda recycling facility forms a critical part of Victoria’s network of world class recycling facilities. It represents an important shift away from landfill and quarry activities and is a proven example of the circular economy. Sustainability Victoria has invested in the establishment and development of the site,” Mr Murphy said. “The site was rezoned to Green Wedge in 2015. The site maintains thousands of trees and lakes that screen site activities and provide a safe habitat for native species. In the next few years this habitat will be further improved in partnership with community groups. “A 15 year extension to Alex Fraser’s operating permit would ensure recycling of up to one million tonnes of material each year in Melbourne’s south east. This ensures a market for recovered materials and enables the
critical supply of construction materials for major infrastructure and ongoing local government projects. “We look forward to the minister’s decision regarding the future of the Clarinda recycling facility.” The recycler says it is working with state government agencies to find a new site if it is decided that the Clarinda concrete crushing facility must close. In November last year, council voted to reject the recycler’s bid for a longer stay. Council received around 800 submissions from residents opposing Alex Fraser Group’s proposal (“Council agrees to take out the trash”, The News, 27/11/19). Following that decision, the planning minister appointed an advisory committee to hear submissions on the application. The committee will complete a report and make a recommendation to the minister.
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
19 August 2020
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