Chelsea • Mordialloc • Mentone
NEWS DESK
Proudly published by Mornington Peninsula News Group Pty. Ltd
PHONE: 03 5973 6424 Published weekly
Circulation: 16,880
Audit period: Oct 2013 - Mar 2014
Source: AMAA; CAB Total Distribution Audit for further information visit www.auditedmedia.org.au
Editor: Neil Walker 0431 932 041 Journalists: Stephen Taylor, Neil Walker 5973 6424 Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Advertising Sales: Anton Hoffman 0411 119 379 Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production and graphic design: Maria Mirabella, Marcus Pettifer Group Editor: Keith Platt Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Andrew Hurst ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@baysidenews.com.au Web: baysidenews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 5PM ON MONDAY 2 OCTOBER 2017 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION: WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017
An independent voice for the community
We are the only locally owned and operated community newspaper. We are dedicated to the belief that a strong community newspaper is essential to a strong community. We exist to serve residents, community groups and businesses and ask for their support in return.
PAGE 2
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
27 September 2017
Taking flight: A white-faced heron at Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands. Picture: Gary Sissons
Environmental study for bypass THE state government has pledged to build the Mordialloc Bypass “to the highest environmental standards” after announcing a full investigation into any impact on nearby wetlands will be done before construction of the ninekilometre road. Labor Planning Minister Richard Wynne confirmed last Thursday (21 September) that an Environmental Effects Study report will be needed before the $300 million project can be built. Concerned community groups say the bypass between the Mornington Peninsula Freeway and Dingley Bypass poses a danger to species of birds, animals and fauna in the EdithvaleSeaford Wetlands (“Plea to dump bypass build”, The News 20/9/17).
Residents Against Mordialloc Freeway president Scott Fothergill welcomed the EES study. “We would hope that this EES includes full community consultation and we would hope that RAMF and all groups above including Friends of Braeside Park and Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Association would be included as reference groups,” he said. “The EES will ensure the highest study into these effects and impacts of this proposed road. They may well discover themselves, the best mitigation of impact will be not having this road through this corridor at all.” Mr Fothergill says the state government should abandon its plans to build the Mordialloc Bypass and focus on building the Westall Rd exten-
sion to link Eastlink and the Dandenong Bypass and should install extra lanes along Springvale Rd “to link up with the Dingley Bypass in a less environmentally damaging way”. Mordialloc Labor MP Tim Richardson said the EES process gives the community the chance to make their views known about the bypass plans. “The EES process will provide the community with detailed information about the project and give locals a chance to have their say on the final designs,” he said. “These detailed planning investigations will give us the information we need to manage any environmental impacts for the surrounding community, now and into the future.” Neil Walker