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Homes height limit higher
SCIENTISTS predict the large number of small King George whiting entering Port Phillip and Western Port bays will be “catchable” by spring 2018. The whiting larvae drift eastward from spawning grounds off far western Victoria and eastern South Australia for about three months before entering the bays and estuaries in spring. Studies of whiting living in seagrass beds in Port Phillip have shown they stay about four years before heading back out to sea. “Westerly winds help drive the currents that bring the whiting larvae into the bay, where they take about two years to reach the legal minimum size of 27 centimetres,” Fisheries Victoria executive director, Travis Dowling, said. “At about four years of age, most whiting have left the bays to complete their life in coastal waters. “Because whiting only reside in the bays for a few years of their life, these fisheries naturally fluctuate depending on the number of tiny larvae that entered the bays several years prior. “The high numbers recorded in the most recent survey were once again consistent with a 2016 winter-spring climate characterised by frequent and strong westerly winds.” Mr Dowling said annual surveys in Port Phillip since 1998 were seen as a
Catch of the days and nights: Large numbers of King George whiting predicted to be on the menu for anglers next year in Port Phillip and Western Port bays. Picture: Gary Sissons
reliable predictor of future catches. “The bumper whiting catches enjoyed by anglers in recent times are the result of exceptional juvenile whiting numbers detected in the 2013 survey,” he said. “People fishing outside the bays along the coast can expect increased catches of larger whiting over the next few years as these mature fish move out to spawn during winter.” Mr Dowling said there was a daily bag limit of 20
UN O IT NL S Y AV FE AI W LA BL E
Continued from Page 1 State Liberal opposition leader Matthew Guy, formerly the state’s planning minister, told The News the state government changes will encourage overdevelopment. “This is just a ploy by the government to force density upon every street in every suburb across Melbourne,” Mr Guy said. “Our plan was to put activities areas as the growth centres for growth and leave the rest of the suburbs alone. “This government wants nothing left alone. They’re going to leave it as a development free for all. Every street will be open slather for apartment or units and, to me, that is inappropriate development.” The door to high-rise development in central Mentone was opened by Mr Wynne in late 2015 when he intervened to change “mandatory” fourstory height limits in Kingston Council’s Mentone Activity Centre Structure Plan to “discretionary” limits. After more than a year of asking the reason, on several occasions, for the intervention on height limits in the Mentone Activity Centre, The News finally received an answer this month. “Mandatory height controls are at odds with the whole idea of Activity Centres. We want these locations to be flexible enough to cater for a variety of developments that suit the local area,” Planning Minister spokesman Patrick Lane said. “Any proposed development outside the discretionary height limits would have to be put to the public for consultation and, if approved, could be appealed at VCAT.” The Plan Melbourne changes announced this month do not change the “discretionary” limits for the Mentone Activity Centre. Kingston Council planning and development general manager Jonathan Guttmann said council will consider resubmitting proposals for Kingston’s residential zones following the changes.
Scientists predict ‘bumper’ whiting catches next year
FRANKSTON LINE
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King George whiting a person and encouraged people to keep an eye out for tagged whiting, which are part of a new research project paid for by recreational fishing licence fees. The project is investigating the movement of adult whiting leaving the bays and trying to confirm their spawning locations. Anglers who catch tagged whiting are asked to report the tag number, location, and size of the fish to whitingtag@gmail.com or by calling 5258 3686. Keith Platt
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Opening dates and times
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Carrum (Carrum train station car park)
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50 Chesterville rd, Cheltenham 3192 PAGE 4
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 22 March 2017
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contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au 1800 762 667 levelcrossings.vic.gov.au
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We’ll also be at the Frankston Revitalisation Hub, cnr Young and Balmoral Streets, Frankston each Tuesday from 27 March onwards to talk with you about the Skye/Overton Road level crossing removal.
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