Councils step in to bail out biosphere Keith Platt keith@baysidenews.com.au MEMBER councils have bailed out the Western Port Biosphere which in January warned money would run out by this month, April. Executive officer Cecelia Witton says the biosphere foundation has survived a “hectic” few months with the help of “our biosphere councils and others, [and] secured the funding required to meet the projected cash flow shortfall”. In a bid to secure future funding a memorandum of understanding (MOU) is now being drawn up between the biosphere and its member councils: Mornington Peninsula Shire, Bass Coast, Cardinia and Casey. Frankston Council withdrew its $20,000 commitment four years ago, leading to the biosphere’s financial woes. The biosphere is hoping Frankston will rejoin the biosphere as a financial contributor. Ms Witton told an extraordinary general meeting in January that the organisation was running out of money before a vote was taken to give the board of directors the power to wind up the “company”. That option has not been needed, although Ms Witton says there is an urgent need to increase membership of the biosphere. “It is great to be able to report on the more positive funding situation, but renewal of memberships is slow. I urge current members to renew now, because we must retain a membership base of a minimum of 50 financial members to meet the criteria for our charitable DGR [charitable gift recipient] status,” Ms Witton wrote in the latest edition of the biosphere’s newsletter,
The Biosphere Connector. “Without ongoing support from our membership, the foundation will not be able to take advantage of philanthropic funding opportunities for which DGR status is required The 2142 square-kilometre Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve - one of 14 in Australia – includes five local government areas and French Island. Listed under the UNESCO’s man and the biosphere program, it includes national and marine parks, rural agriculture and urban-growth areas. Western Port is also listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International significance. Biospheres are described as being “sites of excellence that seek to reconcile conservation of biological and cultural diversity and economic and social development through partnerships between people and nature”. Although they have no statutory powers biospheres are seen as being “ideal learning sites to test and demonstrate innovative approaches to sustainable development and conservation on a regional scale”. The Western Port Biosphere says it “works with the community to create a better future for the Western Port Biosphere Reserve—environmentally, socially and economically. We do this through research, education, community engagement, partnerships and on-ground conservation efforts”. Projects it has undertaken include Growing connections (habitat corridors); Water stewardship; Protecting Ramsar values; Watson Creek, Somerville; and the Southern brown bandicoot recovery program.
Police patrol Woman attacked near station
A WOMAN was attacked and sexually assaulted near Seaford station on Saturday 1 April. Sexual Crimes Squad detectives say the 19-year-old was walking home along Railway Pd near Seaford North Reserve at 3.10am. She stopped briefly near bushes at a church car park where she was attacked from behind by a man who sexually assaulted her. The man then ran off in an unknown direction and the victim walked home and raised the alarm. The man is described as having a tanned complexion with brown hair, thin build and an Australian accent. He was wearing jeans with a belt and a dark coloured T-shirt and had a distinctive mole on the left side of his cheek or chin and small teeth. The woman’s black jeans and a Nike runner were left at the scene and police are keen to speak to anyone living nearby who may have seen items of clothing in the area. Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppersvic.com.au online.
Digital image: Police think this man may be able to assist with their inquiries.
Assault on train
Death probed
POLICE are searching for a man who sexually assaulted a person on a Frankston line train on Friday 24 February. The man boarded at Flinders St and sat next to the victim when a seat became available. During the journey he sexually assaulted the victim, causing the subject of the man’s unwanted attention to move away. The offender followed the victim off the train for a short time when both exited the train at Seaford. The man is of Indian or Middle Eastern appearance, in his 20s, with a slim build and short dark hair. He was wearing a grey zip-up hoodie with a red print on the front, blue jeans and dark coloured sneakers. Police would not confirm whether the victim was male or female. Face fit: Police want Anyone with information is urged to call to speak to this man Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. about train assault.
Foot Street Podiatry
HOMICIDE Squad detectives are investigating after a woman died in Frankston Hospital on Tuesday 28 March. Emergency services were called to a boarding house in Daly St at 5.30am, Saturday 25 March, where a 45-yearold woman was found in a critical condition. She died in hospital days later. Belinda Batty, of police media, said the exact circumstances surrounding the woman’s injuries are unknown and the investigation is ongoing. Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or see crimestoppersvic.com.au
HAVE YOU BEEN INJURED AT WORK?
Foot Pain Relief Clinic
We refer to previous advertisement on page 32 of the Frankston Times dated 3-04-17.
Dealing with workplace injury can be hard, but you’re not alone. Injured workers are joining together to support each other and fight for safer workplaces.
By way of correction: Foot Street Podiatry does not offer Prolotherapy to the Knee.
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BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK Frankston Times 10 April 2017
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