NEWS DESK
Reserve returns to Parks Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au A COMMUNITY committee of management announced amid much fanfare by the state government early last year has been axed as custodians of the Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve. The state government has decided not to renew an agreement with the committee, headed by Frankston councillor Quinn McCormack, and has appointed Parks Victoria as land manager. The decision comes amid feuding among residential neighbours of the reserve about fencing and public access points to the reserve. Bitter fighting between neighbours and committee members about access to the reserve has been aired publicly on Facebook. Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke, who in 2016 praised “all parties who have worked towards public access� to the 90-hectare reserve at Frankston Reservoir, referred questions to the office of Lily D’Ambrosio when asked about the decision to axe the committee. Ms D’Ambrosio is the Victorian Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister and the Minister for Suburban Development. “The community will have improved access to the reserve under the management of Parks Victoria,� spokesman David McNamara said in a statement. “Parks Victoria will be appointed as the new land manager for Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve once transitional arrangements are finalised. “The decision to appoint Parks Victo-
Welcome to reserve: Dean Stewart conducts a welcome to country ceremony last year on behalf of Arweet (Carolyn Briggs) for the Boon Wurrung People watched by Environment Minister Lisa Neville, Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke. Picture: Gary Sissons
ria as the land manager will ensure future management of the reserve reflects both the needs and activities of the community and the conservation values of the reserve.� Access to the site had been restricted since 1920 before its opening up to the public last year. The reserve has six ecological vegetation classes of state significance, 215 indigenous flora species and more than 100 fauna species including the nationally threatened growling grass frog and Musk Duck. Ms McCormack, elected as a South ward councillor in November last year, said the community “will lose� as a result of the decision to appoint Parks Victoria as land managers. In a joint statement with forensic zoologist Hans Brunner, a Frankston resident, Ms McCormack noted volunteers had stepped up to ensure the reserve was opened up to the public “for the
first time in 100 years�. “Wildlife experts, hydrologists, conservation management specialists, friends’ groups and community members are shocked and outraged by this decision,� she said. “The volunteer community committee of management are all local residents of Frankston who are highly qualified with expertise in diverse professional fields. “They have given endless hours of their time, at no cost to ratepayers and, with the support of local community groups and organisations, have been highly successful and prudent in managing all operations.� Melbourne Water passed management of the reserve to Parks Victoria in 2009 and it became the Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve in 2011 before the handover – and now take back – of the reserve’s upkeep from the community committee.
Reward for ‘cold case’ hit-run tip POLICE are offering a $250,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person involved in the hit-and-run death of Frankston woman Jennifer Moller outside Karingal Bowling Club five years ago. Ms Moller was waiting to cross Skye Rd, Frankston, 1.30pm, on 27 April 2012, when she was struck by a car, believed to be a 2011 white Mercedes Benz sedan. The 54-year-old was treated at the scene by paramedics but later died. The driver fled the scene. Detectives believe the reward will entice someone with key information to come forward. Husband John Moller, 53, said: “It’s been five years and we still have no closure. “I was there, I saw my wife get hit by the car, and 30 minutes later they told me she had died; it was traumatic. “The same day I had to get my children from school and tell them what had happened. They have been through so much. “Please, if you know anything, report it to Crime Stoppers.� Major Collision Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Daryll Out said a conviction would provide some longneeded closure to the heartbroken family. “The day Jennifer lost her life, her children lost their mother and her hus-
Jennifer Moller
band lost his wife. Nothing will ever mend the broken hearts of Jennifer’s family, or sadly bring her back, but to have someone held to account will help to bring some much-deserved closure for them. “At the time, a number of witnesses came forward which helped locate the Mercedes and identified a person of interest but police need more information which may lead to the arrest and conviction of the driver involved.� Anyone with information about the collision should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersvic.com.au online.
Schools’ budget pain and gain claims Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au SECONDARY schools in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula are set to be shortchanged by millions of dollars in federal funding over the next two years, according to figures released by the Victorian Department of Education. The schools are among 70 statewide slated to receive up to $1.1 million less in the short term than would have been the case under Better Schools funding, also known as the Gonski agreement since businessman David Gonski reviewed schools funding for both the previous Labor and current
Coalition federal governments. A “Gonski 2.0� funding agreement officially announced in last Tuesday’s federal budget by Treasurer Scott Morrison will see public schools receive more money over ten years but effectively less upfront than was originally proposed in the next two years. A Victorian Education Department analysis instigated by Labor state government ministers shows 1535 state schools will receive less in 2018 and 2019 than under the old funding plan, which still had a year to run. Principals at a handful of schools called for comment last week did not respond about the state department’s figures that show over the next two years:
ď Žď€ Mornington Secondary College will
be $1.2 million worse off; ď Ž Rosebud Secondary College $800,000-$900,000; ď Ž Frankston High School $1.2 million; ď Ž Western Port Secondary College $500,000; ď Ž Dromana Secondary College $1$1.1 million; ď Ž Mount Eliza Secondary College $400,000-$500,000 Victorian Education Minister James Merlino said it was “laughable that Malcolm Turnbull is still trying to pass [the budget] off as a positive story for Victorian schoolsâ€?. “The fact is it leaves a $630 million shortfall for Victorian schools against ď€
ď€
ď€
ď€
ď€
the original agreement,� he said. “This is more than just a number. It has a direct impact and hurts the kids that need it the most and can least afford it. “We funded our share of the agreement for 2018 in our recent state budget because it was the right thing to do. It is really that simple.� But, despite the possible short-term pain, federal Dunkley Liberal MP Chris Crewther said schools were set to benefit with a total increase in federal funding of $331 million over the next 10 years. “Every school in Dunkley – all 51 of them – will have their funding secured and increased under our fairer, needs-based Gonski funding model,�
Mr Crewther said. “Importantly, our increased funding will be tied to reforms that evidence shows make a real difference to supporting our teachers and schools to improve student outcomes. “This is a fair system that is good for students, good for parents and good for teachers.� Two high-profile politicians visited Dunkley in the wake of the federal budget. Liberal Treasurer Scott Morrison visited Mt Eliza on Friday (12 May) to spruik his second budget as treasurer and Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten hosted a community forum in Frankston on Saturday (13 May) to criticise the Coalition government’s federal budget.
New generation TOP-UP hearing aids now FREE* E Eligible pensioners and veterans aare entitled to FREE hearing aaids through the government’s hearing services scheme*, or h they can pay extra (TOP-UP) for th hearing aids with additional or h more advanced features or for a m smaller size. sm As an EXCLUSIVE A SPECIAL OFFER, Hidden S Hearing is providing eligible H pensioners and veterans p
with certain TOP-UP hearing aids incorporating the latest generation technology FREE OF CHARGE until the END OF JUNE. The choice is yours, either a discreet deep canal aid or a miniature receiver in canal aid. In both cases the aids will be small and discreet, and programmed to \RXU VSHFLÂżF KHDULQJ OHYHOV DQG unique personal needs. www.hiddenhearing.com.au
CALL NOW to book your FREE hearing assessment and start hearing better again.
FREE CALL
1800 717 717
*Conditions and eligibility requirements apply under the Commonwealth Hearing Services Voucher System. Offer ends June 30th, 2017.
BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK Frankston Times 15 May 2017
PAGE 3