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Big surplus and bin price hike in council budget
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Editor: Brodie Cowburn 0401 864 460 Journalists: Brodie Cowburn, Stephen Taylor, 5974 9000 Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Advertising Sales: Anton Hoffman 0411 119 379 Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production and graphic design: Marcus Pettifer, Dannielle Espagne Group Editor: Keith Platt 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Craig MacKenzie, Ben Triandafillou ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@baysidenews.com.au Web: baysidenews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2019 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2019
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Enjoy Peter Pan under the moonlight BONEO Maze brings a little White Night magic to the Mornington Peninsula this Easter Weekend. The 27 acre wetlands and gardens and new home of Sand Sculpting Australia will be alight with interactive light installations and lantern sculptures. This family friendly event will transform Boneo Maze into a night time wonderland with activities, workshops and some spectacular lights and entertainment the whole family can enjoy. Sand Sculpting Australia Peter Pan exhibition will be transformed with lighting and projections and the path dotted with the magical sculptural lanterns of Lantasia Lights. You can catch a ride on the Choo Choo train to the glowing kids zone with interactive installations from The Indirect Object and kid friendly workshops.Continue your journey through our night maze or sit back and relax at the floating outdoor cinema screen. The bungee tramps, rock wall and jumping castle will give the kids a chance to burn off that excess energy while the parents relax and enjoy some live music by the lake. Challenge a friend to some twilight mini golf or enjoy a local beer and indulge in some delicious food from
one of the vendors. With roving performers and loads of family friendly entertainment this Easter Festival is a sure hit for the whole family. Mother nature will be bringing some of her own light to the party as things kick off on Good Friday with the full moon, heading into Saturday and Sunday evening. Tickets are $30 per person no discounts or concessions are available for this event. Children under 3 are Free. Limited tickets are available for each evening, in order to secure your MoonLight adventure and avoid disappointment please purchase your tickets online. Tickets will only be available on the night if not sold out prior. Ticket includes access to the park, all light installations, workshops, maze, sand sculpting exhibition, outdoor cinema, all rides available on the night. Please note the games garden and wetlands will not be open for this event. Mini Golf can be added for an additional $10pp. Easter Weekend 19th, 20th and 21st April 2019. 6pm - 10pm Location : Boneo Maze 695 Limestone Rd, Fingal 3939. phone: (03)5988 6385 Buy tickets at: www.boneomaze. com.au/moonlightfestival/
Boneo Maze Magic: Peter Pan Exhibition and Lantasia Lights. Photos: Supplied
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Frankston Times
16 April 2019
Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au FRANKSTON Council have ticked off on their proposed budget for 2019/2020, projecting a healthy surplus at the end of the financial year and approving a price increase for their bin collection service. Council’s proposed budget reported a projected surplus of $22.09 million, but noted that the “underlying result is a surplus of $11.18 million after adjusting for capital grants and contributions. That figure is listed as “of most concern as council’s long term financial viability depends on its ability to make an operating surplus on a day to day basis in order to fund the replacement of assets and to fund new projects.” The budget for 2019/2020 includes a 5 per cent increase to council’s green waste service charge and a 7.5 per cent increase in their general waste collection service “incorporating kerbside collection and recycling”. The charge per rateable property for an 80 litre residential bin picked up weekly has jumped from $281.60 to $302.70. The cost for a 120 litre bin jumped from $353.70 to $380.20. As a result of the price hike on waste collection, council expects to
raise an extra $1.72 million in revenue. The “increased service cost resulting from the pressures impacting the recycling industry” is listed as an external influence in the decision to hike general waste charges. It is stated in the proposed budget that “the industry continues to be challenged by the contamination standards required by the international markets using recycled products.” The budget boasts a $24.35 million investment into the “preservation of local amenity and promotion of a safe clean and attractive city”. $19.4 million has been set aside for “investment to provide strategies for the waste management needs of the municipality and the Frankston Regional Recycling and Recovery centre” while $8.7 million has been allocated “to ensure the safety of the community”. Among the investment into community facilities found in the budget include a $2.5 million council contribution towards the Overport Park pavilion and another $2.5 million contribution towards the Ballam Park pavillion. The proposed budget was endorsed at a special meeting of council on 8 April. The mayor Michael O’Reilly said the budget was a “great outcome for council with many projects to benefit the city.” “The budget details how we intend
to fund important community services, infrastructure, capital works and other programs over the next 12 months across our city,” Cr O’Reilly said. “We know that community facilities such as sporting ovals, recreation reserves and open spaces are crucial to maintain the health and wellbeing of our community. Therefore, we have allocated almost $17 million to continue making improvements to these facilities, which include libraries, community centres, family support and aged facilities, recreation and aquatic facilities. “This budget shows council is focused on improving where we live. As a city we are growing and our population is growing along with it, therefore it is vital that we continue to deliver needed services, maintain our assets and invest in new community focused infrastructure.” The next step for the budget is community consultation. A public briefing will take place on Wednesday 17 April at the council building from 6.30pm. Submissions relating to the budget must be made in writing and be received by council before 5pm, 7 May to be considered. The final budget will be adopted at a special council meeting on 20 May. The proposed budget can be viewed at frankston.vic.gov.au/AnnualBudget