NEWS DESK Proudly published by Mornington Peninsula News Group Pty. Ltd
PHONE: 03 5974 9000
Published weekly and distributed to Frankston, Frankston South, Karingal, Langwarrin, Seaford, Baxter and Somerville
Circulation: 28,320
Audit period: Apr 2017 - Sept 2017
Source: AMAA; CAB Total Distribution Audit for further information visit auditedmedia.org.au
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 25 OCTOBER 2018 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: TUESDAY 30 OCTOBER 2018
An independent voice for the community
We are the only locally owned and operated community newspaper in Frankston City and on the Mornington Peninsula. 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.
Picture: Yanni
Fencing The Pillars for safety A FENCE stopping access to The Pillars rock jumping platforms at Mt Martha is to be built before summer. Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Bryan Payne said the situation at The Pillars “is out of control and the only option is to close it off permanently”. The shire will also declare a 200 metre exclusion zone for boats and water craft out from the cliff face. The move seemingly defies directions from the government in 2016 not to build a fence. The latest decision to build a fence followed legal advice which stressed the shire could be “liable” if someone was killed or seriously injured while at The Pillars. “Given council’s awareness of the danger of the site, its resultant decision to close the site, and its failure to do so, it is considered that council’s risk exposure is currently high,” the advice from Macquarie Local Government Lawyers stated.
Macquarie urged council to seek indemnity from the state government “against any liability, losses or claims” made by members of the public “in connection with the use of The Pillars”. The lawyers said “all necessary and permissible actions” should be taken “to safeguard the use of the site, noting that the placement of directory signage alone will not suffice”. The shire has not outlined how it will police the new rules, including the ban on water craft, or if similar potential liabilities exist elsewhere, including mountain bike trails at Arthurs Seat. In 2016, the shire stepped up moves to discourage cliff jumpers at The Pillars (alcohol bans, parking bans, warning signs) but abandoned an earlier decision to build a fence after it was opposed by the government and Aboriginal Victoria. Since then The Pillars has become more popular, with real estate agents using its close proximity as an incentive to property buyers.
In what appears to be a bid to politicise the issue in the lead-up to the Saturday 24 November election, Cr Payne last week said shire will invite “representatives of all political parties” to inspect The Pillars “where an increasing number of young people risk death or serious spinal injury by cliff jumping”. “The council [on Tuesday 9 October] voted unanimously to close the site as a result of major legal advice which raised serious liability questions for the council and ratepayers,” Cr Payne said. “Over the last three years through social media, the problems at The Pillars have increased dramatically. This site is not set up to support a high level of visitation and basically the Victorian government, Parks Victoria and the local community have lost control of the situation as a public safety and law and order issue. Keith Platt
Supporting Independent Living
Established in 1995 we offer: • • • •
Professional and friendly service Huge range of stock at the best prices Free trials on selected products Sales, hire and full service support
Order any scooter before November 1st 2018 and receive a FREE rear carry bag, walking stick holder, safety flag, poncho and delivery! (save over $200!) Just quote: LMSCOOT18
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm. Now Open Saturday: 9am-12.30pm Address: Cnr Bruce Street & Watt Road,Mornington Suppliers to: SWEP, DVA, NDIS & many other funding bodies
Call us on: 5923 0711 www.lifemobility.com.au
PAGE 4
Frankston Times
23 October 2018