Police patrol
NEWS DESK
With Liz Bell
Burning bad for grapes
‘Dangerous’ driver ROSEBUD Police are asking the public to help identify a dangerous driver in Dromana. On 20 April, a male driver failed to stop on police direction, taking off at a fast speed and running through a red light on Nepean Highway, Dromana. The vehicle was a white Ford Falcon utility with false registration plates 1JI2YN attached. Police are asking for information on the identity of the driver or the whereabouts of the vehicle. Contact the Rosebud Police Station on 5986 0444 with information and refer to incident number 230140949.
Three out of three POLICE aboard the Mornington nightshift patrol van were busy on Friday night (21 April) processing three offenders within three hours for drink driving. All three drivers were intercepted by police in the Mornington area and taken back to the Mornington police station for a further breath test. A 52-year-old man from Tyabb returned a reading of 0.069 - resulting in a fine and loss of licence for three months. A 49-year-old Mount Martha man returned a reading of 0.092 - resulting in a fine and loss of licence for six months. A 21-year-old female P-plater from New South Wales returned a reading of 1.32, resulting in a fine and an immediate loss of licence for 13 months.
How do you feel? MORNINGTON Peninsula police are asking people to participate in the annual community sentiment survey. The findings of the survey will identify the issues the community cares about most and help develop ways to tackle them. Police would like to hear views about how people feel about safety in each local area; ideas to improve the work police do; and how people want to engage with police and PSOs Complete the survey before 30 April at bit. ly/3LZe0J5
THE owners of The Corner Pantry, Mount Eliza were among businesses confronted with scenes like this on Monday morning. Picture: Supplied
Thievers target businesses A SMASH-and-grab crime spree across Mount Eliza, Mornington and Mount Martha has shocked residents and businesses, and prompted calls for increased CCTV and police patrols on the peninsula. About one dozen businesses were robbed between 2am and 4am on Monday 17 April, with many staff and owners arriving to work to find windows and doors smashed and cash stolen. Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives believe the crimes are linked, with cafes, milk bars, beauty salons, a clothing store and laundromat targeted It is believed two people known to police were captured on CCTV cameras at some of the break-ins, although police were unable to confirm this. Dan Force, of Via Battista, Mount Martha told customers that thieves took cash drawers from his cafe, with CCTV allegedly showing one person in a car while another broke into the store. Other business owners have posted photos of the devastation caused by the offenders.
PROPERTY owners in Mornington Peninsula’s rural areas may find themselves in a quandary when it comes to their autumn burn-offs. The Country Fire Authority says it, “partner” agencies and property owners will be making the most of the cooler weather “to conduct fuel reduction burns to lower bushfire risk”. Although fire restrictions on the peninsula were lifted this week (Monday 24 April) but the Victorian Farmers Federation’s peninsula branch has asked farmers to delay burn-offs because the smoke could taint unpicked grapes. “The vine fruit will be impacted by any smoke taint during this critical period, immediately prior to harvest across the peninsula farming region,” the VFF stated last week in a news release. “In the past few weeks, the nets have come off the vineyards and ... grape picking has commenced.” The CFA also talks about smoke being a problem and says it will “work closely” with the Environment Protection Authority and Bureau of Meteorology “to keep smoke impact as low as practically possible”. “Along with the important planned burns that are conducted in our forests, parks and reserves led by FFMV and the many kilometres of road, rail and grassland burns that are led by the CFA, this time of year also sees a large amount of smoke coming from the necessary burn-offs that our farmers and rural property holders complete,” CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said. “These are part of traditional farming practices where burning off of crop stubble is often needed to kill off weeds and return nutrients
and carbon back into the soil. “As the weather conditions continue to become favourable for lower intensity burning, we will look to conduct the most suitable burns-offs to ensure that our dependent native bush and grasslands are benefitting and avoid much more devastating high intensity bushfires.” The VFF news release issued by peninsula branch president Lisa Brassington urged “all farmers … to remember that you should never burn ‘unseasoned’ wet or green vegetation materials”. “This generates excessive smoke across the region, creates smoke taint on vine grapes, decreases air quality for livestock and crops, and contributes to breathing issues for locals and visitors. If trees have recently fallen, you need to delay burning any vegetation debris. “Farmers would be grateful if local rural and township community members are considerate of the vineyard fruit, and wait until the 2023 harvest is complete, before setting fire to the piles of fallen trees and branches that have built up over summer.” Landowners can register burn-offs online at firepermits.vic.gov.au or call 1800 668 511 or email burnoffs@esta. vic.gov.au For information about when and where planned burns are occurring sign up to Planned Burns Victoria at plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au and download the App. If you see smoke and want to know if it is a planned burn or a fire, visit emergency.vic.gov. au, check the VicEmergency app or call the hotline on 1800 226 226. Keith Platt
FRANKSTON HIGH SCHOO L 2024 ENROLMENT INFORMATION SESSIONS AND TOURS
Frankston High School has an outstanding reputation as a high performing school, particularly in the areas of academic achievement, music and sport. Prospective parents are encouraged to attend an information session and tour of the school. Book via our website
http://www.fhs.vic.edu.au PAGE 8
Frankston Times
25 April 2023
PERFORMING ARTS THEATRE
Thursday 27 April Friday 28 April Monday 1 May Wednesday 3 May 9.15am – 11.00am