NEWS DESK
Long road to recovery for injured koala ‘Phase two’ for tech park Liz Bell liz@baysidenews.com.au A SERIOUSLY injured koala found close to death in Tyabb last month is on the road to recovery thanks to the efforts of wildlife rescuers, rehabilitators and local police. The injured marsupial was seen clinging to a tree overhanging busy Tyabb-Tooradin Road on 10 February, one ear missing and open wounds all over its body. Canons Creek wildlife rescuer Nigel Williamson was called and used his well-honed tree climbing skills to retrieve the ill animal, helped by police officers who were able to redirect traffic while he undertook the risky rescue. Once safely down the koala’s injuries became obvious, including a head wound full of maggots and multiple cuts and abrasions that Tyabb Koala Hospital’s Jenny Bryant says were most likely caused by being hit on the road. Bryant was able to sedate the animal to keep it calm while the wound was cleaned, and quickly administered fluids and antibiotics that undoubtedly saved its life. She said the koala’s sad story highlighted the need for drivers to slow down and be alert for wildlife on the peninsula. “In recent months there have been around 20 koalas killed here and in and around Purdies Road. That’s really appalling and could be prevented if drivers slowed down and were aware that wildlife often have to cross the road,” Bryant said.
Survivour: The koala is recovering well but still bears the scars of the road trauma that almost killed it and claimed one of its ears. Picture: Supplied “The koalas that I’ve been seeing since the start of the year have just been left to die on the road, so it’s really important if you do hit an animal to check whether it’s alive or dead and get it to a vet or wildlife carer.” Bryant said that despite its horrific injuries, the koala responded to treatment and is eating well, is very active and showing good signs of recovery. “It will be a long road for this one, maybe 12 months in all, but I’m confident he’ll come through and will be able to be released when ready,”
she said. Bryant said there were signs warning of wildlife on the roads just metres from where the injured koala was found. “There are road signs, but people don’t pay attention, we probably need some bigger signs right at the entrance to the peninsula so people are aware it is such a unique area and drivers need to be on alert.” Bryant has spent the past 45 years caring for native animals as a registered volunteer wildlife carer.
PLANS for a new Bungower Road tech park have been adapted after community feedback and have entered phase two. The proposal, first put to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council in 2020, is predicted to provide up to 1100 jobs and create a business park with green space and ancillary facilities. The founders of the navigation technology company Sealite are the major players behind plans for the $540 million technology park at Somerville. Lead proponent Chris Proctor says it is “future-proofing” local employment through innovation and community growth. He said the park would be safeguarded from potential heavy industrial use and was expected to address the “critical shortage” of land for industry on the Mornington Peninsula as well as harness the 30-year focus identified in Melbourne’s industrial and commercial land use plan. “The heritage building located on site will be carefully revitalised, ensuring the character and original
Family fun day helps out CFA AS well as providing an entertaining day out for families and friends, this year’s Somerville Family Day raised $10,000 for Somerville CFA. The family day has been running since 2015 at the Fruitgrowers Reserve, with stalls, food, musical entertainment and carnival rides. Somerville Family Day Committee president Cally McNulty estimated this year’s “crowd” at 15,000. “This is our eighth year of opera-
NEW STORE OPENING
B AYS I D E Shop 178, Bayside Centre 28 Beach Street Frankston VIC 3199
APRIL 1ST 2023
OUT NOW!
Mothers Day Catalogue PAGE 8
Frankston Times
28 March 2023
beauty of the building is retained and the community can enjoy it,” he said. The site forms part of around 3500 hectares zoned as Special Use Port Related, but deemed surplus to the Port of Hastings needs in 2018. It was declared regionally significant industrial land by the state government in 2019. Over the next month, Mornington Peninsula Shire will hold information sessions and seek community feedback. To get the go-ahead the site will need to be rezoned, as most industrial and warehouse-based uses are banned under ‘special use’ if they are not linked to a port-related or marine service industry. The exhibition of Amendment C243morn will be finalised on Friday 12 May. For further information on the proposal go to mornpen.tech. Procter said his plans would incorporate the pre-existing Brunnings homestead heritage site into the open space area to ensure the protection of the homestead and any significant trees.
tion,” McNulty said. “Unfortunately we couldn’t run the day during the 2021 COVID lockdowns, or during construction of the new skatepark in 2022, but this year we have bounced back bigger and better than ever.” CFA Captain Josh Caron said members of the fire brigade had been “blown away by the size of the donation” and it would go towards the cost of a forward command vehicle.