NEWS DESK
‘Death threats’ over kangaroo cull Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au THE manager of a Cape Schanck property preparing to cull upwards of 250 trapped kangaroos blames “passionate, but misguided and illinformed animal activists” for their fate. “If they had left our fencing alone, these kangaroos would be happily living their lives in the park,” said the manager, who did not wish to be named after receiving what he claimed were “death threats” on social media. “I could be happy spending my time farming instead of dealing with the problem that they alone have created through their misguided efforts resulting in the need to cull this regal animal to only be buried in a pit. “It breaks my heart to see them suffer like that. I think culling is much more humane.” The manager said the activists’ actions were “having the most impact on the kangaroo population on the peninsula – as I’m not alone in being the only farmer targeted”. Wildlife groups were last week frantically seeking to save a large mob of FENCES on a Cape Schanck property allegedly cut by “animal activists”. Picture: Supplied kangaroos from being slaughtered on the Patterson Road property (“Call the fence was replaced in 2016. garoos numbered around 40 and were The group said neighbouring landto reprieve ‘doomed’ kangaroos” The holders had told them a kangaroo cull “Permits were granted to push about retained within the 176 acres and acTimes 27/9/21). 600 kangaroos on the property back commodated nicely with our cattle took place on the property last year Mornington Peninsula Wildlife Ac- and “their concern is another cull is into the park, and then seal the fencfarming practices,” he said. tion Group said the kangaroos were imminent”. ing. This was done on a Friday [but] “Our fences were constantly vantrapped inside around the 70-hectare by the Monday, when we arrived at dalised [by activists] to allow more But the manager – who describes property. the farm, the property was again full kangaroos into the property – which himself as a “greenie” – said an elecof kangaroos, and the new fence had of course let our stock out into the naThey said up to 200 animals could tric kangaroo exclusion fence was been cut over the weekend resulting in tional park. not escape back to neighbouring erected as per NSW parks guidelines a $17,000 damage bill.” “It became untenable to keep stock. Greens Bush wildlife reserve “even if for “animal safety”. The manager said DELWP, Parks The vandalism was so extensive that “The original herd of resident kanthey wanted to”.
Victoria and the police inspected the damage. “It was the consensus of all that, to repair the fencing again, would not fix the problem as the constant vandalism would continue as it had in the past,” he said. “We had to manage the problem.” He said a kangaroo management plan commissioned through Macropus Consulting was provided to DELWP. “Permits were issued with the condition of leaving open the damaged fencing with the view of discouraging the kangaroos from the property by culling,” he said. “Each permit was supervised by site visits from DEWLP and, on occasion, Parks Victoria. Also, an updated kangaroo management plan was commissioned in 2018 and, again, provided to DELWP.” The manager said as kangaroo numbers had increased and not decreased, it was decided to repair the damaged fencing to limit the numbers. “Permits were issued and supervised,” he said. “Every time our fencing was cut, the number of kangaroos entering the property far exceeded the permits issued to cull. So, the problem increases every time the animal activists cut our fencing – with the most recent vandalism occurring earlier in September.” The manager said the most recent “vandalism” had allowed sick kangaroos from the national park to enter the property, which had infected the mob on his property. “This has caused many to die a slow and painful death, with their carcasses littered all over the farm,” he said, adding that DELWP had documented the poisoning.
Safety ‘top priority’ for battery back-up system Keith Platt keith@baysidenews.com.au THE company awaiting the go ahead to build a battery storage system at Tyabb says advanced safety precautions have been included in its design. Risks have been reduced by using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries and having 24/7 fire detection and suppression systems. Maoneng co-founder and CEO Morris Zhou said that safety was the company’s “top priority”, and it was important for people to understand how battery technology varied and
risks were mitigated. “Batteries will play an increasingly important and necessary role as Australia transitions from traditional energy sources to renewable energy,” he said. “LFP technology has a very good safety record, which is why we have chosen it for the Mornington BESS [battery energy storage system]. The batteries will be supported by other systems to enable a high level of confidence in our approach to safety.” Maoneng says LFP batteries have a “relatively much higher thermal stability and less dense chemical composition than other varieties promi-
nent in utility scale batteries, such as NMC technology, therefore significantly reducing risks”. The site chosen for the battery is next to the Tyabb sub-station in Thornells Road, Tyabb. Maoneng’s renewables development director Allison Hawke told The Times it had “entered into a land access agreement to purchase the lot” from its private owner. Ms Hawke said talks were being held with possible investors for the Tyabb project “predominantly from the Australian and European markets”. Finance arrangements are “com-
Driver in hospital after airborne car lands in trees Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au A RED Hill man was trapped in his car for two-and-a-half hours after hitting a guardrail, becoming airborne and smashing into trees four metres above the ground off White Hill Road, Dromana, 5pm, Thursday 30 September. CFA crews from Dromana, Red Hill, Mount Martha and Mornington CFA and the Fire Rescue Victoria pumper from Mornington worked frantically to free the 50-year-old who was taken to The Alfred hospital and reported to be in a serious but stable condition next day. Ambulance Victoria said the man was in a serious but stable condition with upper and lower body injuries. Rescuers had to clear dense undergrowth and
blackberries to get to the car at Moats Corner, near the intersection with Nepean Highway. They gave first-aid and emotional support to the driver who was alert during the entire rescue operation. Sergeant David Collins, of Somerville Highway Patrol, said the driver – the sole occupant – may have suffered a medical episode while
mercial in confidence for now” but more details would be released “in due course”. Australian company Maoneng has already partnered with utilities and organisations to own and operate the Sunraysia Solar Farm in NSW, the Mugga Lane Solar Park in the ACT and other battery storage projects. The Tyabb project will make money by drawing energy from the grid during off-peak periods when it is cheaper and storing it in batteries, and then dispatching it back to the grid during peak periods when it can charge a premium (“Battery plan to ‘stabilise’ power supply” The Times
travelling down White Hill Road in driving rain. Dromana CFA Captain Timothy Desmond said a substantial drop off the road saw them call in high angle rope rescue teams for support. “Over the next two-and-a-half hours the crews worked together to free the patient,” he said on social media. “The car was lodged between several trees and was suspended four to five metres in the air, making [the] rescue operation more difficult. “Road accident rescue operators used all their skills gained over many years to work through the technical operation and free the driver. This included a rope system to provide specialist rescue equipment via a Stokes litter – or basket stretcher – to the rescuers below.” Captain Desmond said Dromana CFA Rescue’s $85,000 Halmatro Pentheon Rescue Tool gave the crews more capacity to work in the remote location. “It was necessary to make several changes to the rescue plan to accommodate ongoing issues with an extreme degree of difficulty for our rescuers,” he said. Heavy rain meant the Air Ambulance was unable to land and the patient was taken by road ambulance to The Alfred hospital.
28/7/21). “Like diesel generators [used each summer to improve supply on the peninsula], batteries provide demand response to help manage excess power demand and excess generation,” Ms Hawke said. “Batteries charge when there is an oversupply of generation and a very low power price and discharge in times of high demand. “As the fuel source is very low compared to diesel, battery generation can bid into the power market at a lower price. Batteries therefore help to reduce the cost of running the network and maintaining power supply.”
Softball teams seek players FRANKSTON Softball Association is looking for new players. Founded in 1977 it has grown into a successful association, with modern clubrooms and facilities. Success has been achieved in all age groups through its SEMR competition and at state championships with representative teams. Teams play in U/12s (mixed), U/15s (girls and boys), U/18s (girls and boys) and Open women’s and men’s teams. New players are welcome for all age groups for the season – COVID-19 restrictions permitting. Training is at Robinsons Reserve, Frankston, on Wednesday afternoons. Games are played on Saturdays via a homeand-away competition. Details: Contact the association on frankstonsoftball@hotmail or visit: revolutionise.com.au/ frankstonsoftball/ Frankston Times
5 October 2021
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