NEWS DESK

End of ‘emergency’ puts renters at risk

LANGWARRIN Flora and Fauna Reserve. Picture: Supplied

Free classes to help stay active WITH a lengthy lockdown expected, Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre is offering free home workouts for people to complete while stuck inside. PARC classes and workouts are available for free on the PARC Your Way website. Peninsula Leisure CEO Kath Thom has encouraged Frankston residents to jump on board. “We are committed to keeping our community active and engaged. PARC Your Way allows everyone

IN THE

to work out, whenever and wherever it suits them,” Ms Thom said. “Contributing to the local community is so important to us, and by delivering PARC Your Way for free, it means we can continue supporting community health and wellbeing while PARC’s doors are closed. “It’s so important to feel connected, and do our best to stay active and focused on our health and wellbeing, especially during this difficult and uncertain time.” The online platform includes a

library of recorded classes, and access to free live streamed classes. Visit parcyourway.com.au to find out more. There are plenty of outdoor areas in Frankston which can be used for residents looking to work out outside within their five kilometer range. They include Sweetwater Creek, Seaford Wetlands, Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve, Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve, Seaford Pier, and Frankston Pier.

A DECISION by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has tenant advocates worried more renters will become homeless now that the moratorium on evictions has ended. At the height of the COVID-19 crisis last year, the state government introduced emergency measures to protect renters, including bans on evictions where renters were unable to pay their rent because of the pandemic. These measures proved crucial not only in ensuring renters could keep a roof over their heads but in reducing the spread of the virus by limiting the movement of people. However, the protections ended in late March leaving many renters, unable to return to work due to rolling lockdowns and at risk of homelessness. “The protections may have gone away, but the virus has not,” Peninsula Community Legal Centre CEO Jackie Galloway said. “This leaves families in our area vulnerable to eviction where rent has gone unpaid due to a drop in income. It also comes at a time when rental providers are increasing rents, especially on the peninsula, as people flee the city in the wake of COVID-19.” The legal centre runs a tenancy assistance and advocacy program where staff are seeing an increase in

rent-related debts. “In the past it was unusual to see rent arrears accrue beyond a couple of thousand dollars,” Ms Galloway said. “Now we are increasingly seeing renters with arrears of over $10,000. Many people have limited means to pay their rent and nowhere to go as rents are rising and housing is being snapped up by the seachangers.” The legal centre has operated throughout the pandemic and says it has helped many renters negotiate reductions with their landlords. However, with the crisis still unfolding, renters needed ongoing protection. “With every lockdown comes the very real fear of how to pay your rent,” Ms Galloway said. “There is no longer a mechanism to get rents reduced, and the rental relief grant is no longer available. “With VCAT now saying that renters can be evicted for rent arrears accrued during last year’s lockdowns, renters are at a heightened risk of homelessness with little means to repay their debt.” Ms Galloway says renters cannot be evicted without an order from the tribunal. “If anyone receives a Notice to Vacate for rent arrears or any other reason they are urged to contact us for advice,” she said. Contact the centre on 9783 3600.

specialists HANDS

Foot health is a simple first step in uncertain times DURING these difficult Covid-19 times we have created an “Essential Footwear Service” to enable us to service your footwear needs. These include the ability to have footwear professionally fitted within the store with a referral from your medical or allied health specialist where we can set up a convenient appointment time that suits you. We also offer Telephone (03 9785 1887) and On-Line sales support (www.baysideshoes.com. au ) where we can post or deliver your footwear to you within the Mornington Peninsula region and discuss your specific need over the phone. Bayside Shoes has been working in the “foot solutions “ business for over 30 years with specialist shoe manufacturers and we are now offering the Rockport range of high quality, orthotic friendly shoes together with our personalised shoe fitting service. What impressed us with Rockport is that they scrutinize every line and nuance of their shoes, from first sketch to final product to continuously strive for total quality in foot comfort, shoe durability while looking stylishly good. The popular World Tour Classic is the ideal shoe for the traveller. The World Tour is packed with features including a walking platform construction providing support in the heel and forefoot as well as a padded tongue, slip resistant sole and full grain leather upper, World Tour is light weight travel walker that is light on your feet and in your luggage. The new Edge Hill Mens range has that rugged

outdoor leather look for bush walking or just general casual wear built to the exacting Rockport standards for comfort and fit with half sizes from 7 to 13. The Trust Ride Prowalker shoe is a comfortable premium leather, ladies walking shoe designed to have a more flexible forefoot with a mesh lining on the interior that lets your feet breath. The lightweight EVA outsole gives excellent walking grip and stability. This is a great casual shoe that offers comfort with walking pleasure and is available in eye-catching Merlot red, Admiral blue, Summer sandstone or traditional black colours. Bayside Shoes also offers an extensive range of work & formal LARGE size shoes for women (11/42 – 15/46) and men (12 / 45 to 17/51) Bayside Shoes is located at 103 Railway Parade, Seaford on the corner of Clovelly Parade and has both free and disability parking near its entrance with wheel chair ramp access to the store. View the Bayside Shoes range on its website baysideshoes.com.au or phone 03 9785 1887 if you have an enquiry during 11am to 3pm week days during the current Covid 19 lockdown in Victoria.

$20 OFF *

Built with comfort top of mind, Rockport footwear features a number of sports inspired details. Rockport has been keeping customers walking in comfort since 1971. Online ordering and phone order deliveries available

Offer expires 15/10/21

THE ‘LARGEST’ SHOE STORE ON THE PENINSULA!

BAYS I D E

SHOES

BAYSIDESHOES.COM.AU | 9785 1887 | 103 RAILWAY PARADE, SEAFORD Frankston Times

7 September 2021

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