PENINSULA-FRANKSTON-GREATER DANDENONG EDITION MORNINGTON PENINSULA • SOUTHERN PENINSULA • WESTERN PORT • FRANKSTON • CRANBOURNE • DANDENONG Local and Independent. Not associated with any other publication in this area.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020
BOAT RAMP ‘DEBACLE’
Mornington
● All 11 Mornington Peninsula Shire Councillors were in Main St, Mornington, last week to flag that the town is open for business.
New look Main St is open for business ■ Outdoor dining in Mornington’s Main St is up and running, with local businesses welcoming the return of visitors for the first weekend of trading. Main St between Barkly St and the Esplanade was closed to traffic and opened up to pedestrians to provide more space for outdoor dining and help local businesses bounce back from lockdown. All 11 new councillors, including new Mayor Despi O’Connor, visited Main Street on Tuesday last week to view the project, which includes the repurposing of car parking spaces outside shop fronts for outdoor dining areas called parklets. Jill Henderson, who owns the Winey Cow Café, told councillors the changes had provided a real boost to local traders. “We have used the parklet this weekend with great success and the street closure has been very positive so far. “Our customers and everyone we have spoken too are in great support of the initiative and the vibe on the weekend was wonderful. “Social distancing was also easily achieved with the road closure and all our customers adhered to the rules.” Cr Connor said: “So far, outdoor dining has been hugely popular with visitors and locals alike, which augurs well for summer.” “Creating a pedestrian-friendly environment has increased the amenity of Main St , with less noise and exhaust fumes from cars.
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Councillors show solidarity with traders “ It also makes it a safer, more inviting and pleasant dining and shopping experience, which people will enjoy and which will hopefully encourage them to stay longer and keep coming back. “It also promotes walking and cycling, which is good for people’s health and the environment. With the Bay Trail and beaches at the doorstep of Main St, it will make it even more inviting to take a stroll or ride your bike to Mornington. “I realise it’s been inconvenient for some people, with slightly fewer car parking spaces available, but it’s a small price to pay to keep our village centres alive and allow our local businesses to operate in a COVID-safe way. “We have been mindful of the need to ensure there are enough accessible parking bays nearby for those with a disability. That’s hugely important. “I look forward to working with Chambers of Commerce and business groups across the Peninsula on the rollout of outdoor dining in our townships this summer.” ■ More information, including a map of the relocated accessible parking bays around Main Street, can be found at: mornpen.vic.gov.au/ outdoordining
■ MANAGEMENT of car parking arrangements at the Patterson River Boat Ramp has become a ‘debacle’, South Eastern Metro MLC has told State Parliament. Mr Rich-Phillips says that cars and trailers are lined up, even on quiet days, since changes were made to management ● Gordon Richarrangements. Phillips MLC The problems have occurred since the responsibility for the facility was transferred from Melbourne Water to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Mr RichPhillips told the Legislative Council. The car park management used to be successfully managed for 25 years by the Hogan family, who still run the tackle shop. “The operators put in place by the department actually had signs up advising people to go to other ramps.” Turn To Page 3
Danger on Western Port Hwy ■ Western Port Hwy is dangerous, SouthEast Metropolitan MLC Gordon RichPhillips has told State Parliament. “Earlier this year VicRoads installed wire rope barriers on Western Port Hwy between Hall Rd and Cranbourne-Frankston Rd on the sides of the road and indeed in the middle between the north and south lanes. “Since then, access to the centre median of Western Port Hwy has been restricted, and as a consequence VicRoads has not slashed the grass in the middle of the road. “We now see that grass exceeding 2 or 3 feet in height, and it is now forming a hazard to road safety as it is blocking lines of sight for traffic approaching the roundabout at Hall Rd and approaching the roundabout at Ballarto Rd. “:This is now a significant problem. So my constituency question for the minister is: when will VicRoads cut that grass and remove that road safety hazard it has created?”
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MEB & SON CONCRETING
Bolam intends to clean up Frankston
● Cr Kris Bolam, Frankston Mayor ■ Cr Kris Bolam is the new Mayor for the City of Frankston. He previously held the post in 2010-11. Speaking after his election last week, Cr Bolam said: “One of my initial focus areas will be addressing the cleanliness issues that are staining Frankston City’s image. “Our City is better than abandoned trollies, dog waste on footpaths and in parks, dumped rubbish and overflowing beach litter bins. It’s time to clean up. “We’re also working on a campaign encouraging people to pick up after their dogs, which will include signage, street decals, bin stickers and partnering with schools to produce creative and engaging message-driven artwork. “I believe there’s more we can do as a Council to combat these problems and similar ones — but we need our residents to get on board and work alongside us. “Likewise, if you’re leaving one of our award-winning beaches, be sure to put your rubbish in the bin. If the bin is full, there’s guaranteed to be another just a short distance away. Even better, take your rubbish home with you and put it in your household recycling or waste bin for kerbside collection. “You can use the free Trolley Tracker and Snap Send Solve apps to report abandoned trolleys and other local issues, such as dumped rubbish,” Cr Bolam said.