Mt Eliza connection to missing Colombian
DARRYL Donaldson says beach access through foreshore vegetation is a right. Picture: Yanni
Foreshore fury over ‘goat’ track A FURORE over foreshore access has highlighted the divide between conservation and public right of use. A recent decision by the foreshore committee at Capel Sound to prevent “goat tracks” being used for people to access the beach has upset some nearby residents. Eighty-two-year-old Darryl Donaldson, who lives on Point Nepean Road, said he and a few neighbours had come to enjoy immediate access to the beach for “decades” by using tracks through the bush. He did not believe the tracks were causing any damage to the delicate coastal bush environment, where they had existed for up to 50 years. Foreshore committee spokesperson Travis Graham disagrees. Having been in the job for 12 months, he and his crew are focused on restoring the natural coastal habitat and remedying the damage caused by people trampling the bush. “Yes, there are people who believe they can do
what they want, but I’d like them to understand we have to protect what’s here and do our best to restore what’s already been lost,” he said. “This is a delicate area. There are some people who think they are using paths, but they are walking through natural coastal bush, they are trampling sensitive habitats.” Graham said the 3.8 kilometres of foreshore area was home to native orchids and other flora and fauna that were at risk from losing their “corridors” if people did not obey the rules. “There are several nearby designated access points which we point people to, but they don’t want to have to walk,” he said. “It’s a challenge to keep people out, but the areas some people are using is through a nature reserve, not a public access path.” Graham said the committee had made a concerted effort to give people easy access to the beach and had approved two paths within 30 and 200 metres of the “goat” track now being used.
A MOUNT Eliza man, 49, is one of two people charged with murder over the suspicious disappearance of Colombian national Sergio Cuesta. The man has been remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 24 April. Warrants were executed at properties in Mount Eliza and Cranbourne shortly after 2pm on Tuesday, 30 January. Three firearms, a pill press, various quantities of what appear to be dried cannabis and cocaine, cannabis crops, a crossbow and a conducted energy device were seized from the Mount Eliza address. A 48-year-old Cranbourne man also interviewed by police has been released pending further inquiries. The charge follows the disappearance more than four months ago of 28-year-old Sergio Cuesta. On Sunday (4 February), a Flagstone man, 25, was also charged with murder after arriving at Melbourne Airport the previous day on a flight from Queensland. He faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday (5 February). Cuesta was last seen about 8.15pm on 16 September 2023 when he was dropped off by a male friend in Jabiru Drive, Chelsea Heights. A female friend reported his disappearance to police on 21 September after she hadn’t heard from him in several days. Cuesta’s disappearance was deemed to be suspicious and is being investigated by detectives from the Missing Persons Squad. Before his disappearance, he had been living in an apartment on Queens Road and was subject
to an expired student visa. He was also on bail in relation to drug offences and was known to have contact with people suspected of being involved in drug trafficking. Detectives are keen to speak to anyone with information about Cuesta’s movements in the lead up to his disappearance. Cuesta had also spent some time in Queensland in the weeks leading up to his disappearance and police are keen to speak to anyone living there who may have information about his disappearance or why he travelled interstate. He is described as being about 170cm tall with a solid build and dark hair. At the time he was last seen, he was wearing a black t-shirt, black pants and black sneakers. Anyone with any information regarding his disappearance is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppersvic.com.au Liz Bell
Nets can trap wildlife GARDENERS are being urged to use wildlifefriendly netting when trying to protect their backyard crops, as wildlife carers and authorities report a spike in animal injuries and deaths from entanglements over summer. The Conservation Regulator has issued a warning about the dangers illegal netting poses to native wildlife, such as birds, bats, and possums, and are reminding household growers that they must use safe, compliant (preferably white) fruit netting with mesh no bigger than 5mm by 5mm. Users of illegal netting face on-the-spot fines of $384 while sellers can be fined $769.
Mornington News
6 February 2024
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