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Mornington News
13 October 2020
Budget help for Buruli probe APART from national issues, the federal budget contained few specific finance packages for the Mornington Peninsula. The largest was nearly $1.5 million for Stopping Buruli ulcer in Victoria, the flesh eating ulcer that in 2019 became prevalent on the southern peninsula. The budget also included $300,000 for “pedestrian safety upgrades” at Arthurs Seat. The Buruli money will support 22 research projects under Professor Tim Stinear at University of Melbourne. Buruli ulcer (BU) is described as a destructive skin and soft tissue infection that can cause permanent deformity. The National Health and Medical Research Council says the ulcer is caused by a bacteria carried in the guts of possums and spread by mosquitoes to people from areas contaminated by possum faeces. “A targeted intervention based on screening possum faeces followed by control of mosquitoes in areas where possums and mosquitoes are shown to carry the bacteria will be trialed here, giving public health officials a means to stop this disease,” NHMRC media manager Thea Williams said. “Arthurs Seat is one of the most picturesque locations on the Mornington Peninsula, with 250,000 locals and tourists visiting the location each year,” Flinders MP Greg Hunt said. “Last year I met with representatives from the local community, the Mornington Peninsula Shire, Parks Victoria and the Arthurs Seat Eagle to discuss issues around road safety and
the numerous close calls pedestrians have navigating the roads at the summit. The gondola ride’s CEO Tom Smith was quoted in a news release from Mr Hunt’s office as saying his company had been working with Parks Victoria, Victoria Police, the Department of Transport, the Mornington Peninsula Shire and local members of both state and federal parliaments “to continue to ensure that visitors to both the Eagle and the state park can safely enjoy all that is on offer within the summit precinct.” The Arthurs Seat Eagle is co-owned by businessman and former Australian of the Year Simon McKeon.
Drivers wanted EXPERIENCED drivers are being sought to help supervise learner drivers as part of the Transport Accident Commission’s L2P Program on the southern Mornington Peninsula. The program is paid for by the TAC and managed by the Department of Transport. Volunteers from across the peninsula have been assisting learner drivers who do not have access to a supervising driver or a vehicle since 2009. Mornington Peninsula Shire wants to recruit 10 mentors to help the learners achieve their 120 hours of driving as required for their test. An L2P mentor is described as someone who is “enthusiastic about contributing to the community and supporting young people by committing one to two hours per week to assist in supervised driving”.
“We’re really proud to support our youth in any way we can. Getting your licence is such an integral part of gaining independence and stepping into adulthood,” the mayor Cr Sam Hearn said. “Having your licence leads to employment and educational opportunities that are fundamental to our young people.” Successful mentors will be trained and have all insurances covered by the shire when volunteering in the role. They must be fully licenced and over the age of 21. Details: mornpen.vic.gov.au/l2pmentorapplication
Clean-up Sunday LITTER on the foreshore, in the street, and near shopping centres, will be the focus of the Big Peninsula Clean-up, Sunday 18 October. Participants will be able to pick up litter and log it into the Litter Stopper app apps.apple.com/au/app/litterstopper/id1445816297 and list what they have collected. The data will be used to pressure the state government and councils to deal with single use plastics, and advocate for a container deposit scheme. To take part, gather your bags, safety gear, personal protective equipment, and anything else you’ll need, and head to your chosen clean-up site for an hour from 9am-12pm. Then, log the rubbish details in the app and share the experience on Instagram and Facebook with the hashtags #springcleanyourpatch #stopsingleuseplastics.