NEWS DESK
More delays to promised $10m road upgrade
Paddlers to the rescue: Steve Scagliarini (left) and a fellow paddler on a kayak did not hesitate to act when they saw a drowning Pacific gull at Mornington Harbour. Picture: Paul Churcher
Discarded fishing gear deadly for wildlife THE repeated discarding of fishing line and tackle on the Mornington Peninsula continues to take a toll on seabirds and wildlife. Dozens of emergency calls to wildlife rescue volunteers and animal welfare organisations this summer have highlighted the problem of people irresponsibly throwing away hooks and line, or just not monitoring their baited lines adequately. Last Wednesday paddle boarder Steve Scagliarini and a kayaker known as “Mick” were on Mornington harbour when they saw a Pacific gull struggling to keep its head above water, and with fishing line wrapped around its legs. After paddling out to the bird and keeping its head above water as they cut the line, a Wildlife Victoria volunteer took the bird to a vet, who confirmed it had a fishing hook lodged in its gullet close to its stomach.
The very underweight bird, which is protected under wildlife laws, was taken to Melbourne Zoo where it is being treated until ready for release. Paul Churcher, of Mornington, photographed the rescue and said people should take much more care about what they leave lying around. “I doubt there was any intention for harm to this animal, but it is always distressing to see them in trouble and pain,” he said. Wildlife Victoria says entanglement of birds and wildlife in discarded fishing lines, plastic bags and rubbish is all-too-common, with hundreds of cases reported to the volunteer organisation each year. Zoos Victoria also has an awareness and education program that aims to prevent abandoned fishing tackle harming the environment. Long-term Victorian studies show that seals,
particularly juveniles, are regularly injured or killed after becoming entangled in discarded fishing gear. Zoos Victoria’s Seal the Loop bins - which are available to municipalities - help to keep aquatic wildlife safe by providing anglers with an easy way to responsibly dispose of unwanted fishing gear. Mark Keenan from the marine response unit says there are many simple ways to keep seals and other wildlife safe when fishing, including removing fishing line from the water when wildlife is at risk of interacting with it, cleaning fish away from the water's edge or at designated cleaning locations, disposing of scraps in a rubbish bin, and placing unwanted fishing gear in a bin. Liz Bell
DRIVERS who used the notorious Forest Drive intersection with Nepean Highway are being reassured that the road will be improved, but probably not by mid-year, as promised earlier. The state government has confirmed traffic lights will not be installed until later this year as tenders not yet been let or a contractor appointed. The government last year gave the green light to upgrading the intersection, three years after the federal government offered to pay for it. Then Flinders MP Greg Hunt said the federal government had committed more than $20 million to the intersection to include new traffic lights, a new signalised pedestrian crossing and concrete footpaths connecting the intersection to the bus stops. A Department of Transport and Planning spokesman said designs were being finalised and planning approvals being sought. The intersection will be widened with extra lanes to improve traffic flow and improve access for large vehicles. Existing bus bays and vehicle pull over areas will be upgraded to provide an improved road surface for drivers to pick up and drop off passengers. There will be new advanced flashing warning signs on the approach to the intersection to increase awareness of the upcoming traffic lights. The $10 million Forest Drive and Nepean Highway Intersection upgrade is being paid for by the federal government and will be delivered by the Department of Transport and Planning. Mornington MP Chris Crewther said he would follow the matter up with the department and the transport minister.
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14 February 2023
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