Extra time to strike balance with budget Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au THE state government has told Mornington Peninsula Shire it can take an extra two months to adopt its 2020/21 budget. If the shire decides to accept the offer, the budget will now need to be adopted by 31 August instead of 30 June and the annual report by 30 November, instead of 30 September. Last week’s announcement of extended times for adopting budgets by Local Government Minister Adam Somyurek appears to have caught the shire and other municipalities by surprise. The new budget deadline came after the shire had released its draft budget for pubic comment by 23 April, with the budget scheduled to be considered at council’s 6 May meeting (“Budget balance to be hit by virus” The News 7/4/20). Mr Somyurek said the “small change” in the budget’s deadline was made in response to requests from councils. The draft budget released by the shire does not include any of the ongoing and extensive measures it has taken to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (“Crisis backing for business” The News 31/3/20).
Anzac Day at home
Under the draft budget property rates will rise by 2 per cent, in line with a cap imposed by the state government, providing the shire with $191.6 million towards an overall predicted income of $244.9m, $8m less than the previous year. Rural living rates will drop by 6 per cent. Mr Somyurek’s municipal budgets’ announcement did not address calls by the state Opposition for councils to offer rate relief or a rate freeze “to distressed households right now”. “The state government must help councils with any loss of revenue so that the important role of councils can continue uninterrupted during these unprecedented times,” the Opposition’s local government spokesperson Tim Smith said. Mr Smith said municipalities were responding to COVID-19 pandemic “through emergency management provision”. Mornington Peninsula Shire last week handed extra powers to CEO John Baker while reducing the number of scheduled council meetings (“CEO powered up for emergency” The News 7/4/20). Mr Baker is now able to make some decisions usually made by councillors, although there are limits on the authority he has regarding spending and policy making.
THIS powerful owl that resides in the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria’s Cranbourne gardens is likely to be enjoying plenty of undisturbed sleep. The gardens, at the corner of Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, are now closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: Gary Sissons
Going wild at home ALTHOUGH wildlife parks are closed, children should not forget they are surrounded by wildlife. A competition being run by Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, Pearcedale asks school-aged students to look around their backyard, home or balcony to discover and photograph wildlife.
For a chance to win one of four $100 Moonlit Sanctuary gift vouchers children should go to the website and upload their best photos along with one fact about the creature in their picture. The competition runs until 5pm, Friday 21 April. Winners will be announced Monday 24 April. Details: moonlitsanctuary.com.au/ backyard-wildlife-photo-competition
ALL public Anzac Day events on the Mornington Peninsula, including services and marches, have been cancelled due to COVID-19. The decision was made in line with Returned Services League Victoria and the state government’s decision to cancel Anzac Day commemorative services and marches, Saturday 25 April. The RSL is asking that people stand in their yards, driveways, or on their balconies and observe a minute’s silence as the Last Post is played during the Anzac Day dawn service. The service will be streamed online at RSL Victoria’s Facebook page at 6am, and those taking part are encouraged to share a picture of themselves paying their respects to veterans with the hashtag #standto. Due to the current medical emergency, RSL Victoria will confirm closer to the day whether the dawn service will be televised live. “While it is very disappointing to everyone that our local Anzac Day events have been cancelled, our priority right now is to protect the most vulnerable members of our community, many of whom are veterans,” Mornington Peninsula mayor Cr Sam Hearn said. “However, we must all still take the time to stop on Anzac Day and remember with gratitude in our hearts those who’ve made incredible sacrifices for others during past moments of conflict and crisis. “It is more important than ever to check in with our elderly and vulnerable, and so I urge our community to take extra care of each other in the lead up to, and after, Anzac Day.” Details: mornpen.vic.gov.au/ANZAC or facebook.com/rslvic
An important message from the Victorian Government
STAGE 3 RESTRICTIONS ARE NOW IN PLACE. That means there are only four reasons to be out.
Shopping for food and supplies that you need.
Exercise.
Medical care and caregiving.
Work and education – if necessary.
Stay informed at coronavirus.vic.gov.au
Mornington News
14 April 2020
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