NEWS DESK
Business ‘suffers’ from being ‘metro’ Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au THE impact of tougher COVID-19 restrictions is “having a dire impact” Mornington Peninsula businesses”. The doomsday scenario described by the mayor Cr Sam Hearn followed the state government’s inclusion of the shire in the greater Melbourne lockdown area. Cr Hearn said the peninsula had lost up to 6000 jobs, seen a 21 per cent drop in gross regional product (compared with 6.9 per cent for Australia) and an 11 per cent fall in job prospects. Statistics released over the weekend show that Victoria and New South Wales have only one job vacancy for every 10 people registered as unemployed. In Victoria there are 389,000 people on the dole and 28,700 available jobs. The shire last month asked both the state and federal governments for help, providing a list of projects ranging from homeless housing to a technology park (“Shire seeks $320m rescue package” The News 22/6/20). “A further six-week lockdown has the potential to send many local businesses to the wall,” Cr Hearn said. “We feel that this is a disproportionate impost on peninsula businesses compared to other municipalities, such as Geelong. “We would welcome a conversation with the state government about the ra-
tionale for our current classification as a metropolitan council when there are a number of compelling reasons to reinstate us as a regional municipality.” Former mayor Cr David Gill said the state government was being “extremely short sighted” in not recognising the peninsula as a regional area from an economic and planning standpoint. He said including the shire in the Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Scheme threatened the “essential” $1.2 billion green wedge food bowl mainly servicing the fast-growing Melbourne. “What suits suburban planning is slowly ruining our much admired coastal and hinterland villages and making it more difficult for farmers to survive on the land,” Cr Gill said. “The state government is putting all this in jeopardy. “Without our farming community the temptation for non-productive housing in the green wedge and further sub-divisions becomes more likely in the future.” Cr Gill said the benefits of being recognised as a region were important to businesses on the peninsula. He backed business lobby group the Committee for Mornington Peninsula in its push to have the state government change its mind and recategorise the peninsula. “As a semi-rural shire some distance from Melbourne we do not belong in the suburban classification.”
Did you know... you can view our papers online
Moving to preserve: Sandra Holmes, Marty Lenard, Ann Robb and Margaret Howden are determined to retain this shop front slice of Mornington’s past. Picture: Gary Sissons
Up front plan to ‘save’ shop HISTORY buff Margaret Howden is waiting to hear back from Heritage Victoria about saving a Mornington shop front from demolition. Ms Howden said the “gorgeous” old hardwood frontage at 27 Main Street was due to be pulled down and re-
placed as part of a redevelopment. She said the builder was amenable to her plans to preserve the facade if she can have it removed. “I have got friends of friends finding a builder to do the removal and a truck to take it away,” she said.
Ms Howden said she had contacted Cr Bev Colomb who discovered that other shop fronts “from there up” were on the historical register but not number 27. “We now need a new home for it.” Stephen Taylor
Expressions of Interest are sought for 2 honorary Directors to join the Board of Rosebud West Community Hub, known as Seawinds Community Hub, a not-for-profit Community Centre, based in Capel Sound. We are seeking people who are committed to supporting the local community through the delivery of learning opportunities. The Hub includes an Early Learning Centre (3 & 4 year old Kindergarten and Long Day Care), in addition to providing space for adult learning, mutual support groups and community activities including a Men’s Shed. Previous governance experience and Skills including Business and management experience; Analytical abilities; Risk and financial management; along with a strong commitment to supporting community development would be valued.
www.mpnews.com.au
Beautiful Curtains
Whatever your room or style, we have the perfect fabric for you.
Further details are available from the CEO Ms Karen Vanderkaay on 59 82 2204 Applications, including a CV, can be sent in confidence to Dr Robert Barnes, Seawinds Community Hub, 11A Allambi Avenue, Capel Sound, 3940
We Are Open Pasta Machines. Gnocchi Boards. Chopping & Serving Boards. Caviar Bakeware. Cookie Cutters & More.. Available Now Denor Homewares Mornington Shop / McLaren Place Mornington Vic
Open
p:
Days Mon to Fri
- :::, Sat
- , Sun
Across the carpark from Mornington Central
-
w: www.DenorHomewares.com.au
FREE measure and quotes
0 3 5 97 5 9 3 6 6
www.shadesofaustralia.net.au Shop 8a, 1-13 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Mornington Mornington News 14 July 2020
PAGE 3