NEWS DESK
Support hailed for Better Buses campaign stop now”. In the four weeks since the 26 August launch of its campaign for more frequent and passenger-friendly bus routes throughout the peninsula, the shire attracted tens of thousands of people to its online presence. It says there have been 37,000 people “engaged with the campaign content on Facebook”; 31,000 people have watched online videos (mornpen.vic.gov.au/betterbuses); and, 714 people have accepted the invitation write their stories on the Better Buses postcards. Thirty postcard boxes have been placed around the shire, including Rosebud Hospital, Peninsula Grange Retirement Village, public libraries at Hastings, Mornington, Rosebud and Somerville, Dromana Secondary College, Rye Hotel, Bunnings at Hastings and Mornington and Pelican Park recreation centres.
Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au
Making connections: Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor David Gill, Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne and shire CEO David Baker. Picture: Supplied
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is putting buses ahead of trains in its efforts to improve public transport on the peninsula. While politicians and lobby groups continue to talk up the benefits of electrifying the rail line from Frankston to Baxter and beyond, the shire’s Better Buses campaign is aiming for a more realistic outcome, at least in the short term. The mayor Cr David Gill said although he and CEO John Baker had had “an extremely productive meeting” with Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne, “the harsh reality is that the shire is not getting its fair share of public transport funding from past and current state governments, and I want this inequality to
The says the feedback has allowed it to “understand attitudes, opinions and concerns of the peninsula community regarding the bus network”. The mayor Cr David Gill said the feedback “shows desperate residents are coming out in force to pick up a postcard and tell us why the peninsula needs better bus services”. Cr Gill described how a mother at Somerville was shocked “that she and her children need to catch two buses to get from Somerville to Mornington”. A Shoreham woman used a postcard to complain about “zero public transport”, while another woman, from Mt Eliza, said better public transport would help ensure peninsula residents were not isolated. To comment on the Better Buses campaign go to mornpen.vic.gov.au/ betterbuses.
Get green waste ready RATEPAYERS can get rid of green waste for free at Mornington Peninsula Shire’s no charge green waste event, 25, 26 and 27 October. The event is for Mornington Peninsula Shire residents or ratepayers only, with green waste to be dropped off only from residential vehicles and trailers. No commercial vehicles or commercial green waste will be accepted. Proof of residency is required, such as driver’s licence with current address or a current rates notice. Green waste includes all types of garden waste and untreated timber. Expect delays at the resource recovery centres, particularly at the beginning and end of each day. Consider using the Tyabb site to avoid delays at Mornington. Mornington can only accept up to three cubic metres of green waste per trip. Ratepayers can opt-in to receive a 240 litre fortnightly kerbside green waste bin collection if they live in urban areas of the shire. There is a cost for this service. Resource Recovery Centres are at Truemans Road, Rye, McKirdys Road, Tyabb, and Watt Road, Mornington. Opening hours are 8am-4pm Friday and 8am-5pm Saturday and Sunday. Details: call 1300 850 600, 5950 1000 or visit mornpen.vic.gov.au/ greenwaste
Garden open day
Talking trees
THE 17th Mornington Community Garden open day will be an “educational fun day for all the family”, organisers say. It will be held 10am-4pm, Saturday 19 October, at Pine Reserve, Mitchell Street, Mornington. A $2 donation covers all workshops. The day will include a self-guided tour with map and garden description, as well as a sale of seeds, seedlings and plants, including vegetables, herbs, flowers and succulents. Morning and afternoon tea, coffee and cake will be available for $5. Free workshops and advice will cover a hot compost demonstration at 10.30am, beekeeping demonstration at 1.30pm, tool sharpening at 2pm and medicinal herbs talk at 2.45pm. Other talks will cover aquaponics, gardening with fish, bonsai displays and begonia displays. Children’s author Coral Vass will speak at 11.30am and the choir will sing at 12pm and 1pm. Second-hand books, DVDs and CDs will also be for sale. Children’s activities will also be held all day and Peninsula Special School students will hold displays. Tickets for the giant trolley raffle are $2 each or three for $5. Prizes are being supplied by Bunnings. Children under 18 are free.
A TREE expert will speak about trees above and below the ground at the annual general meeting of Port Phillip Conservation Council. Dr Moore Greg Moore a botanist and “plant mechanic” at Melbourne University, conducts research into horticultural science, revegetation and ecology and specialises in arboriculture. Part of his research involves understanding how trees cope with the environment and promoting the benefits of trees in the urban environment. His talk at the conservation council’s meeting will include research he presented to the 2018 Chicago Landscape Below Ground conference. The Port Phillip Conservation Council’s annual general meeting starts at 7pm on Monday 21 October at Longbeach Place, 15 Chelsea Road, Chelsea.
Gardens tour GARDEN lovers will enjoy taking part in the Anglican Church of Mt Eliza’s Five Gardeners’ Gardens event, 10am-4pm, on the weekend of 26 and 27 October. John Paterson is coordinating the event to allow garden lovers to visit five gardens in the Mt Eliza area in a concept similar to the former Victorian Open Garden scheme. Each garden will provide ideas and
Visitors welcome: The gardens at Rannoch Avenue. Picture: Supplied
inspiration for garden lovers of all ages as the focus is on gardeners’ gardens – not designer gardens. The gardens are 7 Rendlesham Avenue where there will be a produce stall; 95 Cobb Road serving morning and afternoon teas and lunch; Toorak College for freshly brewed coffee; 30
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Mornington News 15 October 2019
Rannoch Avenue to see metal garden sculptures and 9 Earimil Drive for advice on bees and beekeeping. Proceeds from the event will aid Mt Eliza Garden Club. Tickets, available at any of the gardens, are $30 for all gardens, single garden $7, children free, no dogs.