Mornington
View the whole picture.
YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND FOR PENINSULA FAMILIES FACEBOOK:
peninsulakids.com.au mornpenkids
com.au
An independent voice for the community
INSTAGRAM:
Your weekly community newspaper covering Mornington, Mount Martha and Mount Eliza For all advertising and editorial needs, call 03
THE P RO PE R TY INSI G HTS SITE
FREE
Tuesday 19 March 2019
5974 9000 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au
Water worries: Jackie Paganoni and her daughter Bianca and all the water remaining in the dam at the family’s Moorooduc property. Picture: Yanni
Shire calls for drought aid Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au THE state government has been called on to declare the Mornington Peninsula “drought affected” to quickly help businesses hit hard by water shortages. The drastic move aims to gain easier access to cheaper water for drought-hit farms, businesses and recreational and sports grounds. Cr Antonella Celi moved the urgent item at last week’s Mornington Peninsula Shire Council meeting. The move also included a plea for the government to support the shire’s recycled water projects, including gaining
access to the Class A recycled water flowing into the sea through to the South East Outfall near Gunnamatta. This Eastern Treatment Plant water is seen as going to waste when it could offer a cheap and almost limitless supply for agriculture and firefighting. “The shire is very concerned about water security and drought on the peninsula,” Cr Celi said. “We are taking action to call on the state government so that immediate and affordable access to recycled water supplies are delivered to our farmers, emergency services, recreational and sports facilities and businesses in the most cost effective way.”
Your Dentures Can Fit and Be Comfortable ...Not Just Look and Feel Great!
Call the leading clinic
5976 8222 parking at rear
2/340 Main Street, Mornington www.morningtondentureclinic.com.au
The catalyst for the shire’s call to the state government was a plea by Moorooduc couple Mark and Jackie Paganoni for help in accessing water for their apple orchard. Their 55-year-old family-run Atlanta Fruit Sales, one of the few remaining apple orchards on the peninsula, employs around 20 permanent staff and up to 50 extras during harvesting and thinning. Ms Paganoni wrote to the mayor Cr David Gill saying: “As you would know, it has been an extremely hot and dry summer and, although we have tried to be frugal with our stock of dam irrigation water, it looks as though we
THE GRAND MEAL DEAL
are not going to make it through. “We have spent an extensive amount of money setting up new plantings but if we cannot finish this year's crop off, all of that will be in jeopardy as our financial position will not be in a good state.” Ms Paganoni asked Cr Gill to help in contacting “the right person” and for shire help if using recycled water was an option. Later, as the big dry continued, she wrote: “Recycled water is no longer an option for us as there has not been a drought [on the peninsula] declared by the government. As such, there are no dedicated trucks to transport recycled water.
“We are now at the mercy of South East Water which says the price is set by the government.” Ms Paganoni said the “waste of recycled water out into the ocean is devastating to say the least”. “And not being able to access that water, even via truck, is more than devastating.” She feared that “by the time we wait for a drought to be declared we will be out of business”. The water utilities had been “fantastic in the way they have reacted to our request to access the water but, as yet, we haven’t gone back to them to plead for leniency on the price”.
Main Street Denture Clinic For genuine care, experience & attention to detail
Buy a main meal & receive up to...
Perfectly Fitted Dentures and a Happy, Healthy Smile
the price of the second main meal
• 30 years serving Mornington • Medibank Preferred Provider • Phone Quotes • Repairs in 4 hours • Free Initial Consultation
$15.95* OFF Valid to 28/3/19. Monday to Thursday only. Bistro only.
*Applies to meal of least value. Excludes entrees & seniors meals. Excludes online printouts. Not valid with any other discount offer or on public holidays.
Ph 5975 2001 124 Main St, Mornington
30
see David Ayton
173 Main St, Mornington (Near Barkly Street)
www.mainstreetdentureclinic.com.au
Free Initial Consults and Phone Quotes
5975 1675