Bike sports added to spending cycle UP to $60,000 in this year’s Mornington Peninsula Shire Council budget will go towards developing a mountain bike and BMX strategy on shireowned land. The strategy will aim to ensure that new and upgraded trails and jumps are in suitable locations and designed with community needs in mind. The shire manages four bike sports areas on the peninsula: Dromana Pump Track, Hillview Reserve, Boundary Road, Red Hill Mountain Bike Skills Park, Red Hill Station Grounds, Harold Reid Reserve BMX track, Baxter, and Westpark Reserve BMX track, Hastings. The shire is also deciding if any of the unauthorised – and illegal – bike jumps built in parks and reserves can be made safe and allowed to remain. Construction of these impromptu bike jumps ruffled a few feathers among other parks’ users who saw the children’s efforts as vandalism. (“Boys plea to not write-off jumps” The News 26/10/20). They began to appear after the closure of many outdoor sporting facilities, including skate parks and playgrounds, when youngsters were looking for opportunities to have fun and blow off steam within their five kilometre radius. “While we appreciate the energy,
creativity and enjoyment of those involved in creating bike jumps, the shire has also received many complaints from other park and bushland users whose enjoyment and safe use of these spaces have been affected,” infrastructure strategy and climate change executive manager Davey Smith said. “Volunteer groups looking after bushland areas over many years have also seen impacts to surrounding fauna and flora. “The shire has a responsibility to ensure all residents are safe and our environment is protected and is undertaking works to achieve this, including removal of bike jumps. Please be respectful of shire staff as they carry out these duties.” The shire says engagement with residents and users is crucial for its mountain bike and BMX strategy to be viable. “We need to consider community safety and the broad range of users and abilities, while also protecting the peninsula’s unique environment and ecological values,” Mr Smith said. To provide input to the strategy, to keep up to date with developments, and be notified when the draft strategy opens for community consultation, go to mornpen.vic.gov.au/bikesports Stephen Taylor
Mum and me: This koala and joey were seen on a private property at Somers. More than 70 per cent of the peninsula’s koala habitat is on private land. Picture: Ray Pepper
Free trees to help koalas RESIDENTS living in koala areas can receive free trees under a plan to improve habit on the Mornington Peninsula. Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation and the Conservation Collective Nursery are giving away trees from the
nursery at 52 Westernport Highway, Somerville, during business hours. Check conservationcollective.shop for contact details and hours. Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation president Dirk Jansen urged those interested to direct any ques-
tions to the nursery and to be “quick because the trees won’t last long”. “Feel free to share with your friends and neighbours and send us a photo of the trees you have planted,” he said. “If you are on Facebook or Instagram please share our post there.”
A Better Home Care Package in the Mornington Peninsula At Southern Cross Care, we understand that your home is where your heart is. That’s why we are now providing Home Care Packages in the Mornington Peninsula to help you live Better for life, in your own home. Maintain your independence as we support you with household chores, personal care, transport, meals, health services and more. Plus our full-service approach means we take the worry and the work out of managing your Home Care Package. To find out more call 1800 852 772 or visit southerncrosscare.com.au ® Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC) Inc.
Mornington News
1 December 2020
PAGE 9