NEWS DESK
Putting focus on crime
Bridge program goes too far - Opposition TWO bridges under the Mornington Peninsula Freeway are to be strengthened under a state government $35.8 million “stronger bridges program”. The bridges spanning Devilbend Creek and Tuerong Creek at Tuerong are two of 48 listed for work in “regional Victoria”. The state Opposition says 10 of the bridges on the list are within four kilometres of the suburban Mulgrave electorate of Premier Daniel Andrews. Mr Andrews and Roads Minister Luke Donnellan went to Traralgon to announce the funding to strengthen the bridges. The first stage of the bridge-building exercise will concentrate on 17 “priority bridges that have deteriorated to such an extent that semi-trailers and Bdoubles cannot use them”. “We’re improving productivity for our freight industry and reducing costly detours. It’s good for regional Victoria and it’s good for business,” Mr Andrews said. Mr Donnellan said some bridge work “will wipe up to 70 kilometres off the length of the route”. The Opposition sees the bridge program as an opportunity to attack the government, with Liberal party media adviser Michelle Zydower urging MPs “to proactively push it to all regional papers, TVs, radios, newsletters and social media”. “The interactive map has been very popular with journalists I have spoken to, so I would suggest sending that around to any additional media you do,” Ms Zydower stated in a letter to MPs. “Regional media would probably be interested in a photo with you at a local bridge that requires maintenance or replacement and may normally have money directed from the Country Roads and Bridges Program.” Ms Zydower attached a news release from Opposition roads spokesman Ryan Smith which could be adapted for “a local media release to make it more relevant to your papers”. Keith Platt
For the record: New wide angle CCTV cameras are being installed throughout Main St, Mornington, and shopping strips at Mt Martha and Mt Eliza. Picture: Yanni
Continued from Page 1 Many of Mornington’s street cameras installed in 2004 for $76,000 by the federal government and Mornington Chamber of Commerce and run through the Mornington police station are well past their useby date. One was damaged by a car and another struck by lightning. Neither has been repaired. Management of the cameras has been hampered by delays in transferring ownership from the chamber to the shire, with committees and meetings frustrated by power billing disputes and grant conditions. More time was lost seeking funding to replace damaged cameras and to improve their coverage. Mornington police have been “extremely frustrated” by delays in having working cameras installed at Main St’s intersections and laneways, but are pleased action is finally being taken. Detective Senior Sergeant Nick Vallas said he had “been concerned [about lack of CCTV] for a long time and has raised the issue with senior managers several times”. “Wear and tear and lack of maintenance has led to the CCTV system’s collapse,” he said – an issue compounded by delays while permission was sought from a power utility to have one camera repaired. “The police have actively campaigned to restore the good system we did have at forums and accords but, until now, nothing seems to have been done. “What really got me fired up was when the girl was nearly abducted. We had no evidence of the suspect’s behaviour immediately beforehand, and yet we want to give the court the best possible evidence that a working CCTV system would have provided.” Dunkley MP Bruce Billson said the new cameras would have tilt, fixed and panning capabilities with images analysed and stored at Mornington police station. “We need a sustainable and durable strategy with CCTV as well as a consistent policy approach,” he said. Chamber spokeswoman Kim Rowe said it was the shire’s responsibility to operate and oversee the CCTV network, despite the early success of the chamber’s involvement in the original roll-out. “We officially handed over responsibility [for the cameras] to the shire over 12 months ago. As a not-for-profit organisation it is not something we should be required to manage,” Ms Rowe said. “But we have done all that is reasonably practical to ensure that Mornington has CCTV. Now the onus is on the shire and the police.” Ms Rowe said “for us it’s a concern” if CCTV cameras in Main St and lighting in laneways is not working at present, but that delays were often caused by power utilities or service providers. “As far as the chamber is concerned, and for the bills we were paying, we thought they were working.”
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Mornington News 20 October 2015