NEWS DESK
Roosting birds leave their mark Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au BIRD droppings on the footpath under Main Street, Mornington’s trees is a daily problem for shoppers and traders – one which won’t fly away anytime soon. Despite regular cleaning by the Mornington Peninsula Shire and traders, the nightly roosting of starlings and Indian minahs and their telltale souvenirs can make window shopping dangerous for pedestrians. “I’ve seen two people slip over,” Grand Hotel general manager Cameron Price said. About 18 months ago he installed $4000 spotlights under trees outside the hotel’s sportsman’s bar area to deter the birds. “As soon as someone breaks a hip something will be done about it,” he said. Mr Price said the area outside the hotel’s nightclub area was “coated every morning” but admitted not knowing “what the solution is”. Mornington Chamber of Commerce’s Alex Levy said the chamber was not blaming anyone for not cleaning up the mess, which occurred on both sides of the street. “I’m not sure who is meant to clean it up, but we seem to have this conversation every year – and it affects the Wednesday market days as well,” she said. “Traders sweep up the mess outside their shops, but why should they have to clean out to two metres? It’s disgusting.” Chamber committee member Jamie Stuart said the droppings were an “ongoing battle”. “We are concerned because sections of the street become tripping hazards,” he said. “After heavy rain the droppings sit in stagnant water and may become a health issue.” Mr Stuart said the chamber had no issue with the council and would assist with feedback on the best ways to tackle the problem. Meanwhile, the birds do what comes naturally.
Chorale performs MORNINGTON Peninsula Chorale will perform at the Peninsula Community Theatre, 91 Wilson Road, Mornington, 7.30pm, Saturday 25 May, and 2.30pm, Sunday 2 June. The chorale recently sang at Carnegie Hall, New York, and from there travelled to perform at Wellington, New Zealand. Last year they performed The Armed Man in Berlin with the UNESCO World Orchestra for Peace, along with choirs from 27 countries. Book through trybooking.com/ book/event?eid=487484&
Toilet input
Pooped: Jamie Stuart, Cameron Price and Alex Levy survey the birds’ nightly mess in Main Street. Picture: Yanni
M A N O R
M E D I C A L
MEMBERS of the community are being invited to provide feedback on plans to replace the old public toilet block at Buckley’s Rest, Safety Beach. The mayor Cr David Gill said the block had “reached the end of its useful life and will be upgraded to provide an improved, modern design to service our community for many years to come”. Plans are available to view and provide feedback online until Friday 31 May at mornpen.vic.gov.au/ haveyoursay Forms will be available in hard copy at the shire’s offices at Rosebud, Mornington, Hastings and Somerville. Email submissions to: haveyoursay@mornpen.vic.gov.au with the subject line Safety Beach Public Amenity or post to: Attention: Michael Scully, Infrastructure Planner – Facilities, Safety Beach Public Amenity Have Your Say Mornington Peninsula Shire, Private Bag 1000.
A e s t h e t i c s
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Mornington News
21 May 2019
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