Light borrowing in the black by 2032 Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is being urged to borrow almost $5 million over the next 15 years for a bulk street lighting LED upgrade. The new energy-saving lights would pay for themselves over the long-term with annual cost savings expected to be $616,576. The lights would also be a “significant step forward” in achieving the shire’s carbon neutral policy adopted in February last year, energy and carbon management officer Chris Yorke said . Councillors will consider the proposal at tonight’s (Tuesday 23 May) meeting. If adopted, works could begin as soon as October on what is described as “the single largest greenhouse gas emission mitigation project the shire can undertake”. Annual cost savings are expected to be $616,576. Mr Yorke forecast the LEDs would reduce the shire’s carbon footprint by 10 per cent. A study of the street lighting upgrade was commissioned in April last year. The contract was awarded to Ironbark Sustainability, which has reportedly worked with 70 of the state’s 79 municipal councils on energy efficient street lighting. Most street lighting on the Mornington Peninsula is owned by electricity distributor United Energy. The shire is responsible for paying for and supplying electricity and subsidising the operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of the lights.
Health care in homes Bunjil’s eyes on Balance Garden
Of the shire’s 16,684 street lights, 10,729 are mercury vapour lights needing an upgrade. The lights would be bought and installed by the shire before being vested to United Energy. The council will be up for replacement costs over a 12 month warranty period. United Energy will then take over their ongoing operation, maintenance, repair and replacements over a 20 year operating life. The shire’s finance team has recommended a 15-year loan term for the project which is expected to pay for itself as annual savings will be greater than the principal-and-interest repayments. The long-term loan will also avoid significant expenditure in year one and, therefore, have minimal effect on the capital works budget in the short term, allowing other projects to proceed, the report said. Officers are recommending the shire update its 2017-18 proposed budget to include the street lighting project.
OSBORNE Primary School opened its Balance Garden last week, with students, parents, staff and friends listening as assistant principal Helen Peters read the story of Bunjil the Eagle, the Kulin nation creation deity, who sits atop the totem pole. The garden is an area where pupils can quietly sit under the protective eye of Bunjil, who adorns the top of the totem pole, or challenge their agility playing on the balance beams, running along the bridge and jumping on the wooden stepping stones. Osborne’s values and tree-emblem logo are carved into the totem made from the trunk of one of the school’s iconic 144-year-old Murray cypress pines. “When one of the trees died but I stubbornly clung onto the trunk hoping to get it carved,” Ms Peters said. “Finally, we have been able to do that with the carving of Bunjil done beautifully by Angie Polglaze and Greg Carter with his building expertise. “What they have created is truly amazing and really appreciated by the Osborne community.” Confidence certificates were awarded at the ceremony while members of the Osborne band: Mikayla (3W), Jorelle (6A) and Axl (6H), added a musical touch.
On stage THE Mornington Peninsula Choral, Frankston Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Youth Choir will perform Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana 2.30pm at Frankston Arts Centre on Sunday 4 June. Conducted by Thaddeus Huang the performance will also feature soloists Emily Burke, Robert Babaro and Raphael Wong. Tickets, $25 (concession $22, under15 $12) from Frankston Arts Centre box office 9784 1060 or online artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au
FIVE medical clinics in the Dunkley electorate will be part of a nationwide trial of a Health Care Home program enabling people with difficult and complex health problems to remain at home rather than be forced to stay in a hospital. The program was announced as part of this month’s federal budget. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said Health Care Homes services will tailor care to individual patients’ health circumstances in consultation with GPs. “This is an Australian first and although I will be guided by our GPs and those patients taking part, I am hopeful that if the program is a success we will continue to roll it out,” Mr Hunt said in a statement. Dunkley Liberal MP Chris Crewther and Mr Hunt visited Peninsula Family General Practice in Frankston last week to announce the trial in the area. Mr Crewther said doctors say patients living with diseases such as cancer and diabetes would benefit from the new program. “Patients of GP clinics in five locations across the electorate will be eligible to take part in the program which will see their GP develop a plan which coordinates support from other medical specialists and nurses.” Total Care Medical Group (Frankston), Frankston Healthcare, Headspace Frankston Youth Health Clinic, Peninsula Family General Practice and Mornington Medical Trust are the five clinics taking part in the Health Care Home trial. The $110 million program will be rolled out in stages to be available at 200 clinics across Australia by December.
SOFA SENSATIONS 25-
ALL SOFAS
MUST END SOON
BUY NOW PAY LATER! 6 MONTHS 0% INTEREST
SPECTRE
3 seater sofa in velvet petrol fabric WAS NOW
$2699
$2024
DARBY
console table with shelf in white/chocolate WAS
$929
$699
NOW
PETA
3 seater sofa in conway fabric WAS NOW
$1799
$799* *floor stock clearance, only 1 available
www.ozdesignfurniture.com.au
WESTON
coffee table in rustic two tone WAS NOW
$799
$599 side table WAS $479 NOW $359
OXFORD
3 seater sofa in natural leather WAS $2999 SUPER SAVER
$1999
25% up to 50% off on all new orders of sofas from 16-05-2017 till 29-05-2017 inclusive. Up to 50% off applicable to clearance, floor stock and discontinued sofas only, strictly whilst stocks last. All other product (excluding sofas) is subject to a 20 up to 50% off discount, item dependant. Up to 50% off applicable to clearance and discontinued lines only in these categories. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer including Super savers. Online orders discount excludes shipping. Terms and conditions apply see www.ozdesignfurniture.com.au for more information.
OZ DESIGN FURNITURE MORNINGTON PH: 8560 1137, SHOWROOM D4, PENINSULA HOME, 1128-1132 NEPEAN HIGHWAY VIC LOCATIONS: BENDIGO 8692 2589, ESSENDON 8560 1130, GEELONG 8560 1124, HOPPERS CROSSING 8560 1141, MORNINGTON 8560 1137, NOW OPEN NARRE WARREN 8590 1160, NORTHLAND 9471 0244, NUNAWADING 9894 1566, RICHMOND 8560 1120
Mornington News
23 May 2017
PAGE 9