Businesses show confidence in Mt Eliza A RETAIL and services development in the northern end of Mount Eliza is a clear sign that economic buoyancy is returning, despite residual staffing difficulties. Eight new retail and service businesses including Manyung Gallery - have taken up residence in the development at 54 Mount Eliza Way, with negotiations underway for the ninth and final business to move in. One of the spokespeople for the three families connected with the development, businesswomen and former Frankston councillor Chris Richards, said Mount Eliza had largely avoided the COVID-related downturn of some areas and was ready for new businesses. “We absolutely have confidence in Mount Eliza, we have a population of just under 20,000 people, and many are working professionals on high salaries,” she said. “When people want to spend, they want quality. We had a certificate of occupancy by January and by February we had eight shops taken. “My view is that Mount Eliza is undercooked at the moment, it’s just waiting for good businesses to come in.” The nine businesses downstairs are complemented by a small number of high-end apartments with water views upstairs, which sold within three weeks of coming on to the market. Mount Eliza Chamber of Commerce spokesperson Alison Doherty said while there were some businesses that suffered during the height of COVID, largely through lack of staff, confidence was still strong, and growing. In 2017, the shire’s predictions for Mount Eliza had residential development increasing by an average of 40 dwellings a year to 7717 in 2036. That number is now expected to be much higher, as the escape from the city continues. Liz Bell
Mount Eliza in waiting: Businesswoman Chris Richards in front of the mural featured in the centre of the Mount Eliza development. Picture: Gary Sissons
O’Connor sets the record straight MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillor Desi O’Connor wants to make it clear that her decision to suspend campaigning for last month’s federal election was due to questions over her employment as a teacher by the Victorian education department and not retaining her role as a councillor. “Just a clarification that I did not suspend my campaign because I was still holding an elected position as a Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor,” she said. “The suspension occurred because I discovered that being a public school teacher constituted holding “… any office of profit under the crown…” - Section 44 (iv). Therefore, there was a question around whether I was “incapable of being chosen or of sitting as a senator or a member of the House of Representatives” - Section 44. “At the time I was on unpaid leave and receiving no benefits (such as super, LSL) and had been on leave for well over 12 months from the Department of Education. “I took stock for around 48 hours with my team to determine the path we would take. After seeking advice, I resigned the teaching position on the 5 May 2022, and it was accepted by my workplace that very day. “Holding an elected position in local government was not in breach of the constitution. Just prior to the election, I was informed, after seeking information, that under the legislation (Local Government Act 2020), a councillor’s allowance is payable during a leave of absence. I did not claim any expenses during that time. The councillor allowance, paid to me through that period, has been donated (“O’Connor to donate council election ‘pay’” The News 21/6/22). “The title may have been better as: O’Connor to donate council allowance.” Keith Platt
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Mornington News
28 June 2022
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