NEWS DESK
Line’s ‘cause and effect’ study Neil Walker neil@mpnews.com.au A COMPREHENSIVE environmental study will be carried out to investigate whether rail under road can be built along the Frankston line at Bonbeach and Edithvale as part of the state government’s level crossings removal project. The Level Crossing Removal Authority confirmed this month that state Labor Planning Minister Richard Wynne decided an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) is needed to determine whether the neighbouring Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands will suffer if rail trenches are dug to remove level crossings at Bonbeach and Edithvale. The state government initially announced in February that elevated rail, dubbed sky rail by opponents of raised rail, would not be built along stretches of the Frankston line. Rail under road, subject to the possible need for an EES, was the preferred engineering option to separate road from rail at Bonbeach and Edithvale. The LXRA referred a report by consultants GHD and Aecom to the state Planning Minister in March that warned possible “long-term and irreversible” impacts on the environmentally-sensitive Ramsar-listed wetlands if rail goes under road at Bonbeach and Edithvale. Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Australian Bittern, Curlew Sandpiper, Southern Brown Bandicoot and Growling Grass frog were some of the wildlife species that could be threatened by a potential rise of 0.1 metres in groundwater “mounding” at the Edithvale section of the wetlands if rail trenches are dug. Vulnerable flora such as River Swamp Wallaby Grass Amphibromus fluitans and Swamp Everlasting Xerochrysum palustre could also be impacted by groundwater not flowing readily from the wetlands due to rail trenches. “Rail under road has been identified as the preferred option at both Edithvale and Bonbeach,” the LXRA has said.
“Two trenches, approximately eight metres deep, 12 metres wide and 1000 metres and 1100 metres long for Edithvale and Bonbeach, respectively, will be constructed within the existing rail corridor.” The Planning Minister will release “scoping requirements” for the EES as part of the next stage of the study.
Dirty Dustings
Mt Martha Bendigo Bank branch manager Kerry Debernadi and Fran Henke on the collection run for this year’s Winter Blanket Appeal.
MORNINGTON Players present the comedy Dirty Dustings at Bellamy Hall, corner Octavia and Albert streets, Mornington, 8pm, 5, 6, 12 and 13 May and 1pm, 7 and 14 May. Book at morningtonlayers.com.au or call 0467 185 176.
Family warmth is ‘sorted’
Folk club meets PENINSULA Folk Club meets on the first Sunday of the month at Frankston Bowls Club, Yuille St. The next get together is 5.30pm, Sunday 7 May, with a concert at 6.30pm. The cost is $8 members and $10 non-members. Meals are available. Performers for May include Backwater. There will be free hour-long workshops, such as Tony Hammond presents: Learning about the use of microphones and stage sound PA systems for performers. Details: Julie Meaden, 0450 280 954.
DOONAS and pillows for the Winter Blanket Appeal handed into the Mt Martha Bendigo Bank branch have been added to a load already collected from branches at Hastings and Mt Eliza. “You’re going to need a bigger car,” branch manager Kerry Debernardi told Fran Henke helping to take them out. “This was the biggest load in all the years I’ve been helping with this appeal”, Mrs Henke said. “My heartfelt thanks to those generous people who have left doonas and knitted clothing for needy Mornington Peninsula families, particularly given the recent cold snap”. The bags will be sorted by volunteers from
Southern Peninsula Food for All, then passed on to Mornington Peninsula Conference of St Vincent de Paul for to needy families. “Blankets were not wanted this year as young families prefer doonas. However knitted scarves, beanies, mittens and jumpers for boys and girls are always welcome. Donations of unwanted wool can also be made for knitters who can’t afford to buy wool. These too can be left at any peninsula branch of the Bendigo Bank. Hastings branch has wool available for example,” Mrs Henke said. “We couldn’t do this without the support of branch staffers who are delighted by the generous incoming donations so early this winter.”
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Mornington News 2 May 2017
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