NEWS DESK
Nook to nurture relationship with nature A NEW feature at The Briars property, Mt Martha, is designed as a place “to bring our human and wild communities together in a more connected way, with a ‘hands-off approach”. Opening next month (Saturday 3 November) The Nature Nook is a place of contemplation at the intersection of two boardwalks. “We’d like to educate children and adults about how humans and wildlife mutually benefit and how we can interact,” Eve Kelly, secretary of the Australian Wildlife Protection Council, said of the Nook. The Nook is being developed with a community placement grant from the owner of The Briars, Mornington Peninsula Shire. The 230 hectare property off Nepean Highway includes a wildlife Sanctuary, heritage homestead, nursery, eco-living display centre, astronomy centre and a restaurant. The Nook will include seating, mini habitats for wildlife including, nest boxes, dreys (possum nests), a rope bridge, signs and cameras. “With an emphasis on using our senses - sight, smell and sound - the Nature Nook is a place to sit, be still and contemplate the wild members of our community,” Ms Kelly said. “By creating a meeting-place for wildlife and people, and presenting ways to interact using a hands-off approach, we are opening our hearts and minds to how we co-exist with wildlife and how we mutually benefit.” Ms Kelly said the Australian Wildlife Protection Council and other wildlife groups were aware of an increasing disconnect between humans and the natural world. “We see the benefits of quiet interaction with nature, to learn about our wildlife using other senses, other than touch, to listen, smell and observe wildlife in their natural environment. While we can improve their habitat for their welfare we can also appreciate them for all the wonderful benefits they provide us.” Ms Kelly said the protection council would like to include people who are interested in mindfulness and positive psychology to help provide information about nature to children. Details: 0425 842 618 or eve.awpc@ gmail.com. Keith Platt
VOLUNTEERS from the Australian Wildlife Protection Council planting trees and shrubs around the Nature Nook area soon to be opened at The Briars, Mt Martha. Picture: Supplied
Talks call as brew plans put on hold Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au PLANS for a microbrewery in green wedge-zoned land at Moorooduc include car parking for 28 vehicles, an additional dwelling as well as growing hops for the beer that would be brewed and sold on site. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s planning services committee last week deferred making a decision on a permit for the brewery despite officers recommending that a permit be refused. Council officers recommended the permit be refused but Cr David Gill said councillors decided a deferral would allow “interested parties to en-
gage in a discussion to see if all aspects and ramifications of the permit application had been fleshed out” so an agreement could be reached before a decision was made by council of the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal. Under the permit application beermaking and selling is proposed on the 34 hectares of grazing land at the corner of Graydens and Stumpy Gully roads next to the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association’s R M Hooper Oval. While most of the land would be retained for grazing, the microbrewery proponents say 1.7 hectares would be used to grow hops and 6.4hectares
for barley. Councillors on the planning services committee were told that “preliminary investigation suggests [the] applicant has way overestimated the potential yields of barley”. The shire’s “rural business officer”, in a report, estimated 12.8 tonnes of barley may be produced on the 6.4 hectares when 116.5 tonnes would be needed to make 233,000 litres of beer, which was stated to be two thirds of the microbrewery’s output. The report by strategic projects senior planner Hugh Pierce, said the proposed microbrewery was dependent on the establishment of a relationship with agricultural produce to be grown on the site.
“Whilst the proposal does indicate some link between the land and the microbrewery, the level of information provided detailing how this will be undertaken (from an operational and manufacturing perspective) and the timeframes for both agricultural production of the key ingredients and the commencement of brewing operations are lacking,” the report to the committee’s 17 September meeting stated. “Therefore, there is an inability to be assured that the critical relationship between the land and industry is acceptable. The commercial element (i.e. the sale and consumption component) of the proposal also raises concerns regarding both its appropriateness within the
context of this green wedge land, and whether sale and consumption will be truly ancillary, or grow to become the more dominant use of the land over time. “Whilst the microbrewery is proposed to produce beer with key ingredients sourced from the land, the sale and consumption area alone is considered a large-scale proposal in the green wedge … The onsite sale and consumption of liquor for up to 40 patrons will have detrimental implications for the existing rural amenity of the area.” Mr Pierce said if the microbrewery was “not supported” the shire could be left with two dwellings on the site “which is prohibited within the green wedge Zone”.
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2 October 2018
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