NEWS DESK
Liberals take to track with $2m promise
Running promise: Chris Crowther and Greg Hunt go for a run after promising the Liberal Party would give $2 million towards an athletics track at Mornington if re-elected on 2 July. Picture: Gary Sissons
MORNINGTON Little Athletics Centre’s wish may come true, with Flinders MP Greg Hunt and Dunkley Liberal candidate Chis Crewther promising $2 million to build a purpose-built track, probably at the centre’s preferred site: Civic Reserve, Mornington. The pair made the announcment on Monday – two days after Mr Crewther had said the track was only “one of the things I will fight for” if elected on 2 July (“Forgotten club losing track” The News 24/5/16). “It’s an important project and I will advocate hard for a new track,” he said. “It’s definitely a priority of mine, but one of many.” On Monday he said the promise of a grant had been “locked in over the weekend” and embargoed by the party until Monday, preventing him from disclosing it beforehand, despite the newspaper’s not being published until this week. Mornington Peninsula Shire has $50,000 in this year’s draft budget for
“scoping” the project which, along with the promised $2m would fall well short of what the the centre would like. The project is for a synthetic 400-metre circular track, facilities for all field athletics events, clubrooms, storage facilities, lighting and spectator viewing facilities. The playing facilities will allow children to train and compete year round. Mr Hunt said that the centre would keep Mornington Peninsula families “active”. “This project will boost junior athletics participation rates across the peninsula and Western Port,” he said. “What they wanted was $2 million and we have promised that $2 million if elected. “This project will boost junior athletics participation rates across the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port.” Mr Crewther said the community had been calling for a new track for many years.
Warning follows garden fire death AN Aspendale Gardens man weeding in his garden died after petrol fumes caught alight, Wednesday 18 May. Police said the 42-year-old was pouring petrol from a watering can onto weeds along his fence line unaware of the danger as he neared a gas heater. The pilot light ignited the fumes, setting the man, and the fence, alight. Witnesses said the man, of Waterdale Place, ran across the yard to grab the
garden hose but had already suffered serious burns to his body. Neighbours ran to help and called an ambulance. The man was taken to The Alfred hospital with life threatening injuries and died next day. A Crime Scene was established by Mordialloc police and an arson chemist attended. Incidents like these are prompting paramedics to urge caution with
open fires and hot drinks in our cooler weather. Six people were burnt in other serious incident last weekend. One, a Frankston North man in his 20s, burnt his hands after falling into a fire, Sunday 22 May. He was taken to Frankston Hospital in a stable condition. Another man was critically injured in an accident in Gippsland. Ambulance Victoria acting group manager
Michelle Murphy said the man, in his 60s, apparently threw petrol onto a fire. “The man made his own way to Warragul Hospital. His condition deteriorated and he was transferred by air ambulance helicopter to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition,” Ms Murphy said. “As colder weather hits, more people will be using open fires and outdoor fires to keep warm. We urge people to
We are the ONLY showroom on the Mornington Peninsula for stone products. Whether you’re building or renovating, visit our showroom for professional and friendly advice, a diverse range, easy selection and free quotes.
take care around fires. Burns can have lifelong impact with ongoing, painful treatment needed in severe burns cases.” Paramedics also treated three children, including two who pulled hot tea onto themselves. For information about minor burns, speak to a doctor or go to the Better Health Channel website.
VIEW OUR EXTENSIVE DISPLAYS OF:
GRANITE, MARBLE & RECONSTITUTED STONE
BENCH TOPS, WALLS & FLOOR PANELS
SIMPLIFY YOUR STONE SELECTION...
• Reconstituted Stone • Marble and Granite
• Porcelain • Ultra-Compact
PORCELAIN PANELS
Mornington Showroom Shop 8, 1-13 Mornington-Tyabb Road Mornington (03) 5975 1566 OPEN Mon-Fri 10am-3.00pm Sat 9.00am to 2.00pm (Starts June) mornington@multiformstone.com.au
Head Office & Factory 7 Colbert Road Campbellfield (03) 9357 7721 Kilsyth South Showroom 102-106 Canterbury Road Kilsyth South (03) 9728 3433
ULTRA-COMPACT PANELS
www.multiformstone.com.au Mornington News 31 May 2016
PAGE 13