NEWS DESK
Council backs away from new skatepark plan NEARBY residents believe a skatepark at Narambi Reserve, Mornington will reduce vandalism to bus shelters and Mornington Park. A 298-signature petition calling for a skatepark at Narambi Reserve was delivered to Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors at their Monday 27 March meeting. Sport and recreation infrastructure planner Mark Stahel said the shire’s skate and BMX strategy did not include a skatepark at Narambi reserve “however there is a large skate facility located at Civic Reserve in Mornington, which is approximately one kilometre from Narambi reserve�. Mr Stahel said the strategy “will be reviewed once the implementation plan from the existing strategy has been completed�. That could take some time as the shire is still scrambling to resolve its differences with Mt Martha Tennis Club, which is opposed to a skatepark next to its courts on the former parade ground near Mt Martha House. The shire is prepared to spend $825,000 on a skatepark on the parade ground near the corner of the Esplanade and Kilburn Grove even though its design is guaranteed to not satisfy the needs or abilities of all skaters. The plan to build the skatepark at Mt Martha was adopted without first seeking the consent of the tennis club to which council had already leased the site. The club says the two activities – skating and tennis – are incompatible and it also wants to build an extra court in the same spot. The petition for a skatepark at Narambi reserve says the signatories believe the existing skateparks in Mt Eliza “and Mt Martha� are too far away for young people to get to without transport. Keith Platt
Date set: Bob Davies outside Mt Martha House and its deteriorating timbers which are about to be restored by Mornington Peninsula Shire. Picture: Keith Platt
Work date set for restoration rescue RESTORATION work will begin next month (May) on some section of the exterior of Mt Martha House. The heritage listed Federation Queen Anne style building dates back to 1891 when it was known as the Martha Hotel. Built of timber, it sits on a high point of land opposite the beach at the corner of the Esplanade and Dominion Rd, Mt Martha, where it is sometimes subjected to severe weather conditions. Mornington Peninsula Shire says is awaiting approval from Heritage Victoria to spend about $100,000 on exterior restoration works to the community centre. However, Heritage Victoria says delays have been caused by the shire not providing information sought last July. In February, Bob Davies, chairman of the Mt
Martha House management committee, told Heritage Victoria that ongoing discussions had been held with the shire about the deteriorating condition of the building as a result of its “environmentally harsh location�. He said “budgetary constraints� had prevented the shire from taking action, but money was now available and suitable contractors being sought. Mr Davies said he had been told Heritage Victoria had withheld approval because it “is concerned that the extent of the proposed work would affect the heritage integrity of the building�. “I respectfully point out that the deterioration of substantial parts of the building is real and unless remedial action is taken quickly the shire will be faced with having to undertake even more substantial works in order to
maintain the basic structural integrity of the building,� Mr Davies stated. In early March Heritage Victoria’s executive director Tim Smith told Mr Davies he was pleased to hear the shire had money for the restoration work and would assess the shire work schedule as soon as it was received. Mr Smith said the shire had asked in June 2016 on how to proceed with the works. “At no stage has Heritage Victoria declined the necessary approvals for repairs and maintenance works. In July 2016 we requested the shire to provide additional details in relation to the proposed works, for which they advised they would do, but we have not received.� The shire’s building and facilities manager David Smith last week said the work was now scheduled to be carried out in May and June “subject to Heritage Victoria approval�.
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