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Shire’s quick reaction to signs of complaint MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire acted quickly to remove electoral signs on Wednesday after being swamped by complaints about illegallyerected advertising. In an email to candidates last Monday, the council said that while it “recognises that electoral signage and advertising is a pivotal part of a candidate’s election strategy,” candidates must be aware of the shire’s sign policy. It warned candidates that illegal signs must be removed by Monday this week. But on Wednesday, the council rushed out a further email, stating that non-compliant signs will be removed “today” and all responsible candidates will be notified by the shire’s infringement
enforcement department of their legal obligations. The shire’s sign policy states that signs can only be displayed in the ward the candidate is standing, must not exceed five square metres, and cannot be on road reserves. During the week The News was told a sign advertising Briars ward candidate Rosie Clarke was removed from the corner of Cobb and Sunnyside roads in Mt Eliza, and a large billboard-sized sign by fellow ward candidate John Woodman was removed from Rotary Park, Mt Eliza. Mornington Council was unable to provide details of how many other signs were seized. Liz Bell
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Shire’s backing lifts hopes of saving pier SAVE the Dromana Pier campaigners are buoyed by Mornington Peninsula Shire’s support for their cause, even though any decision on its future ultimately rests with Parks Victoria. Councillors voted at Monday night’s Special Council meeting – the last before the shire goes into caretaker mode – to advocate for the redevelopment of the pier to ensure its long-term survival. The group’s secretary Ray Barnard-Brown said the shire’s backing was a much-needed “shot in the arm” for their campaign. “It gives us added legitimacy,” he said. It also reinforces community approval for the 1862 pier – extended in 1873 and rebuilt in the 1950s – which was reflected in a 7000-signature petition collected at a foreshore rally on Australia Day. A 2012 report by the Association for Building Community in Dromana had predicted the life span of the existing pier, even accounting for recent repairs, was only eight-10 years. A shire planning report recommends the advocacy stance be directed at Parks Victoria and the
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. The Save the Dromana Pier group is talking up a mail survey by Nepean MP Martin Dixon’s office which received more than 1000 positive replies out of 4000 forms sent out canvassing community views on the pier. “That was pretty extraordinary,” electorate office manager Russell Joseph said. “We’ve had even more dribbling in - there’s more like 1100 now.” Mr Barnard-Brown said the community response was “remarkable”. His group also believes there is a strong case for extending the pier to its original length – about twice its present length – to enable bigger boats, and possibly ferries, to dock when road traffic reaches gridlock during holidays and peak hours over the next few years. They say the depth now is only about waist high at low water. “There’s an opportunity for fast ferries to come from Melbourne for the wineries and the new Arthurs Seat Eagle chairlift.” Stephen Taylor
Police urge identity block POLICE are calling on people to report stolen mobile phones to their telecommunications provider and ensure the phone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is blocked. Almost 13,700 mobile phones were stolen in Victoria last year. Crime squad detective inspector Wayne Newman said phone thefts could be eventually reduced if more people activated the IMEI blocking function and offenders realised the phone could not be used. “We also encourage buyers of second-hand
phones to request proof of ownership and perform an IMEI check on the handset before making a purchase,” he said. IMEI blocking is a free service which can be requested by the owner of the phone to the telecommunications service provider it is contracted to. There are numerous ways to find the IMEI however it can be found by entering *#06# into your phone. To check the status of a second hand phone go to Association website athttp://www. amta.org.au/
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Mornington News 4 October 2016
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