Mornington News 7 September 2021

NEWS DESK

Diners offer help to Afghanistan Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON’S Afghan Marcopolo Restaurant last week had an “overwhelming” response and raised $8680 to help those in desperate need in Afghanistan.

Proprietor Nadir Shakoor said customers had jumped on board the campaign after he explained that due to the war-like conditions in the country, many people had been displaced from their homes and had little to eat.

“As Afghan Australians my family took refuge in Australia after going through a lot of difficulty getting here and I cannot imagine what the Afghan people would be going through right now,” he said later.

He asked customers to place their orders as usual during the one-night fundraiser, Friday 27 August, and said he would ensure that all proceeds go to Afghan charity HNA-Helping Needy Afghans which has “always been reliable”.

“With the current situation in Afghanistan, it made me remember the stories my parents would tell me of escaping the Russian invasion in the 1980s,” Mr Shakoor said.

“The confusion and worry of the Afghans made me emotional and worry for them but, at the same time, helpless.

“The quick overtaking of the Taliban government had made a lot of people confused and lose hope in the former government and brought back a lot of memories of the former Taliban.

“I saw the locals stranded in refugee tents with no simple necessities, food or water. The situation at the airport was a devastating sight to see.”

Wondering how he could help, Mr Shakoor got in touch with Khalid from HNA-Helping Needy Afghans “who helps Afghans at most risk and in most need”.

“We decided to run a fundraiser on Friday

Customer relations: Nadir Shakoor, of Afghan Marcopolo Restaurant, was thrilled with his customers’ response to his plea to help those caught in Afghanistan. Picture: Gary Sissons

night with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to people in need,” he said.

“The response we received was overwhelming, I didn’t expect that kind of support, especially when we are going through periods of lockdown time and time again.

“We had lines of customers waiting patiently outside and many orders we, unfortunately, could not fulfil. However, our customers were understanding and respectful of the cause.

“We were very excited and happy to see their response and the number of people that sup-

ported the fundraiser.

“It’s good to know we have such a supportive community in times of need and many customers popped in just to donate.

“The money raised will be distributed to the Afghan people in forms of food, water, general necessities and getting settled back into daily life.

“We pray that one day our country will be at peace for the people and hope for a bright future.”

Shire to contest Ryman appeal MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is contesting Ryman Healthcare’s Supreme Court appeal against aspects of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s decision to refuse a permit for an aged care centre in Mount Eliza.

The appeal relates to whether VCAT correctly interpreted relevant sections of the shire’s planning scheme, including provisions of the special use zone and the inter-urban break, when assessing the development in Kunyung Road.

Ryman last month said the appeal would review how a point of planning law was interpreted by VCAT (“Ryman redraws plans for second permit bid” The News 9/8/21).

Victoria development manager David Laing said at the time the appeal would “have no bearing on how the new permit application [to the council] will be considered”.

“We obviously have a long-term interest in this site so just want to make sure that the correct policy and planning framework is applied to it, now and into the future,” he said.

The shire last week said it welcomed VCAT’s July decision to refuse the company a permit “on the basis that a large-scale residential aged care facility and/or retirement village, on land that lies outside the urban growth boundary, is inappropriate and at odds with the amenity of the surrounding green wedge”, planning and infrastructure director Mike McIntosh said.

The hearing at the Supreme Court is expected in the latter half of 2022.

Ryman’s latest application for the aged care centre has been amended in response to commentary in the VCAT decision, with Mr Laing saying the “new permit application … responds directly to VCAT’s guidance”.

Mr McIntosh said the new application “will not affect the Supreme Court appeal nor will the appeal have any bearing on how the shire deals with the new application”.

Stephen Taylor

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