NEWS DESK
Green light for $95 million Yaringa plan THE state government has given the go ahead for a $95 million extension of Yaringa Boat Harbour, near Somerville. The $95 million harbour expansion was announced by Planning Minister Richard Wynne yesterday (Monday). The announcement follows public consultation, Commonwealth approval and and conditions from an independent panel.
Eastern Victoria Region MP Daniel Mulino said the project included adding 180 wet berths to the existing boat harbour to be accessed along a new channel, 400 new dry berths, 180 tourist accommodation units, new marine services facilities, 120-seat restaurant and a conference centre. “[It] will mean Yaringa is able to satisfy the growing demand for qual-
ity marina berths, undercover storage, repair and maintenance facilities and tourist accommodation in the area,� Mr Mulino said. “This project will generate new jobs on the site and in the local economy. It’s a win for the region and will deliver a real boost to the Western Port area. “We’ve included conditions to ensure this project is built in a way that
respects the surrounding environment, including the wonderful and important Western Port wetlands.� Mr Mulino said up to 860 jobs will be created during the two-year construction period and about 200 jobs once completed. The improvements would reflect community feedback, with continuing public access to the foreshore and across the site, as well as
space for a horse trail on the northern and western boundaries. “The project will be developed in a way that is sensitive to the surrounding marine environment, including the ecologically important Western Port RAMSAR site,� he said. “It will not impact on the operating hours or potential expansion of the nearby Port of Hastings.� Stephen Taylor
College’s graduation rates down again Neil Walker neil@mpnews.com.au
Kyle Piscopo and friend
John Greenall
Weather no match for style LAST Sunday week was a day of contrasts for racegoers at the Ladbrokes Peninsula Cup. Sunny and warm turned to rain, windy and cold by the time of the feature race. While the 1600 metre cup was won by Master Reset, followed by Coldstone and Inspector, two-legged entrants in the Ladbrokes Peninsula Cup Style Stakes had been pictured showing off their wares in the warm and dry surroundings of a photographic studio. The 184 style entrants chose what they saw as their three best shots and submitted them to the judges. Judge Janice Breen Burns said that despite the day’s four seasons “the enthusiasm that came through the camera lens proved that the digital entry mechanic was a hit with racegoers�. “The energy and thrill of all those who entered was obvious when looking through the entries,� she said. “What we saw today was a very sleek and elegant selection of women, men and squads.� John Greenall won the men’s fashion stakes, Blanch Milford the women’s and Kyle Piscopo and a friend in the squads.
Blanch Milford
GRADUATION rates at Evocca College campuses have plunged to new lows amid a belated federal government crackdown on taxpayer funding to the private owned vocational education and training providers. Updated figures released by the federal government late last month show course completion rates at Evocca College campuses nationally fell from a low 23.6 per cent between 2012-14 to 12.2 per cent in 2013-15. The Queensland-based company trades as the Australian College of Training and Employment abbreviated to ACTE Pty Ltd and offers “study now, pay later� deals, known as VET FEE-HELP loans, to students who do not have to pay back course fees until they earn at least $50,000 per year. Several registered training organisations, including Evocca, were criticised in a 2015 Senate inquiry of targeting vulnerable students with little or no chance of completing courses to boost enrolment numbers and reap hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of profits. ACTE Pty Ltd has received more than $550 million of taxpayers’ money since 2011 despite ongoing low graduation rates. Fees for short courses offered by the privately owned colleges are often far higher than equivalent TAFE courses. Evocca has a campus in Frankston at Balmoral St and that campus name was changed earlier this year to be called ‘Study Precinct – Frankston’. ACTE decided to change the name of each of its individual campuses in April to reposition Evocca College as “change academies�. When contacted by The News ACTE said its graduation rates are above the
sector average and continues to say many students will graduate in future despite the college having low graduations over several years. The federal government figures released last month revealed the average graduation rate across all providers nationwide between 2013-15 was 22.9 per cent against ACTE’s 12.2 per cent graduation rate. “ACTE’s graduation rates are better than, or in line with, many other major public and private providers and also do not yet fully reflect students who have enrolled but are yet to graduate,� media and communications manager Suzanne Bartlett said in a statement. Ms Bartlett said the company does not release individual graduation rates at individual campuses including its Frankston business. The federal government also does not collate individual campus graduation rates. The blowout in VET FEE-HELP taxpayer-funded debts occurred after the introduction of the scheme in 2012 by the former Labor federal government and continued under the Coalition government. The latest federal Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham, appointed in September last year, has vowed to crackdown on “dodgy behaviour� by unscrupulous registered training organisations.
High speed crash AN Audi Quattro sports sedan was driven off the Tyabb-Tooradin Rd, Pearcedale, on Cup Day and into a gum tree. The driver, a man in his late 20s, had to be cut from the expensive car by Langwarrin SES crews using the Jaws-of-Life. Captain Clint Lawrey said he was taken to The Alfred hospital in a critical but stable condition.
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BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK PAGE 10
Mornington News 8 November 2016