Beach, car park litter give user that sinking feeling By Stephen Taylor SEAWEED and litter build-up on Tassels Cove beach at Martha Cove is irritating one user who thinks the council should make a bigger splash in its clean-up efforts. Ken May said the Marine Drive beach, between Mt Martha cliff and the entrance to the marina, was “neglected” by the council: “I and others who use the beach for many years have been disappointed with the lack of any significant plan and upkeep,” he said. “Perhaps a more appropriate name would be Mornington Peninsula Dirty Beach.” Mr May said in April he decided that, as the condition had got so bad, he would take up the matter with council. “My major concern is the massive [build-up] of seaweed on the beach, the lack of cleaning, the dreadful deterioration of the carpark and the entrance from the carpark to the beach,” he said. The leash-free beach is used daily year round by residents from Mt Martha to Rosebud. Mr May said the condition of the car park had “gone from bad to worse to very, very bad”. “As a former construction engineer I suggested how the problem could best and most economically be rectified,” he said. “This was ignored and counter commented that sealing of the car park would be preferable – well we know that will never happen.” Mr May said a sweep of the part of the beach by the contract cleaner “after three or is it four months” was done too late to remove the dried seaweed. “It has now broken up and made the sand very dirty,” he said.
Having a ball: Fit N Fun allows participants to have with their friends. Picture: Yanni In need of a clean: Seaweed covers the beach at Tassels Cove. Picture: Supplied
“The seaweed is still on the lower part of the beach and should be removed by front end loaders and trucks before it is washed back into the sea again to return later with the next storm. “The carpark has deteriorated further, but who cares. We dog walkers will continue to daily clean up the plastic, dead spiked pufferfish (between six-15 a day in the past week) and other washed-up debris. “We have cleared most of the rocks in the sand by hand but a few are too heavy for us, and nothing has been done to maintain the shrubbery in the past 10 years to my knowledge.” The shire’s executive manager infrastructure services Jessica Wingad said Tassels Cove was a “very well used and highly valued part of the coastline for our community”.
The shire is pleased to regularly clean this section of coast in line with our routine maintenance program for all the beaches that we maintain across the peninsula,” she said. “Shire-maintained beaches are cleaned every 10 days, weather and tide permitting. Given the natural value and dynamic nature of this section of coastline, seasonal changes can impact the amount of debris on the beach throughout the year. “Natural coastal vegetation plays an important part in maintaining the stability of dunes and pruning of natural vegetation is only undertaken when access is compromised. “The shire is also very pleased to support our local community clean-up groups that play an important role complementing our regular beach cleaning program.”
Getting fit, having fun the goal for all abilities RECREATIONAL and educational activities for people of varying abilities, held Wednesdays at the Civic Reserve Recreation Centre, Mornington, are popular. The Fit N Fun program allows up to 40 participants to enjoy being with their friends and connecting with the community. Participants develop confidence to participate in sporting and physical activity programs, increase their skills, and are advised on healthy eating and personal relationships. They enjoy the challenge of shooting a goal – as well as having fun, interacting and physical activity. The program follows on from the
success of the All Abilities day in December when Belgravia Leisure and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council joined to provide regular activities year round for those interested. They aimed to provide a variety of recreational opportunities that could expand on the sporting program by including an educational component. Community groups involved are the Advocacy Group, Valid, Monash University, Special Olympics Australia and disability providers on the peninsula. Other supporters are the police and Peninsula Health. Steve Taylor
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Ph: 1300 VILL GLEN (1300 8455 4536) Email: flexicare@villageglen.com.au Southern Peninsula News 11 September 2018
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