Southern Peninsula
South ern Penin
sula
12 April 2016
Your guide to what’s on this weekend for peninsula families
High achiever > Page 3
An independent voice for the community Your weekly community newspaper covering Safety Beach to Portsea For all advertising and editorial needs, call 03
FREE
Morningto n 172 Main
Street
5975 4999
Tuesday 12 April 2016
5973 6424 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au
SMOKE covering much of the slopes of Arthurs Seat on Sunday 3 April was generated by a planned burn designed to make the area safe from future bushfires. See “Burning the Seat for future protection� Page 5 Picture: Yanni
Council loses power over Skylift Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula mayor Cr Graham Pittock sees the state government’s decision to take over planning powers for the Arthur’s Seat Skylift project as a “slap in the face for local government�. Planning Minister Richard Wynne has virtually left council powerless by
Po
rts
ea
to R
ye
Beach Retreats Holiday Property Management We are currently seeking luxury properties to manage......... Our services include: ‡ 3UH and post booking inspections ‡ +DQGOH DOO ERRNLQJV DQG HQTXLULHV ‡ $GYHUWLVLQJ DQG PDUNHWLQJ ‡ +RXVHNHHSLQJ DQG PDLQWHQDQFH Let us take the headache away from you! 3K RU www.beachretreatsvic.com.au
taking control of the $18 million project. “You can forget all about community consultation,� Cr Pittock said. “The community was happy with the way we were handling it. “I can’t think of any of the delays they are referring to.� The project consists of an all-weather gondola-style chairlift that will carry passengers to the top of the summit, a mezzanine level, cafe and kiosk, infor-
mation centre, toilets and office space. It is expected to provide jobs for 20 people. Mr Wynne on Thursday accepted a plea from the Arthur’s Seat Skylift consortium, led by Simon McKeon, to take planning control from the shire as it had “concerns about potential delays�. Mr Wynne’s department will now take responsibility for the project instead of the shire. “Arthurs Seat has the potential to
...Don’t miss securing that wanted prop property perty
Conveyancing Deceased Estates Wills and Power of Attorney Business Law including Leasing & Sale/Purchase of businesses Litigation Court Apperances
5985 - 3211 2247 Point Nepean Rd, Rye
Cr Pittock said the only two issues yet to be signed off on were the Skylift’s operations and waste management plans. He said it was rare for a planning minister to call in a project at this stage: “It’s usually at the start�. “This is just so unusual, we're perplexed. How does a local council work if the minister takes over? We know how local people think.� Continued Page 14
WHAT’S ON AT NEPTOURS
MCCARTHY PARTNERS PTY
Solicitors
be recognised for its postcard views around the world and we want to give the consortium certainty in the planning process so work can get under way,� he said. Cr Pittock said the only delay he could recall was where the developers wanted to change a retaining wall to one that was “lesser and more dangerous� than had been approved. He said the developers had “taken umbrage and had thin skins�.
Immediate access to Bond & Rent nt Move into that property now Fast prompt assistance Easy terms and conditions No upfront fees and charges Pre approval before ďŹ nding a property We can assist with transfer off bonds between properties
*CROWN CASINO – MONTHLY* Casino’s bus program with a great BUFFET lunch (all) $35. Only p/p over the age of 18 permitted. LAST THURSDAY EACH MTH numbers permitting)
JURASSIC WORLD Tue 28 June - All $70 (numbers permitting)
AUSTRALASIAN QUILT CONVENTION Thu 14 Apr - All $65
WE WILL ROCK YOU Wed 14 Sep (a) $115 (p/s) $110
QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET Tue 14 June - All $30 SOUND OF MUSIC Wed 22 June Adults $115 (p/s) $110
MATILDA Wed 6 July (a) $120 (p/s) $110
KINKY BOOTS Wed Nov 2 (a) $140 (p/s) $115
1300 554 470
Neptours
2-4 Chelsea Rd, Chelsea VIC 3196 Fax: 03 9776 2929 Email: info@bondassist.com.au
Phone: 5981 1277
WE CAN ASSIST YOU WITH IMMEDIATE ACCESS S TO BOND AND RENT T
www.bondassist.com.au
www.neptours.com.au
SALES PERMANENT RENTALS HOLIDAY RENTALS COMMERCIAL LEASING
5988 8391 2831 Pt Nepean Rd, Blairgowrie