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Your weekly community newspaper covering Safety Beach to Portsea For all advertising and editorial needs, call 03 AN epic experience on this year’s Great Vic Bike Ride is just what Dromana cyclist Rose Benton needs as she eases back into the sport after a break. Benton is tackling her first Great Vic Ride: the nine-day Ride the Art Silos and the Grampians, Saturday 27 November to Sunday 5 December. The 537-kilometre route is being billed as an “exceptional mix of scenery, art on a grand scale, wildlife, wineries and the awe-inspiring Grampians National Park”. The 37th ride will start in Rainbow and progress through Rainbow, Brim, Horsham for two nights, Halls Gap for two nights, Dunkeld and Pomonal and finish at Great Western. Highlights include the grain lands of Rainbow, Grampians National Park, art silos which are part of Australia’s largest outdoor gallery, a loop ride out of Horsham to arts hub Natimuk, a visit to Pomonal which is famous for its springtime wildflowers, Seppelt Winery and the grain lands of Rainbow. “The Great Vic Bike Ride will be my entry point to get back into bike riding,” said Benton, who is an experienced rider having ridden the 235-kilometre Peaks Challenge in the High Country three times. “In recent times I have had a few crashes and not been riding. “The Great Vic Bike Ride has always
Wednesday 15 September 2021
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been on my bucket list so I thought.” Benton said the Mornington Peninsula was a “mecca” for bike riding. “Whether it is a flat ride along the coast to Point Nepean or the challenge of Arthurs Seat.” Those who can’t get away for the week can join the first five days from Rainbow to Halls Gap or the last three days from Halls Gap to Great Western. More than 3000 people from across Australia are expected to take part. “The ride will show people a different side to the Grampians, with both the riding and off-bike experiences showcasing something new,” Bicycle Network’s general manager of events Rebecca Lane said. “The Great Vic has visited western Victoria and the Grampians previously, however, this time we’re extending to new areas of this spectacular region, with the event giving riders a great taste of the small communities and the local produce the area is famous for. “After a year on ice, we’re excited to get our pedal party back on the road.” Organisers say a COVID Safe plan will follow all Victorian Department of Health guidelines. This includes special start and finish line procedures, physical distancing and hygiene measures at all event sites. Stephen Taylor
‘Great’ ride struck off bucket list
Have bike, will travel: Dromana’s Rose Benton is training for her first Great Vic Bike Ride. Picture: Yanni
COVID driving down to the peninsula Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au A DROMANA school was last week declared a COVID-19 Tier 1 exposure site and closed for deep cleaning. It is believed a contractor who visited Peninsula Specialist College, in Old White Hill Road, introduced the virus, Wednesday 8 September. The mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said schools – especially special schools – were always at risk: “These are vulnerable kids, and their teachers can’t always wear masks because of the [children’s] disabilities. Hopefully no
other cases will erupt.” Other recent Tier 1 sites on the peninsula were BM Hall Kitchens and Cabinets, Progress Street, Mornington and Alpass and Associates in Suffolk Street, Rosebud. The infections came as visitors reportedly flocked to the peninsula in spite of the Chief Health Officer’s regulations banning travel of more than five kilometres. One disgruntled short-stay accommodation provider says rental booking sites are “flouting the law by advertising hundreds of properties for rent despite the supposed lockdown”. The provider, who asked not to be
named, said their business had lost thousands [of dollars] in missed bookings because they were obeying the law while their competitors were “getting away with it”. The COVID-19 restriction checker website says: “Accommodation is closed, except for permitted reasons. Private and public gatherings are not allowed. No new bookings can be made, unless for a permitted reason, such as someone who requires accommodation as an authorised worker.” The provider sent The News screenshots “illustrating the problem that has continued unchecked over 200 days and six lockdowns”.
“Compliant accommodation providers, like ourselves, have closed during all lockdowns and refunded guests all booking fees. No new bookings are allowed so there’s no availability except for essential workers. Like so many businesses we have lost thousands.” However, they claimed it was common knowledge some “tourists” were ignoring the stay-at-home rules. Online booking sites, such as Booking.com, Expedia and Wotif, all listed properties last week, with one even warning prospective guests: “If you change or cancel your booking you will not get a refund or credit to use for a future stay. This policy will apply re-
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gardless of COVID-19, subject to any local consumer laws.” Another property was offering rooms for more than $1000 a night. “What essential worker is likely to pay that money for a room for the night … this is pure opportunism and illegal,” the provider said. “We have tried raising the issue with council and Victoria Police. The council handpasses to VicPol despite enjoying the revenue from permits from each accommodation provider. Revenue minus responsibility equals extra potential to spread the virus on the peninsula.” Continued Page 5