NEWS DESK
Dead end on diesel spill Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au NEITHER the EPA nor Melbourne Water has been able to trace the source of a diesel leak in foreshore drains at Safety Beach and Dromana. Despite a four-month investigation in which booms were laid at the mouth of a large drain at Safety Beach and odours traced as far upstream as Rainier Avenue, Dromana, the contamination continues. Residents say diesel fumes and sheen is evident in water from a drain near the intersection of Marine Parade and Point Nepean Road, opposite a service station. A kilometre south at Dromana diesel odours are still noticeable in a smaller drain opposite another service station. The issue flared when a Safety Beach resident complained of diesel fumes after bathing opposite Marine Drive, Dromana (“Diesel fumes taint sand, water” The News 17/4/2019). Rob Debernardi said the drain opposite a long-established BP service station was flowing strongly after heavy rain. “I scooped up a handful of wet sand and smelled it and there was no mistaking [the diesel smell],” he said. “I could also see the sheen [of diesel] floating on the water.” Last week Melbourne Water manager John Woodland said booms at its outlet near the BP station were aimed at “providing an immediate response to the spill”. “These booms were in place for a couple of months until the issue was considered resolved,” he said.
May. “Finding the source of odours, especially when coming through complex drain systems, can be difficult as the odour may be detected further upstream than the actual contamination, which can provide ‘false leads’,” spokesman John Rees said. “Some sources of contamination
VISITORS to the Sorrento Community Centre open day next month can try a new game sensation called Pickleball. The indoor game is a cross between tennis, badminton and table tennis. It suits all ages, with tactics more important than agility or strength. There are also positive social element. To learn more about Pickleball check out: pickleball-the-biggestsport-youve-never-heard-of Community centre manager Heather Barton said if there is sufficient local interest in the new sport, teams will be formed and a competition organised. “I’m told there is a huge following at Ocean Grove, so I can visualise people going across on the ferry to play there and vice versa,” she said. The open day runs 10am-1pm, Saturday 12 October. The early childhood centre will be open and a range of other activities will include Boomerang Bag group, art and – of course – a barbecue. The centre is at 860 Melbourne Road, Sorrento. Enter from Morce Avenue behind the shopping centre and across the car park from IGA.
Annual meeting of environment group
On the nose: Max Gorman-Batt checks for diesel in the water at Dromana. Picture: Yanni
Last week “high tides” were blamed for preventing Melbourne Water crews from installing a CCTV camera to monitor the Safety Beach drain because it was “unsafe to do so”. In any case, no spill was observed. EPA officers could not determine a source when they investigated in
Get into a pickle at open day
can occur intermittently which makes it difficult for EPA to trace back. This may be the case at Safety Beach which is why EPA will continue to respond to pollution reports in the area. “We encourage the community to report issues as soon as they are observed.”
MORNINGTON Environment Association’s annual meeting will be held 7pm, Thursday 3 October, at the Mornington Library meeting room. The guest speaker is to be advised. BYO plate and drinks. Details: contact morningtonea@ gmail.com
Sharing our views on a smoke free peninsula MEMBERS of the community are invited to share their thoughts on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s draft Smoke Free Environment Policy. Community consultation on the draft Policy is open until Monday 7 October. The initiative stems from the council’s public health and wellbeing plan and the Frankston Mornington Peninsula smoke free charter. The charter encourages the shire, other public land owners, businesses and community groups to provide smoke free public areas and implement programs to reduce smoking rates in the community. Many local businesses have joined the charter by providing smoke-free areas, such as at Bentons Square and
Mornington Central shopping centres. The draft smoke free environment policy, and the charter, support the tobacco and alcohol compliance element of the shire’s food safety program Best Bites. The policy assesses local food businesses on measures they are taking to provide safe and healthy food, use environmentally sustainable business practices, and provide safe and accessible food premises. The draft smoke free environment policy aims to improve our health and wellbeing protecting people from second-hand smoke, de-normalising smoking behaviours (important in discouraging children from taking up smoking), establishing smokefree areas, and supporting those who
have quit or who are trying to quit by removing visual cues and triggers. The shire says state government laws are inconsistent when it comes to limiting smoking on beaches and footpaths: smoking is only banned at patrolled beaches and footpath dining areas, people can smoke at other beaches and on footpath seating where only drinks or snacks are served, and smoking is currently not banned in camping areas or bush reserves. The mayor Cr David Gill said: “The benefits to the health of the community and the natural environment are clear, and as part of our commitment to council’s public health and wellbeing plan, we’re interested to hear from the community about creating a
smoke free Mornington Peninsula.” He urges people to share their thoughts, questions and concerns about the draft policy. “Research has shown that smoking bans at outdoor dining and drinking areas and other smoke free outdoor areas are supported by 73 per cent of Victorians,” he said. “As well, cigarette butts account for nearly half of all litter collected across Australia. “Council is passionate about creating a healthier, happier and cleaner Mornington Peninsula, and is extremely interested in hearing from the community about their thoughts on the draft policy.” Consistent and simple smoke-free laws could help reduce second hand
smoke exposure, encourage families to use public land and local food retailers, and will greatly reduce the amount of cigarette butt litter, he said. Have a say online at: mornpen.vic. gov.au/haveyoursay. Fill in a form available at the shire’s offices at Rosebud, Mornington, Hastings and Somerville. Email submissions to: haveyoursay@mornpen.vic.gov.au with the subject line Draft Smoke Free Environment Policy. Post submissions to: Attention: Environment Protection Unit Re: Draft Smoke Free Environment Policy Mornington Peninsula Shire Private Bag 1000, Rosebud 3939
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18 September 2019
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