NEWS DESK
Heavy rain wipes out bay beaches
Woodworkers’ gifts for Christmas
HEAVY rain and un-summery weather late last week was expected to further degrade water quality at peninsula beaches “for at least the next few days”, the Environment Protection Authority says. “There’s a 28 degree day forecasted for Wednesday (19 December) so EPA is encouraging people to check the water quality website before swimming and consider the local pool instead.” Thursday’s thunderstorms dumped as much as 48mm of rain in bayside areas and showers are forecast to continue this week. “These heavy rains will result in poor water quality for a number of days,” EPA marine specialist applied scientist Alison Kemp said. “Heavy rains affect water quality in the bay because, as the rain flows into stormwater drains, it collects everything from leaves and litter to animal waste and chemicals. The stormwater then discharges into the bay. “We know most people aren’t keen to swim while it’s cold and raining, but poor water quality can persist for many days after the rain event when the weather may have improved. “Even though it’s summer, these events are not uncommon for Melbourne and we actually had a similar week of forecast poor quality due to storms last December. “We encourage everyone to keep up to date with daily water quality forecasts at the Yarra and bay websites.” Beach-goers can sign up to receive SMS alerts when water quality at their nominated beaches is poor and see alerts on issues affecting the bay and its water catchments. Ms Kemp said people could help improve water quality by picking up after their dog, putting litter in the bin and washing their car on the grass to stop soapy run-off. This ensures stormwater is as free of contaminants as possible. Report pollution to EPA’s 24-hour hotline 1300 372 842.
WOODWORKERS of the Southern Peninsula (WOSP) have given 750 hand-made wooden toys to Food for All, Salvation Army and the Western Port Christmas Giving Program. Woodworkers’ president John Bayliss said the charities would distribute the toys to families and children in need this Christmas. Mr Bayliss said this was the last year toys would be made at the site as it had been earmarked for the new Rosebud aquatic centre. Toy making would be “interrupted” ion 2019 while a new workshop was built in the Vern Wright Reserve. “While the new workshop is being built, the toy makers are so keen at what they do they have said they would make the toys at home,” Mr Bayliss said. Mike O’Grady from the Westernport Christmas Giving Project said parents will get a food hamper and each child under 12 a toy. Russell Butcher, of Rosebud Salvation Army, said his organisation’s distribution system “allows the parents to select the toys”. Food for All’s Ken Northwood said his group provided 2400 food parcels a week “and with [the help of the woodworkers] are able to provide toys for young children”. WOSP session leader John Parrent said the toymakers, aged from 70 “to the late 80s … like to make toys that help young children to interact with their parents or elders”.
Wet summer: The weather forecast was for one month’s rain in a day and, as these pictures show, early campers, a truck driver and businesses were all affected by the deluge. Pictures: Yanni
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19 December 2018
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