NEWS DESK
Mooring fees tied up to make a profit Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au THE mooring permit holders have accused Parks Victoria of “gouging” and using unfair practices that do not allow pro-rata payments. Kim Stringer, of Rye, who holds a mooring permit at Blairgowrie, said the authority was in many cases getting several payments for the one permit. She said she was surprised when, after signing up for a 12-month permit In December last year, she was then sent a bill just two months later for another 12 months. It seemed unusual, she said, given that the permit was not even close to expiring when she took it over, but had been paid in full by the previous holder.
“So, because I took on the permit before the start of the permit year, I had to pay in full and then in full again when the permit year started, this is wrong on so many levels,” Ms Stringer said. “Why do I have to pay again, admin fees and other costs can’t be that high? I know the previous permit holder didn’t get a refund, so that’s three payments for the same mooring. “That’s unfair and that’s gouging.” Ms Stringer said she wanted the issue exposed to try to bring about change, but that Parks Victoria told her that it was a government department and “it can do what it likes”. “I know other people in the same situation, and we all think it’s crazy,” she said. District manager Graeme Davis said Parks Victoria issued thousands of permits for moorings and berths within Port Phillip and Western Port, with all fees set annually from
the beginning of each financial year. “The vessel mooring fees in Port Phillip and Western Port are among the lowest in Australia,” he said. The $122 annual mooring fee for Blairgowrie, allows holders to moor a vessel for the year. The permits expire in February with the annual fee due in March. Parks Victoria says a permit transfer or establishment fee may also be charged to cover administrative costs, which allows them to cover part of the costs of managing and administering over 3500 moorings across more than 80 fields. Parks does not offer a pro-rata on any fees or charges, with all piers, jetties, harbours, and permits are non-transferable, except in certain circumstances. However, there are destination and seasonal moorings for shortterm boating enthusiasts.
Liberal support for ‘save pier’ campaign Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au FLINDERS MP Greg Hunt has waded into the debate over saving an historic wooden section of Flinders pier. Mr Hunt says it is “essential that any historical and environmental impacts are meticulously considered” by the state government which has earmarked a 180 metre section of the pier for demolition. Nepean MP Chris Brayne said the pier issue would be open to “a 60 day community consultation in the near future”. “When this opens, I’ll be advising the whole Flinders community to submit their views on the pier,” he said. Charles Reis, of Flinders Community Association, says the pier fell into disrepair because Parks Victoria “failed to undertake proper maintenance as it should. [It] failed to detect a leaking galvanised pipe that caused one of the piles to collapse and the pier to be closed” (“Pier ‘fact sheet’ taken” The News 26/10/21). Mr Hunt, who is not standing at the federal election expected in May, last week said that the Liberal candidate for his seat shared his support of the campaign to save Flinders pier. “Perhaps even more importantly, my successor as the Liberal candidate for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie, is incredibly passionate about saving Flinders pier,” he said. “I have made representations to the [state] Minister for Ports and Freight,
LIBERAL Party candidate for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie, above, who, according to Flinders MP Greg Hunt, shares his support of the campaign to “save Flinders pier”. Scavenging support: The annual McCrae Seaside Scavenge provided an opportunity for Flinders Community Association to continue its campaign to save a section of Flinders pier from demolition and a chance for the association’s Charles Reis (right) to speak about the issue with (from left) the mayor Anthony Marsh, Cr Debra Mar, Mary Iles and Cr Kerri McCafferty. Pictures: Supplied Melissa Horne to make her aware of the concerns held by many in our community.” The new State Liberal Member for Eastern Victoria, Cathrine BurnettWake has also weighed into the save Flinders pier issue by visiting the pier and in a Facebook post. "Flinders Pier holds a special place in the hearts of its local community,” Ms Burnett-Wake said. "I strongly support the conservation of our important heritage sites and
marine ecosystems to ensure future generations can enjoy them as much as we have.” Flinders Community Association says plans to demolish the old wooden section of the pier were first revealed in leaked documents. The association has since applied for the pier to be heritage listed. A heritage review by Heritage Victoria is expected to be completed by June. “The pier attracts nearly 500,000
visitors per year and contributes $8million to $10million to communities across the Mornington Peninsula,” Mr Reis said. "We have a small museum at the pier, run by volunteers, which celebrates the pier’s unique contribution to our history. To pull down the very thing that the museum is dedicated to, makes no sense.” Details about the Save Flinders Pier campaign were on display at last weekend’s McCrae Seaside Scavenge which
saw several hundred people collect about 240kg of debris from the beach. Mr Reis said community groups across the peninsula should “join together” on issues that affect everyone. He said the planned demolition at Flinders pier and the closure of the outer section of the Dromana pier were connected. “The one common theme is the absence of consultation and poor communication before decisions are made.”
• INDOOR/OUTDOOR FURNITURE • HOMEWARES • GIFTWARE • TABLES • CHAIRS • LOUNGES • CUSHIONS • BAR TABLES AND STOOLS • SUN LOUNGES • MARKET UMBRELLAS • MASSIVE RANGE OF RATTAN • LAMPS • JEWELLERY • ARTWORKS AND MUCH, MUCH MORE
OPEN 7 DAYS
NE W CO NTA INE R S ARRI VI NG REGUL ARLY!!!
2/1 COLCHESTER ROAD, ROSEBUD
5986 6778
Southern Peninsula News
23 February 2022
PAGE 3