NEWS DESK
Guide to help homeless A NEW Mornington Peninsula Housing Services Guide aims to help people overcome housing-related problems. It can assist them to identify where to go for advice about particular problems and seeks to simplify what may appear to be a complex and confusing system. The peninsula guide has been released at a time when “rough” campers in the Melbourne CBD are ruffling official feathers. Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle is said to be about to propose a controversial bylaw outlawing sleeping in the city’s streets.
The peninsula guide contains a comprehensive list of contacts for legal advice/advocacy, financial assistance and information about public/ community housing and rooming houses. It offers those who are homeless, or who have a housing problem linked with other issues, such as mental health, or who are at risk of domestic violence, help in connecting to the most appropriate service. The guide complements the role of Salvo Care Eastern, Rosebud, which is the peninsula’s principal homelessness and housing agency, as well as many other services offering a range
of support and information. Mornington Peninsula mayor Cr Bev Colomb said the shire recognised the importance of secure and affordable housing. “[It] is becoming less affordable for many members of the community and the problem is so large that we need to look for solutions to assist a growing number of people.” The guide is available at all shire offices and community support and information centres. For online copies visit mornpen.vic.gov.au/helpguides For broader housing policy and research issues visit mornpen.vic.gov. au/housing or call 5950 1099.
Paramedic claims roster ‘blend’ cuts service Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au A PARAMEDIC fears changes to the roster will leave Rosebud residents without a vital ambulance service during busy nightshifts. The man, who asked not to be named but whose identity is known to The News, said the Rosebud and Rye joint ambulance branch had applied for and received approval to reduce its services in what he termed a “blended” roster. He said it would only take one interhospital transport (“of which there are many”) for the Rosebud night shift to be taken out of the area for several hours – depleting Rosebud of its only
local resource. “While it could be claimed that there will be no net loss of truck hours there will be only one night shift resource from 1am to 6.30am instead of two,” the paramedic said. “That’s a 50 per cent reduction in night coverage.” The claims have been refuted by Ambulance Victoria regional director Cath Anderson: “The Rye ambulance and the Rosebud ambulance are 24hour resources based at the Rosebud ambulance branch. We have no current plans to change the rostering of these two resources.” The paramedic said staff may claim that, statistically, the branch workload “quietens down” at 1am. “I can assure you that this is not the case,” he said. “Three hour minimum
inter-hospital transports to Frankston are still occurring at all hours – frequently. “Also, the Rye truck was government funded to provide 24-hour coverage. It will now only work daylight hours. Rosebud residents are being ripped off.” The paramedic said ambulance management would try to sell what he termed a roster change as a “trial” aimed at managing staff fatigue. “This may be true, but it should not be at the expense of the health of the peninsula. “It may also increase the fatigue of neighbouring stations, and decrease their availability for their own areas, while covering the Rosebud area workload.”
Heat blast: The aftermath of a fire possibly caused by overheated air conditioner.
Fire warning for coolers Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au FRANKSTON and Mornington Peninsula fire officers have issued a warning to have air cooling and heating systems serviced after two house fires over the weekend of 7 until 8 January. The fires in Seaford and Carrum Downs were among five in outer metro-Melbourne that fire crews believe were related to air-conditioners or evaporative cooling system. The families were home at the time of the fires and were able to escape, but both the houses were damaged. Carrum Downs station captain Steve Rhodes said investigations were continuing, but air cooling systems were likely to be the cause in both instances. CFA state fire investigation coordinator Nicole Harvey said all air conditioners and evaporative cooling units should be serviced annually to help prevent problems that could cause an electrical fault or fire. “People should maintain their air conditioners and evaporative coolers by ensuring the dust filters and vent outlets inside the properties are cleaned regularly, along with having
the units regularly serviced according to the manufacturer’s specifications,” Ms Harvey said. “Recent hot weather across Victoria means more people are cooling their homes with systems like evaporative coolers and these incidents may have been prevented had units been checked more regularly.” Mornington CFA captain Gary Bryant said heating units should be serviced at least annually to prevent a build u of dust and dirt, which can cause problems. Ms Harvey said people should also check the latest product safety recalls online. Victoria’s director of energy safety Paul Fearon said not many people took the time to get their units serviced each year. “Regular maintenance not only allows manufacturer’s upgrades and adjustments to be made, it ensures your air conditioner or evaporative cooler will be working safely and efficiently when you need it most,” he said. See productsafety.gov.au/recalls to check evaporative cooling model safety.
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