NEWS DESK
Time is tight for budget comment
MORNINGTON Peninsula mayor David Gill, third from right, out shopping at Mornington’s Wednesday market with a Chinese film crew. Picture: Supplied
Mayor’s tasty shopper reward MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Cr David Gill wore his gold chain to go shopping at Mornington’s Wednesday street market. But it wasn’t just the gold adornment that made Cr Gill stand out among the crowd, it was also the small party of fellow shoppers he was leading, followed all the time by a film crew.
The mayor’s shopper “reward” came a later when the market’s fresh produce was used by a three-star Michelin chef to make Chinese meals for a dinner at Barmah Park Restaurant and Cellar Door, Moorooduc. The shopping expedition, making and eating of the meal was all part of a “reality TV show” being made about food and wine on the peninsula for
broadcast in China, Cr Gill said. The cast and crew also filmed at Hickinbotham of Dromana and several other locations. “They bought organic food at the market as well as going to the fish shop and butcher’s,” Cr Gill said. “The finished meal was a case of eat your heart out, if you weren’t there.” Keith Platt
RATEPAYERS have until Friday (26 April) to comment on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s proposed 2019/20 budget. The mayor Cr David Gill said he had already received “a lot of feedback” from beach box owners facing a rise from a flat $445 a year licence fee to up to $1200 (“Cashing in on beach boxes” The News 9/4/19). Cr Gill last week said licence fees for bathing boxes had been $50 a year in 1980 but since then their holders had been able to sell them for “hundreds of thousands of dollars”. “If they’re complaining about the cost, why not put the licence on the market,” he said. Cr Gill said the shire had “listened to your feedback to fund the projects, initiatives and services that meet your needs and expectations” when framing the proposed budget. “The proposed budget includes changes to some elements of the rating strategy, including a focus on green wedge protection and an increase to the waste service charge,” Cr Gill said. The largest expenditure in the $69.9 million 2019/20 capital works budget is $45m preliminary works for the Rosebud Aquatic Centre. Other capital works include: $2.1m Mornington Community Centre; $2m Crib Point Recreation Reserve pavilion and change rooms; $2.3m on buildings; $9.1m roads
and road safety; $2.4m footpaths and trails; $5.4m parks, open spaces and streetscapes; $3.3m drainage; $3.3m leisure and community centres. A $3.8m priority projects program includes integrated transport planning; wastewater management; Tootgarook Wetland and green wedge management; Tyabb-Somerville recycled water scheme; weed management; and township planning. Details: mornpen.vic.gov.au/budget or phone 1300 850 600.
Rates review THE state government last week announced a “full review” of the state’s municipal rating system. Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek said the review will be undertaken by an independent panel led by former Royal Children’s Hospital and City of Melbourne CEO, Dr Kathy Alexander. The panel is expected to present the results of its review in March 2020. Mr Somyurek said the existing rates cap “which has stopped a decade of average annual six per cent increases” would remain. The panel will look at municipal rates and charges; rating exemptions and concessions applying to land; and, the autonomy of local governments to apply a rating system that considers local factors. Details: localgovernment.vic.gov.au
‘Think tank’ to guide future waste strategy A ‘THINK tank’ discussion to help guide the direction of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s waste review will be held tomorrow night (Wednesday 24 April) at the Rosebud council chambers. It comes as the state government drags its feet on waste recovery and recycling processes following the ban on collections from China. The think tank is part of a push by the council to hear community ideas while developing a waste strategy that reflects industry changes as well as supporting the community, shire operations and the environment. The forward planning committee meeting will guide the direction of the council’s waste review. Recommendations from the meeting
will go to the next council meeting for consideration. Anyone wanting to make a three minute verbal submission must RSVP. The mayor Cr David Gill said the council would develop a strategy with community input while continuing its advocacy to the state government. “We want to hear from our community on this important issue that impacts us all,” he said. “Council will be bringing together all ideas from everyday actions to innovation, on everything waste and recycling. “We will continue to advocate to the state government that it address the recycling crisis via the Municipal Association of Victoria and exploring waste to energy technology in
partnership with other metropolitan councils.” Cr Simon Brooks, who represents the council at the Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Forum, said while council was seeking action from all levels of government, members of the community can make changes at a local level. “You can take action in your own home by understanding what waste you generate, how you can avoid it in the first place, and how you can reduce your impact on our environment.” The forward planning committee meeting will be held at the shire offices, 90 Besgrove Street, Rosebud, at 6.30pm. To speak RSVP to waste.strategy@ mornpen.vic.gov.au
To view the shire’s current waste strategy visit: mornpen.vic.gov.au/ ourwastefuture
Green waste disposal RESIDENTS and ratepayers can dispose of green waste for free at Mornington Peninsula Shire’s transfer stations on 3, 4 and 5 May. Green waste includes all types of garden waste and untreated timber, which must be brought to transfer stations by residential vehicles and trailers only. No commercial vehicles or commercial green waste will be accepted. Proof of residency is required, such as a driver’s licence with a current
address or current rates notice. Delays can be expected at the transfer stations, particularly at the beginning and end of each day. Consider using the Tyabb site to avoid delays at Mornington. The Mornington tip can accept only up to three cubic metres of green waste per trip. Transfer stations are at Truemans Road, Rye; McKirdys Road, Tyabb, and Watt Road, Mornington. Opening hours are 8am-4pm Friday and 8am5pm Saturday and Sunday. Residents living in the “urban area” of the shire can also pay extra for a 240 litre fortnightly kerbside green waste bin collection. Details: call 1300 850 600 or 5950 1000 or visit mornpen.vic.gov.au/ greenwaste
FAMILY GENERAL PRACTICE Are you looking for a holistic approach to your family’s health? The best way to look after your health is making sure you look at the whole picture. Medicare rebate applies to all services.
OUR DOCTORS Dr Michelle Woolhouse I Dr Preveena Nair I Dr Caitlin O’Mahony Dr Angela Tallarida I Dr Sarita Jassal
Wednesday 9-6 Thursday 9-5 Friday 9-5
NOW OPEN Saturday 9-1 TAKING NEW PATIENTS
ALLIED TEAM
Dietician - Kaitlyn Anderson I Psychologist - Ryan Morgan Family Counsellor - Deeva Richardson I Practice Nurse - Heather Step TCM Acupuncture and Remedial Masseur - Dr Stephen Wilson Clinical Psychologist - Ms Kerrie Salsbury
esize to M14 and make
Week-day hours Monday 9-5 Tuesday 9-5
113 Boneo Rd, Rosebud P. 5986 4229
Facebook.com/wholemedicinerosebud
wholemedicine.com.au Southern Peninsula News
24 April 2019
PAGE 3