NEWS DESK
Protective birds are swooping into spring SPRING can mean many things: flowers, lawn mowing, weather warming, going for walks and bike rides. It can also mean swooping birds. Magpies, much admired for their warbling, seem to be the most feared of the winged warriors, although outdoor eaters in Mornington would most likely nominate seagulls as the biggest threat. There are several other bird species that can become aggressive when nesting or protecting their young, but magpies and seagulls are the most common. “Bird swooping is part of life in Australia, as we share our environment with native wildlife,” environmental compliance manager at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Suriya Vine, said. “Swooping occurs every year during breed-
ing season and is largely a defensive manoeuvre carried out by some male birds when we come within close range of eggs or fledgling birds. “They are simply taking action to deter any threat to their young. “Being swooped by a territorial bird isn’t pleasant and can even cause injury. But the swooping is seasonal, healthy bird behaviour and so, if possible, the best response is to keep away from the area.” Ms Vine warned that it is illegal to harm native birds and offences can result in fines or impressment. “It is up to us to co-exist peacefully with wildlife and respect it.” To report a swooping incident by any species of bird on Victoria's swooping bird map, visit delwp.vic.gov.au/environment-and-wildlife/
wildlife/swooping-birds BirdLife, Australia says the swooping season has begun earlier than usual with many incidents reported in the latter part of winter. Protecting against swooping birds n Know swooping hotspots n Avoid the area n Move quickly n Cover your head n Draw eyes on the back of hats and helmets. n Don’t interfere with or throw stones at birds. n Do not destroy nests n Don’t feed swooping birds n Travel in a group n Put up warning signs for others who may not be aware that there are swooping birds in the area or ask your council to do so. Keith Platt
SOME of the property owners hit by the nerw green wedge rating policy, from left, Paul Whitaker, Sandra Miller, Shelley Whitaker, Angela Hay, Bruce Hay, Michelle Levenspiel and Ian Miller. Picture:Supplied
Irate at green wedge rate increase Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au RESIDENTS of green wedge properties hit with 20 per cent rates increases say they are at a “dead end” after writing to councillors and politicians in protest. The rates increase affects 724 Mornington Peninsula Shire green wedge properties under two hectares. They are aimed at property owners said to be enjoying the benefits of a green wedge lifestyle while not participating in activities conducive to that zoning, such
as farming. Paul Whitaker, of Red Hill, said residents hit by the jump in the Rural Living Rate were “shocked” . He said the rate introduced this year affected residents whose land holding was less than two hectares. All those in one Red Hill street have been hit. Thirty-year resident Sandra Miller said she initially thought there “must have been a mistake” when she opened her rates’ notice. “The council has not been transparent in the introduction of this,” she said. “This 20 per cent increase on top of our already sizeable rates is com-
pletely unfair.” She said she the shire would not tell her which councillors voted for and against the rate increase. Mr Whitaker said while his rates had risen 20 per cent his property valuation had only gone up by 0.8 per cent. “Is council just trying to fill their coffers? Any comment that it’s there to protect the green wedge is unsubstantiated. The council is manipulating Daniel Andrew’s Fair Go on Rates 2.5 per cent rate cap to introduce an extra loading on some rates.” On Thursday 19 September residents met at Ms Miller’s house to voice
their dismay at the “aggressive” rates increase. They say they will continue to ask the shire to review it and have asked the councillors who voted for it to answer their questions. “Other residents of the green wedge with land areas of less than two hectares should check their rates notices, and, if aggrieved, make a submission when the pre-budget submission portal opens on 17 October,” Mr Whitaker said. “The more input the council receives the more weight will be given to the problem, so call or e-mail your councillors.” Mr Whitaker said council communi-
cation “could certainly be improved”. “People affected in a negative way should be sent notification of the intended changes and invited to make a submission,” he said. Cr Hugh Fraser said the affected residents “gained greater value than the general ratepayer from the programs and policies which protect the green wedge and their rural residential amenity”. He said the extra rates they paid for living within the green wedge would go towards reducing rates charged to general ratepayers and the owners of larger properties there.
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25 September 2019
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