NEWS DESK
‘Conti’ hopes dashed again Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au THE sale of the heritage listed Continental Hotel at Sorrento has fallen through. Despite believing he had sold the four-storey limestone hotel earlier this month vendor Julian Gerner told The News last week that contracted purchaser LBA Capital was “unable to meet their obligations under the contract of sale”. This is a blow to the experienced hotelier who had been thrilled to pass on the 1875 landmark with plans and permits for apartments and retail after a two-month sales campaign by Colliers International. (“‘Conti’ in new hands – again” The News 9/9/19). The sale price was rumoured to be about $21 million but this could not be confirmed. After the deal was done Mr Gerner said LBA Capital planned to “recommence works on the existing redevelopment as soon as possible”. However, things turned sour over the past 48 hours. “Recent developments have come to light that have caused serious concern surrounding the capacity of LBA Capital to settle on the [hotel],” Mr Gerner said. “While settlement is due to occur next month, I am unsure that the purchaser will be able to meet their obligations under the contract of sale. “I can confirm [that] I have been aware of an unfolding situation with international investors and have been working day and night to come up with an alternate solution should the sale not proceed. “I have informed all key stakeholders of these developments and continue to work closely with Mornington Peninsula Shire, Heritage Victoria and all project consultants to ensure obligations are met and [that] the site is maintained appropriately during this time. While this produces further complexity to an already complex transaction, I remain passionately committed to the delivery of this extraordinary project.”
LBA Capital is embroiled in a legal dispute with Korean-based financier JB Asset Management over plans to provide disability housing under the National Disability Insurance Scheme. LBA Capital is alleged to have breached an agreement to provide the housing with $395 million from JB Asset Management. The accusations against LBA Capital and the freezing of its assets follows the collapse in May of Mr Gerner’s then joint-venture partner, property developer Steller (“Turnout proves ‘Conti’ dear to Sorrento’s heart” The News 8/7/19). At that stage Mr Gerner was talking about finding a buyer by the end of July able to pay the $25 million asking price for the Continental and resilient enough to run the gauntlet of planning, heritage and legal strictures to get property into a viable state.
Peninsula’s future EDWARD O’Donohue, MP for Eastern Victoria and shadow attorney general is coming to Red Hill “for a casual evening [on] the importance of preserving our green wedge agricultural land for the future” and truffle farming. The Liberal Party fundraiser, 5-7pm Saturday 12 October is at the Red Hill Truffle Farm, 235 Arthurs Seat Road, Red Hill. Tickets: $49. Email events@nepeanliberals.org or call 0491 077 447.
Musicians in concert PENINSULA Chamber Musicians will play a concert at Beleura House, Mornington 1.30pm on Saturday 5 October. Tickets and details: www.peninsulachambermusicians.com.au. The musicians will play with guest conductor Ingrid Martin at 2pm Saturday 9 November at the All Saints Anglican Church, Rosebud. Tickets: www.trybooking.com/459768 and 2pm Sunday 10 November at the Peninsula Community Theatre, Mornington. Tickets: www. trybooking.com/459771.
Open air burning October 2019 Removal of some restrictions on Open Air Burning for October 2019 The Shire’s Open Air Burning Local Law regulates burning off outside the Declared Fire Danger Period. The changes to the Open Air Burning Local Law for October 2019 removes the previous land size restrictions that prohibited open air burning on land less than 1,500 square metres without a permit from Council. Open Air Burning is permitted on Fridays and Saturdays between the hours of 9am and 4pm on
land less than 1,500 square metres provided that: • No more than 1 cubic metre of vegetation is burnt at any one time. • The fire is not within 10 metres of any neighbouring dwelling. • The General Fire Safety Provisions are followed at all times. Current Open Air Burning regulations for land above 1,500 square metres and land above 40,000 square metres remain the same.
The removal of Open Air Burning restrictions on land of less than 1,500 square metres will come into effect on 1 October 2019 and expire on 31 October 2019.
For more information visit our web page or contact the Environment Protection Unit: mornpen.vic.gov.au/openairburning 5950 1050 PAGE 8
Students’ call to action
Southern Peninsula News 25 September 2019
Continued from Page 1 Speaking before a sea of mainly young faces, Cr Simon Brooks said the shire is working on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the effects of climate change. (“Peninsula’s climate emergency” The News 12/8/19). Students addressing the crowd included a nineyear old primary school boy, a year 12 girl and a Deakin University student. They spoke of their concerns for rising sea levels and a warming climate, and the impact this is having on birds, fish and animals – and people. The students are advocating for no new coal, oil or gas projects in Australia; 100 per cent renewable energy generation and exports by 2030, and funding for a transition and job creation plan for all fossil fuel workers and communities. After the rally a long column weaved its way up Main Street to the office of Mornington MP
David Morris, only to find it was unattended. “By taking time off school and working together around the world, we’ll show our politicians that people everywhere want climate justice and we’re not going away until we get it,” says the School Strike 4 Climate event description. “We’ll strike in solidarity for everyone who’s already being hurt by the climate crisis and everyone who will be impacted if we don’t act now: workers, first nations’ peoples, young people, mining communities and more.” The demonstrations were held three days before the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York, which aims to bolster ambition and accelerate actions to implement the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Speaker Angus Boyd-Bell, 9, in grade 4 at Balnarring Primary School, said climate change was important because he had grown up spending
Set up a local Reduce Reuse market stall Recycle for free! October is Buy Nothing New Month During October, the Shire is offering free community market stalls to help you give your things a second life and reduce waste to landfill on the Peninsula. Limited stalls available. Terms and conditions apply. Tips for reducing your waste: • Look in your own home before buying new • Buy second-hand at an op shop or community market • Give your things a second life – repair, swap, donate or sell • If you need something new, shop local and bring reusable bags
Participating markets Upcycle Market Saturday 12 October, 10am - 12 pm Advance College Hastings Crib Point Community Market Saturday 12 October, 9am - 1 pm Crib Point Community House Sustainable Celebration Saturday 19 October, 9am - 1pm Rosebud Memorial Hall Zero Waste Festival Sunday 20 October, 11am - 2pm Rye Community House Main Ridge Day - the sustainable way Sunday 27 October, 10am - 3pm Main Ridge Recreation Reserve
If you’re interested in running a stall at markets listed, register your interest today by contacting our Waste Education Officer: amy.yang@mornpen.vic.gov.au 5950 1634