NEWS DESK
Cyclists want to close ‘gaps’ in trail Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au THE Bicycle Network – previously Bicycle Victoria – is urging Mornington Peninsula residents to provide feedback to the shire’s plans to “improve the cycling experience on the peninsula”. The RideSafe Strategy 2020 on display until 11 September aims to attract more cyclists to the peninsula to experience its “alluring rural and coastal attractions, and holiday destinations”. “The Mornington Peninsula has always promised much for riders, with its alluring rural and coastal attractions, and holiday destinations,” the network’s Garry Brennan said. “But delivering on those hopes has been slow and patchy. There is a lot of ground to make up. “There are considerable gaps in the trail network, and potentially great road routes are still hazardous. “The coronavirus pandemic has only highlighted the shortcomings, with many locals struggling to find five kilometres of safe pavement to get their exercise.” The network says two “major gaps” in the trail network look set to be addressed in the new plan: extending the
Breakfast regular with big bill to fill
Peninsula Link trail through to Port Phillip and Western Port bays – which would require linking Moorooduc and Mornington; Mt Martha and Safety Beach and, on the Western Port side, the link between Baxter and Somerville. Four main objectives of the shire’s draft strategy are to improve cycling infrastructure to reduce risk to users; develop a connected cycling network to ensure most areas of the peninsula can be accessed by bicycle; enhance the user experience to encourage more people to cycle; and, educate road and trail users and promote cycling on the peninsula. The network said the draft strategy could “clearly benefit from more data and analysis for use in developing the case for more money for bikes”. “The health and tourism benefits available to the peninsula from an uplift in physical activity and overnight visitation would be considerable,” Mr Brennan said. However, he said there was little in the strategy for the residents of the resort towns, “where footpaths are often missing, and walkers and riders are sharing high speed streets with cars”. To provide feedback online visit: mornpen.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay.
Down the hatch: Ernie the Pelican waits patiently for his breakfast. Picture: Gary Sissons MICHELLE Potter knows she’ll be warmly greeted when she arrives at the Hastings foreshore on Thursday and Friday mornings. Waiting patiently for his breakfast outside her Peninsula Fresh Seafood, business will be Ernie the Pelican … and she is happy to oblige him with his
favourite fishy delicacies. “Shelly” – as she is known – noticed Ernie looking disconsolate when the first COVID-19 lockdown banned boating and the usual fishers were not around to feed him scraps. When he waddled over she knew exactly what he was after.
“He was smart coming over us,” said Ms Potter, who has run the trailer for the past five years. “He makes my day. He’s the only pelican who comes over and it’s pretty amazing to be so close to him.” Ernie has the kind of daily bill that Ms Potter doesn’t mind going unpiad.
New faces set to dominate council Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au JUST five of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s 11 councillors will stand for reelection in October. The five councillors who will recontest their seats are the deputy mayor Kate Roper (Cerberus Ward), David Gill (Red Hill), Hugh Fraser (Nepean) and Antonella Celi and Simon Brooks (Seawinds). None of the three Briars Ward councillors will seek re-election - the mayor Sam Hearn, Bev Colomb and Rosie Clark. Other councillors retiring in October are Julie Morris (Watson Ward), Bryan Payne (Nepean) and Frank Martin (Seawinds Ward).
Although few candidates have declared their intentions to stand, one sitting councillor claims to have compiled “a Melbourne Cup long list” of council aspirants. Voting will be done by post and because of the COVID-19 restrictions candidates will have few chances to meet voters. Local Government Minister Shaun Leane ended rumours to the contrary last week by announcing Victorian municipal elections would proceed as planned on Saturday 24 October, with nominations closing on 22 September. Postal ballots will be accepted from 8 October until poll eve, Friday 23 October. Vote counts will be posted periodically online. Cr Hearn, elected in 2016, said serv-
ing the community over the past four years had been “one of the greatest honours of my life”. “I’ve been particularly glad to have had the opportunity as mayor to make a difference at a time of great challenge and need, and will continue to use every day I have left in the role to do so,” he said. “Unfortunately, I can’t balance four more years working in a demanding management role combined with the significant weekly hours of a councillor and still be a half-decent dad to my young children.” Three-time mayor Cr Bev Colomb, who has represented Briars Ward since 2005, said she would miss her time of service and providing a longer-term view to council decision-making. “I’m known as the Grand Old Dame
WIN AN ESKY
THIS FATHER’S DAY
FULL OF GIFTS valued at
$290
Purchase a main meal for takeaway or home delivery and go into the draw to WIN!
HOME DELIVERY from 12noon to 7.30pm
• • • •
Four Pines Esky Johnnie Walker Black 2x Johnnie Walker Glasses Bottle of Jacobs Creek Le Petit Rose
• Slab of St.Andrews Beach Brewery Beer • 1.9lts Carton Draught Growler • Cap, Beanie, Bottle Opener, Playing Cards
of council,” she quipped. “I feel for any candidates who this year won’t be able to get out and meet their constituents, but I certainly hope we get some younger, community-focused candidates to contest the [Briars] ward.” The Victorian Electoral Commission says it has closely monitored government advice in developing a plan to “safely manage” the elections during the COVID-19 emergency. Electoral commissioner Warwick Gately said postal voting was safe and of high integrity, and that the VEC was ready to respond to the changing environment. He said there would be increased distancing at election offices, limited face-to-face contact and enforced mask wearing. Measures to further safeguard voters
Stubby & Parma
MEAL DEAL* Purchase a PARMA with chips & salad or rosemary chats & vegetables
*YELLOWGLEN YELLOWGLEN Piccolo or Carlton Draught
Drawn Sat 5th Sep 2020.
Delivery available within 10km radius
2415 Point Nepean Road, Rye Ph: 5985 2277
and VEC staff will include the removal of counter service for replacement ballot packs and unenrolled votes. Requests can be made over the phone for replacement packs to be mailed out. Voters can hand deliver completed ballot papers to the election office if they miss mail collection times with social distancing rules in place. Information sessions for candidates will be moved online. It is also expected that additional social distancing during vote counting will delay the declaration of results for some elections by at least a week to Friday 13 November. See the COVIDSafe election plan at vec.vic.gov.au/voting/2020-localcouncil-election/providing-safe-elections
$12 GRAB & GO PREPARED MEALS
AVAILABLE
via Thirsty Camel Drive Thru
LUNCH & DINNER MENU FOR TAKEAWAY AND HOME DELIVERY FROM 12NOON TO 7.30PM
p lu s WE CAN DELIVER YOUR ALCOHOL! www.ryehotel.com.au Southern Peninsula News
26 August 2020
PAGE 3