NEWS DESK
Budget seeks to be ‘balanced, friendly’ WINNERS and losers in Mornington Peninsula Shire’s 2019/20 budget include $25 million towards the Rosebud Aquatic centre and beach box owners being hit with increased annual fees. The state government has set a 2.5 per cent cap on rate rises, although the shire has changed its rating strategy – and raise more money - to “focus on green wedge protection” and increased the waste collection costs. The mayor Cr David Gill said the budget was “balanced and community friendly”. Money to for boat ramps had been left out of the budget in anticipation of them being taken over in spring by the state government. Cr Gill said councillors had included “many of community-building aspirations” that came from consulting the public in the lead up to adopting the budget earlier this month. “Each year, council devises a budget to deliver the best outcomes for the needs and aspirations of our community,” he said. “The 19/20 budget is fair, financially responsible and is delivered with some of the lowest rates of any council in Victoria.” He said “elements of the budget focus on community capacity building, backing our volunteer sector and supporting the overall health of our residents”. “The budget supports our vision to
value, protect and improve the unique characteristics and way of life on our peninsula, while being financially responsible and delivering efficiencies and high-quality services.” Included in the budget is $8.3m for township beautification; $2.7m to maintain of stormwater drains; $5.1m providing for roadside vegetation; $1.4m for to lessen and adapt to the effects of climate change; $5.4m for parks, open space and streetscapes; $3.9m for bushland and foreshore reserves; and $35.4m for waste services. Listed under “our connectivity” is $12.5m to manage roads, paths, traffic and transport and $1.7m for school crossings in high risk locations. Another $1.6m is for “economic development and tourism programs designed to promote the region, industry development and visitor servicing”. The biggest single budget building item is $25m towards the next phase of the Rosebud Aquatic Centre. Another $3.1m in capital works goes towards recreational leisure and community facilities; $4.9m for child and family health and youth services; and $1.9m to arts and culture. CEO John Baker, in the introduction to his first budget for the shire, said he had “inherited a sustainable budget” but saw “challenges in the current environment”. He said the shire was eighth lowest Victorian municipality for
averaged rates and charges in 2018. “Our total operating cost per assessable property is one of the lowest in the state ($1407 compared to the state average of $2566). This indicates that the shire is delivering essential services very efficiently, compared to the other 78 councils throughout the state. “Despite our strong financial position, with cash reserves of over $40 million, the current rate capping environment creates challenges.” Mr Baker said the budget’s projected spending of $164 million, included $70.4m on capital works “a 42 per cent increase in funding for important shire projects”. He said construction of the $45m Rosebud Aquatic Centre would in the second half of this year with a view to being completed in late 2020. Other major capital building works included $2.1m for the Mornington Community Centre, and $2m on the pavilion at Crib Point Recreation Reserve. He said $9.1 million would be spent on road renewal and road safety improvements to make the shire a Towards Zero municipality. The $1.4m allocated to lessen climate change continued the shire’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2021. Copies of the 2019/20 budget can be downloaded at mornpen.vic.gov.au/ budget. Keith Platt
Lighting up: Tour guide Janice Haynes has arranged activities to mark the 160th anniversary of the lighthouse at Cape Schanck.
Cape’s brilliant history ON 30 June light from the Cape Schanck lighthouse will have been shining into Bass Strait for 160 years. Now automated and using LED globes from the Sealight company in Somerville, lighthouse keepers and their families once carefully maintained the light. Burning oil lanterns produced the original light with hand wound clockwork providing the movement. This was followed by kerosene mantle burners and then electricity, with an array of globes and electric motors to turn the lens. Janice Haynes, who will be running activities to mark the lighthouse’s 160 years, says records show it has never failed to provide “that beacon of light into the darkness” for 58,400 consecutive nights. Ms Haynes is director of The Lady of History, the licenced Parks Victoria tour operator on the site and Victorian representative on the executive com-
mittee of Lighthouses of Australia. She says the Cape Schanck light is considered to be the most authentic and intact light station in Australia; its light shining from its “first order lens, the largest size lens for ocean lights, commissioned from Chance Brothers in Birmingham in 1858, and installed at Cape Schanck in 1859”. Weekend activities organised by Ms Haynes include climbing the stone steps to the lamp room with its mahogany timberwork; whale watching from the lighthouse balcony; history talks; and children’s activities. Lighthouse tours will be held 11am to 3pm on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June, with official speeches at 4.30pm on the Saturday followed by a cocktail party at 6pm at the Views Cape Schanck Hotel. Details: www.facebook.com/ lighthousecapeschanck or call Janice Haynes on 0407 348 478, email: jhaynes@ncable.net.au
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Shop 8a, 1-13 Tyabb Road (cnr Nepean Hwy) Mornington PAGE 12
Southern Peninsula News 26 June 2019
IF you are looking for some school holiday inspiration to keep the kids entertained, hop aboard Western Port Ferries to visit the Island Whale Festival, Phillip Island and receive 10%* off Western Port Ferry tickets. The annual festival runs from Friday 5 July to Sunday 7 July and celebrates the arrival of the humpback and southern right whales. Gather the kids and take them on a nautical adventure sailing with Western Port Ferries from Stony Point to Cowes to visit the annual event. The festival offers a a host of activities for the whole family. There are load of activities walking distance from Cowes jetty, so you can hop off the ferry and wander the idyllic township of Cowes in search of whale inspired fun. Many festival activities are free, or low cost can be found in venues along Thompson Avenue, Cowes main street and at the Cowes Cultural Centre including: Whale art cushion making: Children can create their own cushion to snuggle up during winter using calico and acrylic paint. Ages 5 to 12 years.
Whale Songs and Stories - Creative Collaborations: Indigenous and non-Indigenous musicians will collaborate in sharing songs and stories about whales. Clay Marine Creatures Workshop: Come and get creative with the clay making workshop and make your very own whale or favourite sea creature to take home. Make the trip from Stony Point to Cowes aboard Western Port Ferries MV Naturaliste, an impressive fast catamaran, that can carry up to 95 passengers. The ferry has comfortable seating, large viewing windows along with outside deck seating on the lower and upper levels. *To get 10% off your ferry ticket use the promo code WHALES when booking online. Valid for travel in June and July. See the Whale Festival Program: www.islandwhales.com.au/ To coincide with the Whale Festival special deal, Naturaliste Tours, French Island is also offering 20% off all tours in June and July. Book online and use the code KOALAS. Visit naturalistetours.com.au/
to cowes SAIL Island Whale Festival 5 - 7 July, 2019
Get 10% off with Western Port Ferries in June & July visit westernportferries.com.au/whales westernportferries.com.au or call 03 5257 4565