NEWS DESK
Southern Peninsula
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Snakes warm to weather Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au
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BARRY Goldsmith has warned that this could be an “early year” for snakes. A wildlife controller, snake catcher and wildlife rescuer on the Mornington Peninsula for “close to four decades”, there’s not much about snake catching Mr Goldsmith doesn’t know. “Every year is different,” he said last week. “Some years, the season will start early and the heavy rain we had in August has meant lots of vegetation growth as well as healthy populations of lizards, frogs and rodents [which snakes like to eat]. “I just want people to be aware in the garden and around the home as we have received many calls about snakes and snake sightings over the past three weeks.” Mr Goldsmith said snakes were beginning to become active as the weather warmed and soon would be looking for partners. “If you see a snake and want it gone, it is important to remember that trying to kill it, or catch it yourself, is very dangerous and also illegal if you don't have the proper permit,” he said. “Call a licensed experienced professional snake catcher instead. “If a snake is in your house close the door to the room it is in and run a damp towel along the crack at the bottom of the door so it can’t escape. “Ideally, if you want the snake catcher to do his or her job, you need to keep sight of the snake or at least
Snakes alive: Barry Goldsmith warns residents to beware of unwelcome visitors. Picture: Supplied
watch where it goes.” Snakes were protected by law, so killing a snake in the backyard “just for being a snake” can lead to a fine. Mr Goldsmith said it was wise to limit places where snakes can hide to reduce the chances of attracting them. Also, controlling rodent populations is a good idea: “The smell of rodents can attract a hungry snake.” Tiger snakes and copperheads are
common on the Mornington Peninsula with black snakes around Frankston and eastern browns in the Fingal and Boneo areas. “Snakes are scared of us and will try to get away when they see us, so don't approach one,” Mr Goldsmith said. “Give it a wide berth as they do scare easily.” Details: snakecatchervictoria.com. au
Advertisement
FOOTPATH TAXES Shire Fails Residents
The Mornington Peninsula Shire has imposed a ‘special charge’ (tax) of between $2,200 and $4,400 on residents of Coppin Rd and Point Nepean Road, Sorrento, to build a footpath opposed by nearly 90% of residents.
this policy has not been implemented consistently. It should have applied to the residents of Point Nepean Rd, Sorrento. •
The shire has not adhered to the original cost sharing arrangements between residents and will now subsidise some residents and not others to the tune of thousands of dollars! In multiple cases one neighbour will pay double ($4,400) that of their subsidised next-door neighbour ($2,200). These subsidies are discriminatory and clearly unfair.
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The shire now surveys residents before imposing these special taxes. In all recent surveys residents have overwhelmingly rejected shire proposals. Residents of Coppin Road and Point Nepean Road were never given this opportunity.
Why is this charge unjustified and unfair? •
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This project was advertised in 2015 along with six other footpaths. The remaining five have been abandoned or will be funded by the shire in the face of a backlash from residents. The Coppin/Pt Nepean Rd footpath was incorporated into the shire’s footpath network strategy prioritising footpaths for construction – all fully funded by council. With one exceptionCoppin /Pt Nepean Rd. The shire’s footpath strategy ensures that properties on major roads such as Point Nepean Rd do not pay a footpath tax. Clearly,
The only fair way to address all the above issues is for the shire to acknowledge that its processes have failed affected residents and take all the necessary steps to fully fund this project. It’s the right thing to do.
This advertisement has been sponsored by the residents of Coppin Road and Point Nepean Rd Authorised by B. Holmes - Coppin Rd, Sorrento PAGE 10
Southern Peninsula News 28 August 2019