NEWS DESK
Peninsula has five of bay’s ‘clean’ beaches FIVE Mornington Peninsula beaches make the top 10 of cleanest beaches in Port Phillip, according to summer testing by Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA). Water quality recorded by the EPA over summer saw Eastern Beach, Geelong, The Dell, Portarlington and St Leonards tied at the top. Portsea came fifth and Blairgowrie and Sorrento sixth; Dromana and Rosebud were equal 10th. Over summer the EPA provides twice-daily forecasts for 36 beaches of either good, which equates to suitable swimming conditions, fair, meaning beaches may not be suitable, or poor, which advises beaches are not suitable for swimming. Other peninsula beaches ranked by the EPA were Rye, 12th; Canadian Bay and Mornington 13th; and Mt Martha 16th. Frankston was 34th near the coast guard building and 36th at the lifesaving club. Seaford was 19th. EPA applied sciences group manager Anthony Boxshall said rainfall of more than 10 millimetres was often associated with poor water quality at bay beaches. “While it was quite a dry summer, Victoria experienced prolonged downpours around the Christmas and New Year’s period that contributed to extended periods of poor water quality at all of the 36 beaches that EPA monitors,” Dr Boxshall said. “Unfortunately for beachgoers, most of this rain fell just before or during weekends, and usually just before warmer weather, which is when bay beaches are at their busiest.” Dr Boxshall said that the storms meant EPA forecast poor water quality conditions at beaches for eight per cent of the time in summer, with 15 per cent of forecasts fair and 77 per cent good. “This compares to the 2015-16 summer where we had six per cent poor, 19 per cent fair and 75 nper cent good. However, this two percentage
Beach rating: Blues skies and clear water, Sorrento, above, ranked equal sixth with Blairgowrie out of the 36 beaches in Port Phillip monitored over summer for water quality by Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA). Picture: Yanni
point difference was an increase of about 200 poor forecasts over the summer, and occurred mostly at peak times of beach use,” he said. Dr Boxshall said that Melbourne’s stormwater system and the downhill nature of the landscape towards the bay meant that heavy rain flushed anything on suburban streets into the bay. “Eight major creeks and rivers, and more
than 300 drainage outlets flow into Port Phillip. Sources of this water include about 5000 underground drains that collect Melbourne’s runoff,” Dr Boxshall said. “From there, about 540,000 million litres of stormwater containing around 160,000 tonnes of sediment washes into the bay annually; and remember that the bay itself is only about 25
cubic kilometres.” Dr Boxshall said that looking at such huge numbers showed just how resilient the beach water quality of Phillip Bay is to be able to bounce back to its normal state, on most occasions, within 48 hours. Water quality forecasts are online at www.yarraandbay.vic.gov.au Keith Platt
Rye Township Plan Tell us your ideas Mornington Peninsula Shire is developing a plan for the long term strategic vision for the township of Rye. The plan will set out improvement works and the strategic direction for the foreshore, streetscape and the town centre.
We are seeking feedback and are also holding two interactive ‘design-based’ workshops, where the community can suggest and develop their ideas for the future of Rye.
WHAT’S ON @ MOONAH LINKS
Workshop 2 Thursday 4 May, between 6 – 8.30pm Rye Civic Hall, 12 Napier Street, Rye
RSVP or have your say online coastalplanning@mornpen.vic.gov.au mornpen.vic.gov.au/RyeTownshipPlan
MONDAY @ MOONAH
$50 INCLUDING MOTORISED CARTS
MOONAH DAY SPA MAY SPECIAL
SPOIL MUM THIS MOTHER’S DAY Pamper your Mum this Mother’s Day with a customised 30 minute back massage, 30 Minute Facial & 30 Minute Pedicure - Just $115 in May . OR Unwind with a 30 minute stress relief back massage with complimentary 15 minute scalp massage - Just $55 in May. T&Cs: Applies to the month of May 2017. Cannot be used in conjunction with other specials. All enquiries please contact Moonah Day Spa or hotel reception 5988 2055 or 5988 2000
or email dayspa@moonahlinks.com.au / www.moonahdayspa.com.au
For more information coastalplanning@mornpen.vic.gov.au 1300 850 600
55 Peter Thomson Drive, Fingal 3939 03 5988 2000 www.moonahlinks.com.au Southern Peninsula News 2 May 2017
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