Southern Peninsula
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Journalists: Stephen Taylor, Brodie Cowburn 5974 9000 Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Advertising Sales: Ricky Thompson 0425 867 578 or ricky@mpnews.com.au Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production/Graphic design: Marcus Pettifer, Dannielle Espagne Group Editor: Keith Platt 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Craig MacKenzie, Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Ben Triandafillou ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group, PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@mpnews.com.au Web: mpnews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURSDAY 1 JULY 2021 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: WEDNESDAY 7 JULY 2021
An independent voice for the community We are the only locally owned and operated community newspaper on the Mornington Peninsula. We are dedicated to the belief that a strong community newspaper is essential to a strong community. We exist to serve residents, community groups and businesses and ask for their support in return.
NEWS DESK
New rental laws ‘make life fairer’
PENINSULA Community Legal Centre has praised recent changes to Victoria’s rental laws, which include the introduction of “basic standards” and which limit rent rises to once a year, as making renting “fairer for everyone”. It says the revamped laws “strike a better balance between strengthening renters’ rights and protecting vulnerable tenants while providing appropriate protections for owners”. The legal centre aims to assist tenants living in private rental properties. For more than a decade it says it has supported tenants who “have not been given a fair go under the previous laws which created a power imbalance that favoured landlords”. The centre was responding to (“Perfect storm leaves renters out in the cold” The News 22/6/21) which pointed to a potential crisis in the lack of availability of rental properties on the Mornington Peninsula. The centre described the rental reforms, which came into effect at the end of March, as a “big step forward in correcting previous imbalances in the
system that allowed landlords to rent out properties, often for high rents, that did not provide basic amenities, such as functioning stoves, heating and deadlocks or have safety measures for gas, electricity and smoke alarms”. These are covered by the new laws. “The changes to the law mean that renters in Victoria are now provided with some of the basic protections that have existed elsewhere in the world for a long time,” the centre’s CEO Jackie Galloway said. “It is only fair that rental properties must meet basic standards that make them safe and liveable.” Other changes in the law relate to issues that can have a “big impact on renters’ quality of life, such as being allowed to have a pet or nail picture hooks in the wall”. While the new laws have been criticised by some as being “too tough” on owners, many of the reforms address basic things which most Victorians would expect to be allowed to do in their own home, Ms Galloway said. “The new laws enable people to turn the house they rent into a home. They
are not about maintaining a property to a luxury level, they are about maintaining it at a basic liveable level,’ she said. “The reforms won’t require huge changes for those who are already providing safe and secure rentals.” The centre has seen an increase in the number of renters facing eviction in the past two months. “Since the COVID moratorium on evictions ended in March we have seen more renters receiving notices to vacate due to ongoing financial stress as a result of the pandemic,” Ms Galloway said. “It is important for renters to seek advice and act quickly to avoid the possibility of having to leave the rental property with nowhere to go.” Anyone who has been served a notice-to-vacate their private rental property or who needs advice on the new laws or other general renting matters, such as getting repairs done, can call the Peninsula Community Legal Centre for free advice on 9783 3600 or email pclc@pclc.org.au.
Dromana speed cuts to make streets safer SPEED limits in a host of Dromana streets will be cut to 40kph. This follows the Safer Residential Areas community consultation process in 2018 when 77 per cent of respondents told Mornington Peninsula Shire that vehicles were travelling too fast in residential streets and around the town. The project was approved for funding through the federal government’s Black Spot Program. The 40kph limits will affect streets including William, Seacombe, Car-
rigg, Beach, Pier, Odonahue, Heales, Verdon, Codrington, Permien, Foote, Clarendon, Hodgkinson, Ligar, James, Marcus, Judith, Noel, Marna, Solander, Graeme, Seacombe, Williams, Karadoc, Gibson, Arthur Seat and Francis, as well as Spencer, Joan and Watson avenues, and Palm Grove. Kangerong Avenue will be 50kph for its full length to Mary. A new compact roundabout will be installed at the intersection of Ligar and Codrington streets, near Dromana Pri-
mary School, which the shire says will allow motorists to “better anticipate the intersection and adjust their speed accordingly, reducing both the likelihood and severity of collisions at this site”. Compact roundabouts are said to be cost-effective compared with a standard roundabout but have a strong impact on safety by reducing fatal and serious injury crashes by about 85 per cent. Works are under way on the roundabouts which are due to be completed by 15 July.
When there’s no place like home Our communities are open for private inspections in line with current COVID-safe industry guidelines. Contact us to find out more and make a booking. australianunity.com.au
Racecourse Grange Aged Care
Peninsula Grange Retirement Community
Racecourse Grange is a stylish and sophisticated aged care residence designed with comfort and care in mind.
Designed to offer you the ultimate in convenient and relaxed retirement living, Peninsula Grange offers a choice of two- or three-bedroom apartment or villa residences. Each residence also has a single or double car garage with secure internal access for lock-up-and-go convenience.
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428 Racecourse Road, Mornington 1300 282 604 racecoursegrange@australianunity.com.au
While all the amenities of Mornington are nearby, activities and entertainment are right on your doorstep. Keep yourself active in the gym, hit the bowling green or take a dip in the pool. Or relax in the library before pampering yourself in the hair and beauty salon. You will find what you need to make each day enjoyable.
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Peninsula Grange Aged Care
Morven Manor Retirement Community
From the moment you arrive at Peninsula Grange Aged Care, you will notice the bright open spaces along with quality, style and innovation of design.
Steeped in history and located in the heart of Mornington, Morven Manor provides a place of tranquility while remaining connected to the vibrancy of the local community.
Each of our private rooms has been purpose-built to enhance your mobility, accommodate your changing needs and afford you your privacy and independence.
Offering a selection of private and secure residences, enjoy the surrounding lush landscaped gardens with towering Norfolk pines or venture to the historical community centre, the Manor House, a hub of social activity and events.
2 Booker Avenue, Mornington 1300 291 013 peninsulagrangeagedcare@australianunity.com.au Respite care | Permanent residential care | Memory support | Palliative care
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Southern Peninsula News
30 June 2021
77 Tanti Avenue, Mornington 1300 271 389 morvenmanor@australianunity.com.au