Shire calls for panel to review Carrington development plans Making a splash: Police search for a car reported by early morning walkers who saw it sink in Moorooduc quarry soon after it was driven through a gate from Station St, Mt Eliza. Picture: Gary Sissons
‘Stolen’ car dumped in dam A QUIET morning’s walk at Moorooduc quarry for two friends last week was ruined when a stolen car smashed through wire gates and was driven into the deep water. It is believed two young men had been in the car – one possibly jumping out before it hit the water and the other breaking free and swimming to shore before it sank. Events are unclear as no one actually saw the pair leave the car. Frankston South resident Sharon (surname withheld) and a friend heard a “car come flying through the [locked] gate where the ranger has access”. “We didn’t see it then, but we heard it and later we saw the gate had been ploughed down,” she said. “We saw the car come flying by and then we heard a loud splash in the water.” The car – possibly a Toyota Prado stolen from Frankston South the previous day – was half submerged “nose down and a fair way out” before it sank. “We don’t know if the windows were down, or even if there was anyone in the car at the time,” Sharon said. “It all happened so quickly we can’t make sense of it.” The pair had a split second earlier seen a young man, described as being caucasian, early 20s, long hair, wearing a hoodie, walk past them towards the road. “We assume he was from the car, but have no way of knowing,” she said. “He certainly didn’t look like the people who walk there at seven in the morning.” While calling police they heard another man getting out
of the water. “He was a long way from where the car went down and so we don’t know for sure whether he swam from it or not,” she said. “My friend saw him walk away from the water and disappear. “It freaked us out; it’s not something you expect to see – the whole thing was bizarre. “If we hadn’t been there no one would have seen any of this and no one would know where the car had gone. We feel sorry for the owners. “The whole thing’s been playing on my mind – not knowing if we could have done something to help. “We have the peace of mind knowing that the people got out but, until they pull the car up, we have no real way of knowing if they were the only ones in it. We’ve been in shock.” Search and rescue squad members were called to the quarry on Monday to search for the car but another drama – searching for a man lost in the bush at Merrijig – was given priority. They did not attend the scene until Thursday. Leading Senior Constable Christopher Bird, of Mornington police, said a patrol of the area failed to find the young men. He downplayed suggestions of gang-related activity and said there was nothing to suggest anyone else was in the car when it hit the water. Stephen Taylor
AN independent panel will be asked to assess plans for the contentious Carrington Park redevelopment at Rosebud. The 13 June panel, to be appointed by Planning Minister Richard Wynne, will specifically consider a request to change the development plan overlay relating to the number of housing lots allowed on the 3.27 hectare site. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council last week considered that modifications to owner Storemaker Pty Ltd’s proposal, including reducing its proposed site density, were required “to ensure an appropriate outcome for this site”. The company wants to subdivide the former golf course into 14 residential lots and also revamp the clubhouse – the 1941 grand holiday home of the Moran grocery family – into six apartments. The current overlay allows for 10 lots. The proposed lots would be 707999 square metres. A central parcel of 2165 square metres would contain the existing building. In a report to council, strategic planner James Bryan said the developer’s proposal “does not fully meet [the council’s] objective, and that council would benefit from further advice that would be provided through a panel hearing.” Since 1964 the property in Elizabeth Drive has been run as the Carrington
n m tu
u rA
Park Club, with the old homestead used as the clubhouse for the adjacent Rosebud Country Club golf course. It is now vacant. Eighty-eight objections received during the public exhibition process included a petition with 64 signatures from residents as far away as Rosebud West, Tootgarook, Dromana and McCrae. Contentious points have included changes to the existing heritage-listed building, especially removal of the hipped roof, and development of a third storey above the existing roofline. The shire’s heritage planner has stated that this aspect of the development was “unacceptable”. Other significant issues are loss of view of the building from nearby streets; lack of net community benefit associated with the amendment, and that the proposal will adversely impact upon nearby residential amenity. Storemaker advisor Larry Tyler on Friday confirmed that the company had agreed to not alter the building’s shape, including the shape of the roof, and that the proposed third storey would not go ahead. “We are not going to war with the residents,” he said. “We are meeting with them next week to address their concerns before the 23 May directions hearing.” Stephen Taylor
TRINA SOLAR VOTED HIGHEST OUTPUT PANEL IN THE WORLD BY BLOOMBERG MAGAZINE. BE TESLA POWERWALL READY!
0
) o. 1 ty) N s rld’ arran ice! o s (W 0 yr whis pr l e pan rter (1 e at t y e on Inve ailabl H rina Primo ms av T W s te 250 Froniu d sys x 20 rian imite t L Aus RRY!! HU
e 0 p 5 u , S 7 W $ k 5 al i c Spe
YOUR YOUR R RESIDENTIAL, ESIDENTIAL, C CO COMMERCIAL OMMERCIAL A AND ND INDUSTRIAL POWER PROFESSIONALS! INDUSTRIAL SOLAR SOLAR P OWER P ROFESSIONALS! WE ONLY ONLY INSTALL INSTALL THE THE BEST BEST BRANDS! BRANDS! WE
PAY CASH PAY LESS
CALL THE SOLAR POWER
EXPERTS
Geelong, Bellarine and Surf No. 1 Solar Company. Mornington Peninsula’s No.1Coast’s Solar Company. Unbeaten value,quality quality and Deal direct with the electrician. Unbeaten ononvalue, andworkmanship. workmanship.
EC: 24498
GUY
0422 393 725
FREE ONSITE QUOTES! www.futurefriendly.com.au Southern Peninsula News 3 May 2016
PAGE 7