NEWS DESK
Water ‘saviour’ of green wedge Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au THE availability of a “resilient” water supply is seen as one of the key factors in the “protection” of green wedgezoned areas on the Mornington Peninsula. Mornington Peninsula Shire and South East Water have announced they will join forces to investigate “the potential for sustainable water projects”, including rain water, urban run-off and artesian water. The shire and SEW agreed to extend their investigations after a recent meeting to discuss increasing the use of re-
cycled water from Melbourne Water’s sewage treatment plant at Bangholme. There are also treatment plants at Mt Martha and Boneo. Some of the treated water is already used on the peninsula and by more than 80 horticulturists and industrialists in Cranbourne. However, most of the treated water is still being pumped into the ocean through the south east outfall near Gunnamatta, within the Mornington Peninsula National Park. The announcement by the shire and SEW follows the Green Wedges Summit held at Main Ridge on Friday 22 June which highlighted the value of produce from the green wedge areas,
which comprise about 70 per cent of the peninsula. The summit focused on the importance of maintaining the environmental, agricultural, tourism and social integrity of the green wedge area with “balanced” planning and policies. SEW’s managing director Terri Benson and the mayor, Cr Bryan Payne last week issued a statement saying “the rapid growth of Melbourne’s population will significantly increase the importance of agriculture on the peninsula and having a resilient water supply”. The statement went on to say: “The development of a coordinated water plan across the peninsula is a project of state significance that would benefit
agriculture, tourism and the community and would play a major role in the protection of the green wedge, seen as being one of the most important environmental areas in Victoria.” Cr Payne said a sustainable water system “is vital to provide water security to the wide variety of agricultural activities, including vegetable growing, wineries, beef production, and agricultural based tourism”. “All of these activities are key sustainable employment generators,” he said. Four key areas identified in the joint statement: n Reduced reliance on surface water, ground water - opportunities to ac-
cess alternative water sources enables increased independence from rainfall and catchment areas. n Increased productivity from the region – increased opportunity for irrigated farming practice and maximum utilisation of the region’s farming conditions. n New and local jobs - direct economic benefits and wider economic impact of the increased local spend due to reduced daily migration of residents to satellite employment areas and the delivery of jobs to the peri-urban region. n Protection of green wedge – green wedge-zoned land is maximised and maintained for community, environment and regional benefit.
Worm’s turn to help spot trees A CARTOON worm is being used to spearhead a campaign to involve the community in identifying “significant” trees on the Mornington Peninsula. While it can’t be said that Wilbur is providing backbone to the photographic endeavour, he is nonetheless being used to support Mornington Peninsula Shire’s efforts to increase the number of trees on its significant tree register. Photographs of “favourite trees” posted on the shire’s website will be considered for the register. There is also a three-level tree spotter puzzle to involve all the family in highlighting “the environmental importance of trees and the major role they play in the visual beauty of the peninsula”. The focus on trees follows last month’s Green Wedge Summit and the release for public comment of the Mornington Peninsula Green Wedge Management Plan. The mayor Cr Bryan Payne said trees play a major role in the “liveability” of the shire’s major urban activity centres, townships and coastal villages. “Access to trees, green spaces, streetscapes and parks promotes greater physical activity and reduces stress while improving the quality of life - a well-known concept acknowledged by medical authorities and town planners,” Cr Payne said. Green wedge-zoned areas on the peninsula covered 51,204 hectares, about 70 per cent of the shire. “More than 80 per cent of the land within the green wedge is in private ownership - some 4939 lots - which collectively have an important role in the environmental management of the green wedge area,” Cr Payne said. “One of the largest trees nominated to the national big tree register is a 30 metre high, 150-year-old oak with a five metre circumference trunk off Old Moorooduc Road, Tuerong.” The Green Wedge Summit on Friday 22 June at Main Ridge attended by over 120 residents focused on the importance of maintaining the environmental, agricultural, tourism and social integrity of the area with balanced planning and policies. Cr Payne said the Significant Tree Spotting program enables community members to photograph their favourite tree on their mobile phone anywhere within the shire and text it to treespotter@morpen.vic.gov.au Wilbur Worm’s Online Tree Spotter Puzzle is at greenwedge. mornpen.vic.gov.au/puzzle/ Keith Platt
WILBUR the Worm gives the thumbs up to a tree worthy of being recognised as “significant”. Graphic: Supplied
ANYONE recognising the man is asked to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or Senior Constable Allen 5978 1300.
Fake $50 notes have same serial number A MAN who handed over fake $50 notes at an outdoors store in Mornington may have handed over another fake note at a Berwick fast-food outlet. Senior Constable Jacinta Allen, of Mornington Peninsula CIU, said the serial numbers on the notes – CK14947940 – was the same used at both locations. She said on 26-27 May the man used two $50 notes to buy items at the BCF store in Mornington and then, on 29 May, placed a $5 order at a take away food outlet in Clyde Road, Berwick. The man paid for his order with a $50 note and received $45 in change before leaving the store – without bothering to take his food order.
Southern Peninsula News
3 July 2018
PAGE 3