NEWS DESK
Storms create claims havoc Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON, Mount Martha, Mount Eliza and Frankston are ranked fourth in insurer AAMI’s list of stormdamaged suburbs. This comes after analysis of almost 19,000 storm-related insurance claims across Victoria from June 2019-July 2020. The suburbs are among areas in Melbourne’s south east that copped
the most damage from storms over the past 12 months – especially after one storm in January that produced large hail, damaging winds and flash flooding. The damage led to more than 8000 insurance claims. The south east has consistently topped the list of storm damaged regions over the past three years, with significantly more home claims than any other region, followed by Melbourne’s north east and south west. Flash flooding and large hailstones
caused by severe thunderstorms usually cause the most damage. With a wetter than usual spring and summer expected due to a La Nina, homeowners can brace for more damage as we approach summer. AAMI’s Melissa Cronin said storms were more likely during the warmer months. “Claims data from the past year identified January and February as the top time for storm-related claims,” she said. “However, storms are unpredictable
and can hit at any time without warning. We encourage people to be prepared by doing general maintenance and preparation works now, before it is too late.” Homeowners should check that their insurance policies are current and adequate; make a home emergency plan and have an emergency kit. They should regularly clear their backyards and gutters, trim trees and overhanging branches, and ensure outdoor furniture and toys (including bikes, trampolines
and sporting equipment) are tied down or put away in a shed or garage. Ms Cronin said storm damage was generally covered by insurance. “We encourage people to regularly check and update their policy to ensure it meets their current circumstances,” she said. “If you have any questions regarding what is covered as part of your policy, or the claims process, you should contact your insurer.”
Online festival for fixing things FREE online workshops and events are providing lessons on how to become conscious consumers. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Fix It Festival focuses on implementing sustainable habits, including repairing broken items, earning money from unused items, growing veggies, composting and recycling. Consumers will be asked to consider the resources used to make the things they own and the environmental impact of throwing them away. Before buying something new, check to see if you have something similar you can reuse or repair. If the answer is no, ask can you borrow, swap, rent or purchase the item second-hand? Buying an items second-hand eliminates excess plastic packaging and minimises air pollution from delivery trucks and vehicles. If there is no choice but to buy new, consumers are being urged to buy local to support businesses. Fix It Festival events: Everyday actions to live more sus-
tainably with Tamara DiMattina from The New Joneses, 5-6pm, Wednesday 4 November. Blairgowrie Community Garden staff will show how to grow your own fruit and vegetables from food scraps and seedlings, and produce your own nutritional compost, 9.30-10.30am, Sunday 8 November. Point Nepean Men’s Shed will show how to repair household items, 12.301.30pm, Tuesday 10 November. What to put in your recycling bin, 5-5.45pm, Wednesday 11 November and 10.30-11.15am, Saturday 28 November. Using food scraps to start a compost or worm farming system, 10-11am, Saturday 14 November. Maximise your second-hand online sales, 8-8.45pm, Thursday 19 November. Seawinds Boomerang Bags will show how to sew, repair and upcycle textiles, 6-7pm, Wednesday 25 November. Details: mornpen.vic.gov.au/fixitfestival
Marking NAIDOC Week BECAUSE of COVID-19 restrictions Mornington Peninsula Shire is promoting NAIDOC Week (8-15 November) events online. The Shire will promote local and interstate events on our website for everyone to enjoy. This year’s theme is Always Was, Always Will Be in recognition of First Nations people as being occupants and carers of the continent for more than 65,000 years.
The shire says that one of the ways it supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is through its Warringinee group which works to deliver social, cultural and economic outcomes actions contained in its Reconciliation Policy and Action Plan. Details: mornpen.vic.gov.au/naidoc The shire’s Reconciliation Action Plan Innovate 2020-2022 is at mornpen.vic.gov.au/strategiesandplans
Nothing wasted in clean-up ABOUT 100 people “officially” participated in the Big Peninsula Clean up – Clean Up Your Patch on Sunday 25 October. Waste Wise Peninsula organisers Amy Westnedge and Birte Moliere said they were “thrilled to report 99 locals officially participated in the event” but that they had been inundated with phone calls and messages from many more who joined in without officially registering. “We tried to get everyone involved and we were thrilled with the turn out.” The amount of litter officially logged for the Mornington Peninsula on the day was 567 kilograms. “Again, we are aware much more has been collected but, unfortunately, the litter stopper app crashed with many people attempting to use it simultaneously,” Ms Moliere said. Birte Moliere, right, with her rubbish collection and, above, Evie and Julian Westnedge with their clean-up bags.
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4 November 2020
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