NEWS DESK
Forum to focus on koala survival, animal hospital Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au A RANGE of measures are being proposed to protect endangered wildlife on the Mornington Peninsula. While the focus is on the welfare of the dwindling number of koalas on the peninsula, the state government and Parks Victoria are being asked to help establish a hospital for injured and ill wildlife. Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors will be asked next week to seek backing for a wildlife hospital at Highfield Farm, part of the Greens Bush section of the Mornington Peninsula National Park near Cape Schanck. Cr David Gill said at hospital at Highfield would be a central location for the peninsula’s many wildlife carers and enable healthy animals to be released “back where they came from”. Also, on council’s 10 March agenda is a suggestion that the shire create emblems to help protect “at risk” flora and fauna. Two weeks after being asked to support the wildlife hospital and emblems, the shire is holding a community forum to discuss ways of protecting koalas and their habitat on the peninsula. The free forum will be addressed by koala experts Dr Kath Handasyde, former senior lecturer at Melbourne Uni-
versity’s zoology department and former head of the Phillip Island Nature Parks’ animal ethics committee and Dr Desley Whisson, senior lecturer in wildlife and conservation biology at Deakin University. Following the forum a report will
be prepared for council on establishing an advisory committee to investigate protections for koalas and other threatened flora and fauna species within the municipality. “I know many in the community are deeply concerned about the diminishing koala population on the peninsula,” the mayor Cr Sam Hearn said. “We need to canvas all ideas on what more can be done to protect them.” Cr Gill said there was a need for a “koala survival master plan, not only for the peninsula but for the whole of Victoria”. “This task is urgent, especially after the catastrophic bushfires we’ve just experienced,” he said. “With this forum we want to engage with a wider audience on the protection of koalas and koala habitat, as well as protections for other threatened species.” Other speakers at the forum include Craig Thomson, Malcolm Legg, Dirk Jansen (Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation Group), Dr Emily Hynes and Clarissa Garnaut, from Wildlife Help on the Mornington Peninsula (WHOMP). The free forum will be held 6pm10pm on Thursday 26 March at the Peninsula Community Theatre, Wilsons Road, Mornington. Bookings: www.eventbrite.com/e/koala-forumfinding-ways-to-support-koala-conservation-tickets-90270472413
They’re away: Competitors racing for a place in the final during last year’s derby. Picture: Supplied
Many hands make light work of carts POINT Nepean Men’s Shed members are busy working on extra carts for competitors in the annual Billy Kart Derby to be held in Sorrento this month. Nearby primary schools have been informed the carts would suit younger age groups. Club vice president Terry Phippen said the club had been granted a permit for the Saturday 14 March event and that preparations are “in full swing”. “We have an extra 10 simple karts
under construction and we have invited a lot of community groups to participate. “We are just hoping for good weather to attract a few interesting designs from these guys.” Donations for the event have been received from Mornington Peninsula Shire, Rye RSL, Rye Bowls Club and Rye Lions. The club was planning to send a couple of the carts to the Sorrento Primary/St Josephs school fete last weekend “provided I get the painting done”, Mr Phippen said.
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19/02/2020 11:52:46 AM
Southern Peninsula News
4 March 2020
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