Park dog ban ‘ignores ferals’
Rugged up: Molly, Patrick and Grace Duff with Barry Stephenson and Marguerite Brennan. Picture: Yanni
Food for All gears for winter appeal HAVING received and distributed 281 blankets and many knitted items from its 2015 appeal, Food for All is conducting its 20th winter appeal with the aim to equal or better last year’s total. Blankets, rugs and quilts which are clean and in good condition are needed to help Mornington Peninsula families cope with a cold winter. Also needed are knitted garments, including jumpers, long scarves, beanies and gloves.
“We will ensure these are given to deserving families who urgently need help in keeping warm this winter,” president Ken Northwood said. Food for All is a non-profit community organisation devoted to providing food to families and individuals in financial difficulties. With bins in churches and supermarkets, the group collects nonperishable food which is made into family-size parcels for struggling families and those living alone on the
southern Mornington Peninsula. Food for All’s winter appeal complements its food collection service, as it believes that if people are warm the food is of greater benefit. Collection points for wrapped and clearly marked donations are Rosebud library, Rosebud cinemas, and local churches. Donations to buy food may be sent to Food for All, PO Box 440, Rosebud 3939. Details: Diane Falconer, 5988 4353 or visit foodforall.com.au
A BLAIRGOWRIE resident upset the coming ban on dogs in Mornington Peninsula National Parks claims that Parks Victoria is ignoring the “major problems” of foxes, cats and weeds. Dogs will be banned from the national park from November in a bid to protect the nesting areas of the threatened hooded plover. Peter Hill, a Blairgowrie resident of more than 30 years, says Blairgowrie’s rocky beach is not a nesting ground for the sand-dwelling birds and accuses Parks Victoria of focusing on dogs because they are an “easy target”. “Blairgowrie is a rocky beach and we don’t have any hooded plovers, so why ban dogs here; there should be an exemption,” he said. “I take my dogs to the beach every morning and we always see foxes and feral cats in the bushland or on the beach; it’s not the dogs that are the problem, but they are an easy target.” Dogs are blamed for destroying hooded plover habitat and chicks, with Birdlife Australia data showing that 70 per cent of hooded plover chicks were successfully fledged in areas where dogs are prohibited. The park covers 42 kilometres along the coast from London Bridge and Bushrangers Bay, plus a stretch from Stockyard Creek to Flinders, and also an area north of Cape Schanck called Greens Bush. A spokesman for Parks Victoria rejected any suggestion of an exemption
for beaches at Blairgowrie. “There are over 32 fauna species of significance in addition to the hooded plover that will directly benefit from banning dogs in the Mornington Peninsula National Park from this November,” he said. “Without the presence of domestic dogs in the park, Parks Victoria will be able to broaden the current pest fox and cat programs to increase their impact and give endangered species such as the Hooded Plover their best chance of survival.” Birdlife Australia could not be contacted for comment. Liz Bell
Missing link PLANS have been made to improve the path on the section of Port Phillip Bay Trail dubbed the “missing link” at Anthony’s Nose, Dromana. Mornington Peninsula Shire says it will continue to press for government funding to complete what it says is an important regional asset. Officers say they are continuing community consultation, design concepts and necessary coastal approvals to bring the project to a “shovel-ready state to make the proposal more attractive for external funding support”. The concept plans are on the shire’s website.
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Southern Peninsula News 7 June 2016
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