7 August 2018

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NEWS DESK Boat ramp explained Continued from Page 1 Ms Cheers has told to the premier in a letter that there is a “huge jet-ski problem with 15 jet skis to every boat” at Rye and added that 4500 people on the southern peninsula had signed a petition to “ban jet skis between Rye and Point Nepean”. “The jet ski and boat facility expansion now going ahead will exacerbate that problem,” she said. “It will also place it nearer to divers and other passive water users. “As council supported the expansion against community opposition, we believe it has a duty of care to Rye people and visitors. No one wants an accident or fatality.” Her concerns are in line with a later push by the shire to have Maritime Safety Victoria and Parks Victoria officers increase surveillance, patrolling and enforcement of personal water craft along bay beaches. The shire will ask for a review of the existing boat and swimming zones along the beaches and wants on-the-spot fines for boat owners found too close to wildlife. “While the council is unable to enforce compliance within boating and swimming zones, we are determined to ensure the [authorities] hear the shire’s and community’s concerns,” the mayor Cr Bryan Payne said. Ms Cheers’ letter urges the premier to ban jet skis from beaches east of Rye pier and west of the launching ramp from December to the end of January and on the Easter and Labour Day long weekends. It also seeks to have jet skis banned from the marine sanctuary at Point Nepean National Park and within 500 metres of beaches, and a 50-metre exclusion zone around Rye, Sorrento and Portsea piers to protect divers/snorkelers, biodiversity and marine habitat. The shire’s “drop-in session” will be held 4-6pm, Thursday 16 August at the Rye Hotel, Blue Waters room, 2415 Point Nepean Road.

Ship ahoy: BlueScope last week exported 10,000 tonnes of steel to the United States from the Port of Hastings. Picture: Ebony Elise

Jobs growth as steel exports surge BLUESCOPE is exporting tens of thousands of tonnes of steel to the United States from its Western Port base in a growth surge the company says has helped it create 150 jobs over the past year. Last week 10,000 tonnes of steel was shipped from Hastings to the West Coast port of Longbeach – later to be galvanised or pre-painted for various applications, such as building, general manufacturing or car making. BlueScope is able to sell to the US through its Steelscope joint venture because Australia

has, so far, escaped tariffs imposed on other countries’ steel exports by US President Donald Trump. Western Port plant manager Mike Hussey said BlueScope was exporting about 200,000 tonnes a year – a “significant increase” on previous years. “There’s been a concerted effort by the company to find overseas markets in the wake of the shutdown of the car making industry here,” he said. “We are always on the lookout for alternative

markets through our sales and marketing departments, although the domestic market is still our main focus.” Industry and employment minister Ben Carroll said the jobs’ increase highlighted the strength of the state’s steel manufacturing industry. He visited the Western Port plant which produces coated and painted steel products, including Colorbond steel. BlueScope said the state government was using Australian-made steel in major road and rail infrastructure projects.

WHAT’S NEW...

Triple the entertainment at Russian ballet FOLLOWING on from their outstanding performances of A Festival of Russian Ballet, the Imperial Russian Ballet Company return to Australia with A Russian Triple Bill. This stunning programme performed in three awe-inspiring acts is proudly presented by Russian Ballet Ltd. A Russian Triple Bill will be presented for the first time to Australian audiences. This impressive and diverse programme consists of the fairy tale spectacular of Princess Aurora’s wedding from Sleeping Beauty in Act 1, the romantic Les Sylphides in Act 2 and the electrifying Carmen in Act 3. Act one is from Sleeping Beauty. A holiday is

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Southern Peninsula News

7 August 2018

declared for the wedding of Princess Aurora & Prince Desire. This is a joyous and happy ballet which will be loved by all. Act two is from Le Sylphide, a short ballet in one act about a young man who while walking at night encounters a group of sylphs or magical woman. Act three is from Carmen, the story of a flirtatious and seductive gypsy woman whose love affair with two men ends in tragedy. The Imperial Russian Ballet Company will be at Frankston Arts Centre on Wednesday 19 September. Bookings: (03) 9784 1060 or online at thefac.com.au


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