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1300 ALL BLINDS THE milk snake that a Mt Eliza man swapped for on Facebook for a PlayStation. Picture: Peter Paplanus
Game over: illegal snake swapped for a PlayStation A Mt Eliza Man has been fined $500 after pleaded guilty to keeping an illegal and high-risk invasive snake. The 20-year-old, who exchanged a PlayStation for a milk snake on Facebook last year, was fined without conviction at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 17 September. The maximum penalty for importing, keeping or selling a controlled pest animal in Victoria is $39,652. “We are very concerned when we get a call about an exotic species being found in Victoria because of the enormous potential to threaten our native species and agriculture,” chief conservation regulator, Kate Gavens said. “Our investigators received information alerting them to the milk snake and launched an investigation.”
Ms Gavens said milk snakes were from North America and were illegal to keep in Victoria as they are an exotic species and could potentially spread diseases to native wildlife. “Its important people understand what animals you can and can’t keep in Victoria. In Victoria, it is illegal to trade in controlled pest animals, including milk snakes,” she said. “It is against the law to trade in controlled pest animals such as milk snakes. Illegally traded animals are often imported and kept in ways that are cruel to the animals.” Information about the illegal possession and trade of exotic species can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/reporta-crime/
Burn off bans eased for season fire safety RESTRICTIONS are being eased this month to allow owners of small properties to burn off for fire prevention purposes. Open air burning is allowed 9am-4pm, Fridays and Saturdays, on land less than 1500 square metres, provided that no more than one cubic metre of vegetation is burnt at any one time; that the fire is not within 10 metres of any neighbouring dwelling, and that general fire safety provisions are followed at all times. The easing of restrictions on land less than 1500 square metres aims to assist owners of smaller properties reduce fine fuel in the lead up to the fire season. Mornington Peninsula Shire’s municipal fire prevention officer Katie McKenzie said burn-off material should not be wet, or green, and general fire safety precautions should always be taken. “This is a great chance to clean up around your property, but ensure you do it responsibly and safely, and keep your neighbours and local authorities informed,” she said. The general fire safety provisions include warning adjoining landowners or occupiers 24 hours prior to the burn, and calling 1800 668 511 at least two hours prior to the burn to log the fire with the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority. The provisions also include establishing a fire break of no less than three metres cleared of all flammable material; ensuring the fire is supervised by an adult at all times; ensuring there is sufficient fire protection equipment available on site at all times; ensuring the vegetation to be burnt is dead and dry prior to lighting (no green waste), and ensuring the wind speed does not exceed 20 kilometres per hour at the site of the fire. The eased restrictions do not apply outside of October, when open air burning is prohibited on properties smaller than 1500 square metres. Open air burning regulations for land of more
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than 1500 square metres and more than 40,000 square metres remain the same. Details: Visit mornpen.vic.gov.au/openairburning or call the Environment Protection Unit 5950 1050.
Tech update SENIORS who want to find out more about operating their iPhones, iPads and Mac computers can attend an information night at Mornington Community Information Centre. The lesson in designed to help you explore the full potential of your device. The information session starts 6.30 on 17 October at Mornington Information Centre, 320 Main Street, Mornington. The night is part of this year’s Victorian Seniors Festival which has the theme Get into it! All Senior Card holders get free public transport within Victoria 6-13 October. For more information about festival events and activities, visit www.seniorsonline.vic.gov. au or pick up a program at any Coles store, local library, council office or neighbourhood house. Call 1300 797 210 to receive a program in the mail.
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‘Angel’ topic PETER Moran from Angel flight Australia is guest speaker at the next meeting of Southern Peninsula View Club The charity Angel flight Australia coordinates non-emergency flights to help country people access specialist medical treatment that would otherwise be unavailable to them because of distance and high travel costs. The meeting starts 11am Thursday 10 October at Rosebud Country Club, 207 Boneo Road, Rosebud. Details: 0410 822 233
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www.jaleighblinds.com.au Southern Peninsula News
9 October 2019
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