Police go to the beach for safety BEACHES on the Mornington Peninsula will be a focus of the police Operation Summersafe until March. The police are armed with an arsenal of tools and resources to help ensure community safety, including the public order response team, mounted branch, water police, drone unit and dog squad. Commander Libby Murphy said police would have a highly visible presence on beaches within the Southern Metropolitan Region. “We will focus on using real time intelligence and technology through the drone unit to detect and deter offending, giving us the ability to
flexibly deploy resources to where they’re most needed,” she said. “Those choosing to have weapons or be unruly, confrontational or cause people to be alarmed, will be swiftly identified. Police will intervene and take action. “We know these groups often travel between popular beach locations so we’ll be closely monitoring the public transport network to ensure that everyone can go about their day and night safely.” Police and Protective Services Officers will patrol public transport hubs, local roads and enforce local bylaws regarding the consumption and possession of alcohol.
PLANS to develop a 4.85MG solar farm in the Dromana industrial estate have received support from Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. The Dromana Clean Energy Farm in Collins Road is the first regional solar farm on the peninsula and aligns with what the council sees as a practical response to its declared Climate Emergency stance. Cr Simon Brooks said after the planning services meeting, Monday 18 November, that councillors had applauded the “effort that the applicant had gone to in bringing the proposal to this point”. “The location is ideal for grid connection into the southern peninsula electricity grid,” he said. “Under the community grid partnership with United Energy, GreenSync and the shire, localised generation and storage is needed to counter the summer spikes in power usage.
“With a connection specifically built-in for a grid scale battery this facility will allow for hosting a battery probably sooner than later, reducing the need for diesel generators.” Project developer Stephen Todd said the regenerative solar farm combined carbon farming with renewable energy production. “At this stage we are waiting for United Energy’s approval to connect the solar farm so we can start to supply locally made clean energy with a high social impact,” he said. The project combines a solar farm, soil health renovation project, productive planting, pollinator-friendly habitat, controlled environment growing sheds, streaming educational data and Indigenous promotion. Details: voltfarmer.com.au/dromana-climatesmart-farm/ Stephen Taylor
Shire’s salute to the sun
Batteries a bother boaters WESTERN Port Coast Guard crews brought Christmas cheer and help to five boats in trouble out on Western Port Bay, Sunday 8 December. Commander Jeremy West said having so many other boats out on the water on “such a glorious day” meant no one was in any real danger, although breakdowns have the potential to turn nasty if the weather deteriorates.
Boats assisted off Corinella, Tyabb and Yaringa had flat batteries; one was a motor fail. These mostly minor issues reinforced the necessity of boat owners conducting gear and safety checks before going out on the water, Commander West said. “A jump starter is about $100 which can save a lot of inconvenience,” he said.
Western Port News
11 December 2019
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