14 March 2017

NEWS DESK

Speed fine inquiry ‘never got through’

Red faces over shop colour A BLUE over the colour of a heritage-listed fish and chip shop in Sorrento has led to Mornington Peninsula Shire looking at ways of having the original colour scheme restored.

It says it is “working with the tenant and the building owner to look at potential options to remove the paint” – despite having issued a permit for work.

The contentious bright blue of the old The Esplanade building has shocked many locals, with Cr Bryan Payne describing it as “another blot on the heritage buildings in Sorrento”.

But shop proprietor Julian Gerner, who is behind with the $50 million Continental Hotel redevelopment, defended the colour and confirmed the paint had not come into contact with prized raw limestone – only bagged render on the shop’s facade. “Taste is very subjective,” he said.

The shire’s executive manager planning services David Bergin confirmed the building was within a heritage overlay under the peninsula’s planning scheme.

“A planning permit was issued for minor works at the front of the building, including a deck and painting of the façade,” he said.

“Council has received concerns from a number of community members about the painting of the façade, and is working with the tenant and the building owner to look at potential options to remove the paint.”

Stephen Taylor

Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au

Community thanks: Kathy Robinson receives her award from Dominic Tallon, Alf Tallon’s son.

Award reward for volunteer KATHY Robinson, of Hastings, is the recipient of this year’s Alf Tallon community memorial award.

The goes to someone who contributes their time and effort to their community. It is supported by the Bank of Bendigo.

Ms Robinson started volunteering 40 years ago as a driver for the Association for the Blind, while also advocating for people with disabilities and working for the Office of Public Advocacy.

After retiring, she continued to support her community as treasurer of the Probus club and Hastings U3A. She also volunteers at the Bays Aged Care, the Reading for Life program,

Western Port Secondary College breakfast program, as well as assisting in various roles with her church and the Vinnies Hastings conference.

“Despite her busy life she always has time for family and friends,” Hastings U3A president Dianne Ashton said.

Ms Robinson received a community award plaque from Dominic Tallon at a ceremony at the Hastings Hub recently. It entitled her to nominate a local organisation to receive $1000 – and she chose Hastings U3A. The money will go towards subsidising Hastings U3A’s 10th birthday and annual meeting on Tuesday 28 March.

A PORTSEA resident who lodged a submission to Road Safety Camera Commissioner John Voyage relating to his speeding fine says it “probably never reached him due to administrative errors”.

David Gilder, who uses Peninsula Link regularly, said perhaps many others were in the same situation.

“When I became aware of the commissioner’s investigation I wrote to Civic Compliance Victoria asking that I be added to the list of names that he required. I informed them that I had already paid my fine,” he said.

“My request was forwarded to the Department of Justice and Regulation.

I next received two letters from different sections of Victoria Police telling me a review had judged me guilty and that my fine was still valid.

“There was no mention of Commissioner Voyage.”

Mr Gilder said he did not request a review of his fine which was already paid. “All I asked for was to have my name added to the list before the commissioner to add credibility to his review,” he said.

“After the bureaucratic run around I gave up.

“One wonders how many others had similar experiences trying to contact the commissioner.”

Mr Gilder’s comments follows ‘Speedsters’ slow to complain’ (The News, 21/2/2017) in which Mr Voyage said he was puzzled at the lack of “objective evidence” received from motorists blaming their speeding fines on faulty Peninsula Link cameras.

Mr Voyage was getting ready to wrap up the evidence-collecting part of his investigation which he said he wanted to finalise in six-to-eight weeks. His report was to then go to Police Minister Lisa Neville.

Another fined driver, Mark Mercuri, told the ‎Peninsula Link 108 group he recently received an email from Mr Voyage saying he was still “taking into consideration all the information” he receives, despite his being delivered a few days past the deadline.

“I can only assume he will still be open to receiving any decent arguments, information or proof if you have it, which I’m glad he has so that’s a positive at least,” Mr Mercuri said.

“It’s worth a shot so don’t hold back to help build a stronger case.”

Peninsula Link 108 member Jarrod Salmon said the drivers’ deadline would have applied if Mr Voyage was receiving lots of correspondence and needed time to slow down and look through it all.

“I can't see there being a problem with the odd [submission] hitting his desk,” he said.

50 % O F F ALL BOOKS,TOYS, GIFTS & DVD’S* *conditions apply

Hastings

NEWSAGENCY 56 High Street Hastings P: 5979 1321 F: 5979 3509 PAGE 6

Western Port News 14 March 2017