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Western Port
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Bank grants top $500,000 mark AT the recent annual meeting of the Hastings branch of the Bendigo Bank shareholders were advised that the reduction of interest rates had limited the growth of the bank. However, a profit was recorded and the previous level of dividend was maintained. The bank continued to support a variety of organisations in the local community and the total of grants made now exceeds $500,000. The Alf Tallon Community Service Trophy for 2019 was awarded to John Watson for his contribution to both the Hastings Fire Brigade and the Hastings Football Club. Mr Watson was recently presented with a 60-year service medal by the former and the John Coleman Coterie at the latter has awarded him legend status.
Bank manager Scott Kruger presenting the trophy to John Watson, with Mr Watson’s daughters on either side.
Shire probes past planning decisions Continued from Page 1 Cr Gill said the review was “a great opportunity for all councillors to see if anything should be investigated”. “I’ve been concerned for a long time about the involvement of politicians, and planning ministers in particular [in making planning decisions]. It often comes down to a decision by one person, and who knows who’s been making donations to political parties? “One member of VCAT (Victorian Civic and Administrative Tribunal) makes a decision and who questions it? That’s just the way it works. “We now need to show people that you don’t always get away with it.”
The review will also look at councillors’ voting patterns and possible involvement of past shire officers Shire CEO John Baker said that due to “the extended time period” it would take “take a number of weeks before the review is complete”. Engineers, planners and developers associated with the most prominent of three companies, Mornington-based Watsons Pty Ltd, have for decades been involved in hundreds of developments on the peninsula. IBAC has been sent information about the $650 million (a 2002 estimate by one-time developer City Pacific) Martha Cove marina and resi-
dential development at Safety Beach, which underwent several major planning changes well outside a seven-year review. Mr Baker said councillors would be given a brief report on the approach [to the review] “seeking support for a transparent and open process to be undertaken by management”. “Council may not be in a position to lawfully disclose the outcome of any review,” he said. Mr Baker said he was not aware if any shire officers had been contacted by IBAC or whether any would be called to testify at the IBAC hearings which re-start in February.
A single ember can spread bushfires as far as 40km. Burning embers from bushfires can travel up to 40km, starting new fires in seconds, destroying homes and making escape impossible. If the Fire Danger Rating is ever extreme or above, don’t hesitate. Leave early.
Plan. Act. Survive. Go to emergency.vic.gov.au
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Western Port News
15 January 2020