NEWS DESK
Western Port
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Journalists: Stephen Taylor, Neil Walker 5973 6424 Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Dellaportas Advertising Sales: Val Bravo 0407 396 824 Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production/Graphic design: Marcus Pettifer, Maria Mirabella Group Editor: Keith Platt 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Andrew Hurst, Craig MacKenzie. ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@mpnews.com.au Web: www.mpnews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURSDAY 18 MAY 2017 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: TUESDAY 23 MAY 2017
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Council snubs MP over club’s ‘ridiculous’ rent Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au HASTINGS MP Neale Burgess says he is outrage “at the incredibly harsh decision of the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to increase rent tenfold for the local Hastings Club”. Mr Burgess has joined other critics upset with the shire demanding the club pay “a ridiculous $42,000 per year, rising to more than $52,000 in year three, up from just $4000 currently”. He says the council has refused to meet with him “to discuss this outrageous rent increase”. Mr Burgess wants the shire to grant the club a 21-year lease with “a peppercorn rent”. “Any rent charged above this amount is simply council taking money from Hastings sporting clubs.” The club last month said it “cannot be a signatory” to the proposed lease as it is “a contradiction of the Gambling Act (2003)” (“Sports club to fight rent rise” The News 25/4/17). “Is it the intention of [the shire] to knowingly contravene the [act]?” The Hastings Club president Peter Lewis stated in a letter to the shire property operations leader Greg Collins. The shire’s property and strategy manager Yasmin Woods said “all legislation” had been taken into account when assessing the club’s [future] rent.
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In her report to council’s Monday 27 March meeting Ms Woods said the club had been paying $4000 a year in rent since 1996, and if three-yearly reviews had been made the current rent would have been $30,250. The club’s 2015/2016 annual report shows a net profit for the year of about $199,000 with its gaming room having an operating surplus of more than $930,000. Gaming revenue increased to $2.22 million in 2016 from $1.99m in 2015. “The council should not be expected to offer a rental subsidy because the club has an obligation to expend gaming revenue of community services or activities,” Ms Woods stated. Mr Burgess said The Hastings Club supports “vital grassroots sports, such as footy, cricket, netball and darts”. “This dramatic and unfair rent increase was imposed without any meaningful consultation; with council simply telling the club this is what your rent will be from now on,” Mr Burgess said. “The Tooradin Sports Club is very similar to The Hastings Club; it is located on Crown land, is not for profit, has poker machines and supports local sporting clubs. The City of Casey however recognises the important and unique role the Tooradin Sports Club plays in its local community, and therefore charges a peppercorn rent only.
“While Mornington Peninsula Shire claims it will return some of the funds to the Hastings area, it has admitted it will pocket the first $10,000; and there is no guarantee the remaining funds will find their way back into our community.”
Services on show DISABILITY services organisation Karingal held an open day at the Peninsula Community Theatre, Mornington, Wednesday 3 May. The organisation provides services for people with a disability or mental illness as well as older people. The day was an opportunity to learn more about what Karingal offers in the southern Melbourne region. Attendees joined in arts and crafts, gardening, jewellery making, music and dance, drama, and cooking. There were also stalls providing information on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, as well as details of accredited training courses available through Karingal Training. Karingal southern region manager Sonia Berton said the event was a “great chance for Karingal to showcase its range of programs – from disability to education”. “It was really an opportunity for people who might not be aware of all the services we offer,” she said. Details: Marilyn Merrifield, 5950 0102.
Attention Schools, sporting clubs & community groups
Free advertising listings Each month the Westernport News will run a Community Events page, where your school or organisation can promote upcoming events, fund raisers, social events, etc. at no charge. This page is sponsored by the Coles Supermarket Hastings and listings are completely free.
Book a session with a sustainability expert from a range of fields such as green building and design, solar and battery storage, sustainable gardens and more. Saturday 3 June 2pm – 4pm Mount Eliza Community Hall 90 – 100 Canadian Bay Rd
Registrations essential. Go to: sdse.ata.org.au/upcoming-events 9631 5421
Listing should include event name, date, time & address.
Send your listing to:
Community Events PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or email your listing to communityevents@mpnews.com.au
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Western Port News 16 May 2017