Mayor’s benefit ball
Wrong message: The signs at Somers beach relate to dangers inland, not on the beach.
Beach no-go signs get the old heave-ho CONTRACTORS were yesterday (Monday) removing incorrect no-trespassing signs on Somers beach. The signs had caused concern among regular beach users, but it seems they were meant to warn of danger further inland not on the beach. The signs, put up by HMAS Cerberus on 30 June, are 1.7 kilometres north-west of the 100 steps, below the high water line and above the low water line in the tidal zone.
The warnings could have affected elderly activity groups, bird watchers, joggers and dog walkers who regularly use the foreshore. Beachgoer Barry Hodder, of Bittern, said he had been exercising at Somers beach for many years, and enjoyed walking from the car park up to Stony Point and back, about 12km. He said he felt both angst and bitterness at what he perceived as a closure by the navy of his usual walking area.
He said several regular beach users had asked whether the closure was legal and whether there was a dedicated no-go zone on this stretch of beach, particularly in the tidal zone. Also, when was the area declared a no-go area? But, yesterday, Cerberus commanding officer Captain Stephen Bowater said the no-trespassing part of the signs had been incorrectly included on the signs, although the warnings of live firing were correct.
“People are still free to walk along the beach, which is well outside live firing areas,” he said. “The message is not to go above the high-water mark.” Captain Bowater said the immediate inland area had been a small arms firing range over the years, with many unexploded shells embedded in the ground. “It’s OK to walk along the sand, but not inland,” he said.
THREE charities have been chosen to benefit from this year’s Mornington Peninsula Shire’s mayoral ball. The mayor Cr Graham Pittock has chosen to direct profits from the ball to Dromana Second Bite, The Van and Friends of Los Palos. Cr Pittock said the three organisations “do amazing work within our local community and abroad”. “These worthy organisations are run by volunteers to ease the pain and consequences of poverty.” The the black and white-themed ball will be held in the hall at the National Golf Club, Cape Schanck, with pre-dinner drinks and canapes followed by a three course meal and drinks, produced by executive chef Craig Gorton. Sarah Busuttill and the Phil Ceberano Band will entertain. The mayoral charity ball is on Friday 26 August at the National Golf Club, The Cups Drive, Cape Schanck. Tickets are $185 each at www.trybooking.com/MASA or call 5950 1428 by 12 August.
Plants on sale THE Growing Friends group of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne, is holding a plant sale 10am-4pm over the weekend 23, 24 July. The sale will be held near the kiosk opposite the Australian gardens. Plants in pots and tubes will be priced from $3. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne, are at the corner of Ballarto Rd and Botanic Drive. Call 5990 2200.
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111 Cranbourne Rd, Frankston (Cnr Cranbourne & McMahons Rds) www.frankstonpowercentre.com.au Western Port News 5 July 2016
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