NEWS DESK
Frankston ‘all at sea’ on port for Hastings Neil Walker neil@mpnews.com.au AN abrupt about turn by Frankston councillors withdrawing support for a container port at Hastings has plunged council into troubled waters. The Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Shire councils previously officially supported the establishment of a port at Hastings by a state government potentially decades from now. A second container port to service the Melbourne area will be needed when the Port of Melbourne reaches capacity. Councillors at the 1 May Frankston council meeting on 1 May voted to oppose the establishment of a port at Hastings after Cr Quinn McCormack urged fellow elected representatives to oppose any dredging or deepening in the Ramsarlisted Western Port Bay to protect marine life, seagrass and tourism business. A 6-2 vote by councillors saw Frankston Council’s previous official policy stance, reiterated at April’s public meeting, support a port at Hastings instead of an alternative proposal to build a second container port servicing Melbourne at Geelong’s Bay West. Councillors at the April meeting voted 5-4 to support a port at Hastings. “Western Port supports thousands of species of marine animals including colonies of penguins and Australian fur seals,” Cr McCormack said. Supporter ID: 3376561
Helping hand: Jill McLachlan with granddaughters Paige and Emily. Picture: supplied
Helping hands lift both sides RED Hill South resident Jill McLachlan retired from work just over 12 months ago but, wanting to do something that could make a difference to others, she investigated volunteering opportunities. “I had spent much of my working life supporting staff and mentoring younger women, a lot of who told me I was good at this sort of thing,” she said. “With some free time I thought I should find some volunteering work where I could use my skills to help others and provide me with a sense of fulfilment.” Ms McLachlan is one of about 36,000 residents – of 17.8 per cent of the Mornington Peninsula’s population – who volunteer some of their free time. During National Volunteer Week (8-14 May) organisations and communities will recognise those volunteers who work tirelessly for them, OzChild’s Glynis Smalley said.
Ms McLachlan said she had been looking for something close to home and, having worked in the welfare sector, wanted a role that was “hands on” and allowed her to be involved with children. “I knew of the work of OzChild on the peninsula, having had a friend who fostered children and others who had worked there in a professional capacity. They all spoke positively of OzChild and its work and culture so it seemed to be a prefect fit for me.” “As well as spending time with my families I can also spend time each week preparing meals or activities to do with their kids, which I do in advance of my visits.” For those who are thinking of volunteering Ms McLachlan has some sound advice. “You should think about what you are good at and what skills you could use to help others,” she said. “Also think about what sorts of things you enjoy doing. Visit .mornpen.vic.gov.au for information on volunteering.
WHAT’S NEW...
The Biggest Morning Tea takes to the sea
QUEENSCLIFF - SORRENTO
26th may 2017
$80
per person Sail the Bay and experience a High Tea on the High Seas Extravaganza! Welcome drink, great food, prizes and awesome auction items. All fundraising efforts & 50% of tickets sales donated to Cancer Council Victoria.
Friday May 26 2017 Departs Sorrento at 11am | 4hrs www.searoad.com.au/bmt or call 03 5257 4500
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Oil spills and ship groundings due to “navigational errors” were also flagged by Cr McCormack as dangers to Western Port Bay’s “marine ecosystem”. She noted there would be 47 million cubic metres dredged at Western Port Bay, “more than double what happened in Port Phillip Bay”. “Portsea beach is now sandbagged as a result of the dredging of Port Phillip Bay,” Cr McCormack said. Crs Glenn Aitken, Kris Bolam, McCormack, Sandra Mayer, Lillian O’Connor and Steve Toms voted last week to oppose a port at Hastings. The mayor Cr Brian Cunial and Cr Michael O’Reilly supported the port. Cr Colin Hampton, who was absent from last week’s meeting, voted in support of the port in April. Crs Kris Bolam and Sandra Mayer changed their view on the port at Hastings between April and May’s vote. The pair backed a Hastings port in April then decided to oppose it weeks later. The matter will be debated again by Frankston councillors for a third time in as many months at June’s public council meeting. State Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke said council’s “flip-flop” on the port is “yet another example of Frankston Council wasting ratepayers’ money on their own personal political agendas and not consulting the Frankston community.”
Western Port News 9 May 2017
SEAROAD Ferries is teaming up with the Cancer Council to raise vital funds for cancer research, prevention and support programs by taking Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea to Port Phillip Bay on Friday 26 May 2017. Departing from Sorrento at 11am, Searoad Ferries’ inaugural Biggest Morning Tea will see passengers enjoy a 4-hour Port Phillip Bay sailing and delicious morning tea, serving up sweet and savoury morsels sourced from the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas. The event will be hosted by comedian, Andrew Iles, with live music, auctions, lucky door prizes, and a mystery raffle providing further entertainment. All proceeds from the auctions and raffle, as well as 50% of the ticket price, will be donated to the Cancer Council. Now in its 24th year, Biggest Morning Tea is one of the Cancer Council’s leading fundraising events. In 2017, with the help of hosts such as Searoad Ferries, the Cancer Council aims to raise $13 million to support those affected by cancer. Searoad Ferries CEO, Matt McDonald, said the idea to host a Biggest Morning Tea onboard Searoad Ferries came from some of the ferry employees. “We have been so inspired by the enthusiasm, initiative and dedication shown by the staff to get our first Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser off the ground,” Matt said. “Cancer is something that affects us all at some point in time. We are proud to support such an important cause and a great organisation in the Cancer Council. We are really excited about our first Biggest Morning Tea and with the support of the community, hope it is something we can continue into the future,” he said. Tickets for the Biggest Morning Tea are $80, with $40 from all tickets being donated to the Cancer Council. As well as the sailing, morning tea and entertainment, all passengers will also receive a showbag full of goodies. Bookings are essential. To purchase your ticket or for further information, please visit www. searoad.com.au/bmt or call 5257 4500.
Family Fun Day at Frankston Power Centre FRANKSTON Power Centre will be hosting a family fun day on Saturday 13th May from 11am until 2pm. There will be a variety of free activities on offer for children to enjoy including children’s entertainers, a farm animal petting zoo and face painters. This will be the first of many upcoming events at Frankston Power Centre as it puts itself on the map as a great local community hub. Lunch will be available from local café retailers who will be providing family friendly specials throughout the event. Mayur Patel from Tasty Bites said “We look forward to hosting the event to provide a fun
day for families to enjoy. It’s always great to be a part of community events and meet the locals.” “Demand for Large Format Retail centres is increasing. Consumers are particularly attracted to the high level of competition on price, range and service available from the large format retailers compared to that of traditional retailers,” said Philippa Kelly from the LFRA. “Not only do they want low prices and easy access to retailers at the one location, they also demand parking facilities so they can travel by car and transport goods home themselves,” she added.