Western Port
Features inside MOTHER’S DAY 2012
PAGES 25–29 FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT
PAGES 30–31 WESTERN PORT SCOREBOARD
PAGES 32–35
Local news for local people
Your weekly community newspaper covering the entire Western Port region For all your advertising and editorial needs, call us on 1300
FREE
AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR THE COMMUNITY 1 May – 7 May 2012
MPNEWS (1300 676 397) or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au
No secret over yarn bombers IN the end it was a soft landing for the Hastings knitters intent on a “yarn bombing” to brighten up their town. Despite threats from shire officers and derision from their local councillor, the knitters associated with Hastings Community House carried out their subversive “attack” on Wednesday 18 April. And the shire? It backed down. It ended what had been an embarassing stand-off by offering its support. The shire has also salvaged some face by dubbing the “bombing” a “tremendous success”, although it admitted to some “initial difficulties”. Finn Andersson, left, was among about 30 knitters participating in the yarn bombing outside Hastings Library. So keen was Ms Andersson that she brought along her needles, stitching up the yarn that had played out in the newspapers to a bemused public. Picture: Yanni See ‘Knitting bombers defy shire’, Page 3
Dock plan won’t delay port By Mike Hast A NEW container port at Webb Dock in Port Melbourne would not delay development of the Port of Hastings, MP Neale Burgess says. Mr Burgess said both projects “must happen” and were “part of the same plan for Victoria’s future”. He was commenting after the state government last week announced a new section of Port of Melbourne would be built at Webb Dock at a cost of about $1.2 billion. Premier Ted Baillieu said the project would create more than 2500 jobs and
change the landscape of the city. The Webb Dock project was foreshadowed last August by Ports Australia CEO David Anderson (‘Hastings port shock: expert’s call to develop Webb over Western Port’, The News, 2/8/11). Mr Anderson said Webb Dock should be given a higher priority than developing the Port of Hastings. The chief of the peak body of port and marine authorities in Australia told a ports conference in Tasmania that infrastructure for accessing Hastings was “pretty diabolical” and it would take 30 years to fully develop the port.
In late January, The News reported construction of the first stage of an expanded Port of Hastings would not start for four or five years. Yehudi Blacher, head of the new Port of Hastings Development Authority, said Hastings was well suited to become Victoria’s second container port within 10 to 13 years. Mr Blacher and other members of the authority, appointed on 1 January, were meeting for the first time. Before the lunch meeting, board members visited existing facilities with Ports Minister Denis Napthine and Mr Burgess. Mr Blacher said he was “absolutely
confident” the expansion could be finished on time and on budget, but could not say how much it would cost. “There is extensive planning work to be done.” Dr Napthine said Hastings port would serve the state for 50 to 100 years. “This is a nation-building project.” On Monday, Mr Burgess said the previous Labor government had left Victoria without a plan for coping with forecast import and export growth. “Redevelopment of Webb Dock and development of the Port of Hastings are both part of the same plan for Vic-
/HOOH\V Equipment and trailer hire Mini loader, bobcat and excavator hire Cherry picker and scissor lift hire Log spitter hire
For all your equipment hire needs 2069 Frankston Flinders Rd, Hastings
5979 8885
PRESENT THIS VOUCHER
$5
SENIORS SPECIAL
COFFEE, CAKE & SOUP
WE SELL BOXES
$10.00
26 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Tyabb
MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY
24 High Street, Hastings Ph 5909 8220
toria’s future,” he said. Last Tuesday, Dr Napthine said Webb Dock expansion would be funded by the Port of Melbourne and the private sector. The container port would compete for business against the two operators at Swanson Dock. It would improve handling capacity to up to $100 billion worth of trade a year. Opposition leader Daniel Andrews said the plans would cause major traffic chaos on the West Gate Freeway. The government’s plans for Webb Dock do not include rail links.
Short/Long Term Storage 24/7 Access Your Lock & Key Night Security 2I¿FH 2Q 6LWH
5977 3560 www.lockandstore.com.au sales@lockandstore.com.au
We custom design, build and install aluminium frame awnings with twinwall polycarbonate sheet roo¿ng, to give you a great outdoor living experience! Available in your choice of colour, our range includes: bullnose gable Àat curved window and door coverings.
For an obligation free measure and quote call 0418 868 863. www.optimoawnings.com.au
MAIN MEAL
Buy one main meal and receive a second meal for $5* From the selected menu (Valid Mon to Fri)
WESTERNPORT HOTEL 16 High Street, HASTINGS Phone 5979 1201 for bookings Not valid public holidays. *Conditions apply. Valid until 14th May 2012.
CNR HIGH & SALMON STREET, HASTINGS. PHONE 5979 1201