Mornington
Features inside FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT
‘Guiding your computing experience’
PAGES 36–39
Over 20 Years IT Experience
SPORTS DESK
PAGES 40–41
Services for Home and Business Fast Friendly Service Tailored to Suit the Customer’s Needs
SPRING MOTORING
star.computers@internode.on.net
PAGES 42–43
M: 0418 882 849
Local news for local people
Your fortnightly community newspaper incorporating Mornington, Mount Martha and Mount Eliza For all your advertising and editorial needs, call us on 1300
F: 03 5977 3192
FREE
17 November – 30 November 2011
MPNEWS (1300 676 397) or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au
Business on the waterfront
HIRE boat business owner Paul Pingiaro reckons he has the best office in the world: Mornington harbour. He also runs boats out of Yaringa on Western Port, which again offers sea views, albeit with a different, more natural aspect.
Story Page 7
Council takes the plunge By Mike Hast SIX shire councillors rammed Rosebud’s coastal management plan through the council on Monday night, and it will now go to Environment Minister Ryan Smith. Part of the plan includes seeking his permission to build a $30 million plus aquatic centre on the foreshore, circumventing the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s steadfast refusal over the past six years. If it goes ahead, the aquatic centre could almost double the shire’s existing
RIDE-ON MOWER RANGE
$4999 including GST
Bitter debate as shire asks govt to OK foreshore pool debt of $38 million and almost certainly guarantee high rate rises – like this year’s 9 per cent – for years to come. The aquatic centre would be the second of three planned by the shire in 2000. The first at Hastings was opened
in December 2003. Rosebud is next off the rank and Mornington would follow later this decade. After sometimes acrimonious debate, with thinly disguised insults being exchanged by councillors – and in
Live the lifestyle you deserve
Solar. Saving. Simple.
Shearwater Serviced Apartments Would you like to live in a secure environment in a beautiful garden setting with your meals provided, your serviced apartment professionally cleaned and 24 hour emergency assistance? Then come to Shearwater Apartments at “The Mornington Retirement Village�
Home Green has helped over 12,000 householders reduce their energy costs! Find out how you can save.
1300 013 648 VICTORIA’S BEST RANGE OF WATER FEATURES, POTS, PLANTERS, STATUES, ELITE HOME & GARDEN DÉCOR
RE
TIR
EMENT VILLA
GE
150 Mornington Tyabb Rd, Mornington Mel. 145 J4 For enquiries & inspections phone Bruni 5970 5507 or 0438 582 519
front of a noisy, packed public gallery also deeply divided on the pool issue – Crs David Gibb, Antonella Celi, Anne Shaw, Reade Smith, Frank Martin and Bill Goodrem voted to approve the coastal management plan (CMP) and
16 Mornington – Tyabb Rd Tyabb Phone 03 9397 6644 Open Thurs – Sun 9.30am - 4.00pm
www.topez.com.au
www.homegreen.com.au
send it to the Environment Minister. A “division� was called by Cr Gibb, compelling councillors to show which way they had voted. Crs Tim Rodgers, Leigh Eustace, Bev Colomb and Lynn Bowden rejected the plan, and were joined on their feet by the meeting’s chairman, the mayor Graham Pittock. Earlier, councillors questioned sustainable infrastructure director Alex Atkins and senior planner Allan Cowley, as well as debated the issue for almost 90 minutes before voting. Continued Page 14
MORNINGTON
SPRING/SUMMER CATALOGUE OUT NOW
THE BIGGEST DISPLAY OF
MATTRESSES BEDROOM FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES ON THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA BEDSHED MORNINGTON SUPERSTORE Peninsula Lifestyle Centre, Cnr Nepean Hwy & Bungower Road 1IPOF t XXX CFETIFE DPN BV