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Wednesday 6 September 2023
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Shire money quickly fixes repair cafe
Open for repairs: Volunteers at the Rye Repair Cafe, from left, John Boast, Deb Coffey, Steve Ryan, Jenny Steel, James Kilby and Graeme Pit with Cr Sarah Race (standing centre). Picture: Supplied
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has come to the aid of Rye Repair Cafe with a $10,000 climate action grant. The volunteer-run service operates out of Rye Community House on the first Sunday of each month, offering help to anyone who has something to mend or repair. By repairing household items, the group is taking on the war on waste one item at a time. Manager of Rye Community House, Marg D’Arcy, said the Repair Cafe dwindled during the pandemic and needed a financial boost to get it back up and running. “This grant has enabled us to establish a repair cafe alongside developing a philosophy and practice to educate our community about reducing waste and landfill,” she said. “Our volunteers come together once a month to mend and fix household items. We had one customer bring in their late mum’s old Mixmaster for repair, and now whenever they use the Mixmaster they have a sense of their mum being around. “It’s fantastic that we can help divert waste from landfill, and it’s heart-warming to see the added benefit of crossgenerational learning between volunteers and community members.” Cr Sarah Race said the repair cafe was “the perfect trifecta”. By reducing waste it’s a win for the environment, it’s a win for the community who don’t have to spend money on buying something new and a big win for the volunteers who can teach their skills to others and socialise with likeminded people.” Grants from the shire’s community investment program helps community groups with projects that address a local need or provide a community benefit. For details about repair cafes in Mornington, Hastings or Rye go to: mornpen.vic.gov.au/repaircafes Details about the community investment program, including a free grant writing workshop on 14 September, go to: mornpen.vic.gov.au/grants
‘Transparency’ urged for council Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors are being urged to improve “transparency” in the wake of the Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigation into allegations of corruption at the City of Casey. IBAC’s Operation Sandon report tabled in state parliament on 27 July this year “found clear evidence of two [Casey] councillors accepting personal
benefits from making or influencing council decisions related to planning or land use” IBAC’s launch of Operation Sandon saw Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors order a review of development planning decisions made by the shire over the past two decades. The move directed that the review give “particular emphasis” to the Martha Cove housing and marina development at Safety Beach. Results of the review ordered at a public council meeting in January 2020 and presented by CEO John
Baker to a private councillor briefing on 31 August 2022, “did not identify any activity, patterns of decision making or other actions that would suggest corruption”. The review was seen as necessary as the IBAC investigation involved three companies that also had dealings with the shire. The three companies were Watsons Pty Ltd, Wolfdene Built Pty Ltd and Schutz Consulting Pty Ltd and the shire’s review was made “to determine if there was any reasonable suspicion of corrupt conduct that would require
a referral to the IBAC”. The council’s decision to conduct the review also included a directive that it receives “timely notification of any Woodman or related company application or secondary consent or review of permit and on large projects”. “I would prefer briefings to be broadcast to ensure accountabilit and transparency on public matters allowed and lawful under the Local Government Act,” Cr David Gill said last week. In an email to his colleagues headed Council Transparency Following
IBAC Report (Operation Sandon), Gill said councillors could “improve transparency and the ability for councillors to represent our community”. “One issue concerns asking questions of officers in public, which is under threat at our council meetings without a decision by council being made. “I believe there has been a gradual encroachment to the rights of councillors in this term due to changes in governance rules and decisions by chairs.” Continued Page 4