Southern Peninsula
Features inside FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT PAGES 31–38 CLASSIFIEDS PAGES 39–40 SOUTHERN PENINSULA SCOREBOARD PAGES 41–42
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Tuesday 29 October 2013
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Short-term licences for carnival sites LICENCES for carnival sites at Rosebud and Rye have been extended by just four months by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. Rosebud-based Wittingslow Carnivals Pty Ltd had previously been granted longer licences. The shorter term was set due to the shire’s Rosebud Coastal Management Plan and its draft Rye Recreational Boating Precinct Master Plan. A report to councillors from the shire’s property operations officer Greg Collins stated the “future operation of events at the Rosebud and Rye foreshore carnival sites may be affected” by the two plans. “Wittingslow has operated the carnivals since the mid-1950s and was granted licences in 2007 to operate the Rosebud and Rye carnivals. The licence agreements expire on 20 December 2013,” he stated. Continued Page 12 Short-term fun: Michael Wittingslow, a third-generation carnival operator, at his Rye carnival last summer. Picture: Yanni
Renewed push for pool By Mike Hast PLANNING for Southern Peninsula Aquatic Centre (SPA) in Rosebud has stalled but a group of residents is still pushing for the multi-million dollar complex on the foreshore. Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors and officers continue to manoeuvre behind the scenes after more than a year of inaction. Last September, the shire paid almost $6 million for Rosebud Central shopping centre in Wannaeue Place and two adjacent shops before the new council
was elected the following month. The properties were touted as an alternative to the foreshore site. The purchase came after geotechnical testing on the foreshore site in July 2012 showed the water table was, as expected, close to the surface and foundations would add an estimated $7 million to the cost. Councillors, who have been bitterly divided over the foreshore site, requested a report comparing the cost at the two locations. This report has not been made public, although shire CEO Michael Ken-
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nedy said earlier this month the “council expects to make a decision ... by the end of this year” and “information will be provided when it is available” in answer to a question from resident Barry Robinson at a council meeting. The News understands a report by consultants showed building at Wannaeue Place was cheaper than on the foreshore. This was not the answer wanted by some councillors and officers. A second report was ordered and this showed the foreshore site to be cheaper. But still the matter has not come be-
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fore the council. This could be because last year’s election changed the “balance of power” on the council. Previously, pro-foreshore councillors had the numbers, albeit by just one vote, although this changed to two when Cr Graham Pittock withdrew from all SPA briefings and votes when he was accused of having a conflict of interest. Cr Pittock opened a gymnasium and squash centre in Dromana in early 2012. He has been accused of voting on SPA issues twice in early 2012 and is being investigated by the state government’s local councils watchdog, the
Local Government Inspectorate. He is fighting the charge, which is not expected to go to court until next year. Until it is resolved, he has decided not to vote on SPA matters. After the October 2012 election, and with Cr Pittock out of the picture, the vote was 5-all. Councillors in favour of the foreshore site are: David Gibb, Antonella Celi, Anne Shaw, Frank Martin and David Garnock. Against are: Tim Rodgers, Hugh Fraser, Bev Colomb, Andrew Dixon and Lynn Bowden. Continued Page 5
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