Southern Peninsula
Features inside FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT PAGES 27–29 CLASSIFIEDS PAGES 30–31 SOUTHERN PENINSULA SCOREBOARD PAGES 32–33
An independent voice for the community
FREE
Your fortnightly community newspaper covering Safety Beach to Portsea For advertising and editorial needs, call 1300
30 May – 12 June 2013
MPNEWS (1300 676 397) or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au
Fabulous food Scarlett Aquilina, left, Ella Nigro, Meg Noseda and Calen Richmond prepare a tasty lunch for their grade 4 classmates at Boneo Primary School, which has joined the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program. See “Their kitchen rules� Page 9 Picture: Yanni
‘Conflict’ case adjourned By Mike Hast THE investigation of a shire councillor over alleged conflict of interest remains unresolved. Cr Graham Pittock appeared in Dromana Magistrates’ Court last Thursday to answer two charges brought by the Local Government Inspectorate that he had breached the Local Government Act.
The inspectorate is the local council watchdog. It is alleged Cr Pittock had a conflict of interest when he voted on the multi-million dollar Southern Peninsula Aquatic Centre (SPA), proposed to be built on the Rosebud foreshore. The charges allege the Seawinds Ward councillor voted at council meetings on 12 March last year and 12 June,
Marshall’s HOLIDAY RENTALS
a two-part meeting that was completed on 18 June. The case was adjourned and is unlikely to return to court for at least two months. The case hinges on an anonymous complaint from within the shire council about Cr Pittock voting on SPA. It has been alleged Cr Pittock had a conflict of interest as he owns a gymHOMES
OFFICES
AUTO
SORRENTO OFFICE
nasium in Dromana and SPA will include a gym. A larger gymnasium was added to the SPA complex last June when councillors voted to expand the aquatic centre from 4800 to 6800 square metres. The Pittock probe was reported by The News on 20 September (“Pool ‘conflict’ inquiry�). A council insider said the complaint
against Cr Pittock was revenge for the SPA public meeting he and Cr Tim Rodgers organised in May 2012 at Rosebud Memorial Hall. It was also designed to force Cr Pittock to abstain from voting on future SPA matters. The council had earlier refused to conduct a SPA “roadshow� to explain the project to residents and ratepayers. Continued Page 9
appraised
We are the largest on the Mornington Peninsula MORNINGTON
STOCKTAKE SALE
9best service 9best ROI
NOW ON
DISPLAY OF
MATTRESSES BEDROOM FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES ON THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA BEDSHED MORNINGTON SUPERSTORE Peninsula Homemaker Centre, Cnr Nepean Hwy & Bungower Road 0HONE s WWW BEDSHED COM AU
TE WA N
D
E S TS E RT I Y G U E S
P P R O FOR QU
Thinking of selling?
9biggest team 9100% holiday focus
ALIT
REDUCE HEAT BY 81% SOLAR—SAFETY, DECORATIVE & FROST FILMS NO OBLIGATION, FREE QUOTES!
SEDANS FROM $280, HOUSES FROM $65 PER SQM LIFETIME WARRANTY
$
5984 5955 www.MyRentals.com.au 119 Ocean Beach Rd. Upstairs (cnr. Darling Rd.)
20 OFF
OFF PRESENT THIS COUPON FOR $20 ANY PURCHASE AT TOP TINT
Window Films
03 5977 0878 www.toptint.com.au
1000a Nepean Highway Mornington
Call Director Troy Daly for a free property appraisal and report on 0418 397 771.
Property to lease? Holiday and permanent rentals are urgently required. Call our rental managers for a free appraisal now. Portsea-Sorrento 109 Beach Road, Sorrento 5984 4388 buxton.com.au buxtonportseasorrento.com.au