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Wednesday 10 July 2024
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New reptile centre opens to public FOR those with a soft spot for reptiles and amphibians, the new reptile centre that opened at Moonlit Sanctuary on Thursday is sensory nirvana. The centre is home to more than ten different species of reptiles, fish, and amphibians, including several that are new to the sanctuary. The impressive collection of fascinating venomous Opening celebration: L-R Chris Mall, Nicola Craddock, Michael Johnson, Lisa Tuthill and James Small. Picture: Gary Sissons
snakes, pythons, a freshwater crocodile, green tree frogs, and lizards live in climate controlled and purposebuilt habitats. The completion of the reptile centre is the culmination of several years of planning and hard work, and is a major milestone for Moonlit Sanctuary. Sanctuary owner and director Michael Johnson said the reptile centre would further the sanctuary’s mission to inspire and educate guests about the critical role amphibians and reptiles play in Australian ecosystems.
Shire’s limited parking powers Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council officers are looking for ways to limit how long boats and caravans are left parked in streets. Councillors have told the officers to investigate ways to make sure boats and caravans are not “parked on roads for long periods or indefinitely”. However, councillors have already been warned that under existing laws registered boats, trailers and caravans can be parked in streets for up to
eight weeks. After eight weeks council can consider a vehicle to be have been abandoned, although this could be contested if they are “within the vicinity of the registered owner’s known address”. “Impounding a vehicle under these circumstances could very easily be challenged in court with several potential negative outcomes against the shire possible,” a report to council’s 26 June public meeting stated. Council’s inability to intervene has led to disputes among neighbours upset at trailers, boats and caravans being parked outside their properties.
The report to council’s 25 June public meeting suggested a “potential option” could be ask the state government to change road safety road rules to specify parking time limits for “unhitched caravans and trailers”. “There would need to be justification as to what council is trying to achieve through these amendments and there may be however, some unintended consequences of this advocacy, given the current housing and cost of living crises,” stated the report by community safety, health and compliance manager Dale Gilliatte and community strengthening acting director Chris Munro.
“As long as the trailer or caravan is parked in accordance with any relevant parking controls … [the shire] has no authority to request removal, as it is a vehicle.” Unregistered vehicles could be impounded and even sold if a fee was not paid within 14 days provided the shire took “reasonable steps” to notify the owner. The officers’ report said other councils had developed “information or educational material … [about] best practice parking practices in built up areas”. This suggestion also came with a warning: “This would have an associ-
ated cost to develop, produce and distribute, but would assist in providing appropriate amenity information to residents.” Council eventually decided “shire officers investigate ways to ensure that caravans and boats and other similar vehicles are unable to be left parked on roads for long periods or indefinitely” and that the government and local MPs be told about “issues regarding these publicly parked vehicles over long periods”. Cr David Gill said the officers’ report showed how little council could do about parking. Continued Page 5