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Wednesday 11 September 2024
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Community support baked in for Amelia TWENTY-year-old Amelia Watkins knows a thing or two about baking. Since 2019 Amelia, who is living with disabilities, has been running her own business, Amelia’s Cookie Co, with help from her support worker Lynne. But this year her business hit a snag when the company hosting her website lifted the rates to an unaffordable amount for the small business. It looked like all was lost when members of the Somerville Business Collective stepped in to help. “I was assisting Amelia with her social media when I heard what was happening,” said Alicia Fraser, from Admin by Alicia, one of the founding members of the collective. “I put the word out to the members to see what could be done.” Sarah McLennan from Malvolio reached out to help. She offered to redesign Amelia’s website away from the old expensive platform, and rehost it through Noble Host, run by Sarah’s husband Chris. “They found the best solution for Amelia, and then offered to sponsor Amelia by rebuilding her website at no charge, saving her thousands of dollars,” said Alicia. “I want everyone to know there are still amazing people out there, and great things can be achieved if we work together.” To find out about Somerville Business Collective visit www.somervillebusinesscollective.com. au. To order from Amelia’s Cookie Co visit www. ameliascookieco.com
Sarah McLennan from Malvolio (left) and Alicia Fraser from Admin By Alicia (right) with Amelia Watkins from Amelia’s Cookie Co. Picture: Yanni
Paid beach parking ‘mayhem’ not over yet Brendan Rees brendan@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has left the door open to rolling out paid parking at popular beach foreshores despite significant concerns raised during a recent trial – with one councillor labelling it “total mayhem”. The controversial parking trail, which began last December, has seen visitors charged $6.20 an hour or $19.50 a day to park at Sunnyside Beach, Mt Eliza,
Schnapper Point (near the pier), Mornington and near Flinders pier. Parking is free for peninsula residents who have an e-permit. The trial aimed to “not only generate a steady revenue stream for the council but also ensure that visitors contribute fairly to the maintenance and improvement of these beautiful and heavily frequented areas,” a council report stated. But it quickly became a source of frustration for many beachgoers, who reported confusion over the new system.
This included challenges using the payment technology (particularly for senior residents or people with a disability), poor internet coverage, frustration with the ePermit application, fee and infringement objections, as well as an impact to businesses with some experiencing a drop in customers, and parking restrictions (“Fishers caught in paid parking net” The News 4/12/23). Despite these issues, councillors at their 3 September meeting were to decide whether to make visitor paid parking permanent across all Mornington
COME AND SEE THE CHICKENS ROAMING FREE IN THE PADDOCK!
Peninsula Shire Port Phillip Bay foreshore areas following a recommendation from the shire’s officers. While Cr Despi O’Connor successfully moved an amended motion asking for a deferral, it meant councillors would not rule out the possibility of implementing paid parking until early next year. She argued paid parking was needed to pay for the maintenance costs of the foreshores which was about $8 million last financial year and that developing a policy was pivotal to “move forward
in a positive step”. “We know that the influx of visitors weighs heavily [and] rate capping and increasing costs have made renewal and installation of new infrastructure out of reach to meet expectations of residents and our visitors,” she said. “I’m determined to see good policy in place to ensure that a system of paid parking is fair to visitors and residents, so that the load is in fact shared between all of us who use this beautiful space.” Continued Page 5
BARN DOOR SALES MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8AM - 4.30PM AND SATURDAYS 8AM - 12.30PM
Our farm is family owned and managed. We have been producing quality eggs for over 40 years, supplying the public, restaurants and other businesses on the peninsula. Eggs are collected 365 days a year so you can be assured that you are buying the freshest eggs with the best yolk and flavour. Retail and Wholesale from our barn door.
Eramosa Road West, Moorooduc. corner of Binnak Way 5977 5405 220 email: admin@somervilleeggfarm.com.au