Western Port
GET YOUR
FREE TV GUIDE INSIDE!
DOWNLOAD 3MP FROM THE APP STORE OR GOOGLE PLAY
An independent voice for the community
Your weekly community newspaper covering the entire Western Port region
FREE
Wednesday 17 July 2024
For all advertising and editorial, call 03 5974 9000 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au
Music for health and happiness THE Seaside Community Orchestra was only founded last year, but already has become a place of joy and enjoyment. Meeting every fortnight at the Moorooduc Hall, musicians fill the red brick building with music for the soul. Pictured are: (Back) Debbie Coffey, Kirsty Wells, Kim Maas, Emily Mildren, Terry Smith and Simon Smith, (front) Becca Smith (on cello), Elspeth Noxon, Eva Kowal and Jemima Smith. Picture: Liz Bell
Music fills the hall and hearts. Page 5.
Training the (dog) trainers Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au DOG owners will have fewer excuses for not being able to understand the rules about exercising dogs in public places under a four-year policy adopted by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. The new policy includes making signs consistent about where and when dogs can be taken for exercise on and off the leash. The staged implementation of the revised policy will enable council officers to enforce the dog laws in areas which have no signs, incorrect signs or “gazettal issues”. Enforcing uniform dog controls
across the municipality will also “bring in additional infringement revenue to council”, according to a report prepared by community strengthening director Tanya Scicluna and community safety strategic projects coordinator Ann-Marie Richardson. Scicluna told councillors at their Tuesday 25 June meeting that 239 infringement notices and 155 cautions for dogs at large had been issued in 2023. Council has allocated $250,000 towards implementing the revised dog policy. Debate at the public meeting also invoked the names of several councillor-owned dogs and some tales about
personal experiences when exercising their pets. Cr Kate Roper (“there are no winners in this one — you are either a dog lover or not”) said there was a need for “some sort of control” in areas where dogs were allowed offleash. “We do have conflicts and I’ve heard terrible stories and seen some things on social media that aren’t good,” she said. “People want to be safe when they take their dogs to off-leash areas and beach users want to be safe when they take their families to the beach. “I know some of the beaches are breeding grounds for some of our endangered wildlife and there are
COME AND SEE THE CHICKENS ROAMING FREE IN THE PADDOCK!
irresponsible dog owners.” Roper, a former dog trainer, knew that some owners “don’t take the time to train their dog, even to a basic level to make sure it’s not infringing on other peoples’ enjoyment of these spaces, these shared spaces”. Dogs needed to be mentally stimulated and off-leash areas were important “so that they can get out and about and learn to socialise properly, both with other dogs and people that they meet on their walks”. “I’d be happy with more enforcement … there are too many incidents where people, irresponsible owners, just walk away from sometimes really terrible incidents. “I hope we get some patrols stepped
up, especially in those sensitive areas where wildlife have been attacked and killed.” Dogs are prohibited in some areas to protect wildlife including the threatened hooded plover, migratory shorebirds, marsupials including the white-footed dunnart and the longnosed bandicoot, and reptiles such as the blue-tongued lizard. Cr David Gill said a 2021 survey (“the latest available figures”) saw the peninsula as the municipality recording the highest number of dog attacks. He said the figure was probably higher than the reported 239. “People don’t usually report rushes and things, which are still serious.” Continued Page 8
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