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Tuesday 12 January 2021
5974 9000 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au
Picture: Yanni
Camping rules unchanged Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au CAMPING at Mornington Peninsula Shire-run foreshore reserves at Rye, Rosebud and Sorrento is continuing despite the latest COVID-19 outbreaks. The shire says it has not changed protocols announced in late November to allow limited numbers of campers.
Campers were allowed in as from Saturday 2 January to avoid large gatherings over Christmas and New Year. The shire’s property and strategy manager Nathan Kearsley last week said camping on the foreshores was “operating at about 40 per cent capacity and extra cleaning of the amenity blocks is in place”. The shire was regularly reviewing its risk plan and making contact with the
Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. “To date, there have been no specific updates or directives from the state government regarding camping,” Mr Kearsley said on Thursday 7 January. Sally Baillieu, of Fingal, wrote to councillors expressing concern that the shire had not changed its decision to open the camping grounds “despite
the change of [COVID-19] figures that were used to lift the ban in the first place”. “State borders have been shut, and we are being forced to wear masks again and follow social distancing guidelines, yet campers are being encouraged to move in and socialise in small confined spaces and use shared bathroom facilities in an area that the rest of the population must access if we
are to use the beach,” Ms Baillieu said. “There are few masks down there, and despite [the shire’s] efforts, having to share bathroom facilities with strangers from across the state makes any efforts they go to virtually useless.” Ms Baillieu was “definitely not against camping” on the peninsula, “… but I do question the economics of it, and the social costs that are not accounted for”. Continued Page 9
Make someday today. Demonstrator offers. Limited days.
Take advantage of exceptional offers on a wide range of Mercedes-Benz Demonstrators during Mercedays. With 3 years complimentary scheduled servicing^ and a $1,000 contribution from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services* – why wait? Visit Mercedes-Benz Mornington today. Ends February 28. Whilst stocks last. ^Offer available from participating Retailers, limited to stock available at time of purchase. Excludes new and pre-owned vehicles, EQC model, leasing products, fleet, government, corporate and rental buyers. Applies to vehicles ordered and delivered between 1 January and 28 February 2021, unless offer is extended by Mercedes-Benz. Whilst stocks last. Scheduled servicing is complimentary for up to 3 years or the relevant mileage-based servicing interval applicable to your model, whichever occurs first, in accordance with the applicable Mercedes-Benz Service Plan. For further information (including vehicle eligibility, mileage and Service Plan conditions) please contact your retailer or visit www.mercedes-benz. com.au/servicesolutions. *Offer is subject to the customer entering into a finance contract (minimum 36-month term and $30,000 financed) with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services (excluding Simplicity, operating and finance leases). Restricted to approved customers (excluding fleet, government or rental and corporate buyers) of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Australia Pty Ltd ABN 73 074 134 517, Australian Credit Licence 247271, and subject to standard credit assessment, lending criteria and fees.
Mercedes-Benz Mornington 29-Mornington-Tyabb Rd (03) 5923 0011 LMCT443 mbmornington.com.au