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Tuesday 17 November 2020
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Main Street mall a popular move
HUNDREDS of visitors to Main Street, Mornington voted with their feet over the weekend, signalling their approval of Mornington Pennsula Shire’s decision to ban cars from between Barkly Street and the Esplanade. However, the move is not so popular with everyone and the shire has also come under fire for being unprepared for the rubbish generated by the sudden influx of people to the town and its beaches. See Letters Page 32.
Aero club tries to short circuit VCAT Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au PENINSULA Aero Club has asked Mornington Peninsula Shire’s 11 councillors to help find a “circuit-breaker” to resolve its ongoing dispute with the shire over operations at Tyabb Airfield. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal is scheduled to begin a hearing in April, but the PAC’s president Jack Vevers has invited the just-
elected councillors to a meeting at the airfield on Sunday (22 November). Mr Vevers issued a statement last week saying the shire has no evidence to support its claims “and is destined for another loss in VCAT [and] another waste of ratepayers’ money”. Cr Paul Mercurio has urged his fellow councillors to “make the effort to accept and attend the briefing” with Mr Vevers. “It is important that we hear from all sides so we understand all of
the issues and can ask the appropriate questions,” Cr Mercurio said in an email to his colleagues. He estimated the “briefing” would take two hours “or so” and “bring us up to speed from PAC point of view and better ready us” for an official council briefing two days later. Cr Steve Holland told The News he had sought advice from shire CEO John Baker and would be briefed by shire officers about the airfield dispute.
“Following this briefing, I may decide that it is not appropriate to meet with Mr Vevers and the PAC.” Re-elected councillor Hugh Fraser said the invitation provided “an excellent opportunity” for councillors to see operations at Tyabb airfield and to “better understand the briefing and evidence to be provided by council management and the community”. The PAC was the only organisation to issue how-to-vote advice for all wards
during the October council elections placing Cr Mercurio in the number one spot for Watson Ward along with Lisa Dixon (Cerberus) and Anthony Marsh (Briars) (“Deadline close for most unusual poll” The News 13/10/20). Mr Vevers, in an email to councillors, said he had postponed his original invite from Sunday 15 November “after talking with Cr Mercurio, as well as feedback from a couple of you”. Continued Page 9
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