Mornington
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Morni ngton
9 July 2013
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Community policing on a wave
Team work: Acting Sergeant Chris Stock of Hastings police, left, Senior Constable Neil Prosser of Mornington and Leading Senior Constable Michael Gibson of Rosebud are part of a team working with Mornington Peninsula retailers. Picture: Jason Richardson
By Jo Winterbottom GOOD customer service is the first step in the fight against shoplifting, says a new guide produced by Mornington Peninsula police. A retailer’s guide to reducing retail theft offers tips on service, training staff, dealing with suspected thieves, handling aggressive customers and contacting police. Senior Constable Neil Prosser of Mornington police said the police CREST unit would distribute the leaflet to retailers and shopkeepers in Mornington, Hastings and Rosebud. “We’ll be talking with shopowners so they know what to do if they have any problems and how to handle things if the police need to be called,� he said. The Community Response Engagement and Social Tasking (CREST) unit, which has members from Hastings, Mornington and Rosebud police stations, was set up 18 months ago as a “proactive policing unit� to work on community initiatives and crime prevention. The crew’s car is part-financed by Mornington Peninsula Shire. “We are not burdened with responding to 000 calls, so we have a bit more time to act on community concerns and find solutions,� Senior Constable Prosser said. Continued on Page 3
Zones protect region: MP By Mike Hast PLANNING zones introduced by the state government last Monday will protect Mornington Peninsula neighbourhoods from inappropriate development, says MP David Morris. Mr Morris, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, said the three zones were “Australia’s strongest residential planning zones�. “They will govern the style of development allowed in towns and villages across the peninsula,� he said.
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Neighbourhood Residential Zone, General Residential Zone and Residential Growth Zone would protect areas “while simultaneously identifying areas in which growth and built form change can occur�. The new residential zones will replace Residential 1, Residential 2 and Residential 3 zones. “For too long our town planning rules have been vague and imprecise,� Mr Morris said. It has been possible to seek a permit
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for almost any scale of development, regardless of its inappropriateness. “Residents defending their neighbourhood have had to take a ticket in the VCAT lottery and hope for a win.� Mr Morris said Victorians wanted clear planning rules. “They want to know exactly what can be built, and where. “The introduction of the reformed residential zones provides peninsula communities with that level of knowledge and protection once and for all.�
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Neighbourhood Residential Zone “will govern height and subdivision rules that cannot be challenged in VCAT�. Residential Growth Zone would cover areas “identified as places that can accommodate growth and built form change�. Changes follow 18 months of “consultation and discussion with communities, industry and councils�, he said. Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the Department of Transport, Planning
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and Local Infrastructure would assist councils to assess the most appropriate application of zones. “Issues such as neighbourhood character, existing density levels and areas of heritage are canvassed in these implementation guidelines to ensure the dual objectives of certainty and protection can be achieved,� Mr Guy said. Councils including Mornington Peninsula Shire will have 12 months from 1 July to change from existing planning zones to the new ones.
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