Friday, July 27, 2012
Phone: 5249 6700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
A Star News Group publication
INSIDE: NDIS HOPES DASHED - P5 >> AVALON FUNDING BLOW - P7
Torquay’s ‘hardwar’
It’s a lock: Torquay’s Jake Bowen with a key lock for unattended surfers’ vehicles. Picture Tommy Ritchie 84671
Police putting car owners on notice BY CHERIE DONNELLAN SURF Coast Police have launched a new operation after finding that thieves who break into cars find 90 per cent of them unlocked. Crime Investigations Unit Detective Sergeant Craig Blunt said Operation Lock Me was a “proactive� response to the offence of leaving unattended vehicles unlocked. The operation involved police
issuing warnings to motorists leaving valuables visible in unlocked cars. “Notices will be sent out to the owners of these cars to warn locals,� Det Sgt Blunt said. The number of people leaving valuables like wallets, phones, iPods and laptops in “clear view� was frustrating Surf Coast police. Det Sgt Blunt said vehicle own-
ers appearing on the register more than once could receive fines. “We don’t want to have to get to that point, though.� Det Sgt Blunt said the operation included warnings to surfers leaving keys on car tyres that they were “easy targets� for thieves. “Surfers often leave their keys in wheel arches but they don’t realise thieves often watch them.�
BY CHERIE DONNELLAN MITRE 10 Torquay owner Evan Crick has vowed to continue trading despite the opening of a Bunnings store at the entry to the town. Mr Crick said the arrival of competition had failed to scare him into selling or closing his long-standing business in Baines Cres. “We’ve been here a lot longer than Bunnings have and we intend to stay,� Mr Crick told the Independent. Bunnings opened in an industrial estate on Surf Coast Hwy last month, giving Torquay a second outlet for hardware and timber supplies. The opening provided Mitre 10’s first competition in Torquay since a smaller-scale hardware closed in Bell St several years ago. The next closest hardware is another Bunnings store in Waurn Ponds. Mr Crick said winter retailing was typically quiet on the coast this year but Mitre 10’s operations were “moving ahead very strongly�. “It’s business as usual for Mitre 10. I think we’ve felt a bigger effect from the cold, wet weather than the Bunnings opening.� Mr Crick said serving and supporting the community would remain the store’s priority. “We’ve been here for 28 years and nothing will change that. “We know our prices are competitive and we shop prices to make it cheaper.� “We’ve got some great promotions and things coming up�.
Stayer: Evan Crick outside his store. The Crick family have owned and operated the Mitre 10 store since 1984. Torquay Bunnings store manager Mick Gann said the store had received “tremendous� support since opening. Mr Gann said the store employed more than 100 Surf Coast residents including qualified tradesman. “We’re also committed to helping the wider Torquay local community and will provide ongoing assistance for local community groups.� Mr Gann said the Torquay store would continue the Bunnings tradition of the company’s “famous� sausage sizzles on weekends and public holidays. Bunnings allows community groups to operate the sizzles as fundraisers. Bunnings was also offering residents “leading Australian brands and products...at the lowest prices�, Mr Gann said.
S SLASHED TO CLEAR ! R E T U P M O C L L A
GEELONG WAURN PONDS
Harvey NormanÂŽ stores are operated by independent franchisees. Ends 14/05/12. Harvey NormanÂŽ stores are operated by independent franchisees. *Limited stock available - excludes Apple. Terms and conditions apply. See in store for details.
420 Princes Highway, Corio.
33 Princes Hwy (Homemakers Centre).
5272 9900
5240 6200
229054_P01_GEE
1041525-EP30-12
END OF RANGE COMPUTER CLEARANCE.