Western Port
Weste rn Port
realestate 10 June 2014
Living the dream Your guide to what’s on this weekend for peninsula families
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Tuesday 10 June 2014
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Sanctuary attracts praise from near and far A RELATIVELY small wildlife centre at Pearcedale is achieving a worldwide reputation. The internet provides businesses access to world markets, but once they have attracted attention this can also backfire with negative comments sent from continent to continent within a nanosecond. But there has been no such negative feedback for Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park in Tyabb-Tooraddin Rd. Accolades spilling in from around the world have seen director Michael Johnson, left, scoop the pool when it comes to analysing comments posted by park visitors on the TripAdvisor website. Moonlit Sanctuary has received a certificate of excellence for the consistent praise heaped on it by visitors. Of 83 comments posted on the TripAdvisor site 69 rate the park “excellent”, 13 “very good” and nine “average”. “Amazing experience for a European!! Not very big in size, but offers a great up-close experience to the Australian wildlife,” came from someone in Romania while a visitor from Germany had a “very eventful day with lovely keeper-talk and close animal encounters. That was only topped by a night tour through the park”. Seven of the first 10 reviews came from overseas, including India, Japan, Canada, Singapore and the United Kingdom. The awards “There is no greater seal of approval than being recognised by one’s customers. With the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence based on customer reviews, the accolade is a remarkable vote of confidence to our business and our continued commitment to excellence.” Mr Johnson said. See “Sanctuary born of a boyhood dream”, Page 8.
Homing in on town’s future Chris Brennan chris@mpnews.com.au A VISION unveiled for the development of Hastings ensures High St remains the town’s business and social heart while providing for more housing in the town centre and enhancing the appeal of the foreshore precinct.
The Draft Hastings Town Centre Structure Plan was tabled at last month’s council meeting, with councillors voting to invite public comment on the proposals through a “comprehensive community consultation process”. The plan addresses a range of “strategic planning policies” relating to the “look, feel and function” of Hastings’
town centre to guide development over the next 15 years. It includes recommendations on how expected growth pressures for additional retail and commercial facilities and housing can be best managed in a way that “enhances the role of Hastings as the main centre for the eastern Peninsula and the gateway to Western Port”.
A report for council consideration compiled by the shire’s strategic projects and planning manager, Frank Mangan, said preparation of a “streetscape framework plan” for High St was to be given the highest priority. “This framework plan will provide a strategic basis for council to consider further proposals for streetscape imQUALITY FIREWOOD @ COMPETATIVE PRICES
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provements in High Street and future funding decisions,” he said. High St, supported by large retail facilities that can be accessed via a ring road, would continue to provide Hastings with its unique character, providing “a centre the community can identify with” and also “a competitive strength”. Continued on Page 6
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