Western Port
Weste rn Port
realestate 27 Septem ber
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Safe haven for migratory parrots MOONLIT Sanctuary in Pearcedale is trying to shine a ray of hope on the otherwise gloomy future for the orange-bellied parrot. The sanctuary last week opened a new aviary devoted solely to the breeding of the critically endangered parrots. The number of oreange-bellied parrots in the wild is declining sharply, with many birds lost as they undertake a hazardous migration across Bass Strait from Tasmania to Victoria. See “Hazards aplenty when parrots fly strait” Page 9 Picture: Gary Sissons
Issues from ‘community’ to frogs Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au FOOTPATHS, foreshores … and frogs. There is seemingly no end – and in some cases no relation - to the variety of issues and concerns listed by the 50 candidates for the 11 seats on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. Easily added to the three mentioned above are “over development”, waste disposal, planning for coastal “villages” and, certainly an elephant
in the room, how much councillors should be allowed to spend above their $29,000 a year stipend ($92,000 for the mayor). The candidates’ buzz word for this election is community. Although not a definable issue, community will be a frequent persuader used by candidates in their search for votes. A public forum to give ratepayers a chance to hear the six Watson ward candidates is being held at Somerville on Thursday. Starting at 7pm the forum will be in Shop 24 at Somer-
ville Central. Watson ward has been without a councillor since the May resignation of Lynn Bowden. Five candidates have nominated for adjoining Cerberus ward, including sitting councillor David Garnock. He is one of just four of the current councillors seeking re-election in a poll where the outcome is certain to be a game changer for council voting patterns. Although it’s guaranteed that seven councillors will not have been re-elected from the current council,
some of the “new” faces sitting in the council chamber after the 22 October election may be familiar, with several former councillors deciding it may be their time, again. Several candidates do not live in the wards they are seeking to represent, raising eyebrows and questions over their ability (they can) to claim mileage expenses and familiarisation with their wards - if successful. New alliances will eventually be formed within the council, but for now and at least a short time after the
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election, the shire’s newly-elected community representatives will be relatively free of old animosities. Like it or hate it, Arthurs Seat is again about to be equipped with a chairlift, or rather a gondola ride called the Eagle. Candidates old and new are singing its praises and probably relieved that’s one battle they will not have to face. Surprisingly, finding a site for a swimming pool at Rosebud may again soak up council time. Continued Page 15
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