Western Port ™
Your guide to what’s on this weekend for peninsula families
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Tuesday 31 March 2015
5973 6424 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au
Protest over project plan NO smiling faces among this group of Balnarring residents who stand united against a contentious commercial redevelopment planned for Russell St, Balnarring. The group – with David Wright, Barb Rimington and Amanda Rodwell out front - say the plans breach the usual guidelines concerning over-development, landscaping, open space and setback requirements. Seven flowering gums are also at risk. The group is also worried that poorly designed parking areas will push cars into nearby streets and that the four-year construction period will disrupt traders, residents and school children for too long. See Page 6. Picture: Daryl Gordon
Lack of cash forces poor food choices Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au FINANCIAL hardship is “a significant factor” affecting peninsula residents’ ability to access fresh, local and affordable food, according to the mayor, Cr Bev Colomb. Figures show the Mornington Peninsula is well above the state average when it comes to the number of people unable to buy quality food. Other factors may include intergenerational poverty, such as “not having
fresh vegies and fruit consistently as a younger person and, therefore, growing up not knowing how to cook or source them, or not having access to a car to access fresh food”, she said. Cr Colomb last week launched Connecting Local People to Local Produce, a booklet aimed at making access to, growing and cooking fresh, local food, easier. It was produced by the Mornington Peninsula Shire. Food security across the state was measured in the 2011 Victorian Population Health Survey. Respondents were asked if there had been any times
in the previous 12 months when they had run out of food and could not afford to buy more. Their answers – reproduced in the latest Community Indicators Report shows that 7.3 per cent of those living on the Mornington Peninsula had experienced food insecurity compared to the Victorian state average of 4.5 per cent. The Southern Metro Region figure is 7.6 per cent. “Everyone can be impacted upon by food security, from the very young to the very old and everyone in between,” Cr Colomb said. “Food security can
affect people in different ways depending on resources, knowledge, and income.” She said organisations on the peninsula, such as SecondBite – which distributes more than three tonnes of ‘rescued’ fresh food in Rosebud alone - were “just fantastic”. “Other fresh food programs and emergency relief programs providing community meals are working to improve food security,” she said. “Community gardens are also teaching people how to ‘grow your own’.” Shire health and wellbeing commit-
tee chair Cr Antonella Celi said “people may not realise, in an abundant country like ours, that [almost] 5 per cent of the population experiences food insecurity”. “People who cannot access local, fresh, affordable and nutritious food experience detrimental health and lifestyle factors that threaten their ability to live well and prosper in our community. That is not okay,” she said. Copies of the booklet at shire offices at Rosebud, Hastings and Mornington or mornpen.vic.gov.au/local_produce
FRANKSTON HIGH SCHOOL 2016 Enrolment Information and School Tours A learning culture that money cannot buy
Frankston High School has an outstanding reputation as a high performing school, particularly in the areas of academic achievement, music and sport. Prospective parents are encouraged to attend an information session and tour of the school on the following dates:
Friday, 17 April 9:15am – 11am Monday, 20 April 9:15am – 11am Thursday, 23 April 9:15am – 11am Tuesday, 28 April 9:15am – 11am Wednesday, 29 April 9:15am – 11am
Foot Street, Frankston Ph: 9783 7955
For parents unable to attend through the day, an information evening will be held on Wednesday, 22 April from 7pm to 8pm. As places are limited, bookings are required. Please book via our website at www.fhs.vic.edu.au or phone the office on 9783 7955.