Author: Stephen Taylor

DISABILITY support organisation Wallara, based at Sages Farm in Baxter, says its future expansion depends on receiving $750,000 each from the state and federal governments. The charity, which helps those living with a disability prepare for and find employment, has invested more than $2 million without receiving any money from government – despite it being two years since CEO Phil Hayes-Brown asked for their support. “The farm has proven its ability to create jobs,” Hayes-Brown told a lunch last week attended by partners Frankston RSL and St Kilda Football Club. “Local businesses can see what we are doing here and…

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MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will write to Planning Minister Richard Wynne seeking a review and public consultation into the clothing-optional status of Mount Eliza’s nude beach, Sunnyside North. The council says the review should consider “patterns of visitor behaviour on the beach itself and the surrounding area”. It should be led and resourced by the state government. The council will also write to the opposition planning and heritage spokesperson Ryan Smith to push for the review. Cr Steve Holland seconded by Cr Anthony Marsh moved the notice of motion for the review at the 1 November council meeting. Also included was…

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MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has knocked back a proposed retirement village in Mount Eliza. Plans for the proposed $160 million Beachleigh “retirement community” at 33 Jacksons Road, included 105 independent living units in 12 buildings. Parts of existing buildings would have been demolished and vegetation – including 63 trees – removed. The former Peninsula Health Mount Eliza Centre on 3.4 hectares dates back to the 1920s. At various times it was a children’s hospital and a geriatric hospital. Most of the buildings were demolished in 2019 but three remain – all with heritage value. Melbourne-based developer Hengyi Pacific reportedly paid…

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THE manager of a Cape Schanck property preparing to cull upwards of 250 trapped kangaroos blames “passionate, but misguided and ill-informed animal activists” for their fate. “If they had left our fencing alone, these kangaroos would be happily living their lives in the park,” said the manager, who did not wish to be named after receiving what he claimed were “death threats” on social media. “I could be happy spending my time farming instead of dealing with the problem that they alone have created through their misguided efforts resulting in the need to cull this regal animal to only be…

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THE peninsula’s arts sector has received a boost as it seeks to recover from COVID-19 with the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery being given $300,000 from the federal government. The grant will be used to set up public art events with 15 artists being commissioned by November to create works that “respond to key sites and stories that have shaped the Mornington Peninsula”. “It doesn’t happen every day,” gallery director Danny Lacy said. “This is a great opportunity to present a broad project that displays the whole of the peninsula.” Mr Lacy said the gallery was a major partner in the…

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