Author: Stephen Taylor

A “PERFECT storm” of bushfires, industry cutbacks, COVID, people working from home, and government incentives for new home building and renovations have led to a shortage of structural timber affecting the Victorian building industry. The dearth of supply across the Mornington Peninsula has meant many timber yards are finding it hard to source stock for their trade customers. There are concerns the shortage, leading to delays, will generate a “ripple effect” affecting the jobs of electricians, carpenters, joiners and others involved in home building. Adding to the “storm” are rises in global freight charges and strong demand for timber in…

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ON a cold, wet night in Mount Eliza two years ago, Kalinda Nheu died when the driver of the yellow utility in which she was a passenger lost control, crossed the median strip, and skidded into the path of an approaching Ford Territory. The impact of the collision killed the 19-year-old and the male driver of the ute instantly, while the driver of the Ford was seriously injured. Somerville Highway Patrol police last week shared a video of the consequences of the tragic collision on Nepean Highway, opposite Mount Eliza Way. The video was part of Operation Nexus held over…

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HUNDREDS of people on the Mornington Peninsula were in step with thousands across Australia last Monday, 15 March, at March4Justice rallies. A march in Rosebud coincided with about 20 people showing their support for an end to gender-based discrimination and violence outside the Somerville office of Flinders MP Greg Hunt. The group gathered to demand that women be “heard, respected and represented in Canberra” as well to call for an end to gender-based discrimination and violence in society. The staging of the sit-in outside Mr Hunt’s office was because “his office is our doorway to Canberra”, organiser Mieke Suggars said.…

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A GROUP of “mermaids” swims regularly at Fishermans Beach, Mornington, to gain the benefits of cold water swimming, increase exercise levels, revel in companionship and simply enjoy the fun of getting together in the water. Afterwards, of course, they enjoy a coffee and a chat at a nearby cafe. Mornington Peninsula Mermaids are a group of women who have swum at 7am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays since early January. Their aim, however daunting, is to go right through winter. Organiser Jacky Howgate says the women float, swim (with a “few now challenging themselves by swimming to the first pole…

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THE state government is being urged to hurry up its takeover of managing Mornington Peninsula’s boat launching ramps. It is believed the state of the boat ramps was high on the agenda during a recent meeting between Fishing and Boating Minister Melissa Horne and shire CEO John Baker. In the lead-up to the 2018 election the state government promised to “embark on the biggest reforms to the way that boating infrastructure is managed that Victoria has ever seen [by] fixing boat ramps, abolishing boat ramp parking and launching fees, and reforming boat ramp management in Port Phillip and Western Port”.…

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