SouthCoastTaxiPHILLIP ISLAND & SAN REMO DVERTISESouthCoastTaxi AYour Community Voice! WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2020 R $1.40 Incl. GST Counting underway Interim counts from this year’s elections indicate Michael Whelan will return as a Bass Coast Shire councillor. Joining him at the table will likely be Ronnie Bauer and David Rooks. Whelan topped the interim count with 1945 fi rst-preference votes, followed by Bauer on 1619 and Rooks on 1584. The next closest candidate was Jeni Jobe on 694. With preferences still to be distrib- uted, the results are not yet confi rmed. It is worth remembering that in the 2016 election, the third-highest vote win- ner in each ward did not become a coun- cillor once preferences were distributed. However given the lead of the three top candidates, it’s unlikely any other Island Ward candidate will be able to catch up through preferences. Trish Cerini was in fi fth position (554), followed by Ash Belsar (500), Mikhaela Barlow (303) and Darrell Silva (252). Interim votes show Western Port Ward is experiencing a shake-up, with newcomer Rochelle Halstead polling strongly. Current councillor Bruce Kent re- ceived the highest number of fi rst pref- erence votes (2474), followed by Hal- stead with 2055. Clare Le Serve (1848) and Geoff Ellis (1435) will battle it out for the third spot. The result is seen by some as a protest vote by Newhaven and San Remo vot- ers against council’s handling of the sit- ing of a regional skate park fi rst at San Remo and then at Newhaven, and oppo- New councillors for Island sition to the provision of off-leash dog areas at Cape Woolamai by Cr Geoff Ellis in particular. Tentative celebrations and Western Port wards The incoming councillors in Island ward on Monday were hesitant to claim victory before the expected declaration of the poll today (Wednesday) but both Based on interim counts from this year’s elections, it looks likely David Rooks, Michael Whelan and Ronnie Bauer will be the councillors said they were humbled by the results. for Island Ward. Continued page 14 Devastating blow for Mario’s Mario’s at San Remo is shut until worse, if not for the quick thinking CFA crews were on hand and the Expansion plans turned to ash further notice, after a fi re in the pop- of some fellow San Remo traders. fi re was under control, contained to Just prior to the pandemic, Ma- ular restaurant last Tuesday night. Driving past on Tuesday night, Nick the back rooms of the new section. rio leased the adjoining build- Caused by an electrical fault, the Say from the Westernport Hotel noticed “I really want to thank Nick and ing (formerly the Cobra café) and fi re started in a newly opened sec- water pouring out of the restaurant. Sammy,” an emotional Mario said. expanded the dining area for his tion of the restaurant, destroying A melted water pipe had sent wa- Despite the early detection, the busy restaurant. toilets, laundry facilities and a stor- ter gushing through the new section impact of the fi re on the restaurant The redecorating plans, put on age room. of the restaurant and out the door. was devastating, with the new din- hold during the lockdown, had The rest of the premise, including After calling Mario – “he said, I ing area and main restaurant fi lled been completed a month ago. the two dining areas and kitchen think you’ve got a plumbing issue” with smoke and covered in ash. All the plastering had been re- have smoke damage. – Nick joined forces with Sammy Three Sulo bins of food had to be dis- placed, a new fl oor installed, and It’s a devastating blow for the fam- Farah from Beand café who had a carded due to smoke contamination. bathrooms upgraded with new ily restaurant, run by Mario Zinellu spare key to the restaurant. A number of tables and chairs and sinks and toilets. and wife Linda, who had already The pair opened the back door to several baby seats were destroyed, Double barn-style doors were endured the toughest of years due to discover the rooms were on fi re. as well as a washing machine, dry- put in to connect the two dining the Covid pandemic. They grabbed a fi re hose fi xed to er, sink, shelving, food supplies and areas. Mario described it as an “absolute the back of the building trying to storage equipment. Having the new space had helped kick in the guts”. put out the fi re and made a call to The fi re destroyed the laundry and Jars fi lled with Mario’s home the restaurant to reopen with the “It’s something I didn’t really need.” Triple Zero. storage area of the new section of the marinated tuna and pickles are also Covid restrictions. But things could have been much By the time Mario arrived, the restaurant (formerly the Cobra café). now unusable. Continued page 10 COWES SELF STORAGE SOUTH COAST FREE Delivery FULLY SECURED—FULL SURVEILLANCE on all queen Posture Flex mattress’s BOAT CA R AVA N RV STORAGE Queen mattress $1299 SOLAR POWER now available to each unit for battery charging. No extra cost. LK00068AA RESTRICTED TRADING 155 Thompson Ave, Cowes Check daily via For boats and caravans call Mike 0408 547 677 FaceBook or www.southcoastfurnishings.com.au 5952 1488 52-54 Thompson Ave, Cowes PH: 5952 5100 For general storage call Kristina 5952 6633 Ph: 5952 1488 obrienrealestate.com.au/cowes 5952 5100 THE ADVERTISER, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2020 - PAGE 1 Wed/Nov4 Thu/Nov5 Fri/Nov6 Sat/Nov7 Sun/Nov8 Mon/Nov9 Tue/Nov10 SHOWER OR TWO SHOWER OR TWO POSSIBLE SHOWER POSSIBLE SHOWER MOSTLY SUNNY MOSTLY SUNNY MOSTLY SUNNY 7 day weather forecast 1723 1115 1016 1015 1019 1318 14 21 Bass Coast COVID-19 update* As of Monday, October 26 (Due to long weekend) 11 Local residents 11,250 tested positive tests done locally 0 Active cases *From BCH Assessment clinics only since March. Could this streetscape be transformed into a pedestrian mall? A partial road closure in Thompson Avenue is being floated as part of plans PHILLIP ISLAND & SAN REMO ADVERTISER to allow for expanded outdoor dining. Photo Michelle Diggins. CONTACT US: Slow progress for Cowes outdoor plans Classifi eds: [email protected] Discussions to establish out- mas period new area. the discussion as a positive one. door dining areas in Cowes ap- “It will mean more space for pe- “You don’t just want to put ta- “We’re supportive of anything Editorial: [email protected] pear to have stalled. destrians to walk around and to bles and chairs out in the street, that creates economic activity in Advertising: [email protected] While San Remo is moving maintain social distancing.” so it’s not aesthetically inviting. the street. ahead with creating new outdoor Romina said although Pino’s “I just thought because we “But the road closure is 100 per Sport: [email protected] areas and Inverloch traders are didn’t want to offer footpath din- hadn’t heard anything since, it cent in council’s court.” developing plans for street clo- ing, they supported the move and had fizzled out.” A spokesperson for Bass Coast Suite 2, 60 Chapel Street, Cowes, 3922. sures, no decision has been made said it would make a lot of sense Shire Council said it was still Phone (03) 5952 3201 for Cowes. for smaller venues. Expressions of Interest considering a number of outdoor Fax (03) 5952 3024 Key to the plans for Cowes is the “Logistically for us to service Geoff Moed, from the newly dining applications in Cowes. potential closure of Thompson Av- another area, it was more of a formed Phillip Island Business “Plans are still being developed enue between Chapel Street and challenge. Network said there had been dis- in consultation with traders, with the Esplanade, creating a plaza or “We are fortunate enough to cussions with traders and coun- meetings scheduled this week.” mall-like pedestrian area. have the space and an extra cil about road closures to expand Traders in Thompson Avenue handful of tables didn’t warrant outdoor dining options. Publication No. VBF 9005897 said they were approached by the extra work.” As far as he knew, nothing had POLICE Registered by Australia Post. Council and representatives from However she was enthusiastic been finalised for Cowes. the new Phillip Island Business about the plan, believing it was the He said it was up to business BRIEFS Network several weeks ago but opportunity to create a great atmo- The Phillip Island & San Remo Advertiser to decide what would work best, have heard nothing since. sphere and market the local area. with council able to facilitate Car damage Cape Woolamai is bound by the Standards of Practice of Lois Gaskin from Turn the Page “It’s about promoting people to what the traders want, not dictate Police are seeking assis- the Australia Press Council. If you believe said she was asked about the idea meander around, to walk. Then what could happen. tance over a car damaged the Standards may have been breached, of a half road closure in Thomp- they’re more likely to gravitate to “Traders were supposed to put in in Cape Woolamai on Oc- you may approach the newspaper itself son Avenue. retail stores, to grab an ice cream. an expression of interest,” he said. tober 31. Between 12.30am or contact the Council by email “But that was a few weeks ago “I think the biggest challenge is Ocean Reach Brewing is one and 1.30am, police say an ([email protected]) and I’ve heard nothing since.” some retailers have that mindset business that had responded to unknown offender kicked a or by phone ((02) 8261 1930).