PENINSULA WIDE EVENTS | SERVICES | COUNCIL | PROJECTS | PLANNING Naturally perfect A homage to every side of our region Spring 2018 PENINSULA WIDE 29 Mayor’s Message On behalf of my fellow Councillors, The peninsula abounds with areas of I’m pleased to welcome you to National, State and local conservation Spring. Being that we find ourselves significance and high agricultural in the season of new beginnings, this value, be it the sensitive ecosystem of edition of Peninsula Wide is a fervent Tootgarook Wetland, or the valuable celebration of the natural world, growth, food bowl that is sustained by our and the day-to-day investments we are Green Wedge. As the busiest Planning making in the future of our region. Services team across all Councils in From advocating for the long- the state — processing around 2,100 term protection of the Mornington planning applications and receiving Peninsula’s rural areas, to investing in more than 37,000 phone calls a initiatives that deal proactively with the year — the Shire takes the business issues of waste and climate change, of safeguarding the biodiversity and protecting our environment for current character of our region very seriously. and future generations is a guiding We’re sowing the seeds of a future Councillor Bryan Payne, Mayor vision for the Shire. There is such that we can all be proud of Mornington Peninsula Shire a lot to protect. — see you in the field! [email protected] 5950 1428 Contact us Talk to us Contents 5950 1000 or 1300 850 600 We hope to provide news and [email protected] information that is relevant to Our Prosperity 3 Report it online: the lives our community and Our Place 4 mornpen.vic.gov.au/reportit welcome your feedback. Ward news [email protected] Briars 10 Visit us Editor: Zoe Dzunko Cerberus 12 Rosebud 90 Besgrove Street Graphic designers: Nepean 14 Mornington 2 Queen Street Kelly-Maree Newling and Sean Roche Red Hill 16 Hastings 21 Marine Parade Photographer: Ryan Eckersley Seawinds 18 Somerville 1085 Frankston-Flinders Cover image: Morning light at Watson 20 Warringine Conservation Park Road (within Somerville Library) Our Connectivity 22 The information in this publication is of a For office hours or further info: general nature and is not intended to provide Our Wellbeing 23 mornpen.vic.gov.au/contact a complete discussion on each subject and/or issues canvassed. Mornington Peninsula Shire Events 28 does not accept liability for any statement, opinion, errors or omissions contained herein. Mornington Peninsula Shire acknowledges and pays respect to the Boon Wurrung/ Bunurong people, the traditional custodians of these lands and waters. Your Councillors Cr Rosie Clark Cr Bev Colomb Cr Sam Hearn Cr Julie Morris Briars Ward Watson Ward Cerberus Ward Cr Simon Brooks Cr Antonella Celi Cr Frank Martin Seawinds Cr Kate Roper Nepean Ward Ward Red Hill Ward Cr Bryan Payne Cr Hugh Fraser Cr David Gill 2 PENINSULA WIDE Spring 2018 our shire Beyond the basics Budgeting for a buoyant peninsula Our role as local government is vast and varied but, at its Ongoing advocacy for the welfare of our community most elemental, our purpose is to foster the wellbeing of and our region is a testament to the pivotal role we’re the Mornington Peninsula community and enhance the endeavouring to play in advancing social, economic and place they call home. environmental outcomes. Far beyond the idea that council’s Of the more than 80 services we provide, each is informed primary function is merely to deliver core services — the by an abiding commitment to making the peninsula the three Rs of roads, rates and rubbish — we are determined best possible region to live — a place where even the to make a positive difference, both at a collective and an most vulnerable members of our community feel safe and individual level. Working closely with our community means supported; where anybody, no matter their age, gender, we are familiar with who they are, the issues they face and ethnicity or abilities, can realise their ambitions and the what they need to thrive. As our 2018/19 Budget shows, we quality of life they deserve. work hard to deliver community infrastructure, initiatives, and a broad range of services that reflect our community’s mornpen.vic.gov.au/budget priorities and produce tangible impacts. Our Place $70.39M Our Wellbeing $27.58M Highlights Highlights $5.16M for Bushland and Foreshores Reserve $5.73M for Active and Passive Open Spaces Maintenance Management to manage fire risk and protect and enhance to provide opportunities and facilities for recreational and biodiversity, $4.5M for Roadside Vegetation & Arboriculture entertainment based sporting programs, competitions and to maintain vegetation in our roadside reserves, and activities, and $2.8M for Aquatic and Recreational Facilities. $1.05M for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption. $1.62M for Arts and Culture to provide a culturally enriching $24.4M for cost effective, efficient and sustainable experience for the community and visitors, $1.5M for our Waste Services, $1.2M for Domestic Animal Grants program to support projects, programs and services Management to protect the community and that respond to identified community need, $3.1M for environment, $727,000 for Environmental Health Libraries to provide a free lending and information service, and $2.73M for Stormwater Management. and $1.53M for Youth Services to support and empower $8.85M for Township Beautification and Cleaning to young people to feel happy, healthy and connected. ensure townships are well maintained, $2.99M for Street $1.75M for Child and Family Health to build stronger, more Furniture and Signage Maintenance to preserve of traffic resilient families and communities, and approximately $4.5M facilities and ensure the safety of users, $2M for Public across numerous Health and Community Care programs Lighting to illuminate roads, pathways and public spaces, including Aged and Disability Services, Meals on Wheels and $3.47M for Planning Scheme and Applications and Home Based Care Services, which support the health, to maintain the valued characteristics of the peninsula, wellbeing and connectedness of older residents or those with support growth and encourage economic development high care needs. while protecting the environment. Our Connectivity $12.61M Our Prosperity $1.37M Highlights Highlights $10.68M for Road and Pathway Maintenance to maintain $797,000 for Economic Development to support the the sealed and gravel road network across the Shire, business community by improving productivity and capability, $1.35M for School Crossings to ensure the safe crossing enhancing employment growth, supporting the diversification of children at identified high-risk locations, and $870,000 for of the local economy and undertaking collaborative projects Transport and Traffic Management to improve road safety, with business, government, service providers and regional infrastructure and transport services. bodies, and $582,000 for Tourism Marketing to enhance, facilitate and promote existing and new experiences through the quality and diversity of the region. our prosperity Spring 2018 PENINSULA WIDE 3 Propagating a productive peninsula The Mornington Peninsula’s agricultural history can be Relatively small land holdings, high land prices and competition traced across the contours of our region. From early have encouraged local farmers to value add and diversify their twentieth century orcharding in Somerville and Tyabb, to businesses to maximise value. Now one of the most varied the berry crops, grape vines and olive groves punctuating agricultural regions in Victoria, the peninsula’s thriving industry the hinterland from Red Hill to Main Ridge, food has been boasts an impressive array of products — including wine, integral to the peninsula’s cultural, social and economic vegetables, fruit, eggs, beef, lamb, flowers, seafood, truffles, prosperity for more than a century. garlic, berries and herbs — artisanal produce and a dynamic As an area that has high conservation significance and natural agritourism sector. beauty, and which contributes to food choices and food The mild and frost-free maritime climate of the peninsula’s security while supporting quality of life for residents and visitors Green Wedge is just one of its many advantages for agricultural alike, the Mornington Peninsula’s Green Wedge is valued for use. Add to this its versatile soil types, access to water, and its many reasons. Widely regarded as a major recreation location proximity to the Melbourne for the growing population of Melbourne, the Green Wedge market, and the peninsula’s also plays an important economic role. unique potential to play Agriculture accounts for The total annual value of the Mornington Peninsula’s a growing role in feeding agricultural production is estimated at $1.1 billion, most of Melbourne’s future the employment of 10% which occurs in the Green Wedge where agriculture and population is apparent. of Green Wedge residents various kinds of primary production occupy the largest As population growth proportion of the land area. With a diverse economic base, increases the demand for Agritourism based ranging from tourism to extractive industries, the Green high-quality fresh food, employment, often linked Wedge provides many different career opportunities and it becomes ever more is a significant source of employment for residents. important to sustain the vital to food and wine, employs role agriculture has played an additional 10% in the peninsula’s narrative for much of its history. The Mornington Peninsula produces: 32% of Victoria’s lettuce 25% of Victoria’s herbs 3+ tonnes of apples annually 10% of Victoria’s strawberries At least 15% of the total wealth generated from Victorian agriculture, from less than 4% of the state’s farmland Green Wedge Management Plan With proposed actions that include advocacy to have the other farms participating in the program, our Draft Mornington Mornington Peninsula included in the state government’s Peninsula Green Wedge Management Plan 2018 seeks to regional agriculture support programs, continued liaison and support sustainable agriculture on the peninsula.