Nepean Voters Action Group

ELECTION TIME

As a community we have never been stronger or more united, focused on shared values & goals. I encourage everyone to engage on www.nepeanvoters.org your continuing input is essential as we guide the future of our area., let's keep our momentum going!
With a lot of hard work & against almost impossible odds, we have tackled huge issues & won – the biggest achievement for me after seeing our community come together was masterplans for Sorrento’s 5 foreshores. They are now exactly what we wanted under the careful guidance of our RSL, they will proudly showcase our rich history & keep our prized views through the Norfolks – you asked for sympathetic upgrades & minimal change & that is exactly what we have. The biggest challenge for our area has been lack of support from most other councillors – it is shockingly political, and nothing to do with creating consensus. As we are only one vote of eleven, it is crucial that we get community minded not politically agenda driven councillors in other wards 🤞. We are now a single councillor ward with boundaries from Lyon St Rye to Pt Nepean & are better positioned to ensure the needs of the Nepean part of Rye are clearly on the agenda along with Blairgowrie, Sorrento & Portsea – it is all doable. When voting, remember integrity is key. Please note, I would not report another candidate for having a picture at a private function, I would not put my signage next to another candidate, I would not take down another candidates sign – all has happened to me in the last couple of days, choose wisely.

Election Campaign - Susan Bissinger

www.nepeanvoters.org

APOLOGY

Yesterday at a private function it was suggested i put up a sign announcing my candidacy for council (not on the building just inside the function itself) - i honestly didn't realise it was a "thing" for a private function. I was reported to the Victorian Electoral Commission and was contacted to remove it. Whilst this was obviously the actions of another candidate (who else would know who to contact etc), please do not speculate. Ultimately it was my fault, and I apologise to the candidate. I would suggest that all other candidates are more careful.

Look what we got, how lucky are we not to have empty stores in this current economic climate.

BEACH CLEANING

You can use this interactive link to find out when beaches are to be hand cleaned by council workers.

During peak times members of our amazing community step up and choose to pick up litter on their early morning walks. If you want to be one, just take a bag with you, 😊

Beach cleaning Mornington Peninsula beaches will be solely cleaned by hand for the next 12 months after preliminary investigations found the mechanical rake removed just 40 per cent of litter.

As a community, we need unite to drive much needed change on the Peninsula. I'm up for it, if you're up for it. Im hopeful for fresh faces in other wards that are more aligned with residents and our way of life. We still have significant local projects to get over the line, so fingers crossed.

Nepean Voters Action Group PRESERVING OUR HISTORY, CHARACTER, CHARM & BEAUTY.

No filters, no adjustments, just an honest image taken with a phone. Happy Wednesday.

The recent storms have significantly impacted our Peninsula, and residents across the Shire are working hard to clean up their properties. We’re offering a ‘no charge’ green waste weekend from 13 to 15 September to assist with the cleanup. 📅

The ‘No Charge’ Green Waste event is for Shire residents or ratepayers only, with green waste delivered only from residential vehicles and trailers. 🌱🍃

For more information about the ‘No Charge’ Green Waste event or to book a green waste bin collection service visit https://brnw.ch/21wMkdX

🌿🚮🚛

MORNINGTON PENINSULA PAID PARKING - HOW COUNCILLORS VOTED AT TODAYS MEETING.

TO END PAID PARKING
Bissinger
Celi
Marsh
Gill
Dixon

TO DEFER THE DECISION AND CREATE A POLICY
Holland
O’Connor
Race
Mar
Brooks
Roper

This post is about Mt Martha, but our shopping strips are only a short walk to the beach. Blairgowrie traders already have a serious issue with beachgoers parking all day in customers carparks.

💵🏖🚗 PAID PARKING IN MOUNT MARTHA? 🚗🏖💵

Next Tuesday (3 Sep), the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council will vote on whether to implement permanent paid parking across the entire Mornington Peninsula Shire Port Phillip Coastline - including Mount Martha!

Would love to hear your thoughts! 🙏

The details are still to come, but in summary:
🟡 The permanent solution will take three years and cost ratepayers $18M before it is profitable (break-even).
🟡 Base-case scenario is $6.20/hour, 8 am – 8 pm all year round.
🟡 Paid parking will include all foreshore off-street parking and both sides of the adjoining road (in Mount Martha, this means anything seaside of Esplanade or parking on either side of Esplanade) – the report estimates 311 paid parking spots in Mount Martha.
🟡 Parking areas will mostly be timed, e.g. 1, 2 or 4-hour limits.
🟡 2 x permits issued to residents. The same time limits will apply. Additional permits will need to be purchased.
🟡 30 additional staff to be employed to operate at a cost of ~ $3 M/year
🟡 It is estimated that cumulative profit would be ~ $38.7M at the end of 10 years.
🟡 Western Port foreshores will be exempt, incl. Flinders Pier (one of the 3 current trial sites).

Many details will be fleshed out after a decision to proceed (if voted in favour) and the above information may change over time.

Disclaimer:
While I am not in favour of this proposal, I will keep an open mind and reserve my ultimate decision (vote) until after I have seen the actual motion presented (and any amendments) and after having considered all relevant debate. I am approaching this issue with an open-mind with no predetermined position (just tentative views) and my decision will be based on all of the relevant information and data, as required under the Act. While I don't think this statement is necessary, I am adding it for clarity. Thanks! 😀

Happy Wednesday!! Check out the birds, so lovely of them to turn up.

KEEP IT HONEST

I was alerted to current councillors taking credit for projects they didn’t drive - surely honesty is important? Rye Skate Park was Chris Brayne securing money, and the community stepping up, for a great result! The Alma Field st footpath was arranged years ago as part of the PPN, I remember our surprise to see it being progressed.
It is cringeworthy to see people taking credit for the work of others who should be acknowledged. In the run up to the council election, I am expecting the same false representations as there were in 2020. Be diligent, this shire depends on you choose honest and decent people to address the major issues we have. Councillors should be Local not Global

RYE TOWNSHIP PLAN

You will have to download the PDF, pay attention to the Point Nepean Rd plans which shows Rye becoming more of a mall than the main arterial for the rest of the Peninsula, and our direct connection to Rosebud and Frankston Hospitals. It will not only hinder ambulances but the CFA, Police in both directions. It didn't seem well thought out that consultation only involved some Rye residents and not those who will be most affected. I tried to get one lane in each direction stopped, as all emergency services were against it, but officers decided to progress it - I'm not sure when this gets implemented, but it will not be great for the pointy end of the Peninsula.

www.mornpen.vic.gov.au

https://enrolment.vec.vic.gov.au/

MAKE SURE YOU ARE ENROLLED TO VOTE, THIS CLOSES TOMORROW 7/8/24 AT 4PM

Check My Enrolment | Victorian Electoral Commission

Happy Saturday!! I love the fact we have a ferry service across the bay, Searoad Ferries have done a consistently amazing job despite not receiving the subsidies that ferries on the other side of the bay get. I would still love to see a Melbourne to Sorrento Ferry.....

DAVID MACFARLAN RESERVE MASTERPLAN ADOPTED

After 9 years and countless hours of negotiation, we finally have a workable masterplan for our sporting precinct! We were also able to get a priority list approved. The full masterplan agenda item is on the Mornpen website in the meeting agenda for 23rd July starting at page 240.https://www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/new-website-documents/about-us/meetings-amp-minutes/2024/agendas-2024/council-meeting-agenda-23-july-2024.pdf

Following is the approved high priority list, this will be subject to change as grants become available for items.

That Council prioritise the delivery of the following high priority and two medium priority actions in the Master Plan, in the following order and amend the implementation plan in the master plan accordingly:
1. 2 x competition netball courts including fencing, shelters and lighting situated behind the Football/cricket pavilion (including installation of new protective fence behind goals) and removal of existing Cypress trees along Hotham rd behind pavilion. Including nets behind the goals at either end.
2. Construction of new entry/exit for football reserve noting that all paths will be included as shared roads as is throughout Sorrento, that the unmade road continues to go around the ground near the public toilets. To include the road to the pavilion and carparking next to the Bowling club and Pavillion only. (formerly medium priority)
3. Removal of Monterey Cypresses and planting along major frontages with semi advanced Norfolk Island Pines
4. Construction of Hotham Rd Parking.
5. Construction of new playground to replace existing
6. New sealed carpark next to RSL (formerly medium priority)

ARE YOU ENROLLED TO VOTE IN THE UP COMING COUNCIL ELECTION?

Please note you can vote in more than one area as long as you have a property down here - your Peninsula community needs you!!

Council Elections Here you will find information on Council elections and the election process.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT - COUNCIL ELECTIONS ARE IN OCTOBER

Did you know that you don't have to live in a ward to run for election in that ward, you only have to live on the Peninsula. 🤔

A fire can be mesmerising, enjoy!

SORRENTO FIRE

Over the road from the foreshore, the Koonya Hotel was packed with festival goers, the vibe was amazing!
This festival couldn't have been done without sponsors, and it was great to see MPNews, the Mornington Peninsula Shire, Sorrento Chamber of Commerce, the The Continental Sorrento, Rahona Valley Wines Dromana, Outlook communications (supplying lighting), 3MP Radio, &Gallery/DJ Projects for all their hard work and creation of the magnificent burning man! All of them invested money into the festival for our community and the Peninsula!
Other sponsors were Good Sissons lighting. Bass & Flinders Gin Distillery Dromana, Blaso Pyrotechnics, Jetty Road Brewery, Koonya Hotel
As well as SeaRoads Ferries, Mubble, Sardo Sorrento, Bendigo Bank, InterContinental, Marshall White - I know I missed at least one as I couldn't read it.
All sponsors were really appreciated, and it made the festival a huge success!!
Krys (President), Andy and Julie (&Gallery/DJ Projects) from the Chamber of Commerce really drove this project, great job people and well done for a fabulous night!

https://www.mpnews.com.au/category/latest-news/

Latest News Archives - MPNEWS Hospital sees no adverse outcomes from ICU closure Latest News June 19, 2024 MORNINGTON’S not-for-profit hospital The Bays is closing its intensive care unit, prompting fears by some staff of job losses and…

So an empty facility that can house 2168 people, in a social housing crisis 🤔. If I was without a home I would jump at the chance for a secure, new building to live in.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/04/victoria-closes-580m-covid-quarantine-facility-that-housed-2168-guests?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3vtOPAPMWFlaqI7Fpsp64nLPs-qbiE8h1TkeMk5sIKGiom4MCiTHCtzuw_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

Victoria closes $580m Covid quarantine facility that housed 2,168 guests North Melbourne facility was built and paid for by commonwealth after Covid leaked out of hotel quarantine program

COUNCIL GRANTS - YOUR RATES AT WORK. SEE WHAT IS AVAILABLE.

SORRENTO FIRE - THIS FRIDAY

This FRIDAY 21 JUNE, join us for the biggest community event of the Taste Sorrento Festival - Sorrento Fire Night! 🔥
Get ready for an unforgettable evening with live music, a DJ on stage, fire canons, fire pits, fire twirlers, and a giant 6m tall burning man statue. The Portsea Camp will keep the kids entertained with activities on the foreshore, and a food and drink market will offer delicious dinner and snacks for everyone.
Starts at 4:30 PM
Sorrento Foreshore
Don’t miss out on this epic night of fire and fun!

Who doesn't love Portsea Estate wines? Vote for our fantastic guys Will Ross and Matt Lug, not only great winemakers and people, also great community members and sponsors!

https://createsend.com/t/r-33D3CA898B6907392540EF23F30FEDED?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3YqUseKlRIlrYenzLmFbbYGFwZwkLH5HYDAHqz6F0_c76RjjUepXCwvuY_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

Young Gun of Wine Finalists. We need your help please! We are delighted to share that among 6000 entries nationwide, Portsea Estate's Matt Lug and Will Ross have been nominated for the Young Gun of Wine Winery/Winemaker of the Year award.

SORRENTO FORESHORE MASTERPLANS X5

I have noticed that the Sorrento Foreshore Masterplans are not yet showing on the Mornpen Website, but this is currently being rectified. For reference, attached are the 5x Sorrento Foreshore Masterplans that were unanimously voted for in favour just prior to Christmas (19th December) - this is the best thing that has happened to Sorrento in Decades. The council decision reflects almost exactly what the community wanted when it came to keeping things the same just a refresh, better access and functionality (there may be a couple of tiny tweaks to go)- https://www.nepeanvoters.org/sorrento-foreshore-blueprint/. They also featured in our Area Plans and were supported by all those noted on the front page https://www.nepeanvoters.org/sorrento-area-plan/