Author Archives: Keith Platt

Whales arrive, and leave, in record numbers

July 14, 2015
IT has been a record year for whale sightings in and around Western Port. Nearly 80 sightings of mostly humpback whales have been reported in the bay, from near Crib Point, Phillip Island and Sea Roc...

Horror deaths for hooked birds

July 13, 2015
CORMORANTS are reported to have died in agony after baited fish hooks were purposely left on a small fishing jetty at Devilbend reserve. The hooks had apparently been tied to the jetty, ripping out t...

Frankston lobbies against port plans

July 13, 2015
FRANKSTON Council says its call for a container port at Hastings is based on economic benefits and concern for the environment. The mayor Cr Sandra Mayer said on Friday that the state government’s “c...

Pt Nepean looks back to 2010 plan

July 6, 2015
THE state government has ended plans for a multi-million plan for a commercial development at Point Nepean National Park based around a luxury hotel and thermal springs. Although it may cost up to $1...

Artist’s advice for job seekers

July 6, 2015
AUTHOR and illustrator Michael Leeworthy wants to help people find work. He believes everyone has skills and with a bit of soul searching and encouragement can market their natural abilities. Hired “...

Merricks centre first over the line for horses

June 29, 2015
NO doubt it will go unremarked on by horses, but a new equestrian centre at Merricks has overcome all odds and won a major architecture award. The winner of Sir Osborn McCutcheon Award in the commerc...

‘Restaurant’ disappears as shire steps in

June 29, 2015
THE word “restaurant” has disappeared from the website of a Red Hill business that may have breached Green Wedge planning regulations. Mornington Peninsula Shire officers last month recommended counc...

MP claims Labor plans ‘toxic dump’ at Hastings

June 23, 2015
HASTINGS MP Neale Burgess is predicting a dark future for Hastings because of the state government’s decision to increasingly use Western Port as a “bulk” port. The scaled-down Port of Hastings Devel...

Adding a name to sustain an image

June 16, 2015
THE self-described “sustainable” Mornington Peninsula Shire has a neighbour that’s now officially known as the “sustainable city” – Frankston. While the peninsula gave itself the title of sustainable...

Planners urge action over eatery permit

June 15, 2015
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors will be asked if they want to continue legal action against an award-winning business that, although preparing and regularly serving food, claims it is not a re...