Nepean Conservation Group Inc.

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Beach of Discontent

Portsea Hotel Owner Andrew Henderson and Cr Tim Rodgers. PICTURE: Tanya Fry.

 

ENVIRONMENT Minister Ryan Smith will meet residents over claims the Portsea front beach is wrecked beyond repair.

Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Tim Rodgers described the destruction of the beach as a “tragedy” while Blue Wedges action group spokeswoman Jenny Warfe called it an “appalling travesty”.

Cr Rodgers said he was sick of being fobbed off by government officials failing to adequately address the matter.

He said sandbags and a rock wall set up at the beach had been designed to protect properties behind the beach - including the Portsea Hotel - rather than save the beach itself

For the full article go to

http://mornington-peninsula-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/beach-of-discontent/

FREE ENTRY TO POINT NEPEAN NATIONAL PARK

From 1 July 2010 entry to all of Victoria’s national parks and metropolitan parks, including Point Nepean National Park, will be made free of charge to encourage people to get active in the great outdoors, Premier John Brumby announced yesterday at the Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress.

Mr Brumby said the health benefits for people getting out and exploring the natural world far outweighed the benefits of collecting entry fees from parks. Victoria has one of the best park networks in the world which should be as accessible as possible to all Victorians and visitors.

As well as Point Nepean National Park, other parks that will be free are Wilsons Promontory, Mount Buffalo, Baw Baw, Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Ranges (Mount Donna Buang) and metropolitan parks including Werribee Park, Coolart, National Rhododendron Gardens and William Ricketts Sanctuary.

At Point Nepean this will also mean that locals and visitors will be able to enjoy a greater spread of opening hours.

With the recent addition of the Quarantine Station/Officer Cadet School to Point Nepean National Park and now free entry, it is an exciting and evolving period that will mean more opportunities for locals and visitors to enjoy the park.

Parks Victoria will now work on the changes associated with free park entry which will include modifying park operations and associated infrastructure.

Following the Premiers announcement yesterday Parks Victoria commenced discussions with Discovery Attractions, the permit holder who collects entry fees and operates the Visitor Centre and transporter services, in regards to the imminent changes. Parks Victoria will continue to work through what this means to the future of existing visitor service operations.

Over 50,000 people a year visit Point Nepean National Park, making it more accessible will mean that a greater number of Mornington Peninsula locals and visitors can enjoy the park, it will be good for community health and wellbeing.

Point Nepean National Park

Point Nepean Handover

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett and State Environment Minister Gavin Jennings.

 Monday 8th June 2009,  Point Nepean Handover. Photograph: ©Eddy de Jong

 ________________________________________________________________________________

Media release

From the Federal Minister for Heritage and

Victorian Minister for Environment and Climate Change

Tuesday, 2 June, 2009

POINT NEPEAN MANAGEMENT TRANSFERRED TO VICTORIA

Federal Heritage Minister Peter Garrett and Victorian Environment and Climate       Change Minister Gavin Jennings today confirmed an agreement had been reached on the management arrangements for the 90 hectare National Heritage listed Quarantine station at Point Nepean.

The site would officially transfer to the Victorian Government at a special ceremony in early June. 

The Ministers said the Australian and Victorian governments had been working closely on the transfer arrangements to ensure the best outcome for the long-term management of one of Australia’s outstanding National Heritage assets.

Mr Garrett today advised the Point Nepean Community Trust of the agreement reached between the governments for the imminent transfer of Point Nepean to Victoria.

This transfer would deliver on an important election commitment of both governments. The transfer of Point Nepean to Victoria would ensure effective management arrangements are in place to protect the special values of the site, while also enabling safe public access so all Australians can share in one of our National Heritage treasures.