A redevelopment of the existing shops.  This building will be over 5 levels from Morce Avenue to Ocean Beach Road.

 A redevelopment of the site over 4 levels from Morce Avenue to Ocean Beach Road. 

120 Ocean Beach Road:  3 apartments / 1 shop 

The site of 488 square metres  proposes a building of four levels from Morce Avenue to Ocean Beach Road. 

136 Ocean Beach Road: 5 apartments / 1 shop 

Stage 1: the shop and 1 apartment is currently under constructions.  The 4 remaining apartments (Stage 2) are 3 storey and abut Morce Avenue. 

A redevelopment of the existing shop.  A redevelopment of the site comprising three storeys plus roof top garden.  The Shire refused approval of this application and the applicant lodged an objection at VCAT. 

The Committee is interested in your views on the development of the commercial area of Sorrento.   Should you wish to make comment, please contact the secretary at info@nepeanratepayers.com or  write to PO Box 60 Sorrento.

There has been increasing concern expressed by both residents and the Sorrento Portsea Chamber of Commerce of the lack of cleanliness and maintenance in Ocean Beach Road.  On many occasions during the peak summer period bins were overflowing and footpaths dirty.   The Chamber is continuing to work with Shire in order to change the Shire's cleaning schedule to cater for Sorrento's busier summer and weekend periods.  

Council's data shows that 2.5 million tourists visit Sorrento every year.  Of the 26 rubbish bins in Ocean Beach Road only 8 are the standard Shire wooden and metal bins.  The remaining 18 are green wheelie bins.  There is only one cigarette butt receptical.     All the tree/garden beds along the main street are littered with cigarette butts.   There are five tree/garden beds totally devoid of vegetation.

Due to a demarcation of responsibility between Shire and Jemena, 12 lights street lights are currently out of order in and around the commercial area – 7 in Ocean Beach Road alone!

Is this how we want  Ocean Beach Road to be portrayed to tourists (and residents):   green wheelie rubbish bins, dirty footpaths, uneven footpaths with dirt verge edges below the hard footpath level, treeless vegetation boxes, litter in the main street. 

This is simply a matter of maintenance, of cleanliness and safety.   The villages of Blairgowrie and Portsea also need attention. 

To report maintenance and cleaning call Mornington Peninsula Shire Council on 1300 850 600 or email to custserv@mornpen.vic.gov.au.   

To report lights out call Jemena on 132 099. 

Graffiti should be reported to the police on 5984 2000 or sorrentopolice@police.vic.gov.au. 

 Recycle Bin Garbage Collection

The NRA has been requesting for several years for a weekly collection of the Recycle Bin during the busy summer period.   The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has argued that there are no surplus waste collection trucks to cover the Nepean Ward during the summer period and that residents and renters can take their recycle rubbish to the hopper.    We have been advised by Shire that the current contract for the recycling collection expires in June 2012 whereupon Shire will review a weekly recycling collection during the summer period. 

MPSC Budget 2010/11

The Shire's 2010/11 budget can be viewed at www.mornpen.vic.gov.au.  "On Exhibition" – "Documents for Inspection"   The budget will remain on exhibition inviting submissions from the public.  The Budget and any submissions will be heard by Council on 6 July. 

Rates

Shire will increase rates for 2010/11 averaging 6.2%.  2010 is a General Revaluation year however the rate in the dollar will reduce by 4.1% from a CIV calculation of 0.0019702 to 0.0018904.    All rateable property will also pay $140 Municipal charge. This will raise rates and charges of $104.211 million, including $0.65 million generated from supplementary rates and $0.6 million growth in the rate base from the previous years supplementary rates.

Opt In Green Waste Collection

Subject to a sufficient number of residents willing to pay for the service, an opt-in kerbside green waste collection will be introduced in March 2011.    Shire has allocated $120,000 in its 2010/11 Budget for this service.   If you are interested in Shire providing this service then telephone or email Shire and register your interest. 

No cost green waste drop off weekends – these will be provided to coincide with the declaration of the fire season or to assist with storm damage clean ups.

Pedestrian Footpath – Rye to Sorrento

A petition with over 600 signatures has been sent to the Minister for Environment requesting that a coastal trail be constructed to link Rye shopping precinct to Ocean Beach Road Sorrento.  It has been of great concern to the NRA, other community groups and residents that pedestrians are forced to walk on road shoulder/bike lane of Point Nepean Road particularly given the vehicle speed on this section of road is 70 kph. 

The Blairgowrie Action Group ( BAG ) is a  group of Blairgowrie residents who work together in close consultation with neighbouring resident groups to improve the amenity and facility of Blairgowrie for the benefit of residents and visitors.  A subcommittee of the NRA, the group meets on the 2^nd Tuesday of the month at the Blairgowrie Yacht Club.  All residents are invited to attend.

The BAG is currently actioning a number of issues including:

The establishment of an Interpretive Trail from Tyrone to Blairgowrie village, and beyond, with historical markers.

Seek a review by the Mornington Shire Council of the current Blairgowrie Village Streetscape plan.

Seek funding for boardwalks on the foreshore, one from the village to the Yacht club and one from Whitecliffs to the Tyrone caravan park. The latter in consultation with the Rye action Group.

If you have any input to the BAG or would like to obtain more information, please feel free to call either Chairman, Lino Tarquinio on 5988 0387 or Secretary, Colin Giles on 5988 0462