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Better Start To Holiday Season

Bass Coast has experienced a better start to the holiday season this year with fewer reports of incidents during our peak period for school leaver celebrations.

By Bass Coast - 16th December 2011 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council Community Safety Manager, Philippa O’Halloran, said Victoria Police had followed up some issues related to school leavers, but overall there has been improvement in the behaviour of younger visitors.

"Our program of encouraging school leavers to register has again been successful and helps us understand who is visiting Bass Coast during this time. Registered school leavers are given a pack of useful information and a discount card that can be used all year round at local businesses.

"We also send regular safety messages to their mobile phones, which reminds school leavers of what is expected of them as visitors to Bass Coast," Mrs O’Halloran said.

"While there were reports of some vandalism, and misbehaviour by the occupants of holiday houses in some areas, the number of these reports is down on last year.

"Police have been responding to problems to prevent them from escalating and Council has been following up on incidents where relevant, "said Mrs O’Halloran.

Rental Holiday House Registration

As we approach our peak time for visitors it is timely to remind holiday rental property owners about the new Prescribed Accommodation regulations.

"Holiday rental properties that can accommodate more than six people need to be registered with Council," said Mrs O’Halloran.

"Registration is open from 1 January 2012 up to 31 March 2012. Council has put together a Rental Holiday House Information pack to explain what is required.

"These new regulations are one way that Council can control overcrowding in holiday houses. It is a way to ensure owners provide adequate facilities when they are leasing out their property.

"Overcrowding is often the basis of other ‘nuisance’ problems that occur at holiday homes such as prolonged loud noise and excessive rubbish. We anticipate that increasingly, visitors will want to book a holiday rental property that they know is registered, provides adequate facilities and is well maintained," said Mrs O’Halloran.

No New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Cowes

Bass Coast Shire Council is taking a low key approach to New Year’s Eve at Cowes after the success of last year’s trial of no fireworks or entertainment. The decision for no fireworks is in response to community concerns about the large and unmanageable crowds that in the past presented a problem at New Year’s Eve in Cowes," continued Mrs O’Halloran.

"Victoria Police and Community Safety Rangers will be on patrol again this year at New Year’s Eve to monitor public activity at Cowes.

"There will be New Year’s Eve celebrations at Coronet Bay Foreshore and Inverloch Recreation Reserve both starting at 6.00pm with Fireworks at 9.30 pm.

"As we continue through the holiday period we ask people to act responsibly and enjoy the coastal environment with its precious landforms, wildlife and relaxing atmosphere.

"We have had a good start to the holiday period so keep up the good work, ‘enjoy it don’t spoil it’ and remember to dial ‘000’ if you have any concerns, "said Mrs O’Halloran.

For more information visit Rental Holiday House Information on this site or or call 1300 BCOAST (226 278).

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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