Useful Information
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
The local council is the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
Merricks Beach is part of the Red Hill Ward.
Our local Councillor, first elected in 2016, is David Gill. His report on his activities in 2017 can be accessed below.
Private Water Networks
A number of property owners have invested in private water lines coming off the main system in Palmers Hill Rd. There are typically multiple properties operating from these private water networks. The pipelines are the responsibily of the current owners of the relevant properties and they are responsible for service and maintenance of these pipelines.
If you are a new resident or a current resident seeking to change your access to water, this information is provided to give you the alternatives that are available in Merricks Beach.
Merricks Beach values its green and natural environment and in 1993, a formal vote of all residents opposed the introduction of further infrastructure (including mains water) for all properties within the village.
Concerns related to waste water, drainage, commercialization and overdevelopment. One of the specific concerns was that mains water would require the roads to be sealed with bitumen. At the time the Council introduced an Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO27). Since then, many residents have found tanks more than adequate for their needs in most years. Subsequently, land releases along Palmers Hill Rd and on the former Ross Estate at the back of Palmers Hill Rd have had mains water installed to SE Water specifications which were funded by the developers. The pipelines were then handed over to SE Water to manage. These properties were outside the boundaries of ESO27. Since that time, about 35-40 owners in the area covered by ES027 have commissioned private lines linked to the main lines in these developments. This has been greatly assisted by the use of underground drilling as the standard means of installing water pipes, as has been used for installation of gas and sewerage in recent years. This technology has far less impact on the local environment. These installations have required Council approval which is a straight forward process.
Private lines are commissioned and paid for by the residents who gain access to water through this means. These residents also pay normal water rates and usage as well as sewerage charges. They are responsible for the maintenance and repair of these private lines when problems occur.
It is worth noting that if you wish to install a private line, and if the line is built to the specifications set by SE Water, then SE Water can be approached to take over the management of the line including future repairs and maintenance. Most of the current private lines are not built to these specifications and therefore will not be taken over by SE Water.
It is also worth noting that if the lines are built to the standard specifications, then fire hydrants can also be included on the line. There are no fire hydrants in areas serviced by tanks or current private lines though there are fire plugs in some places.
If you wish to understand more about tanks versus private lines, the MBRA committee can link you to another resident who has considered these issues and who can give some advice about ball park costs and the process involved.
Fire Precautions
Bushfire is an ever present risk to Merricks Beach Residents.
Please make sure you have your fire plan ready. A sample plan is provided below for your information.
Follow the CFA advice in the Bushfire Survival Kit obtained from www.cfa.vic.gov.au
Flora and Fauna
The Merricks Beach Foreshore Reserve, the Bill Carroll Reserve and the many gardens around the village are home to many different animals and plants.
There are many different types of birds, possums and small skinks are common, and blue tongue lizards can be seen. Koalas can often be seen feeding in the eucalypts around the village.
In the bay, bottlenose dolphins are known to visit and more recently the occasional whale has also dropped by.
The plants around the village mostly reflect native species and there is a strong desire of many in the community to protect and preserve the native species.The greastest threat is weed invasion of the foreshore and reserves. Please see attached a list of environmental weeds and how to prevent their spread.
The MBRA conducts an annual plant giveaway featuring Australian natives to encourage residents to plant natives in their gardens.
The Merricks Beach Foreshore Committee has conducted signficant research to identify and catelogue local native species of flora and fauna and their reports are attached below.
Merricks Beach Rainfall Data
January 2015 – 62 mm
February 2015 – 19.5 mm
March 2015 – 62 mm
April 2015 – 46 mm
May 2015 – 83.5 mm
June 2015 – 67 mm
July 2015 – 83.5 mm
August 2015 – 62 mm
September 2015 – 48 mm
October 2015 – 11 mm
November 2015 – 52 mm
December 2015 – 28 mm
January 2016 – 30 mm
February 2016 – 16 mm
March 2016 – 43 mm
April 2016 – 37.5mm
May 2016 – 133 mm
June 2016 – 102.5 mm
July 2016 – 151 mm
August 2016 – 66 mm
September 2016 – 76 mm
October 2016 – 101 mm
November 2016 – 38.5 mm
December 2016 – 44 mm
January 2017 – 64 mm
Mobile Telecommunications
Merricks Beach is now connected to the NBN.
Please contact your preferred provider if you wish to establish a connection for your own residence.
History of the area
Things to do
Balnarring Picnic Races
Saturday 31st March gates open at 10am and racing at 1pm Fashions on The Field with prizes of $2000
A great day out for the family with plenty of food and entertainment
58 Coolart Road Balnarring VIC 3926
Montalto Winery Picnic Experience
A beautiful and peaceful ways to spend an afternoon is having your own private picnic at Montalto winery. There are ten beautiful and secluded sites throughout the property, available for groups of 2 – 8.
33 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South.
(The Merricks Beach Residents’ Association is very grateful for the support of Montalto)
