HMAS Cerberus will be “partially divested” as part of a massive sale of 35,000 hectares of defence real estate – including some of the nation’s most historic barracks – that is expected to raise almost $2b. Announced by Defence Minister Richard Marles on Wednesday 4 February, the announcement is the long-awaited response to a sweeping audit of the nation’s defence estate portfolio released in 2023. The government has acknowledged the sale of defence facilities has been a challenging issue, with the expectation of push-back from veterans and local communities to the sale of some of the country’s most iconic defence…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
REPURPOSED stairs have been installed at Shire Hall Beach in Mornington to restore safer access amid ongoing concerns of beach erosion. The move comes after the loss of the original Shire Hall Beach stairs beside the car park – an issue that has frustrated many locals. Mornington Peninsula Shire confirmed that while a long-term solution was still under way, routine maintenance on a nearby pathway created an opportunity to install the temporary stair structure. “We know the loss of the Shire Hall Beach stairs beside the car park has been frustrating, and we’re continuing to work on a long-term fix,”…
Police will charge a man with drink driving offences after he was allegedly detected driving on the wrong side of the road and narrowly avoiding a head-on collision with police. The 33-year-old Safety Beach man had reportedly been drinking with friends since midday before stopping at a drive-thru bottle shop to purchase another bottle of wine. He was intercepted by police shortly afterwards. Officers observed red wine spilt down the man’s t-shirt. He returned an evidentiary breath test with an alleged reading of 0.185. His licence was immediately suspended for 12 months, and his vehicle was impounded at a cost…
A TWO-month operation targeting jet ski riders on Mornington Peninsula beaches has resulted in fines for 94 jet ski riders and boaties. Seventeen fines were issued for operating a vessel exceeding five knots within 200m of the water’s edge. Three people copped fines for speeding within 50 metres of swimmers, and one was caught too close to a structure in inland waters. Police officers from Rosebud, Dromana, Rye, and Sorrento, have been conducting the targeted operation since the start of December. They used drones alongside patrols by local police, the Public Order Response Team, Water Police, Transit officers, and the…
Diving for a meal of wild abalone in Port Phillip is something special, enjoyed by lots of people every summer. To keep the bay’s abalone stocks healthy, we all need to do our bit, which includes abiding by bag and size limits. Fisheries Officers recently focused their efforts on the bay, apprehending 2 men at Mt Eliza with 147 abalone, 144 of which were undersize. The daily limit is 5 abalone per person. Both men will be charged on summons. For everything you need to know about abalone, including open days in Port Phillip along with bag and size limits…
THE Rotary Club of Hastings Western Port has donated more than $40,000 to local clubs, schools and community organisations over the past year. The funding has supported a wide range of community groups, including local football clubs, the Hastings Men’s Darts Club and the Hastings Ladies Netball Club, which received a contribution to help with savings and ongoing development. Education has also been a strong focus for the club, with Rotarians working closely alongside primary schools. Initiatives have included the provision of breakfast club support to help ensure students start the day well, as well as hosting a barbecue for…
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit members have arrested and charged a man after executing a warrant in Hastings as part of an ongoing investigation. Officers attended an address in Villawood Drive about 8.45am on 30 January and arrested a 26-year-old man He was interviewed in relation to a number of copper thefts from power poles in the Hastings area since August last year. Officers located a large amount of copper wiring at the property during a search. The 26-year-old has been charged with theft, dealing with property suspected to be the proceeds of crime and commit indictable offence whilst on…
Southern Metro Region Four Divisional Response Unit members have arrested and charged a man after executing a warrant in Rosebud on Friday morning. Officers attended an address in Sharen Court about 9.30am on 30 January as part of an ongoing investigation. They arrested a 53-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman and searched the property. It is alleged officers located a number of items including firearms, ammunition, drugs, a 3D printer and cash. The 53-year-old has been charged with traffick commercial quantity of drugs, traffic drug of dependence, possess traffickable quantity of firearms and possess proceeds of crime. He has been…
NOMINATIONS for the 2026 Victorian Sport Awards have officially opened, celebrating sport and active recreation in Victoria last year. Eighteen awards will recognise individual and team athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators, media personnel, and initiatives that encourage others to stay active. Nominations are open to the public and can be submitted via the Vicsport website until 13 February. Following the nomination period, judging panels will select four finalists for each award, with finalists announced in March. First published in the Mornington News – 27 January 2026
WATER safety authorities are reminding jet ski riders to follow speed and distance rules as enforcement patrols increase across Victorian waterways during summer. A Safe Transport Victoria spokesperson said responsible behaviour on the water was essential as beaches and waterways became busier over the holiday period. Joint compliance efforts will continue throughout summer, with Victoria Police, Safe Transport Victoria, the Victorian Fisheries Authority and Parks Victoria patrolling waterways across the state. “It is critical that operators of all vessels, including jet skis, meet their safety responsibilities and respect others on the water,” the spokesperson said. “This summer, enforcement agencies including…
MORNINGTON Yacht Club (MYC), in partnership with the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV), will host a historic Ocean Racing Panel on Friday 30 January 2026, celebrating one of the most remarkable careers in Victorian offshore sailing. The event will feature Graeme Taylor, whose achievements place him among the most accomplished ocean racers the state has produced, and whose influence has helped shape offshore sailing culture for more than three decades. Taylor has competed in 29 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races, claimed nine Line Honours victories, an overall win and a race record, and has twice been named Australian Sailing…
Two people have been taken to hospital after a traffic collision in Mornington late this morning, which occurred while the popular street market was on. Emergency services were called to Main St just before 11.30am on 28 January, following reports a car had lost control and collided with another vehicle before mounting the footpath and striking a park bench and two pedestrians, Victoria Police said. The vehicle also struck an egg stall at the market but one witness said a tree luckily slowed the car down, limiting its impact. The driver of the car, a man in his 80s, was taken…
THE voluntary organiser of the Save Flinders Pier campaign, who rallied the support of more than 40,000 Victorians and even attracted the attention of Sir David Attenborough, has been recognised with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM). Charles Reis was motivated to act when plans were announced in 2020 to demolish the historic Flinders Pier, renowned for its Weedy Sea Dragon habitat. At the time, Sir David Attenborough said he would do all he could to help support the protection of Victoria’s marine emblem. Leading a grassroots campaign, Reis built widespread community support that eventually persuaded the state government to…
NEW signage has been installed at a koala death hotspot in the hope that motorists will slow down to help save the treasured marsupials. The temporary signage, which will stay in place until Easter, has been installed on Western Port Highway in Tyabb, which is the worst koala roadkill hotspot on the peninsula. Since 2024 on Western Port Highway near O’Neills Rd and Thornells Rd there have been 17 koalas killed (including one joey). President of Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation, Dirk Jansen, told The News “The new signage shows how community action and effective collaboration with the shire and Department…
A man has had his long weekend cut short after being charged following an alleged aggravated burglary in Mount Eliza in the early hours of this morning. It is alleged a man gained access to a property on Glen Shian Lane about 3am. Whilst inside the house the man allegedly stole a wallet and car keys before fleeing in the owners silver Porshe. Residents home at the time were not injured. Officers responded to a call to Triple Zero and spotted the Porsche driving through Chelsea a short time later. The Porsche was followed to Parry Court, Carrum Downs where…
CELEBRATIONS will be once again in full swing at the Village Green in Mt Eliza on Australia Day, Monday 26 January. A free sausage sizzle and entertainment will be happening from 9:00 AM until 12:30pm. The formal program starts at 10:00 AM with the flag raising conducted by 1st Ranelagh Scouts. There will be plenty of entertainment both for kids and all the family to have a fun time while celebrating being part of our wonderful community. Kids will also be able to get up close to wildlife in the hands-on Australian Reptile Show and exhibition – they will be…
WEBEX Players Series Victoria has a new host who would love to win its sixth staging at Rosebud Country Club, starting on Thursday. Former Olympian Marcus Fraser, one of Victoria’s best performed professional golfers on the world stage in the past 20 years with victories on four different Tours, now has his name attached to a tournament that has become a very popular stop for players on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour of Australasia. Another high-quality field will be back on the Mornington Peninsula contesting the unique format which sees men and women professionals go up…
FORMER members of the 36th intake of the Balcombe Army Apprentice School (AAS) at Mt Martha – the final class to graduate in 1981 – have gathered for a long awaited reunion. About 100 former apprentices out of the roughly 300 who enlisted in that intake attended the event on 10 January. The day’s events began at Mornington before the group made their way to Mace Oval, with the group including former Regimental Sergeant Major Ray Hartigan. The celebrations continued at the Dava Hotel in Mt Martha for refreshments and socialising. Many members reflected on joining the school as young…
A SINGLE agency for outdoor activities has been formed, merging the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) and the Game Management Authority (GMA) into the Outdoor Recreation Victoria (ORV). Outdoor Recreation Minister Steve Dimopoulos announced the change in December, which aims to simplify access to bushland, waterways, and recreational activities while keeping all existing staff in their jobs. ORV will initially focus on promoting activities such as fishing, hunting, boating, four-wheel driving, and off-grid camping. Over time, the agency plans to expand its reach to support a wider range of outdoor recreation opportunities. The agency will serve as a central point of…
NEW safety signs have been rolled out at some of the peninsula’s most dangerous beaches under a trial aimed at reducing drowning risks. The signage initiative, led by Life Saving Victoria (LSV), will be in place across summer at some of the state’s most dangerous beaches, including both patrolled and unpatrolled locations on the Mornington Peninsula. Through the Coastal Safety Signage Project, the “high-impact warning signs” follows research showing that certain sign designs are far more effective at communicating hazards to the public. Beaches included in the trial are those with a history of tragic incidents: Gunnamatta Beach, Rye 16th…
THE death of Brendan Ryan on 8 January, following another rough sleeper’s death in November, brings the number of homeless deaths on the peninsula to five over the last year. Community leaders have expressed exasperation at the lack of state government response to the spiralling situation and are renewing their calls for urgent action. Melbourne Zero, which actively tracks homelessness, listed 114 actively homeless people on the Mornington Peninsula as of December. The data lists 88 of those as “sleeping rough”. In the lead up to the busy summer period, Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh wrote to the…
STORM-BATTERED beaches, worn-out facilities and damaged walking tracks across the Mornington Peninsula have been given a major upgrade for the busy summer season. The works, undertaken by Parks Victoria, include the Mornington Peninsula National Park, with safe access restored to Gunnamatta Beach after the October 2024 storm surge wiped out the stairs and lookout. The main access ramp beside the Gunnamatta Surf Life Saving Club has been rebuilt with an all abilities-design and a new link from the car park, improving access for all visitors. The upgrades will also support faster emergency responses by the surf lifesaving club, while helping…
VICTORIA Police have ramped up their presence across the Mornington Peninsula this month, aiming to keep residents and visitors safe during the busy summer season. Operation Scorchio is under way, responding to the surge in population in the region over the holiday period. Officers are conducting highly visible patrols to target antisocial behaviour, public order offences, and other criminal activity. The operation is set to continue until 31 January. On the water, Operation Summersafe is focusing on jet ski safety, enforcing speed limits, ensuring riders stay clear of restricted areas, and keeping swimmers safe near the shore – which will…
Two men have been arrested as police continue to investigate a series of alleged ATM ram raids across Victoria over the last two months, including incidents in Frankston and Baxter. Police have linked nine alleged burglaries and attempted burglaries which targeted a variety of businesses across the state from November to January this year. It will be alleged stolen tow trucks were used to force entry into the businesses, including those with ATMs affixed on walls outside, causing more than $1 million in combined damage. The alleged incidents across Melbourne included a restaurant on Heatherhill Road in Frankston about 3am…
COUNCIL rates will rise by no more than 2.75 per cent in the next financial year, following a decision by the state government aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures for households. The cap, announced on 23 December by Local Government Minister Nick Staikos, will be lowered from the current three per cent cap. This is based on the forecast consumer price index, which limits how much councils can increase their total revenue from general rates and municipal charges in 2026–27. The decision falls under the Fair Go Rates system, which links annual rate increases to inflation. The cap was set after…
THE board of BlueScope Steel Limited announced last week (7 January) that it had unanimously rejected an “unsolicited, non-binding, indicative and conditional takeover proposal”, and listed the unrealised value of its land bank, including at Western Port, as one of the reasons for rejecting the offer. The offer was presented by a consortium comprising ASX listed SGH Limited, and BlueScope rival United States steelmaker Steel Dynamics, at $30 per share, valuing BlueScope at $13.2b. SGH Limited was founded by Kerry Stokes and is headed by son Ryan Stokes. The company is said to be a “diversified operating company, with market…
THE two monitors appointed to oversee Mornington Peninsula Shire Council will commence their roles next week. Victorian Minister for Local Government, Nick Staikos, announced on 23 December that two municipal monitors would be appointed to the shire. Municipal monitors Prue Digby and Rebecca McKenzie will be in place for 12 months from 19 January 2026 until 18 January 2027. A press release from the state government said “They will advise, assist, and support the council to improve its governance processes and practices. They will also work with the council to support good governance including in relation to service delivery, the…
MORE lifesavers have been rostered across Victorian beaches amid rising temperatures. The decision to deploy more paid lifesavers came during last week’s heat wave. Life Saving Victoria chief operations officer emergency management capability and response Kirsty Robertson said “no one wants a day by the water to turn to tragedy.” “One drowning is one too many, and we need everyone to do what they can to keep themselves and each other safe. Water safety is everyone’s responsibility,” Robertson said. A Life Saving Victoria report released late last year found that young adults swimming on the Mornington Peninsula posed the highest…
THE state Planning Minister, Sonya Kilkenny, has approved an interim erosion management overlay (EMO)for the Mornington Peninsula that critics say is deeply flawed, potentially misclassifying tens of thousands of properties as landslide-prone despite council acknowledging errors in outdated mapping and raising concerns about “anomalies”. The approval comes after a letter from Kilkenney in October, obtained by The News, gave the shire just 14 days to commence the implementation of the EMO, or face state government intervention. Described by some as a major “overreach”, the interim erosion management overlay (EMO7) targets land assessed as highly susceptible to landslides, affecting about 33,000…