POLICE were out in force across the Mornington Peninsula over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, issuing hundreds of penalty notices and breath-testing more than 10,000 drivers. On Friday night alone, peninsula police conducted more than 4900 preliminary breath tests along Peninsula Link and Mornington Peninsula Freeway, detecting four drunk drivers. Among those charged were a 21-year-old Mornington man who returned a reading of .072 and was also charged with disqualified driving, a 30-year-old Frankston South woman with a .07 reading, a 65-year-old Mount Martha woman (.062), and a 23-year-old Frankston South woman (.072). But it wasn’t just drivers affected by…
Year: 2014
EMPTY shop fronts can drag a town’s look and feel down, negatively impacting on other businesses and giving a high street an “abandoned” look. Such is the situation facing Hastings. The Western Port Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Mornington Peninsula Shire aim to change the situation by joining forces for a ‘Hello Hastings’ renewal project in a bid to rejuvenate the business hub located around High St. The federal government has pitched in $38,000 through the Department of Employment to get the project up and running. If it is successful there is future scope to develop the initiative…
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a new chairlift at Arthurs Seat have been given the go ahead by Mornington Peninsula Shire after councillors narrowly voted in favour on the planning permit application. About 60 people opposed to the $14 million Skylift gondola project gathered at Arthurs Seat the weekend before the decision was made but protest and song failed to persuade the majority of councillors to vote against the proposal. A five-to-four vote saw the application squeak through last Monday evening (2 June). Crs Andrew Dixon, David Garnock, David Gibb, Anne Shaw and mayor Antonella Celi backed the Skylift project. Crs…
THE MT Martha quarry reserve is on the list of land to be sold to help pay for a swimming pool complex at Rosebud. With no guarantees of any significant government grants Mornington Peninsula Shire is scrambling to raise money for the Southern Peninsula Aquatic Centre (SPA), as its projected cost escalates towards $40 million. Architectural firms Cox Architecture, Peddle Thorp, Suters Architects and Williams Ross will be asked to participate in a design competition for the foreshore aquatic centre. The shire withdrew from a 2003 bid to rezone the quarry and several blocks of land above it after opposition…
NINE people were seriously injured – including a young man who remains in a critical condition – in a horror day on Frankston roads on Wednesday. Six vehicles were involved in two separate accidents at Seaford and Langwarrin in wet conditions on Wednesday evening. Two people taken to The Alfred hospital by helicopter in critical conditions while a further seven victims were transported by ambulance to Frankston Hospital suffering serious injuries. A third accident on Monday evening involving an out-of-control semi-trailer resulted in a further two people being seriously injured, taking the injury toll on Frankston roads to 11 in…
AN EXTRAORDINARY thing happened at last Monday’s Development Assessments Committee meeting. Apart from approving the proposed Arthurs Seat Skylift proposal, councillors voted unanimously to approve another matter, which the previous week they had unceremoniously thrown out. Or did they approve something significantly, or even slightly, different? It seems not. Here is the 26 May Notice of Motion from Cr Tim Rodgers (Nepean ward), which got the thumbs-down: “That the matter of Planning Application number P13/1830, in respect to Lot 5, 3080 Point Nepean Road, Sorrento be heard and determined by Council and not under delegation by Council officers and on…
AN AMBITIOUS plan to redirect the Spirit of Tasmania ferries’ route from Devonport to Hastings – rather than Melbourne – has been floated as an idea from across the Bass Strait. Federal Liberal MP Brett Whiteley is pushing a 10-point plan to “enhance the current business model” of Tasmanian government-owned ferry operator, TT-Line and increase patronage on its two ferries. Mr Whiteley unveiled his proposal last week, including a recommendation to conduct a feasibility study to make Hastings a future destination for the MS Spirit of Tasmania I and II vessels. When contacted by The News, Mr Whiteley said he…
MORE than 2000 participants are expected to enter this year’s 6.7km Arthurs Seat Challenge in November. The challenge to climb to the top of the Arthurs Seat summit is a fundraiser to support a reduction in road trauma for young people and to raise money for the Fit to Drive road safety program. Since the introduction of the Graduated Licensing System, there has been a 23 per cent fall in deaths on our roads. Nevertheless, young people are still over-represented in road crashes and fatalities despite comprising just a small portion of licensed drivers. Young drivers aged between 18-25 years…
SNIP, snip and Jessica Bakaniosis is transformed – and all in a good cause. The preppie from Moorooduc Primary was so touched by a recent Camp Quality fundraiser to help children with cancer that she decided to take action. Hearing how wigs are used to hide the effects of chemotherapy on young sufferers, she asked her mum, Bianca, if she could donate her long, blonde ponytail to make one (‘Hair’s looking at you, kid’, The News, 13/5/14). On Friday she had her wish fulfilled by hairdresser Kellie Tredwell–Noonan at the Dirty Little Secrets salon in Hastings. Now, her lustrous locks…
THE future development of the Port of Hastings received a major boost last week after it was declared under the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act by Minister for Ports David Hodgett. The move paves the way for the planning approvals process to begin – a step MP for Hastings Neil Burgess describes as a major milestone. But, despite the port’s expansion “representing a transformational change that will provide a major boost to the social and economic wellbeing of Hastings, the Peninsula and surrounding communities while also ensuring Victoria’s rightful position as Australia’s leading container port”, there’s plenty of local opposition.…
JENI Doherty and Kim Rowe from the Mornington Chamber of Commerce hosted business people, music lovers and representatives of local government at the launch of the Mornington Winter Jazz Festival, held at The Social on 29 May. The jazz festival, which kicks off on Friday 6 June, runs across the long weekend and features a plethora of events, both ticketed and free. The cornerstone of the festival is a program of internationally renowned jazz artists including Vince Jones, Katie Noonan and Paul Grabowsky, as well as Melbourne Jazz artists Hetty Kate, Wilbur Wilde, Jex Saarelaht and Flap! The festival also…
A 13.2 per cent drop in ‘Crimes against the person’ on the Mornington Peninsula in the year to March was the result of police “successfully partnering“ with the community, police inspector Karen Nyholm said last week. She cited a 10.1 per cent drop in assaults, and a similar drop in assaults excluding family violence, as “highlighting the holistic approach to increasing personal safety”. But, sadly, crimes against property rose from 5586 to 6292 – up 12.6 per cent; drug offences rose from 377 to 402 – 6.6 per cent and ‘other’ crime rose from 1467 to 1650 – up 12.5…
Venue: Hastings Hub. Briefings as the entrée, followed by a meal, then the council meeting. A good crowd, that dwindled noticeably after dinner time. Apologies: councillors Graham Pittock and Bev Colomb. Cr Martin had resigned the previous Tuesday so only eight councillors present. IT WAS a meeting of two distinct parts, but with an air of tension over Part One, possibly emanating from councillors, who knew Part Two could well be lively. And so it was. Allow Council Watch to set the scene. The prologue: shire meetings are recorded via wi-fi microphones. These have been troublesome for months. They failed…
Go Away, Mr Worrythoughts! is a delightful stage adaptation of the award-winning picture book by Frankston author Nicky Johnston. Featuring three professional performers, puppetry, slapstick humour and songs, it’s described as an exciting adventure in developing emotional resilience for primary school children. Through the story of Bayden, and his struggle with anxiety, the production explores creative ways to zap ‘worrythoughts’. Johnston wrote the book to help her first child overcome anxiety. It was such a success that she wrote another, Happythoughts are Everywhere, as well as developing a resource kit for parents and teachers. She is now in demand as…
Mornington Police now have more options to deal with troublemakers, after most of the Mornington CBD was declared a designated area by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation. The order took effect on 22 May after police made a submission to the VCGLR. Police will be able to ban people from the designated area, or all licensed premises within the area for up to 72 hours. Police will also be able to apply for an exclusion order against people convicted of certain offences committed within the designated area with these exclusion orders lasting for up to 12 months. The area…
Police have labelled rumours that a man has been trying to “lure” kids near Benton Junior College in Mornington as “a classic case of Chinese whispers”. A Facebook post dated 28 May claimed: “The police were at school today warning teachers and parents that there has been a man approaching and trying to lure kids with him by approaching them playing in the street and from their front fences. He was last seen in Marriott Dve wearing a Muppets T-shirt and a hat, however they don’t yet know his age. Please share with other mums on the peninsula.” The…
THE thrust of Plan Melbourne – released last week by the state government – is to coordinate population and housing growth with employment and transport planning on a state-wide basis. And the strategy is “very positive’’ for the Mornington Peninsula, according to mayor Antonella Celi. Its local focus is on commitment to a permanent urban growth boundary, development of the Port of Hastings, support for protection of high-quality agricultural land and ensuring the environmental qualities of Western Port and Port Phillip are protected. “Our residents love the peninsula as it is, they support appropriate development and new opportunities, particularly for…
THE new emergency department at the revamped Frankston hospital will be three times the size of the old one with three new wards. It was of special interest to Health Minister David Davis who last week inspected the four-storey hospital redevelopment due to be completed next year. The $80.9 million works are said to be ‘’on time and on budget’’. Standing on top of the building Mr Davis said: “The Frankston Hospital Emergency Department is one of the busiest in the state with close to 60,000 attendees each year, and this expansion will help meet that demand.” The department will…
WINNING the Best Picnic Racing Club in Victoria award for the third year in a row – and the fifth in six years – proves Balnarring is doing something right. Club president Peter Spyker accepted the accolade at the annual Picnic Racing Awards at Amstel Golf Club, Cranbourne, on May 17. He praised the ‘’hard work by the committee and generous support from members, sponsors, owners, trainers and jockeys who race at Balnarring and the public who attend our meetings’’- and singled out the Weymouth family for their involvement. He also acknowledged support from Country Racing Victoria. Club secretary Neil Heathcote…
THE thrust of Plan Melbourne – released last week by the state government – is to coordinate population and housing growth with employment and transport planning on a state-wide basis. And the strategy is ‘’very positive’’ for the Mornington Peninsula, according to mayor Antonella Celi. Its local focus is on commitment to a permanent urban growth boundary, development of the Port of Hastings, support for protection of high-quality agricultural land and ensuring the environmental qualities of Western Port and Port Phillip are protected. “Our residents love the Peninsula as it is, they support appropriate development and new opportunities, particularly for…
A COUNCILLOR walkout forced the abandonment of the Special Purposes Committee meeting held on 19 May when two confidential items came up for debate. Veteran council watchers could not recall any previous councillor walkout at Mornington Peninsula Shire. It was a dramatic and pivotal moment in shire events. The meeting had reached agenda item 3, “Confidential Items”. The minutes record that “Cr Fraser and Cr Rodgers left the meeting before consideration of this item and did not return”. Hugh Fraser and Tim Rodgers represent Nepean ward. The meeting was then adjourned at 5.50pm. The minutes state that “Cr. Colomb left…
IMAGES of musician Paul Kelly will help make the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery an even more interesting place to visit until 20 July. An exhibition of portraits of the songster will take over the gallery walls and intrigue fans and art lovers alike. Paul Kelly and the Portraits National Portrait Gallery Touring exhibition showcases his performance persona and the more elusive aspects of his character. The exhibition presents a multifaceted portrait of the artist over his career. Known as ‘the people’s poet’, Kelly’s portraits are by artists and leading music photographers. Kelly’s ‘bread and butter’ is performing publicly. His songs…
COMMENT CR Frank Martin has quit his Red Hill ward at a most interesting moment in Mornington Peninsula Shire history. He has been a crucial vote at a time when important matters have been, and are being, decided. Mr Martin, an affable and personable man who had skill and experience to offer his ratepayers, has resigned because of illness. It opens up possibilities, after the byelection the vacancy triggers, for substantial changes in the way the shire goes about its business. First, continuance of the long dominance of the David Gibb-Anne Shaw councillor group of six is teetering. Mr Martin…
A FRANKSTON South retiree has been left homeless and heartbroken after being swindled out of her life savings in a sophisticated online love scam. Carole Ross, 64, lost more than $200,000, including all of her superannuation savings, after being duped by a “love interest” she met through an online dating website. “This has destroyed me,” Ms Ross said. “I’m emotionally distraught and financially ruined; I’ve lost my home, all my retirement savings, and my car is about to be repossessed. My life is ruined.” While well aware of the dangers of online dating and romance scams, Ms Ross never thought…
NEPEAN INTERLEAGUE By Toe Punt DESPITE an under strength Nepean League team going into battle at Rosebud’s Olympic Park on Saturday, it proved far too strong for Central Murray FL on Saturday. Nepean League dominated in the opening and last quarters to run out comfortable 16.12.108 to 9.15.69 winners. Central Murray FL got with two goals on a couple of occasions late in the second quarter and got within five points in the third, but they were no match for the locals when the game was there to be won. It was no surprise that Nepean league won the match,…
PENINSULA INTERLEAGUE By Toe Punt PENINSULA league coach Stevey Ryan believes that unless the league’s governing body, PCN Sports Alliance, gets behind representative football, the competition will go backwards. Ryan made the claim in the wake of the Peninsula League’s 85-point belting at the hands of Geelong Football League at Simmons Stadium on Saturday. Whilst the 21 players who represented the league did their very best, they were no match for the Geelong FL, who dominated from start to finish to win 18.18.126 to 6.5.41. Peninsula League was held scoreless in the final quarter and booted just two goals in…
A 33-YEAR-OLD woman was arrested at Patterson Lakes last night (Tuesday 20 May) after a half-hour police pursuit across the Mornington Peninsula. Rosebud highway patrol Sgt Peter Martin told The News a member of the public called police when he saw a car travelling erratically in Safety Beach at about 9pm on Tuesday evening. The driver refused to stop when police tried to intercept the car, forcing officers to pursue the vehicle for almost 40km. Sgt Martin said no-one was injured during the chase. “We’re grateful to the man who called to report the driver,” he said. “The man was…
FREELANCE photographer Daryl Gordon is fascinated by the connection between Balnarring and its people – and this interest has led to an exhibition focusing on “that single frame, that single moment in time’’. The Balnarring Portrait Project 2013 is being held at the Apple Stick Gallery from May 30 to June 8 from 5-7pm. Its focus is on 120 images of those who visited his ‘pop-up’ studios in the village last year. “I have always had a fascination with the storytelling and archival/documentary nature of still photography,’’ he told The News. “So, for history’s sake, I’m setting about documenting the…
FORMER Frankston mayor Christine Richards made the rejuvenation of Frankston’s railway station, surrounds and its bus interchange a priority when she was a councillor and has not given up the dream of seeing change at the long-time blight on Frankston’s reputation. Ms Richards called time on her council stint in 2012 after serving a four-year term as a councillor. She decided to try to find a work-life balance in the wake of a bout of cancer. However, she has now decided to try to effect change for the better from outside the environs of city hall by establishing the Frankston…
THIEVES who stole a rescue kit under cover of darkness at Arthur Seat’s Enchanted Maze Gardens earlier this month returned the ill-gotten gains last week. Business owner Michael Savage said the kit, worth more than $2500, was thrown over the fence of the tree climbing section at the premises. Mr Savage reckoned the theft by three male and one female intruder just after midnight on Tuesday 29 April had been “opportunistic” but said their actions had still cost him money (‘Tree surfing intruders steal show’, The News, 6/5/14). “I still had to buy a back-up rescue kit to replace the…