A NEW 187-kilometre pipeline bringing crude oil and condensate from Esso’s plants at Longford in Gippsland to Long Island Point at Hastings is nearly finished. “The pipeline is a critical piece of infrastructure that will allow the continued delivery of crude oil and condensate, and will also ensure that natural gas from our offshore Gippsland operations continues to flow to households and businesses,” spokesman Travis Parnaby said. Construction began in January last year and, so far, 176 kilometres of the 187 kilometre pipeline has been laid. The pipes are visible from Frankston-Flinders Rd on the way to Hastings from Tyabb.…
Month: February 2017
TYABB Aero Club wants Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to pay $100,000 for a helipad at the Stuart Rd airfield. The club will contribute $25,000 towards the project. Vice-president Jack Vevers said the planned helipad would be used by emergency services crews, such as the air ambulance, firefighting services, and police helicopters. “We are fortunate that we can provide the land and facilities for these helicopters,” he said. “It’s a good thing for the community. “Our application is still going through, but we are hopeful we will get approval soon.” The February edition of the Tyabb & District Ratepayers & Environment…
RAM raiders used a small hatchback car to knock down wire fencing and then crash through glass doors at Western Port Tractors, 4.50am, Thursday 23 February. They stole 26 power tools from the store’s display stand, including brush cutters, hedge trimmers, blower vacs, chain saws and grass trimmers valued at $5000 and caused thousands of dollars damage to the front windows of the outlet in Frankston-Flinders Rd, Hastings. Detective Senior Constable Brian Whitehead, of Somerville CIU, said the thieves loaded up the Corolla or Kia hatch, which may have been damaged in the raid, as CCTV footage shows it was…
A MOTHER and son arrested in Somerville last week allegedly supplied cannabis to school students over the past 12 months. Sniffer dogs taken to their house assisted police in allegedly finding two cannabis plants, 57 grams of cannabis in foils and $2865 cash. A 41-year-old woman was charged with drug trafficking and possession and profiting from the proceeds of crime. She was bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court in April. Her son, 15, a former student of the school, was charged with cultivating, trafficking and possession. He was summonsed to appear at a children’s court at a later date.…
PROVINCIAL LANGWARRIN is equal top of the MPCA Provincial ladder after coming from the bleachers to knock over Mornington in the final two-day game of the home and away season. Chasing 211 for victory at Alexandra Park, the Kangas resumed at 2/10, chasing the Doggies’ total of 210. Things become worse very quickly for the Kangas at the beginning of day two when Mitch Bromley was removed after just five runs were added to the overnight total (3/15). Matt Prosser and skipper Trav Campbell steadied things down and got the score to 93 before Mornington quick Michael Heib struck again.…
DISTRICT IT’S crunch time ahead of the final home and away match of the MPCA District season this Saturday. It has been an incredibly tight division from round one and things haven’t changed over the course of the season. With just a one-day match to play this Saturday, there are still six teams fighting for three places on the ladder. Red Hill, which sits on top of the ladder, is the only team assured of a finals place as we head into the final round. Main Ridge is in second place (86 points and a percentage of 1.35), Delacombe Park…
SUB-DISTRICT BALNARRING is a real chance to seal a place in the MPCA Sub District finals after knocking over Tyabb on Saturday. The Saints are currently in sixth place on the ladder, equal on 54 points with fifth-placed Tyabb and just a game behind Tootgarook (66 points), which holds fourth place. Hastings is sitting pretty at the top of the table on 110 points and will host a home final, regardless of the result of its final game. Ballam Park (84 points), despite being smashed by Hastings on Saturday, will definitely hold its place in the top four, while Frankston…
SOCCER By Craig MacKenzie A MARCUS Collier hat-trick rescued Skye United and powered its 5-3 come-from-behind FFA Cup win on Saturday against Elwood City. The match was held at Doveton’s Waratah Reserve and Skye was forced into extra time to settle the issue against its lower league opponent. Daniel Attard ran onto a through ball and slotted it past advancing Elwood keeper Roddy Beccara in the 22nd minute but by half-time Elwood had come roaring back to lead 2-1. A Sammy Hehir free kick had levelled the scores after 37 minutes and a John Andrinopoulos own goal just before the…
By Ben Triandafillou THE Westernport Lady Steelers have finalised their squad after recruiting an exciting American talent, Eboni Ross, as well as another two players for their upcoming 2017 Big V Season. The Steelers have landed their biggest signing for 2017 with the addition of Eboni Ross from Shaw University/North Carolina A&T. Renowned for her defensive prowess in the American Collegiate system, Eboni, who stands at an imposing 6’3”, has plenty of experience playing professionally in Turkey as well as having a very successful Collegiate career. A true team player, Ross is looking forward to the season ahead and will…
By Ben Triandafillou THE 2017 Ladbrokes Mornington Cup will see an international runner for the first time as the highly-respected Godolphin trainer, Charlie Appleby, brings the talented Gold Trail down-under in an attempt to gain exemption from the Caulfield Cup ballot. Following an incredibly successful Melbourne Spring Carnival with his team of thoroughbreds, including the likes of Oceanographer, Qewy, Scottish and Francis Of Assisi, Appleby is determined to continue his success’ in Australian racing with his team over the Autumn Racing Carnival. Gold Trail will be targeting the Mornington Cup on Saturday 25 March as the race provides the winner…
SHREK and Kung-Fu Panda will light up Rosebud’s Foreshore Live Under the Big Top from 25 March until 30 April this year at an Australian-first exhibition of some of DreamWorks Animation’s best known characters in a large-scale lantern experience. Lights by DreamWorks – The Experience is an interactive, walkthrough experience for all ages and is set to run for 30 days and attract more than 150,000 local and international visitors who will marvel at more than 100 of DreamWorks’ characters brought to life. Modelled on the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival, Lights by DreamWorks features huge illuminated figures familiar to the…
PRIVATE Rogers was unfortunate enough to be suffering from mumps on his arrival in France. *** THE Hon Secretary of the Frankston District Roll of Honor Fund wishes to acknowledge receipt of 5s from Mrs A., M. Bell, Cranbourne Road, Frankston. The total subscribed to date is £74 13s 6d. *** MR T. M. Burke, auctioneer, of 360 Collins St., Melbourne, will hold a clearing sale on Saturday, 24th March, on the premises, on account of Mr P. Meehan, of Bittern, who is retiring from business and leaving the district. *** A CRICKET match will be played at Frankston to…
PARKS Victoria is planning to allow non-powered watercraft such as kayaks and canoes to use parts of Devilbend Reservoir for recreation. Shore-based fishing is already allowed in some areas and now Parks is looking to extend the range of activities at the 1005 hectare natural features reserve at Tuerong, near Moorooduc. Community to comment is being sought on proposals to allow non-powered watercraft on parts of the former reservoir’s 250ha of water. Devilbend is recognised internationally for its role in the conservation of bird populations, with more than 44 species resident in the reserve, including eight threatened species. Parks Victoria’s…
A FRANKSTON-based legal service that has helped thousands of low-income clients to access free legal advice and representation will be forced to turn away clients when the federal government cuts funding by 30 percent in July. Peninsula Community Legal Centre has provided legal advice to 7966 cash-strapped or vulnerable clients since opening 40 years ago, but now fears for its future and is pleading for the government to reverse its decision and restore the funding. The government has faced fierce opposition from legal centres around the country since it announced last year it would slash funding by millions from 1…
MT MARTHA triathlete Lily van Raay’s first race with the Victorian Triathlon Team at Glenelg, South Australia, in early February ended in disaster. Her $3000 bike, parked with others at their caravan park at Glenelg, South Australia, was stolen the night before the race, leaving her stranded. “She was devastated,” dad Doug van Raay said. But help was at hand. Knowing that Lily, 14, still had a few more races to go in the multi-race triathlon series, Mornington Cycles came to the rescue by loaning her a new bike. Mornington Cycles proprietor Brad Clark said the store was happy to…
A $3 million-plus sports pavilion will be built at Citation Recreation Reserve, Mt Martha. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council approved the tender at its Monday 30 January meeting. The single-level pavilion aims to better meet the needs of sporting and community groups. It will include a social room, multi-purpose change rooms, unisex toilet and shower facilities, office space and store rooms, kitchen/kiosk, first-aid room, accessible toilets and external public toilets. The building will also have low-energy lighting, and heating and cooling tailored to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Water efficient fittings and fixtures are also being used. “This is a great step…
THE huge crane working above a large commercial site in Nepean Highway, Mornington, has been turning drivers’ heads for a few months. Ralph Mackie, of the Frankston-based construction company that bears his name, agrees towering 64-metre boom has “stirred up a lot of interest”. The machinery is at the heart of a construction project to build a $35 million, 92-bed nursing home. Once finished, the home will have underground parking on the 5000 square metre site. The first stage is scheduled for completion in 12 months. The second stage, for 35 more beds, will lift the total cost of the…
AN overseas trip at ratepayers’ expense could be on the horizon for Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO Carl Cowie thanks to a study tour allowance sanctioned by councillors. Councillors during the previous council term agreed Mr Cowie could spend up to $30,000 to travel overseas or within Australia for a study tour linked to council business. The allowance was approved as part of the CEO’s performance review last year — when Mr Cowie’s annual pay including superannuation was also increased to about $395,000 — before eight of the 11 councillors left council. Councillors at the time decided the arrangement should be…
TWO Peninsula Grange Aged Care residents are celebrating milestone birthdays at the Mornington centre. Jo Cooper, who turns 100 on Thursday 9 March, when born in Sorrento was the first great-great-granddaughter of the first white baby born in the settlement. She moved to Melbourne to spend her married life with husband Ern and then returned to the Mornington Peninsula to spend her later years with her husband. She was one of five sisters and two brothers and grew up riding horses and swimming in the summer. Ms Cooper has two children, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The secret to a…
A DROMANA supermarket’s generosity has paid dividends for Dromana Fire Brigade, which has received more than $300,000 in donations through the Ritchies Community Benefit Program. This makes the brigade the highest individual CFA recipient of the supermarket chain’s fundraising program. “The unique program has provided significant financial support to our brigade,” brigade captain Timothy Desmond said. “The money came from generous community members who chose Dromana Fire Brigade as the recipient of a percentage of their shop.” The money – which goes directly to the brigade – was spent on a utility, one of five cars the brigade has been…
A 1300-SIGNATURE petition calling for the Mornington Community Animal Shelter to open daily to the public failed to get backing at the Monday 20 February meeting. The council referred the petition back to council officers “for action or to report back to council on the matter”. Cr Sam Hearn later said this meant the council “acknowledges and hears from the community. It receives the petition and understands that concerns are being raised.” Doris Campbell, of Rosebud, wanted to know why new homes were not found for more lost animals, especially cats. The petition, organised by Rosie Fisher, of Mornington, urges…
DESPITE knowing it would be a breach of the Local Government Act, Cr David Gill says he won’t sign a councillors’ code of conduct unless it is changed to lift the veil of secrecy involved in decision making. “Too many things are debated in private [by Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors], the public hardly gets to hear anything,” Cr Gill said. The clock is ticking for Cr Gill with just two council meetings to go before the one-month signing deadline. If he has not signed the code before Monday 13 March Cr Gill will lose his right to be a councillor.…
VOLUNTEERS working to preserve two Mornington Peninsula estuaries are being linked through a state government-funded citizen science program. The “health” of the Balcombe Creek, Mt Martha, and that of Merricks Creek at Balnarring will be recorded as part of the project on the EstuaryWatch website, bringing the number of estuaries being monitored to 18. The environment groups BERG Mt Martha and Merricks Creek’s EstuaryWatchers, in collaboration with Melbourne Water, have organised a presentation on EstuaryWatch by Victorian coordinator Rose Herben and aquatic ecologist Steve Harefield at midday at The Briars, Mt Martha, on Saturday 4 March. There will also be…
AFTER developing a rural property at Merricks North for wedding receptions Mt Martha couple Chris and Donna McEvoy decided one thing was missing: a church. Buildings already set among Tanglewood Estate’s vineyard, eucalypts and gardens include the barn (seating for up to 200 and with an interior made from recycled timbers); a winery (seats 130 with commercial kitchen, bar and deck); and the mud brick studio (suitable for before or after ceremony drinks and small “cocktail” weddings). There is also a residence that can be used by bridal parties and a heart-shaped dam with a back drop of Port Phillip…
CONTINENTAL Hotel proprietor Julian Gerner is upbeat after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal agreed to change conditions imposed by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council on apartments he wants added to the 1875 landmark. The VCAT decision last week prevented council from reducing the overall height of the seven-level apartment building behind the heritage registered limestone building, on Ocean Beach Rd, and charging Mr Gerner for adjacent street works. VCAT presiding member Michael Nelthorpe said the tribunal did not believe the building’s height needed to be reduced to ensure an acceptable planning outcome or that Mr Gerner should pay $125,000 towards…
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing 14-year old girl Myrah Fitzgerald. Myrah was last seen on 25 January in the Mornington area. Police have concerns for her due to her age and the length of time that she has been missing. Myrah is perceived to be Caucasian, has a slim build, shoulder length black hair and is approximately 150cm tall. She is known to frequent Dandenong, Frankston, Caulfield and the surrounding areas. It is believed Myrah might be with her mother Kathleen Fitzgerald. Police have released an image of Myrah in the hope that someone may…
STANDING by helplessly watching a child suffer from a sudden injury, or perhaps even die, is a nightmare scenario for parents. From babies being left in hot cars, to house-hold furniture toppling over, or toddlers scaling pool fences and falling into swimming pools … parents are beset by myriad health and safety concerns with most not having the skills or knowledge to help. To combat this, parents and caregivers are being urged to learn paediatric first aid training at a free course being held at Mt Martha on Saturday 25 February and continuing monthly. This is the first of many…
MORNINGTON Peninsula residents are being urged to help clean up designated sites on Clean Up Australia Day, Sunday 5 March. The national clean-up day has been running 27 years and last year on the peninsula saw more than 30 cubic metres of rubbish collected from 25 clean-up sites. Nationally, there were 682,000 volunteers who removed an estimated 15,600 tonnes of rubbish from 7117 sites. “Clean Up Australia Day gives you an opportunity to register online and join hundreds of other volunteers to help better our peninsula,” Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Bev Colomb said. The shire helps coordinate collections at…
MORNINGTON police pounced on Saturday morning when they spotted a man wanted over service station robberies in Mornington, Frankston, Moorabbin, Berwick and Frankston on Friday night and Saturday morning. They also believe the same man may in previous weeks have robbed the United service station on Tyabb Rd, Mornington, and the 7-Eleven on McMahons Rd, Frankston. Senior Constable Cameron Fields and Constable Anthony Box, on patrol in the Mornington divisional van, 9.50am, Saturday, spotted the man driving a Mazda hatch on Tanti Av after a registration alert from Frankston detectives. “We put on the lights and siren as the man…
A RAVENHALL woman, 42, has been charged with one count of murder after a woman’s body was found in bushland at Sorrento on Friday 13 January 2017. Acting Sergeant Melissa Seach, of police media, said the charges follow the suspicious disappearance of 45-year-old Joanne Martell, of no fixed address, who was reported missing in May. First published in the Western Port News – 21 February 2017