TRAFFIC congestion, speeding vehicles, unsafe crossings and footpaths, and parking issues have emerged as the top concerns around peninsula schools, a survey has revealed. All schools and preschools as well as families were invited to participate in a consultation process by Mornington Peninsula Shire earlier this year as part of its Integrated Transport Strategy Development (ITS) and Safer Roads Funding and Priorities.Based on the consultation, key themes included congestion occurring for around 20 to 30 minutes on school days; drivers ignoring speed limits around schools; and schools particularly close to main roads, having limited safe crossing points or the existing…
Author: Brendan Rees
A MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillor’s push to meet with South East Water over PFAS concerns in wastewater – despite there being no current detections of the contaminant – has been rejected.Cr David Gill raised a motion at the council’s 3 June meeting to initiate formal talks with South East Water about “any long-term public health related issues in our environment” of the synthetic chemicals – perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, “if there’s a need for improvement”. He also sought to “discuss the costs of removing PFAS at the wastewater treatment stage of reducing contaminants in our water cycle”.“This is an opportunity…
PENINSULA author Mate Antolos is preparing to unveil his second novel, The Fall, with a book launch to be held this month in Mornington. The writer’s new book follows Emir ‘Eddy’ Muravic, a young detective sergeant with the Australian Federal Police as he takes long service leave to visit his family in the former Yugoslav state.Antolos said he was inspired by the Brit Lapthorne case, an Australian backpacker who died in Dubrovnik, Croatia in 2008, as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trading’s dealings with Aussies abroad during events such as the Bali Bombing and the Boxing Day…
VICTORIA Sharp’s story is about hope and the power of research to deliver better treatments and outcomes for women with gynaecological cancers. Her story is one of those being told as part of an initiative by the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) about advancing research into these types of women’s cancers.Diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer, Victoria Sharp’s future looked dire until a ground-breaking clinical trial offered her a second chance. The Mt Martha resident was diagnosed with the disease in 2015, but with limited treatment options and a rapidly progressing illness, doctors gave her little hope. “I had…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have acted to review its flag policy after the Australian flag was left off a kinder flyer, prompting a wave of public backlash. The flyer, which was recently circulated to encourage families to register their children in the shire’s kinder programs for 2026, included the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pride flags – but not the Australian flag.Cr Bruce Ranken raised the matter as an urgent business motion at the council’s 2 June meeting, noting the issue has “understandably raised concerns amongst many members of the community”.His motion called for the shire to review its current…
A PLANNED road and drainage upgrade project in Crib Point has blown out by at least $1m – and costs could keep rising as unresolved issues with property owners and authorities delay progress.The Mornington Peninsula Shire originally budgeted for $795,000 to undertake the works at Creswell St (stopping at Denman St) and Cooma St in Crib Point which were rezoned from industrial to residential in 2019. But the project is now forecast to cost the council at least $1.8m, which was based on estimates in late 2023 when a revised Development Contributions Plan (DCP) to fund the works was adopted…
ARMED with beads, big dreams, and a big heart, 11-year-old Hope Blythe of Hastings is making a significant impact in the fight against motor neurone disease (MND). Every year she makes and sells bracelets to raise money for MND awareness and vital research. A passionate Collingwood supporter, she and her twin sister Olivia (Liv), and Mum Kimberley, who are both Melbourne supporters, and Dad always attend the Melbourne v Collingwood game for the “Big freeze at the G,” which will be held on 9 June for Big Freeze 11. For Hope, it’s not just the game and the atmosphere on…
WHAT started as a regular Easter beach day for a curious two-year-old at Blairgowrie beach has turned into a remarkable moment in Indigenous archaeology – although the pint-sized explorer has no idea.Brooke Murray and her husband Reece Murray had been enjoying time at the beach with their son Victor on 19 April when he found a rock in shallow water and began playing with it. To him, it was just a “fun rock,” with Brooke thinking nothing more of it with Victor taking it home as part of his beach treasures.But the rock’s distinct shape later caught Brook’s attention and…
MORNINGTON Fisheries office will remain open after a strong community backlash and concerns from Mornington Peninsula Shire over proposed changes that would have led to its closure.The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) confirmed on 21 May that four Fisheries officers will continue to be based in Mornington. All four current officers will be required to reapply for their jobs through an expression of interest process.A VFA spokesperson said in addition to Mornington, the Cowes and Queenscliff stations would also remain open, and four Fisheries officers will work from each of these locations. Staffing arrangements will be finalised in coming weeks, the…
EIGHTY-two-year-old cyclist Lindsay says he’s lucky to be alive after a hit-run driver slammed into him in Main Ridge, throwing him from his bike and leaving him with serious injuries.Lindsay was struck by the vehicle about 11.15am on 21 May on the Mornington-Flinders Rd at the intersection of Shands Rd. The driver, believed to have been in a dark ute, fled the scene, leaving the cyclist seriously injured in the middle of the road. According to witnesses, the driver had allegedly driven through the stop sign at the intersection at speeds between 60kph and 70kph. Several Good Samaritans stopped to…
ABOUT 3000 keen hikers have laced up their boots and taken to the trails of the Mornington Peninsula in support of raising more than $1.2 million for Beyond Blue’s 24/7 support service. The coastal hike, held on 23 May, included options of a 50km from Cape Schanck, a 30km loop from Point Nepean or 20km from Sorrento, with all distances finishing in Point Nepean. It is a team event of minimum two people, with all team sizes welcome.Back for its 11th year on the Mornington Peninsula, the event was organised by Coastrek, which hosts a national series of fundraising walks in the…
A LONG-overdue direct bus service linking Mornington to Hastings is on the way, with funding now locked in through the state budget. The funding for a cross-peninsula bus service would create a new bus route 886 between Hastings and Mornington via Mooroduc and Tyabb.In announcing the news, Hastings MP Paul Mercurio said the government would make changes to routes 784 and 785, making the journey between Mornington and Frankston more direct. He said these changes would give locals across the peninsula “choices they’ve never had before to leave the car at home and catch the bus to local landmarks”. Currently,…
AFTER more than two years of frustration, Mornington Peninsula Shire has finally answered the call: $407,238 has been locked in to fix the stairs at Birdrock Beach in Mt Martha.The timber stairs were closed to the public at the beginning of December 2022 after a severe storm and an associated king tide damaged the bottom three sections of the stairway (Beach access stairs closed for safety, The News 17/1/23). Sand was also eroded away from underneath the concrete footings at the base of the stairs, further destabilising the stairway.An action group called “Repair the Stairs – Birdrock Beach Action Group”…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have thrown their support behind a proposal to build a scenic path connecting Mornington to Moorooduc along the railway corridor. The initiative would form part of the grand vision for a Peninsula Trails project, a 170km network of connected trails traversing the Mornington Peninsula. Construction of the Somerville-Baxter Trail began in January as part of the project and is expected to be completed by the end of the year (Work begins on the Somerville to Baxter Trail, The News 14/01/25).However, councillors only narrowly supported the new trail at their 20 May meeting after some expressed concern…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will spend $297,000 on safety upgrades on the Beleura Cliff Path in Mornington, after a narrow vote saw a legal advice condition dropped that could have stalled work further. The long-awaited decision was made at the council’s 20 May meeting with the funding being locked in the council’s 2025-26 budget capital works program.The 102-year-old walking route, which hugs the cliffs between Mills Beach and Caraar Creek Lane overlooking Port Phillip Bay, was closed in October 2022 due to landslips creating a safety risk to walkers. But last December the council finally reopened the track partially along the…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have officially abandoned hand cleaning along its Port Phillip beaches with mechanical raking to be reinstated, ending months of indecision and community backlash.The council has been trialling hand cleaning all bay beaches since last July after concerns were raised that mechanical raking was leaving behind litter, with plastic items also being broken down into smaller pieces and buried in the sand. But proponents of the rake say it’s more efficient, while ensuring smooth, well-groomed beaches.According to a council audit, 85 per cent of material collected by the rake was organic material including seaweed, which was taken…
THE celebrations have been loud at Sorrento Cricket Club after it was crowned the sporting club of the year last week at the 2024 Victorian Sport Awards. The massive win, announced at a ceremony on 14 May at the Melbourne Cricket Club, recognises not only their love for the game, but their commitment to creating a cricket club that welcomes all, and bringing the community together. The awards, which has 18 categories, celebrates the achievements of home-grown sporting heroes at both a grassroots and high-performance level. Club president Ben McDonald said the honour was a great reward for effort including…
A TEAM of young volunteers from a peninsula-wide organisation has been honoured at the 7News Young Achiever Awards in recognition of their outstanding commitment to supporting people experiencing homelessness. Blessings Bags Melbourne, a youth-led organisation, was awarded the Australia Foundation Connecting Communities Award during a ceremony on 9 May from a strong field of nominees.Founded in 2015, the organisation is dedicated to supporting people experiencing homelessness through free hygiene packs. Each pack contains essential hygiene items such as a toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, soap, deodorant, pocket tissues, a sanitary item, a muesli bar, and a note of encouragement. With over 20,000…
SIXTEEN-year-old dancer Hailey Krongold from Safety Beach is proving that you can make a difference with a few good moves – and a big heart. Last month she organised her first dance workshop called Aspire for dancers aged over 12 at Inspirations Performing Arts Studio in Mornington.“I felt as if there are so many aspiring dancers on the peninsula who may not have access to the same teachers and mentors as those in the metro areas due to the travel distance to get to these open classes and programs,” she said. “So why not bring these incredible choreographers to the…
VOLUNTEER firefighter Alida Goodchild has made history as the first female volunteer to be elected as a lieutenant at Tyabb fire brigade. She joined the brigade 20 years at the age of 27, with 15 years having served as an operational firefighter. Now, she has earned a leadership role – etching her name not only in the history books but also becoming a role model for other women in firefighting. Goodchild, who by day runs her own beauty salon called You Bewty, expressed immense pride in her accomplishment she never thought she’d achieve. She initially had hopes of becoming a…
A RESIDENT has expressed serious concern after discovering a pile of what he believed to be old asbestos roofing material discarded near the boardwalk at the Balcombe Creek Estuary in Mt Martha. Steve Jones reported the find to the Mornington Peninsula Shire on 8 April requesting they assess the potentially hazardous material but to his disappointment, it had only been taped off. Jones, a professional firefighter who created the Country Fire Authority’s only training program related to asbestos, believed the material was old roofing that had likely been dumped for many years. He said the material, most likely corrugated asbestos…
A MOUNT Martha man has been ordered to pay $6,271.67 for illegally dumping waste in Tuerong. Had he disposed of these items correctly it wouldn’t have cost him a cent. Last year, one of the shire’s litter prevention officers visited a property in Mount Martha that had a large amount of waste out the front. The officer advised the occupant to book a hard waste collection and bring the items back onto their property in the meantime. Before leaving, the officer taped the items, which included two washing machines and a tumble drier, with shire’s signature yellow and black tape.…
FOUR standout projects on the Mornington Peninsula are in the running for the 2025 Victorian Architecture Awards, showcasing the region’s growing influence in architectural innovation.The awards celebrate the most inspiring architecture across the state with the winners to be announced at an awards night on 27 June. The shortlisted projects in Mornington Peninsula include residences House on a Hill, Stumpy Gully House, and The Apple House, as well as Woodleigh School’s Woodleigh Regenerative Futures Studio. House on a Hill, created by Leeton Pointon Architects + Interiors, sits in a rural setting on the Mornington Peninsula, featuring second hand bricks and…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have given their approval for a proposal by Telstra to install an equipment shelter next to existing telecommunications infrastructure in Mt Martha, subject to community consultation. Under the proposal, the shire would lease a 30 square metre site to Telstra to install a monopole and equipment shelter at Citation Reserve on Nepean Hwy. The infrastructure would be adjacent to an existing Optus monopole, with Optus’ lease to be varied to allow for the co-location.Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the proposal at their 7 May meeting. A report will come back to council once community engagement…
URGENT action is needed on the road outside Little Grasshoppers Early Learning Centre in Moorooduc after a near miss, Mornington MP Chris Crewther says. Last year centre staff publicly called for changes to the speed limit on the road outside the childcare centre. The building sits on the corner of Eramosa Road and Moorooduc Highway – the speed limit on Eramosa Road just outside the centre’s entrance is 80kph. Last week, Mornington MP Chris Crewther wrote to the roads minister and the Mornington Peninsula Shire asking for action. He suggested a zebra crossing outside the centre could help prevent future…
THE historic Dromana Pier is set for a major rebuild this year, but community members continue to express concern that the project lacks plans for a much-needed extension into deeper water. Originally constructed in the 1860s and extended in the 1870s before being rebuilt with current infrastructure in the 1950s, the pier remains a significant feature to the community. But over the past 15 years, the 180-metre pier has progressively been under attack from rusting steel reinforcement causing the concrete to split. As it reaches the end of its lifespan, Parks Victoria will begin work on the pier by the…
A PASSIONATE Rye community leader who has made a significant difference to her hometown, as well as protecting its natural beauty has been awarded a national honour. Mechelle Cheers, whose initiatives continue to make Rye a better place for everyone, was named the Dame Phyllis Frost Local Hero Award at the 2025 Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Town Awards during a ceremony held in Beechworth on 3 May The award recognised her outstanding contributions to environmental stewardship and community leadership to Rye. This included the award-winning Rye coastal wetland project, conserving the vulnerable Moonah Woodland, Rye – A Foreshore for All,…
CONSTRUCTION is officially under way for the Rye west campgrounds, the foreshore park and promenade, marking significant progress in the revitalisation of the Rye Township Plan. The development aims to enhance the town’s public spaces, improve amenities, and bolster its status as a premier destination on the peninsula. The $3m works form the final piece in completing stage one of the township plan, which will include a carpark relocation, two plaza areas being built at either end of the foreshore promenade, as well as a network of paths, seating, barbeque facilities and landscaping. Another feature will be the extension of…
THE beleaguered Hastings Club which closed its doors last year could be thrown a lifeline after Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors called for “immediate steps” to reopen the community asset.The venue, founded in 1967, which was home to local sporting clubs and community groups, was placed into liquidation last April after facing crippling debts associated with its gaming machines. The club reopened again but a significant water leak ultimately forcing its closure last October. Members had tried to re-establish the club under a new entity called the Hastings Community and Sports Club Inc but it struggled to regain its footing, with…
A MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillor has called out the state government for what he describes as a growing pattern of cost shifting towards council to run services like libraries and school crossings. Cr David Gill said the state was “not carrying their share of a burden” as escalating costs fell on ratepayers, which he said needed to be immediately addressed amid the council facing a likely budget deficit. Gill raised the issue at the shire’s 22 April meeting where he successfully moved a motion for all “material matters pertaining to cost shifting” be referred to the 2025-26 budget process. Cost…