A POPULAR walking track within Arthurs Seat State Park is undergoing major repair works, following storm damage in 2022 and ongoing wear and erosion.A 1.1km stretch of the Two Bays Walking Trail leading up to Arthurs Seat summit from Dromana will be repaired first by Parks Victoria, with the section of the track known for its rugged terrain and sharp incline. From early July, a helicopter will lift construction materials onto the trail, as well as making multiple flights shipping large amounts of rock that will be used to rebuild steps, trail surfaces and drainage. The chopper will fly in…
Author: Brendan Rees
THE owners of Endota Spa Moorooduc have spoken of their heartbreak and determination after a devastating fire tore through their beloved wellness business on 17 June. Jeff and Sharnee Thompson said it was more than a business but something they poured their hearts into after building it from scratch 14 years ago.The incident occurred just before 9.15pm at the corner of Moorooduc Hwy and Eramosa Rd West where fire crews found the roof of the building well-alight. It took just under two hours to bring it under control with a fire investigation unit now determining the cause.The couple were shellshocked…
THE historic Grand Hotel in Mornington is undergoing its first turret tower restoration in 40 years, with the project expected to be completed next month. The works, which began at the start of this year, will also see upgrades to the original windows and doors on the first floor, as well as to the slate roof and the front façade by blending its historic charm and contemporary comfort for visitors.Located on Main St, the 125-year-old building is considered of historical significance by the National Trust of Australia. The original building (at the time called the Grand Coffee Palace) was only…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have firmly rejected a proposal to erect a 27.4-metre telecommunications tower adjacent to the Mornington Peninsula Freeway in McCrae, after deeming it “unacceptable” for its location and visual impact.The proposal, sited at the freeway entry road near Lonsdale St, attracted 51 objections, with residents citing concerns of visual impacts including view lines of Port Phillip Bay, neighbourhood character, poor proposed location, the lack of need for the facility, and proximity to residents and the overall height. According to a council report, the tower would have been “well-placed in a central location” to provide an upgrade in…
SHRINKING space is threatening the Mt Eliza Men’s Shed’s survival, with low membership and limited government funding prompting urgent calls for a permanent new home.Tucked away behind the Mt Eliza Country Club on Old Mornington Rd, the shed has struggled to attract new members since 2016 because of its cramped conditions. The shed is only 28sqm, which is not much bigger than a single-car garage, leaving little space for workshops, safe storage of tools and materials or social activities – the core of what their group offers.Committee member Rodd Wickes said members were doing the best they could, but it…
KATHERINE Griffiths has always had a fascination with photobooths. Like many, she took thousands of photos of her life journey, squeezing herself, friends, and family into the frame, some mid-laughter and others, with the inevitable blink. She also has a remarkable collection of vintage photos and historical memorabilia related to the history of the simple analogue machine – all of which she shares in an online blog.Now, the Mornington resident is thrilled that her work of nearly 50 years is being featured in an exhibition called Auto-Photo: A Life in Portraits at the RMIT Gallery in the city. “Catlin Langford,…
DRAFT plans for a $2.2m upgrade of the Mt Martha village, including improvements to Watson Rd parking and footpath renewal works have been endorsed for community feedback. The decision was made at the council’s 17 June meeting, allowing the draft plans, which were originally proposed in 2020, to be exhibited for community consultation in July and August. Councillors unanimously supported the plans after $125,000 was allocated to draw up concept designs in the 2023/24 budget. It will see upgrades to the existing gravel carpark to a paved surface, redesign the central island on Watson Rd and enhance footpath connectivity to…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have adopted a record budget of $326.3m amid growing community angst over cuts to arts, culture, and environmental programs. Deputy mayor Paul Pingiaro conceded some “tough decisions” were needed to move the council forward, noting “there was a lot of things that we can always do better – but moving forward, that’s what we’ll do as an organisation”. “What we have in front of us is a budget that will hopefully deliver quite a few savings – they’re unrealised at the moment, the work’s getting done, and if the work gets done, we can open up…
MORNINGTON Peninsula’s official crime rate has risen by 24 per cent in the past year, with a surge in thefts from motor vehicles being a primary driver. The rise, which was revealed in the latest Crime Statistics Agency data released on 19 June, was higher than the statewide increase in crime (up 15 per cent in the past 12 months) with Victoria Police making a record number of arrests – equivalent to 208 a day.On the peninsula, residential non-aggravated burglary, theft, breach of family violence intervention order, retail theft, and car theft offences all soared in the year ending in…
THE Flinders community is stretching its fundraising muscles to pump up support for a new outdoor gym at the Flinders Recreation Reserve that it hopes everyone can enjoy.The Flinders Community Association (FCA) spearheaded the idea three years ago to provide a free and accessible way to stay active, while promoting health and fitness to people of all ages and visitors. It has so far proved a success with the association having raised about $100,000 for the project which is expected to cost between $120,000 and $130,000. The association’s major partner, the Mornington Peninsula Shire, has provided a community capital grant…
LYN MacLeod, Hastings SES unit’s newly announced controller, says she’s ready to rise to the challenge and continue making a difference in the community. A volunteer of three years, MacLeod takes the reins from respected colleague Brett “Dutchy” Holland who led the unit over the past four years with passion, dedication and a “constant drive”.“I’m petrified,” she said good-humouredly of her new role. But as a paediatric nurse by day and having a natural sense of being calm under pressure, and always willing to help people, the unit can be assured they are in capable, compassionate hands.MacLeod said volunteering was…
A devastating fire has destroyed a popular wellness and day spa business in Moorooduc after going up in flames on the evening of Tuesday, 17 June. Emergency services were called to the fire just before 9.15pm where the blaze had engulfed Endota Spa at the corner of Moorooduc Hwy and Eramosa Rd West. Nine CFA brigades attended the scene alongside Fire Rescue Victoria, Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria. “Upon arrival, crews found an active fire in the roof of the building and immediately began suppression efforts,” a CFA spokesperson said. Firefighters brought the fire under control just before 11pm with…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will submit two significant grant applications aimed at enhancing community sports and recreation facilities. The proposed projects are the electrification of Pelican Park Recreation Centre in Hastings under the federal government’s Community Energy Upgrades Fund (CEUF), as well as seeking funding for the Sorrento Netball Courts redevelopment project through Sport and Recreation Victoria’s County Football Netball Program (CFN). The CEUF provides matched funding of up to $2.5m for energy efficiency and electrification upgrades to deliver reduced energy bills and emissions from local government-owned or operated facilities.Pelican Park Recreation Centre has been closed since January while it undergoes…
SEVEN dangerous road sites on the Mornington Peninsula are set to receive $3.9m in upgrades under the 2025-26 federal government’s Black Spot Program. The safety upgrades will target road locations where crashes occur or are at risk of occurring.The Mornington Peninsula Shire confirmed it had been awarded the funding at its 3 June, with all seven road projects unanimously approved by councillors. This includes the Mornington local area precinct ($929,000) for traffic calming treatments and a 40kph speed limit; Tucks Road/ Shands Rd intersection in Main Ridge ($785,000) for a raised intersection with raised safety platforms and sealing 50 metres…
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…
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…