Author: Brodie Cowburn

THE $1.1 billion Frankston Hospital redevelopment is nearing completion, with patients to be accepted from early next year. The new 12 storey tower will open its doors on 20 January. It will include 130 more beds, new spaces for mental health and oncology services, 15 new operating theatres, and a rooftop helipad.The $1.1 billion works, funded by the state government, also includes new maternity, obstetrics and paediatric wards; a women’s clinic; and a special care nursery to support new babies. An entire floor has been dedicated to endometriosis and pelvic pain multidisciplinary clinic services, an advanced laparoscopic gynaecology specialist, and…

PROVINCIAL RED Hill managed to grab a win over Mornington in a final over thriller on Saturday. Batting first at Alexandra Park, Mornington put 161 runs on the board. Ryan Smith top-scored with 47 runs. Red Hill’s run chase hit a few early snags when Cameron Moon bowled out their top order. A late partnership between Thomas Lewis and Matthew Gray saved the day. Lewis hit 34 from 29 deliveries and Gray hit 16 from 22. They dragged Red Hill over the line for a three-wicket win with three balls left to spare. The result means Red Hill will go…

THREE more high-rise buildings along the Nepean Highway in Frankston have been given the green light to proceed. At a meeting last week, Frankston councillors unanimously approved plans for a 10 storey building at 347-349 Nepean Highway and a 14 storey building at 431 Nepean Highway. Councillors also ticked off amended plans for 424/426 Nepean Highway – the initial plans were greenlit by VCAT late last year. Earlier this year, construction got underway on the planned 14-storey apartment building at 446-450 Nepean Highway. Council also approved plans for a 14 storey mixed-use building with 144 residential apartments at 438-444 Nepean…

PROVINCIAL BADEN Powell handed Pines their first defeat of the season on Saturday. After bowling Pines out for 159 on day one, Baden Powell came into day two last weekend full of confidence. They looked in control all day, going on to reach their target with six wickets to spare. Dale Elmi and Aidan Wheeler put together the winning partnership. Elmi scored 58 from 98 deliveries and Wheeler scored 32 from 49. Despite the loss, Pines remains top of the ladder. Baden Powell are fourth. Mornington and Red Hill finished the weekend in second and third respectively. Mornington enjoyed their…

UP to $10 million in ratepayer funding is set to be put towards a project to transform Nepean Highway and surrounding pedestrian areas. Frankston Council ticked off a “Nepean Boulevard Precinct Revitalisation” masterplan in early 2025, outlining a series of projects to improve the road and its surrounds. Proposed works include intersection upgrades at Overton Road; the redevelopment of the Kananook Creek Gateway; upgrades at Davey and Fletcher Streets prioritising pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport; Ring Road safety improvements; central median greening; use of the Comfort Station; construction of shared user paths linking Olivers Hill, the Bay Trail, and Frankston…

YOUNG adults swimming on the Mornington Peninsula pose the highest drowning risk in Victoria, a new report has revealed. Life Saving Victoria’s 2024/2025 drowning report was released last week. It reveals that between 2015/2016 and 2024/2025, there were more drownings on the Mornington Peninsula than in any other part of the state. The 25-44 age group suffered the most number of drownings on the peninsula. Drownings most commonly occurred while swimming at beaches. LSV estimates that there is a 99 percent likelihood of a drowning in any given year on the Mornington Peninsula. Thirty-six percent of drowning victims on the…

PROVINCIAL SOME good bowling from Baden Powell has put Pines at risk of its first defeat for the season. Pines, who are 6-0 in season 2025/2026, hosted Baden Powell at Eric Bell Reserve. It was an even contest on day one, as Baden Powell’s bowling attack prevented Pines from putting together a big total. Plenty of Pines’ batters made good starts, but their top-scorer could only manage 28 before being dismissed. Pines finished the day at 9/157. Luke Long was the pick of the bowlers on Saturday; he took 4/32 from 17 overs. At Lloyd Park, Heatherhill put 6/175 on…

FRANKSTON Council is actively working to resolve the ongoing issue of unapproved works being undertaken on Crown foreshore land, a council statement issued last week claims. The issue of residents undertaking alleged illegal works along the foreshore has reared its head multiple times this year – a seawall has been allegedly constructed without approval near Oliver’s Hill, and last month onlookers spotted an excavator operating a short distance from the seawall. (“More unapproved beach works investigated”, The Times 27/11/2025) Last week, Frankston mayor Kris Bolam asserted that council is actively pursuing the allegations. “Frankston City Council is aware of recent…

PROVINCIAL RED Hill put up a good fight on Saturday, but still fell short against Pines. Pines came into the two-day match undefeated, and put a whopping 347 runs on the board on day one. Red Hill had a good crack at their target on day two, but it proved too tall a task. Simon Dart was fantastic for Red Hill; he hit 121 runs from 136 deliveries to give his side a chance. Henry Riddle and Rhys Hewitt also scored half-centuries. Time ended up being the enemy for Red Hill. They finished their 80 overs at 8/296. Ricky Ramsdale’s…

PROVINCIAL A FANTASTIC century from Harley Peace-Stirling has put Pines in the box seat for its sixth consecutive victory. Pines hit the road to take on Red Hill in a two-day match on Saturday. Day one belonged to visitors; Pines finished the day at 6/327. Opener Nick Christides set up Pines well with a knock of 86 from 104 deliveries. Peace-Stirling and Matthew Wilson then came in and combined for a huge partnership – Peace-Stirling ended up scoring an unbeaten 104 from 155, and Wilson smashed 73 from 107 deliveries. Red Hill faces an enormous mountain to climb on day…

MORNINGTON resident Beryl Rodda isn’t just walking toward her 100th birthday celebration next month, she is running full steam ahead. Rodda hosts weekly group fitness classes at her Mornington retirement village, and regularly attends Fit Over 60 classes at the Frankston Scout Hall. She said her exercise regime is the key to her continuing good health. “The original fitness class started at the Frankston TAFE college in 1982. The director was then approached by a lady who asked to have a program for retired people; my husband and I joined soon afterwards with another couple and I have been doing…

PROVINCIAL PINES have cemented their spot on top of the ladder with a hard-fought win over Heatherhill. After a day one washout the week prior, play was reduced to 40 overs each across the MPCA on Saturday. Pines batted first at Eric Bell Reserve last weekend, and had a few difficulties putting a score together. Opener Ricky Ramsdale was dismissed early, with Nick Christides following not too long after. The Pines middle order got things back on track. A hard-fought 41 from Billy Humphrey helped the ladder leaders put a decent total on the scoreboard. Declan Jackson was also a…

ALLEGATIONS of more illegal works being undertaken along Frankston Beach are being investigated by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. Outcry broke out earlier this year when alleged illegal works were undertaken along the beach near Oliver’s Hill – a homeowner constructed a seawall on coastal Crown land without approval. Earlier this week, onlookers spotted more works being undertaken a short distance from the seawall. The Times is not suggesting that the homeowner involved in the first incident is connected to the second, and understands the latest allegations are being investigated separately. In a statement, DEECA confirmed that…

WOMENS DIV ONE A FANTASTIC half-century from Aimee Mellford helped Tooradin extend its unbeaten fun to four games on Sunday. Tooradin travelled to take on Crib Point. Tooradin was sent in to bat first, and set the Magpies a tricky target to chase down. Mellford top scored with an excellent unbeaten 50 from 29 deliveries. Maeve Goldberg played a strong supporting role, scoring 28 from 55 deliveries. After the end of their 20 overs, Tooradin had scored 3/116. Crib Point’s run chase got off to a poor start when both openers were sent back to the sheds for ducks. A…

FRANKSTON and Kingston Councils have signed an agreement to meet regularly and collaborate on future projects. The “Nepean Partnership” was officially signed off by Frankston and Kingston councillors at their respective public meetings last week. The proposed partnership originally included the Mornington Peninsula Shire, which ultimately declined to sign up amid a bitter fallout with Frankston Council (Canberra trip sparks conflict, The News 26/8/25). A report on the partnership prepared by Frankston Council officers read that “decisions and communications are to be made collaboratively, ensuring transparency and shared ownership of outcomes.” “A Partnership Steering Group, comprising each council’s mayor, CEO…

PROVINCIAL SORRENTO played Red Hill in a nailbiter on Saturday, with the Sharks winning by the finest of margins. Red Hill was sent in to bat first on their home deck. They had a few misfires with the bat, and ended up all out for 161 shortly before the scheduled close of their innings. Luke Jackson scored a vital 68 for Red Hill. He made amends for skipper Glenn Collett’s dismal for one and Simon Dart’s dismissal for a golden duck. Henry Squire, Liam O’Connor, and Tyler Porter took three wickets each for Sorrento. Sorrento’s run chase got off to…

FRANKSTON and Kingston Councils are expected to maintain their arrangements with their contracted animal shelter, The Lost Dogs’ Home, despite recent criticism of the organisation.The Lost Dogs’ Home, which provides animal shelter services for multiple councils including Frankston and Kingston, is under fire after it euthanised a young dog after he failed the shelter’s behavioural tests.Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell has slammed The Lost Dogs’ Home for its decision to put down 12-week-old Murphy, and expressed concern for Murphy’s sister Milly who is currently in foster care. She said in parliament earlier this month that “it is currently not…

PROVINCIAL Langwarrin batted brilliantly to claim a hard-fought win over Sorrento at David MacFarlan Reserve on Saturday. The Kangaroos headed into day two with a tall mountain to climb. Sorrento set them a target of 269 to chase down to win on day one. Langwarrin opener Jack Marget set his side on the right path with a patient half-century. Number three batter Matthew Prosser came in and dealt a huge blow, going on to score 97 runs from 178 deliveries. Langwarrin’s run chase was nearly brought down by a few shaky middle-order performances, but Taylor Smith kept the ship steady.…

A STATEWIDE crime wave has sparked a Victoria Police restructure, with more officers set to be dedicated to frontline policing.Statistics released last month showed that crime in Frankston is at its highest level in a decade. The 13,754 criminal incidents recorded in the Frankston local government area in the year ending June 2025 was a whopping 18.8 percent increase on the year prior. In neighbouring Kingston criminal incidents rose by 14.6 percent, and a 10.6 percent increase in criminal incidents was recorded in the Mornington Peninsula Shire. (“Rising crime levels unacceptable” The Times 30/9/2025). On Sunday, homicide squad detectives opened…

PROVINCIAL Red Hill’s strong start to the 2025/2026 season looks set to continue after a good day one showing against Mornington on Saturday. Mornington chose to bat first at Red Hill Recreation Reserve. They failed to make much of an impact on the scoreboard – Cooper Borthwick tore through the middle order and helped send the Bulldogs back to the sheds for a final total of 123. Borthwick took 4/22. Simon Dart also bowled well, finishing up with 3/18. Red Hill piled on 77 runs before stumps, losing just one wicket along the way. They are in a great position…

CRIME on the Mornington Peninsula rose by 10.6 percent in the 2024/25 financial year, newly released figures from the Crime Statistics Agency reveal.There were 9,333 criminal incidents recorded in the Mornington Peninsula LGA in the year ending June 2025. That figure equates to 5425 criminal incidents per 100,000 population.Mornington was the peninsula suburb most affected by crime, followed closely by Rosebud and Hastings. Dromana and Somerville rounded out the top five.Stealing from a motor vehicle was the most common offence, with 1313 incidents recorded. There were 864 reported incidents of other theft, 749 incidents of breaching family violence orders, and…

MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONE SENIORS ROSEBUD are the premiers of Division One after a nail-biting one point win over Mt Eliza. Rosebud came into the Grand Final on Sunday as strong favourites, only losing twice during the home-and-away season. Mt Eliza snuck into finals with a 9-9 record.Kinetic Stadium hosted the season decider last weekend. Not much separated the two sides all day – Rosebud took a narrow two point lead into the half-time break, which turned into a one goal lead for Mt Eliza by three-quarter-time. The Redlegs led by as much as 19 points in the third quarter,…

MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONE MT Eliza survived a huge scare on Sunday to claim their spot in the MPFNL Division One Grand Final.Mt Eliza played Frankston YCW in the preliminary final, with the winner advancing to a Grand Final showdown against Rosebud. Mt Eliza dominated for most of the day, and at three-quarter-time they were comfortably ahead by 50 points.The Stonecats came alive in the final term, and nearly pulled off a miracle. They got within a goal of the Redlegs, but ended up running out of time. Mt Eliza held on for a thrilling 9.13 (67) to 10.13 (73)…

VFL FRANKSTON’S remarkable season continued on Saturday night, as they earned a preliminary final spot.The Dolphins have been the talk of the town in Frankston this year. Since being readmitted into the VFL in 2018 the club has gone from strength-to-strength, leading to two consecutive finals appearances in 2024 and 2025.After a comprehensive qualifying finals loss to Footscray in week one, the Dolphins hosted Casey Demons in a do-or-die semi-final at Kinetic Stadium on Saturday night. A bumper crowd turned up to watch a thrilling finish.After a tight opening term, the Dolphins took control. They worked their way into a…

MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONE Rosebud are the first team through to the MPFNL Division One Grand Final after a good win over Frankston YCW on Saturday. Rosebud has been the team to beat in Division One this year, dropping just two games. They played the Stonecats at Alexandra Park on Saturday with a spot in the big dance on the line. Rosebud led by 17 points at the first break, but the Stonecats fought back. A six-goal second term saw Frankston YCW go into half-time ahead by two points. In the second half, Rosebud showed their quality. They kicked ahead…

THE federal government’s $50m commitment to upgrade Nepean Highway was front of mind when Frankston Council and Mornington Peninsula Shire sent their mayors to Canberra last week. It was a rocky road to Canberra for the delegation, which was organised by the Committee For Frankston and Mornington Peninsula. After making public comments about the Committee, Frankston mayor Cr Kris Bolam was temporarily disinvited from the trip. He ultimately attended, alongside Committee CEO Josh Sinclair, Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh, Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO Mark Stoermer, and Frankston Council officer Kristen Thomson. Dunkley MP Jodie Belyea and Flinders MP…

MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONE LANGWARRIN has made a habit of great escapes this year, but their luck finally ran out against Mt Eliza in Sunday’s elimination final. The Redlegs and Kangaroos travelled to Rosebud for the do-or-die clash. Mt Eliza was held goalless in the first term, but soon recovered to take control of the game. Langwarrin couldn’t stop the Redlegs once they got some momentum going. Mt Eliza ran away with it, winning 6.8 (44) to 9.15 (69). Fletcher Bayne, Fraser Phillips, Christopher Carey, Will Bravo, and Declan Cole were Mt Eliza’s best. Frankston YCW were comfortable winners against…

MEN’S DIV ONE Dromana have missed finals by percentage after a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Pines on Saturday. With other results going their way, Dromana only needed to avoid defeat to lock up their finals spot. The Tigers hosted Pines at Dromana Recreation Reserve. After the Tigers got out to an early lead, Pines struck back and took an 11-point lead into the half-time break. The Pythons stretched their lead to 31 by three-quarter-time. Dromana fought for their lives in the final term, with their finals chances dwindling. The Tigers nearly pulled off a miracle, but just ran…

FRANKSTON’S mayor says he still plans on attending an advocacy trip to Canberra despite being disinvited by one of the organisers last week.The trip to Canberra, scheduled for 25-26 August, has been facilitated by the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Shire. Last week mayor Cr Kris Bolam publicly expressed concerns about council’s ties to the advocacy group, and said he was “uncomfortable” about the planned trip. (Committee’s Canberra trip ‘uncomfortable’ – mayor, The News 19/8/25).Early last week Bolam was disinvited from the Canberra trip by the committee, but he still intends to go. He said “I do not, and…

MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONEMT Eliza, Dromana, and Langwarrin are locked in a tight race for the top five with one round left to play in the home-and-away season. After Saturday’s games, Mt Eliza and Dromana occupy the final two spots in the top five. Langwarrin is sixth with a significant percentage disadvantage. Mt Eliza earned a hard-fought win over Frankston YCW last weekend to put themselves in pole position for finals. The Redlegs raced out to a lead in the second quarter, and held on for the rest of the day. Mt Eliza beat the Stonecats 12.8 (80) to 10.8…