AN unlicensed labour hire company that provided workers to farms in Rosebud, Devon Meadows, Koo Wee Rup and Torquay has been issued a total penalty of $617,916 – the highest in Australian history for breaches of labour hire law. A L Star Express, of Keysborough, was found to have knowingly and repeatedly contravened the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018 (Vic) when it supplied workers to four separate horticulture businesses, without holding a labour hire licence. The workers jobs included picking fruit and vegetables and other horticulture tasks. In its judgement, the Supreme Court of Victoria noted that the contraventions “must…
Author: MP News Group
Emergency services are at the scene of a two-car collision in Red Hill. The vehicles collided on Arthurs Seat Road about 5pm. A male passenger in one of the vehicles has died at the scene, the male driver has been airlifted to hospital in a serious condition. The male driver and only occupant of the other car was taken to hospital as a precaution The exact cause of the crash is yet to be determined and investigations are ongoing. For the current provisional lives lost tally please see https://www.police.vic.gov.au/road-safety-0 Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact…
NEW rules exempting certain community accommodation from planning permits are expected to speed up construction of a new purpose-built NDIS development in Rosebud, potentially paving the way for similar accommodation elsewhere on the Mornington Peninsula. The project by builders Balmain and Co to be launched on Monday (4 December) with a turning of the sod and welcome to country ceremony, is expected to fill a need for NDIS housing in the area. According to data, around 75 per cent of NDIS housing is older stock, and not fit for purpose for a range of client needs. There is also a…
Time running out for comment on harbour options Have readers taken part in any community consultation about the proposed plan to commercialise Mornington harbour, put up by Parks Victoria? Not likely, as there is no publicity. Do we want to see another long jetty built alongside the existing one? Do we want to lose the moorings for the yachts that are part of our harbour landscape? Yes, Fisherman’s jetty needs rebuilding – and the government has budgeted $4 million to do so – but now Parks has come up with further options for the future. That jetty may have an…
A NEW sculpture has been installed at the Peninsula Link’s Cranbourne Road, Frankston ramp. Compass 2023 by artist Natasha Johns-Messenger was installed last week. The steel pole sculpture stands 14 metres high and lights up after dark. Johns-Messenger said the sculpture “responds to site – its scale, topography, light, spatial orientation, materiality and context. Engaging perceptual shifts inside simple geometric framing, my artworks aim to question our expectations of space and three-dimensional form”. “The forms of Compass 2023 are based on the navigation pillars of north, south, east and west, the smallest semi-circle pointing due north. The sculpture’s semi-circular forms…
CRIB Point Fire Brigade is holding an open day on Sunday 3 December from 10am to 2pm. This year the focus will be on families, and there will be activities for children. Anyone new (or not so new) to Crib Point is invited to join in, there will be a jumping castle and coffee, plus information on fire safety and smoke alarms, the fire danger rating system, getting ready for summer, and being a CFA volunteer. First published in the Western Port News – 29 November 2023
Federal cuts to transport needs are no surprise The cancellation of the extension of Frankston to Baxter line is no surprise as the federal government has no infrastructure revenue to fork out (“Budget cuts end travel plans” The News 21/11/23). Governments in Australia are not as wealthy as they used to be, partly because most of our gold was sold by a former Liberal treasurer for $300 an ounce and the rest what is left is in the vaults at the Bank of England not in the Reserve Bank of Australia, which is a government bank. Victoria is in debt…
POLICE from Rosebud responded to multiple calls on Sunday 20 November of a motorcycle being ridden dangerously in the Capel Sound area. Police were able to identify the offender and searched premises in Capel Sound early Monday morning. The 36-year-old suspect was found hiding under a bed and was arrested and charged with several driving related offences. He was bailed to appear at court at a later date and his Yamaha R1 motorcycle was impounded. Anyone with information about criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Mornington News…
By Zoe McKenzie* THE failure of the Victorian Labor government to address local infrastructure needs last week resulted in our loss of $300 million. The 90-day review, which took more than 200 days, saw two local projects dumped due to a lack of matching or completion contributions from the Andrews/Allan government: $225 million was lost to electrify the Baxter rail line, and $75 million cancelled for the Jetty Road, Rosebud overpass. Now, $100 million of the peninsula’s funding will be spent on a road project in Ballarat, in the infrastructure minister’s own backyard. Other funds that would have been spent…
By Despi O’Connor* THE Mornington Returned and Services League (RSL) has its first female president in Meryn Cooper. Cooper joined the Women’s Royal Australian Navy in 1981 and was based at HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point for her new recruits’ course, proudly wearing her uniform. She completed her category training on the base and as a cook was then posted to HMAS Albatross, Nowra Hill, NSW home of the Fleet Air Arm. Eighteen months later Cooper was posted to HMAS Coonawarra, in Darwin. Prior to 1985, women were not able to go to sea, so for her four years of service…
NEWLY elected Mornington Peninsula Shire Council mayor Cr Simon Brooks says he is honoured to have received the support of his fellow councillors. Brooks was appointed at last Tuesday’s (21 November) annual council meeting at Rosebud, along with deputy mayor Cr Antonella Celi. A second term councillor, Brooks first represented the Seawinds Ward from 2016 to 2020. In February this year, after losing the 2020 election, he was elected on a countback following the December 2022 resignation of Kerri McCafferty (“Brooks back in council on countback” The News 7/2/23). With a background in building and design, and five years as…
Detectives from the Cybercrime Squad are urging online shoppers to be vigilant and wary of scams impersonating well known Australian retailers over the upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale weekend. The National Anti-Scam Centre has detected a significant increase in the number of reports of fraudulent websites impersonating the genuine online retail stores belonging to many popular high street brands. Preying on loyal consumers, scammers will often impersonate popular brands using the latest technology to create convincing fake websites using the brand’s logo, designs and layouts. Generally, they’ll include a “.com.au” domain name, and likely the stolen ABN number…
THE National Trust’s Mornington Peninsula branch is holding an auction on Sunday 3 December of paintings, drawings and prints donated by branch members and friends. Branch president Victor Sullivan said a chance remark during a gathering of members inspired the “unique fundraising idea”. “Conversation between colleagues drifted to the topic of what happens after downsizing when people retain some or even all of their much-loved art collections, but do not have wall space to hang items,” he said. “An appeal to members and friends has been hugely successful and we have gathered excellent examples of art for the auction.” He…
Police have discovered what is believed to be human remains in Port Phillip Bay as they continue to investigate a plane crash in Mount Martha on Sunday. They are believed to be the missing occupants of the plane, a 56-year-old Brunswick man and a 30-year-old Surrey Hills man. It comes after police located wreckage from the plane off the shore of Mornington on Monday evening. Water Police, Air Wing and Uniform officers have carried out extensive searches across Port Phillip Bay as part of a complex operation since the crash on Sunday afternoon. Emergency services were called to reports two…
Police have located wreckage following a plane crash in Mount Martha on Sunday afternoon. Water Police, Air Wing and Uniform officers have carried out extensive searches across Port Phillip Bay as part of a multi-agency operation. Emergency services were called to reports two small planes collided over the bay about 1.45pm on Sunday 19 November. One plane crashed into the water, the other safely landed at Essendon airport. After searching water, a large part of the body of the plane was located off the shore of Mornington. Police are working to remove the fuselage of the plane from the water,…
No environmental benefit in brown coal to hydrogen It is pleasing to see that the state government may be finally coming to its sense with regard to the shipping hydrogen to Japan (“MPs under pressure over hydrogen” The News 14/11/23). While shipping the clean fuel hydrogen to Japan seemed like a sensible idea, it was always flawed because of the way the hydrogen was to be made. Had the hydrogen been produce through the electrolysis of water powered by renewable energy then the idea had merit. However, the method chosen, converting brown coal to hydrogen was always flawed for the…
RYE residents and visitors can now enjoy a new public artwork: Ngalamba: to stop and wait a while. Produced by artists David Wood, of Bent Metal, Daniel van de Wiel, of It Stands Out and Shanai Kellett, of Maloga Art, the wall sculpture represents the story of Bunurong’s five seasons. The commission came about after Rye Community Alliance reached out to the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, in consultation with Binturong elders. Both schematic and organic, the sculpture celebrates the local Bunurong people’s connection to country. Inspired by the life cycle of the leptospermum laevigatum – the coastal tea tree, an…
ZETA Newbound, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday, lives independently, drives her manual car, attends events and participates in discussions regarding current topics. The president of Flinders Probus Club, Rose White, said the club had organised a surprise This is your Life Power Point presentation and a birthday lunch for Newbound following a monthly meeting at Flinders Yacht Club. “Eighty-five of us kept the secret and Zeta was amazed,” White said. The presentation traced Newbound’s life from her 7 October birth 1923 in Lewisham, England, where Australian parents were working. Her mother Meta was a professional violinist and her father,…
THE Rosebud-based four-part Southern Peninsula Choir is evolving and expanding its repertoire under the guidance of musical director Serena Carmel, who took over after the retirement to Germany last year of Antony Ransome. Under her direction the choir conducted a workshop in October as part of the Mornpen Positive Ageing Festival. The choir has a biennial scholarship that aims to promote interest in classical choral singing for young people on the Mornington Peninsula.. Winner of this year’s scholarship program was Ava De Vries, 14, who also won the encouragement award two years ago. Singing teacher Cheryl McDonald began teaching De Vries…
A CREDIT card inside a wallet stolen from motor vehicle at Safety Beach overnight on Saturday 30 September was used the following day at Woolworths, Mornington. The card was used to buy items worth $923.70 and police have released an image of a man (above) who may be able to assist with their inquiries. Anyone with information in urged to contact either the Mornington Peninsula CIU on 5978 1400, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Mornington News – 21 November 2023
POLICE numbers will still be bolstered on the Mornington Peninsula for up to four weeks during schoolies celebrations, despite crowds expected to be down this year. But with public drunkenness no longer being a criminal offence in Victoria and police now having to arrange safe options for drunken revellers, could be plenty to keep them busy. Superintendent Fiona Bock, above right, said all indications were that the peninsula would not be the top choice for school leavers this year, with many headed interstate or overseas. “But we will still have a strong police presence because our aim is to allow…
SIXTY-five truckies were intercepted on Peninsula Link and around the Mornington Peninsula on Monday (13 November) and 58 driving offences recorded in a crackdown on heavy vehicle driver behaviour. Operation Hauler involved the Somerville Highway Patrol, Victoria Police heavy vehicle unit and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator between Carrum Downs, Hastings and Rosebud and surrounding industrial estates. Senior Constable Travis Perkins from Mornington police said the peninsula had seen an increase in heavy vehicle collisions causing road trauma. This year has recorded the highest quarterly collisions involving collisions with heavy vehicles in the past five years. Already this year there…
MORNINGTON Community Support Centre has celebrated 40 years of service to the local community and paid tribute to its founders at a special event at the Main Street centre. Established as a citizen’s advice bureau, the centre evolved into the broader community-focussed Mornington Community Support Centre, providing practical and personal support for people in need. The centre’s scope ranges from a coffee and toast in the meeting room cafe to advice and help on financial matters, finding somewhere to live, or handing over groceries under its fresh food program. The inaugural centre manager, the late Helen Hendry OAM, was represented…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is reminding residents they will not have to pay for parking at foreshore car parks during summer’s paid parking trial. Visitors to foreshore car parks at Schnapper Point, Mornington Sunnyside Beach, Mount Eliza and Flinders pier will have to pay for parking as part of a trail. If judged successful by the shire, permanent paid parking will be introduced at other foreshore car parks. The council has said the trial is an opportunity to more fairly distribute the cost of maintaining the sites, but residents will need to apply for an e-permit to ensure their vehicles…
THE Mount Martha property Creeting Lodge, designed in 1926 by Melbourne architect Marcus Martin, will open for the first time with Open Gardens Victoria on Saturday and Sunday 25 and 26 November. Named after a village in Suffolk, United Kingdom, the garden of Creeting Lodge was created in collaboration with the award-winning team at Myles Baldwin Design and blends European and Mediterranean plants. “As the gates open, you are greeted by a regal guard of towering golden cypress pines, standing tall and proud for over 150 years,” owner Paul Bonnici said. “Heritage meets botany in the most divine way, with…
OVER the weekend of 3 and 4 November more than 40 walkers took to the streets and bushland trails of the Mornington Peninsula in a two-day White Ribbon walk that has so far raised more than $2500. The route of the inaugural walk went from Mount Eliza to Portsea and was supported by the Uniting churches of the Port Philip region and a Mornington Peninsula Shire flexi grant. Walkers covered 50 kilometres to make a stand against violence towards women. Organiser Peter Hough described the experience as “truly humbling”, as the walkers promoted their cause to residents and campers along…
MORE than 160 CFA called to the Crib Point refinery over the weekend to improve their firefighting skills ahead of a predicted “challenging summer”. The volunteers from more than 20 brigades across the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port worked through a vegetation fire simulation involving more than 30 vehicles and aircraft. “We’re getting ready for the fast-moving intense grassfires that will come as a result of the abundance of grass we are now seeing across the state,” Deputy Chief Officer South East Trevor Owen said. “The crews engaged in a range of activities, from grassfire techniques to operating bushland firefighting…
