Councillor expenses should be approved before being spent Judging by last Tuesday’s Mornington Peninsula Shire Council meeting (7 February), there is confusion among councillors and the shire regarding expense reimbursement. The discussion centred around Cr Anthony Marsh’s trip (as mayor) to Roper Gulf Regional Council with CEO John Baker last year. The claim is for $3750.48. Cr Marsh declared a conflict of interest and left the room prior to debate. Some councillors said they didn’t understand why Marsh was seeking reimbursement because prior to the trip he had said he wouldn’t be submitting a claim. Other councillors stated he should…
Author: MP News Group
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was critically injured following a crash in Tyabb in the early hours of Saturday 11 February. Emergency services were called following reports that a Holden Commodore had crashed into a tree off O’Neills Road about 3am. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, a 26-year-old man, was taken to hospital with critical injuries. The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the collision, has dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a…
DRIVERS who used the notorious Forest Drive intersection with Nepean Highway are being reassured that the road will be improved, but probably not by mid-year, as promised earlier. The state government has confirmed traffic lights will not be installed until later this year as tenders not yet been let or a contractor appointed. The government last year gave the green light to upgrading the intersection, three years after the federal government offered to pay for it. Then Flinders MP Greg Hunt said the federal government had committed more than $20 million to the intersection to include new traffic lights, a…
ALL the elements of nature, including the goodwill of human supporters, came together to ensure a successful outcome to the Disabled Surfers Association Mornington Peninsula branch’s Let’s Go Surfing event at Point Leo on Saturday 21 January. “Everything aligned again: sun, surf, supporters, sounds. Close to record attendance for our January event, with over 500 registered in total and more than 130 surfers going into the water,” DSAMP president Pea Saunders said. “It was a phenomenal day for all and a spectacular way of demonstrating what an inclusive event looks like.” Saunders thanked “all the wonderful volunteers who enable this…
By Sarah Russell* POLLS repeatedly show that climate change is one of the most important issues for Australians. It is also widely accepted that the Coalition lost the last election because of their woeful inaction on climate, with a wave of climate action community independents replacing Liberal MPs. Mornington Peninsula residents are aware of the impact of climate change and want to protect our beautiful environment. Despite this, our MP for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie, voted against Labor’s Climate Change Bill 2022. Tasmanian MP Bridget Archer was the only Liberal MP to cross the floor to support Labor’s Climate Change Bill,…
Achilles Taskforce officers have arrested a 21-year-old Mount Martha man following an alleged hoon event in Truganina in October 2022. Police attended an address in Sabo Place on the evening of 6 February and executed a search warrant. The 21-year-old was found at the address and during the search police located two imitation firearms and the keys to a Holden Commodore, but no car. Investigators made a number of enquiries and executed another warrant at an address on Pinewood Drive in Hastings. It is alleged the car was located in the backyard with its plates removed. The 21-year-old has been…
FORMER councillor Simon Brooks has been elected as the new Seawinds Ward councillor for the Mornington Peninsula Shire. Brooks, who was previously a councillor for Seawinds Ward from 2016 to 2020, will be sworn in at the ordinary council meeting tonight (7 February 2023) and begin his official duties. He will join deputy mayor Cr Debra Mar and Cr Antonella Celi representing the peninsula, including the townships of Safety Beach, Dromana, McCrae, Rosebud and Capel Sound. The extraordinary vacancy occurred due to the resignation of Cr Kerri McCafferty on Monday 19 December 2022. The computer countback was hosted by the…
THE 2023 Peninsula Film Festival went off with a bang on the weekend with over 800 attendees, enjoying a great night of entertainment. Proceedings kicked off with a musical showcase from local schools, followed by a performance from emerging superstar, Matilda Pearl. Festival patron Fred Schepisi praised the quality of the films, saying it was that the best bunch yet. And the winners of Peninsula Film Festival 2023 are: First place from @lexusofbrighton VICTIM by Robin Summons. Second place: HATCHBACK by Riley Sugars. Third place: ASSETS by Charlotte George. Also from ASSETS Best Actor (and writer of ASSETS) Miriam Glaser.…
SAFETY Beach woman Kiara Alexander-McNeal, 22, who was allegedly found in ALF player Dustin Martin’s stolen car on 24 January, will front court in March. Martin’s $135,000 Range Rover car was allegedly stolen on 23 January from a service station in St Kilda, before it was used in a crime spree. The car had been borrowed by Martin’s friend, who left the keys in it after filling up at a service station and then going inside to pay. The man accused of stealing the car, 29-year-old Springvale man Yusuf Amir, was arrested in Barkly Street St Kilda the following day.…
MORNINGTON Police are investigating the alleged robbery of a 16-year-old boy in broad daylight near Main Street, Mornington, two weeks ago. The teenager told police he was walking into the Mornington town centre with three friends when they noticed a man standing beside a red Hyundai i30 near Main Street around 7pm. The man allegedly threatened the group with a knife and demanded their phones. The 16-year-old surrendered his phone while the other three refused, and the alleged offender then fled the scene travelling toward the Nepean Highway. The friend – who did not want to be named – said…
POLICE are investigating a fire that destroyed an historic boat shed in Dromana just prior to 6.15am on Wednesday 1 February, just 200 metres from Dromana fire station and just a week after it had been broken into. Fire crews from Dromana and Rosebud CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria (Rosebud) had to wear breathing apparatus, but quickly extinguished the flames which had spread into adjacent grass and scrub. Dromana Captain Tim Desmond said the fire was being treated as suspicious. “Yet another one of the 247 iconic boat sheds that line the Dromana foreshore between Safety Beach and Anthony’s Nose…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council could look at allowing more secondary dwellings or tiny houses on house lots as a response to the municipality’s growing housing crisis. At 7 February council meeting, Nepean ward Cr Susan Bissinger will call for a round-table workshop with councillors and relevant officers to explore pathways to “activate” secondary dwellings within the shire. Currently there is no land use definition for ‘secondary dwelling’ within the Victorian Planning Scheme, and any change to include a specific definition would need to be undertaken by the state government. In a report to council, strategic and infrastructure and planning manager…
VICTORIAN Maritime Centre volunteers are inviting visitors and residents to discover a slice of Australia’s exciting naval history, and get a chance to see hundreds of exhibits that represent the region’s seafaring past. Despite the loss of the Otama submarine from Western Port last year, the centre’s secretary Rosie Kendall says there were still plenty of reasons to stop at the not-for-profit museum, from torpedoes to artillery and an underwater mine. There are also other vessel exhibits and a good collection of artefacts and memorabilia from the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Merchant Navy. Kendall says some people may…
POLICE are investigating a shocking series of home invasions in Mount Martha in the early hours of Monday 6 February, during which intruders reportedly used hammers to smash their way into several properties in Ponyara Road. CCTV from at least two properties reveals vision of a group of male offenders smashing their way into properties around 1am, seemingly unconcerned about lights or security systems. A home owner whose property was among at least four that were targeted in that street said the “brazen” behaviour of the four males – thought to be in their late teens – was frightening. “Locked…
MORNINGTON peninsula paramedic has been recognised in the recent Australia Day 2023 Honours list, with an Ambulance Service Medal (ASM). Rogers started her service with Ambulance Victoria in 2001 as an advanced life support paramedic, quickly advancing within five years to senior team manager. She has also undertaken numerous interim roles in emergency management as well as group manager roles, and currently works in operational service and holds the position of senior team manager on the Mornington Peninsula. Rogers has made a significant contribution in the area of community engagement. Her tireless efforts and passion for improving community training and…
LAST Year’s flooding crisis on the Mornington Peninsula has left a trail of destruction that authorities are struggling to resolve, but that’s no consolation to flooded-out Merricks’ resident Ian Sharpe. Sharpe’s complaints to the council are banked up with thousands of potholes and storm water drainage complaints that have plagued the region, with no quick fixes and little end in sight for residents. His Merricks home is on a dirt road and was flooded with water late last year, but he is still waiting for the council to resolve a long-running storm water problem that sees road water run off…
MORE than 2700 people took to the water on Saturday 21 January, all in the name of raising funds for the Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club and their life saving programs and resources. The day began at 1.20pm with the 2.5km Gold swim, followed by the 500m categories, with the signature 1.5km Portsea Swim Classic rounding out the annual event from 3pm. The youngest swimmer competing in the Portsea Swim Classic was 12 years old, and the oldest one taking to the waves was Pat Galvin, 89. The Portsea Swim Classic, one of the Mornington Peninsula’s key summer events, draws a…
Looking for common celebration I rang Morn Pen Council before Australia Day expressing my disappointment there was to be no encouragement of citizens to gather at the shire’s namesake Mornington Park with any sort of fanfare or entertainment. I asked is there even not going to be a raising of our country’s flag. The indefinite answer seemed to be no. My point is this: as there are many interests in the 26 January date, let us rationalise our thoughts. Our Australian way of life can be celebrated at any time of the year. Simply choose another date. I suggest say…
THE Water Police Squad has joined forces with some of Victoria Police’s key specialist units in a major effort to bolster safety over the Australia Day weekend. The effort – involving the Air Wing, Dog Squad and Public Order Response Team – saw police blitz the water and foreshore across Port Phillip Bay from Thursday to Sunday. Passive alert detection dogs were deployed to boat ramps across the weekend to sniff out vessel operators thinking of taking to the water impaired. They were supported by local police conducting preliminary breath tests and licence checks. Inspections were carried out to make…
AUSTRALIA DAY on the Mornington Peninsula was a time to celebrate the good things and people of the community. It was a time to recognise many people from all ages and walk of life who had selflessly given their time and energy to better the community. Citizen of the Year was awarded to Jack Van Der Zwart for his work caring for foster children, cooking for the homeless in Rosebud and helping those in need by providing meals. From 1980 to about five years ago, Van Der Zwart and his wife Arina took in 22 foster children, giving them a…
THIS year’s fire danger period for the Mornington Peninsula started at 1am, Monday 30 January 2023 and will go until Monday 1 May 2023 (unless extended or shortened). The CFA declares the fire danger period at the onset of warmer weather to help prevent fires from starting, as dry vegetation and hot weather increase the incidence of fires accidentally starting and spreading. When fire restrictions are in force, burning off is prohibited without a permit, including on roadsides. For information on permits visit firepermits.vic.gov.au. If a total fire ban day is declared, the lighting of fires or solid fuel heaters…
ONE man has died and another was taken by ambulance to hospital on Friday 27 January after falling from a cliff face at Bushrangers Bay, Cape Schanck, around 7pm. It is believed two 24-year-old men from NSW were rock climbing just off Two Bays walking track when they fell. CPR was performed on one of the men, but he died at the scene. Paramedics took the other man to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition but with leg injuries. The exact circumstances of the fall are yet to be determined at this stage, but the death is not…
A P-plate driver had his car impounded after a passenger was found in the boot of his car during a routine intercept in McCrae overnight on Friday 20 January. Somerville Highway Patrol officers set up a breath test site on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway McCrae off-ramp when a Subaru Impreza hatch with red p-plates and four passengers drove through about 5.50pm. Officers spoke to the driver who was the holder of a P1 licence who can only have a one passenger in the car. Police made further checks and opened the boot, finding a fifth passenger curled up in the…
THREE youths and an 18-year-old man have been arrested by the Southern Metro Region Crime Team and are now facing a collective 60 charges following a string of burglaries and car thefts across Melbourne’s southeast and the Mornington Peninsula. As part of Operation Alliance, Southern Metro Crime Team detectives made the arrests on Wednesday 25 January. At about 11.15am, police observed two allegedly stolen vehicles entering James Wyman Place, Hampton Park. Police observed three youths and a man enter a residential property where detectives enacted the arrests a short time later. Detectives will allege the four were involved in 11…
CRIME Investigation Unit detectives are seeking assistance from the public to locate Mark Filiti (pictured below) following a series of bogus delivery for cash incidents across Victoria and the Mornington Peninsula over the past two months. During the series detectives believe at least 17 victims have been targeted by a man claiming he requires cash up front to make a delivery between 11 December and 21 January. As part of the investigation a warrant has now been issued for Mark Filiti who police believe will be able to assist with their enquiries. Police have been told in most of the…
A FIRE at the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s waste and recycling depot in Mornington on 23 January has prompted a reminder on the dangers of placing flammable materials in waste. Just a week after a fire started at the Rye Transfer Station, a fire had to be extinguished at the Outlook resource recovery centre in Racecourse Road, Mornington. Thirteen fire trucks attended the fire, which happened just after midday. While the cause of the latest fire has not been revealed, the council has urged the community to be vigilant when it comes to disposing of batteries and other flammable waste. All…
The Water Police Squad is joining forces with some of Victoria Police’s key specialist units in a major effort to bolster safety over the Australia Day weekend. The effort – also involving the Air Wing, Dog Squad and Public Order Response Team – will see police blitz the water and foreshore across Port Phillip Bay. It will run from Thursday to Sunday. Passive alert detection dogs will be deployed to boat ramps across the weekend to sniff out vessel operators thinking of taking to the water impaired. They’ll be supported by local police conducting preliminary breath tests and licence checks.…
PLAYERS are limbering up for the 2023 Luke Batty Memorial Shield cricket match on 10 February at 5pm at the Tyabb cricket ground at Bunguyan Reserve. After coming off a successful 2022 Australia and New Zealand Police Cricket Club Tournament on the Gold Coast, the Victoria Police Cricket Club will participate in the annual Luke Batty Memorial T20 cricket match to honour Luke, support the Tyabb community affected by the incident and raise awareness for family violence and mental health issues. Australian Test Cricketer Brad Hodge will be a part of the day, while Hastings MP Paul Mercurio will deliver…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a car fire in Rosebud on Friday 20 January. Emergency services were called to reports a vehicle was on fire on Boneo Road about 5.45am. There were no injuries. Anyone who with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 24 January 2023
THE Dolphin Research Institute has been continuing its education and engagement message over the Christmas/New Year’s break, with several groups enjoying its summer programs. A little bit of rain did not dampen the enthusiasm on Wednesday 18 January and the dolphin team was lucky the weather cleared just in time as members roamed amongst the rockpools at the beautiful Balnarring Beach with 2022 ISIC (I see I care) ambassadors and general public attendees. The ‘i sea, i care’ program is an award-winning, innovative leadership and communication program for primary schools. It is also now being tested in secondary schools. The…