FRANKSTON MP Paul Edbrooke says that the Baxter rail extension will remain at a “standstill” until the business case is released. The proposed rail extension would see the Frankston line duplicated and electrified to Baxter, with two new stations at Langwarrin and Frankston East constructed. The business case was handed to the federal government in October last year, but has not been publicly released. Mr Edbrooke said “our community understands that the project is at a standstill until the federal government releases the business case for consideration of the costs and benefits.” The News has twice asked the office of…
Author: MP News Group
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has stepped in to assist small business by developing a support package to “help the local community through the unprecedented effects of COVID-19”. The package includes a business concierge service, supporting local business campaign, advocacy to state and federal departments, fast tracking of approvals and compliance matters, temporary cessation of fees and charges, support for local contractors and rate and rent relief options for those in council properties. The package comes a week after the Committee for Mornington Peninsula began lobbying the shire to provide a “support package for local business” as the coronavirus disaster hits their…
A GARDEN project has been keeping years 5 and 6 students at St Joseph’s Sorrento busy. Last year they were finalists in the Tidy Town Awards for their indigenous medicinal, edible sensory garden, which led to them receiving a $1450 Land Care grant to complete a garden this year. The garden also helped the students work towards the Resource Smart Schools biodiversity module. Teacher Jane Byrne said students had joined parishioners at St Mary’s to learn about plants named in the Bible, as well as their symbolism and medicinal use. “This tied in with stewardship and the responsibility of catholic…
WHILE Mornington police station remains staffed 24/7 extra precautions have been taken for the safety of police and the public in response to the coronavirus. Visitors are being asked to stay behind a two-metre exclusion zone near the counter. Police say they are aware of those waiting and will attend to them as soon as possible. They ask that prospective visitors assess whether they really need to attend the station. Those requiring documents to be signed should bring their own pens. To report a non-urgent crime or event, or for general police inquiries, call the police assistance line 131 444.…
A CARRUM Downs woman allegedly blew 0.185 per cent when breath tested in Eramosa Road East, Somerville, Wednesday 25 March. Members of the Somerville Highway Patrol earlier saw the 26-year-old driving along Frankston-Flinders Road, Somerville, half over the fog line and half on the roadway, 8.30pm. She was allegedly doing 60kph in a 40kph zone when pulled over. The woman told police she had drunk a bottle of wine throughout the afternoon and thought she would be “right to drive”. She wasn’t. Her licence was immediately suspended and her car impounded. She will face court at a later date. First…
SOMERVILLE Highway Patrol members are seeking help from people with mobile phone or dash-cam footage of the black Ford ute, pictured, which came to grief in the Coles car park, Mornington-Tyabb Road, Mornington, 11.50am, Friday 13 March. The driver, a 37-year-old Somerville man, had allegedly been doing burnouts at the Nepean Highway/Tanti Avenue and Nepean Highway/Mornington-Tyabb Road intersections, before driving up to the car park where he ran over an embankment and got stuck. He was later airlifted to The Alfred hospital with serious injuries. (“Airlift after smash, drive-off” The News 13/3/2020). Police believe shoppers captured the driver’s on their…
A WOMAN seen by police walking near a grey Audi sedan at a Rosebud service station was later found to have a string of outstanding warrants against her name. The 28-year-old, of no fixed address, allegedly claimed to own the car when she was approached at the Nepean Highway service station, Monday 23 March. Sergeant Brendan Leihy, of Rosebud police, said a registration check listed the car as stolen, and a personal ID check found the woman was wanted on six outstanding matters. A search of the Audi allegedly found 4.8 grams of the drug ice and $660 cash. The…
A DRUNKEN driver who killed a friend and seriously injured two others at Tootgarook last year has been sentenced to more than 12 years’ jail. Brandon Phongthaihong, now 22, had drunk beer and bourbon before the incident at the intersection of Marshall and Field streets, 1.15am, 12 April. His friend, 17-year-old Timothy Hocking, of McCrae, died and three other 17-year-olds, from McCrae and Capel Sound, were injured when the Mazda CX3 crashed through a roundabout and into a tree. Phongthaihong had pleaded guilty in the Melbourne County Court to culpable driving causing death, two counts of negligently causing serious injury,…
FISHERIES officers have arrested five men and seized their car for allegedly taking 399 blacklip abalone from waters around Cape Schanck. Victorian Fisheries Authority director Ian Parks said 12 Fisheries officers backed up by police caught the “highly organised illegal fishing syndicate” from Pakenham, Cranbourne East and Botanic Ridge, Wednesday 18 March. “This type of alleged illegal fishing has the potential to do serious damage to the sustainability of Victoria’s abalone population, which is highly valued by commercial and recreational fishers,” Mr Parks said. Officers said they saw four men walk from the car park down to the rocks leaving…
A commercial flower farm that allowed thousands of litres of fuel oil to spill into a Moorooduc waterway has been ordered to pay Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) $500,000 in compensation and fined $150,000. On Wednesday 11 March, Aaree Pty Ltd and its director Admir Isovski, faced five charges under the the Environment Protection Act 1970 at Frankston Magistrates Court for causing environmental hazard, pollution of water and failing to comply with the requirements of an EPA notice The incident occurred in July 2017 at Barakee Reserve Outfall Drain, Moorooduc when a greenhouse on the Coolart Road property, which used…
FUNDRAISING efforts including a charity auction last month have helped Red Hill Fire Brigade raise more than $225,000 for building works. The auction, held at Many Little Bar and Bistro on Friday 21 February, raised $80,000. “The day was a huge success with a raffle and auction and was attended by more than 200 people,” First Lieutenant Sam Norris said. “Hamish McLachlan as the MC did an incredible job.” Donations and pledges helped raise the total to a staggering $225,000. “We are incredibly humbled by the generosity of our community,” First Lieutenant Norris said. First Lieutenant Norris said the works…
A MAN, above, who spent counterfeit money at a Baxter motel on 31 January is being sought by police. Detectives from Mornington Peninsula CIU said the offender approached the gaming counter in the Baxter-Tooradin Rd business and exchanged a counterfeit $50 note for two $20 notes and one $10 note. The attendant realised the note was not a standard note. The offender is described as being of medium height and build, red hair, unshaven and was wearing a black shirt with multi coloured board shorts. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a…
UP to 16 CFA trucks, police and the EPA attended a crane truck fire at Tyabb, 1pm, Wednesday 18 March. The blaze began when diesel from a faulty hose ignited and began burning the cab and spreading throughout the truck at the corner of Frankston-Flinders Road and Western Port Highway. EPA crews set up a hazmat site to prevent fuel leaking into water courses. Four semi-trailers and another larger crane truck arrived to hoist the blackened wreck onto a low loader. The driver was not injured. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit…
A CAR rolled twice and ended up on its side after running into the rear of a car waiting to turn into The Briars, Nepean Highway, Mt Martha, last week. A 44-year-old Mornington woman driving a Toyota Kluger was trapped for an hour after colliding with a Holden Commodore driven by a 74-year-old Dromana woman, 3.40pm, Tuesday 17 March. CFA crews from Mount Martha, Mornington and Dromana attended. CFA Commander Brandon Crowder said the Jaws-of-Life was used to free the woman by cutting off the roof of her car to gain safe access and maintain spinal stability. She was flown…
FRAYED tempers in public and barbs on social media have so upset a Mornington Peninsula Shire Councillor that she is calling on her critics to “back off”. Cr Julie Morris said she has endured “12 months of snide comments” from Tyabb Airfield supporters voicing a “whirlwind of abuse” towards her and her family, both online and in public. “I’m almost at the point where I don’t know if I can send my daughter to the local school anymore,” Cr Morris, a senior constable with Victoria Police, said. “I feel I am at the point where we will have to move.…
RED Hill Mountain Bike Club will host the 2020-21 Gravity Enduro National Championships. Races will be held 24-25 October this year and 23-24 October 2021 in what’s being described as “exciting news” for the club. It’s the first time the Arthurs Seat venue has hosted a national championships event. “We will be crowning champions in each category and also issuing a personalised jersey to the first-placed rider in each category,” Red Hill Riders Mountain Bike Club’s Mark Jessup said. “The top riders across the country will be travelling to our wonderful Mornington Peninsula to battle it out. I’m aware of…
MORNINGTON Railway Preservation Society has trucked its steam train K163 to Newport for repairs where it became a drawcard during the Steamrail Victoria Open Day, 7-9 March. The arrival of K163 was a homecoming of sorts as it was built at Newport in 1941 at workshops which were built in 1882. The K class locomotive was a mainstay of the Victorian railway network from the 1920s up to the end of the steam era in the 1960s. Renowned for their dependability, the locomotives ran mostly on branch lines and several have been preserved and are operating around Victoria. The Mornington…
Following advice from health authorities and the risks associated with the rapidly evolving situation, the Shire will be closing the campgrounds managed by the Shire along the McCrae, Rosebud, Rye and Sorrento foreshores from 5pm 22 March 2020. This includes all amenity blocks. Campers are able to remove their camping equipment over a period of two weeks ending on 5 April 2020. Campers will be entitled to a full or pro-rate refund for the unused portion of their stay. The Shire will also not be processing any new camping bookings for the remainder of the camping season (due to end…
A man has died after his motorcycle collided with a van in Hastings earlier this morning. It is believed the rider was travelling west on Hodgins Road when he collided with a food-delivery van just after 4am. The van was turning onto Hodgins Road from Michelle Drive when the collision occurred. The 21-year-old male driver of the van was arrested at the scene and is assisting police with their enquiries. Anyone who witnessed the collision is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au Victoria Police News – Tuesday, 17 March 2020
A MOTORBIKE rider allegedly caught travelling at 142kph in a 60kph zone in Carrum Downs was later found to be disqualified from riding and then tested positive to drugs. To cap it off the bike was unregistered and had a false plate attached when pulled over in Colemans Road, Sunday 8 March. His bike was impounded and the rider will be summonsed to appear at court at a later date. Somerville Highway Patrol crews then detected a “very expensive red sports car” on Nepean Highway, Mt Martha, allegedly driving at 173kph in an 80kph zone. The car was impounded and…
FEARS of the spread of COVID-19 saw the cancellation of last Saturday’s (14 March) beach day being held at Point Leo by the Disabled Surfers Association Mornington Peninsula branch. Branch president John Bowers said proceeding with the event which was expected to draw several hundred disabled surfers and hundreds of volunteers “may have compromised too many people”. “It was a really hard decision to make,” Mr Bowers said. “There are a lot of people who like to attend, and we enjoy doing it, but it was in the best interest of all to cancel it in case anyone was immunocompromised.…
A TOOTGAROOK man turning left out of Boneo Road, Rosebud onto the freeway extension last week drove his Ford up onto the wire rope barrier in the middle of the road. The 65-year-old told police the sun was in his eyes, 9.55pm, Tuesday 10 March. A preliminary breath test at the scene indicated alcohol on his breath. He was taken to Frankston Hospital with minor injuries. A blood test was expected to be taken for analysis. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 17 March 2020
A MAN was left on the side of the road with serious neck, head and spinal injuries after being run down by a car in Palmerston Avenue, Dromana, 8.50pm, Saturday 7 March. The car did not stop after the collision. The 18-year-old was airlifted to The Alfred hospital where he was in a serious condition late last week. Somerville Highway Patrol is urging anyone who may have any information to call 5978 1300 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 17 March 2020
A ROSEBUD man was charged with 15 counts of burglary, theft and obtaining property by deception after being arrested Thursday 12 March. The 25-year-old appeared at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Friday where he was remanded to appear at a later date. The charges relate to the alleged theft of a backpack at Rye Yacht Club, overnight 4 May. It contained a laptop computer and credit cards. Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Steve Reidy, of Somerville CIU, said the laptop was later recovered on the foreshore and returned to its owner. The cards had been used in multiple deceptions at southern peninsula…
MORNINGTON Peninsula mayor Cr Sam Hearn launched the White Bike Foundation Ride for Joel 2020 last week, cycling from Mount Martha House to Mount Martha Primary School with students and police on Bicycle Network National Ride2School Day. Chris Savage, co-founder of road safety charity, The White Bike Foundation, led the way with Mornington Police Senior Sergeants Paul Edwards and Kirby Tonkin ensuring the safety of the group, Friday 13 March. Mr Savage is set to carry The White Bike Foundation’s #think2 message on a 1700km cycle from Dromana to Wentworth NSW over the next 10 days, visiting six schools in…
A RESHUFFLE of the state opposition has seen Mornington MP David Morris lose the high-profile position of spokesperson for environment and climate change. Mr Morris is now the opposition’s spokesperson for finance, ageing, bay protection and fishing and boating. In the reshuffle announced by opposition leader Michael O’Brien, first-term MP for Evelyn, Bridget Vallence, was promoted to be spokesperson for environment, climate change and youth affairs. The reshuffle follows the departure from Parliament of Upper House MP Mary Wooldridge, the opposition’s health spokesperson. Mr Morris, a former Shire of Mornington councillor and shire president, was elected as the Liberal MP…
TI-TREE Lodge resident Dorothy Stahel celebrated her centenary with friends and staff members, Tuesday 10 March. But that wasn’t the end of it: On Saturday 14 March she did it all again at a large family gathering at Shoreham. Ms Stahel and husband Jeff moved to Flinders in 1968 and built a home described by locals as a five-iron from the Flinders hotel. “As members of the Flinders Golf Club from 1963-2005 they made many friends when Flinders was still a small community and everyone knew each other,” daughter-in-law Lyn Stahel said. “Dot was women’s president 1976-79 and also Ladies…
THREE men are being sought by police for stealing a “large quantity” of vodka from a Somerville Centro liquor store last month. The men in their early 20s took the vodka and ran from the store, 2.50pm, Thursday 6 February. They were then seen “coming and going from the Raymond Street Reserve”. Anyone recognising the trio or who has further information is urged to contact Leading Senior Constable O’Donnell, at Hastings police, 5970 7800 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at https://bddy.me/2VJn1vy First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 10 March 2020
THE line from the Mel Gibson movie Mad Max was used by members of Somerville highway Patrol last week when they farewelled their last Holden V8. After countless patrol hours on peninsula roads, 1LY7GG was taken back to VicPol’s transport branch at Brunswick to be decommissioned. Its replacement is a police-only model of the Mercedes Benz E400D wagon, which police say has almost twice as much power as the showroom version. The police-pack Mercedes has the same acceleration as the Holden Commodore V8, but uses only about one-third of the fuel because of its hi-tech diesel engine. An advanced all-wheel-drive…
POLICE are seeking help from the public to recover an electric bike stolen from outside a Hastings fast food restaurant earlier last month. A woman, above, described as about 30, solid build, wearing a white hoodie top, green shorts, thongs and sunglasses on top of her head reportedly took the white Budtrol bike belonging to a 15-year-old girl, 8.47pm, Wednesday 5 February. Anyone with information is urged to call Leading Senior Constable O’Donnell at Hastings police 5970 7800 or report it to Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 10 March 2020