Hastings Club collapse I came to Hastings to take over the local Barber Shop in 1966. Prior to that I had grown up in Wycheproof where community spirit and local football were of primary importance. On arriving at Hastings I was automatically drawn to the local football club. I was immediately impressed with the welcome I received and the leadership at the time of Norm Francis, Richard Everist, his father Frank and Ted Lillywhite. They had a “bold initiative” to build their own clubhouse and dressing rooms due to the newly formed Shire of Hastings which was bereft of the…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
PRIVATE landowners attempting to claim public land as their own through encroachment could face increased scrutiny as a Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor calls for a crackdown on the behaviour. Cr David Gill, at the time of publishing, was to move a motion at the council’s 8 April meeting in which he would implore the shire to investigate and report on illegal land encroachments on council-owned and managed property, warning that if “it’s tolerated it just gets worse and worse”. He said the shire had informed him last year that it had identified and inspected 34 structure encroachments on council-owned property,…
Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad are this week searching an area of Cape Schanck as part of their investigation into the suspicious disappearance of Sergio Cuesta in 2023. The search, which will take place today and tomorrow, will focus on an area near the Gunnamatta Surf Club. Over the past 18 months, police have conducted a number of searches in the area in an effort to locate Sergio’s remains. Sergio was last seen on 16 September 2023 when he was dropped off by a male friend on Jabiru Drive in Chelsea Heights. A concerned female friend reported the 28-year-old…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has put forward five options for cleaning the region’s iconic beaches following a divisive hand beach cleaning trail that has sparked heated debate in the community. The 12-month trial, which began last July, involves cleaning all Port Phillip beaches solely by hand on a fortnightly basis instead of a mechanical rake which had reportedly removed about 40 per cent of litter with plastic items being broken down into smaller pieces and buried in the sand (Tide turns for beach cleaning, The News 14/01/25). Together with volunteers, the shire’s contractor Citywide has employed four beach hand cleaners plus…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has reforecast an end of financial year surplus of $3.78m, which will be dispersed to fund the McCrae landslide emergency response, storm damage, and bolstering its emergency response reserve. Councillors have approved a “2024/2025 mid-year reforecast” which will see $2m allocated to the recovery of last August’s storm events, $1.2m towards the McCrae landslide emergency response, and $580,000 to top up the shire’s emergency response reserve. Funding spent on the McCrae landslide response included a back fill of staff, technical experts, legal costs and traffic management. According to a council report, this “will continue to be monitored…
WITH the election date set for 3 May, the “phoney war” is over, and the real battle begins. The News is currently aware of five candidates that have elected to run in Flinders in 2025: Zoe McKenzie (Liberal), Sarah Race (Labor), Ben Smith (Independent), Adam Frogley (Greens) and Mike Brown (One Nation). In 2022, ten candidates contested the seat including two independents, and candidates from United Australia, Liberal Democrats, Animal Justice Party and Federation Party. Independent Ben Smith had a busy week including meeting with the CEO of Homelessness Australia, Kate Colvin, to discuss the current housing crisis and explore…
Under new laws set to be introduced on the Mornington Peninsula, swimmers will be afforded much greater protection from the dangers posed by jet skis. The new laws come after years of lobbying by various groups concerned by people and high-powered watercraft being in the same vicinity. Under the plan, swimmers will be restricted from entering the water at Mornington Peninsula beaches except for certain designated windows. Between August and April each year, swimmers will only be able to enter the water between 8am and 11am. During that window, jet skis must remain at least 200 metres offshore. “This is…
A PROJECT to expand the size of the existing wildlife sanctuary at The Briars conservation park in Mt Martha is nearing completion with volunteers working hard to plant thousands of trees. The sanctuary, managed by the Mornington Peninsula Shire, will increase from 90 hectares to about 130 hectares with the community having already planted more than 7000 indigenous plants as part of revegetation efforts. According to a shire report, fencing of the new section is almost complete. New walking trails for people of all ages and abilities, outdoor education nooks, quiet reflection nooks and educational signage including Aboriginal cultural stories…
A HEARTWARMING rescue unfolded at Martha Cove in Safety Beach on 25 March when a dog became trapped between rocks, drawing a swift response from the community. Emergency crews from State Emergency Service, Country Fire Authority, Victoria Police, and Fire Rescue Victoria worked together to free the three-year-old German Shepherd after responding to the incident just before 7pm. Roxy had been on a walk with her family when she slipped and fell at the rock wall near the Safety Beach Sailing Club. Her head was only just above water as the tide was coming in. A local fisherman had tried…
LESS than a year after forming a new entity after the collapse into liquidation of the old one, the Hastings Club has again been placed into liquidation. The collapse of the club follows its closure on 30 October last year due to a water leak under the floor; an issue that is still unresolved and has left the club unable to trade and continuing to accumulate costs. An information meeting of members was held on 11 March, outlining the difficult pathway forward for the club. And at a Special General Meeting held last Tuesday (25 March), the 64 members in…
Firefighters are currently responding to a grass fire at Forest Drive in Mt Martha. Currently, seven units are responding to the incident which is listed as “under control” (please see update below). Vic Emergency has advised that smoke may be visible in the vicinity of the fire, but that there is no immediate threat to the community and no action is required. UPDATE – Vic Emergency has put out an ember alert for properties north east of the fire. The alert is a “stay informed” and is from 4.25pm. It states that, contrary to earlier advice, the fire is not…
LANDCARE volunteers will be able to apply for project grants of up to $20,000 through Melbourne Water’s 2025 Landcare grants program. More than 500 volunteer conservation groups across the Port Phillip and Westernport region are eligible to apply for financial support. The grants, which close 16 April, can be applied to fund on-ground works, capacity-building activities, and community education about native vegetation, waterways, and wetlands. Support grants of up to $500 are also available to help with administration and running costs like taking out insurance or holding events. Last year the Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network received support from Melbourne Water…
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a collision involving a stolen car in Langwarrin last night. The allegedly stolen Nissan Pulsar collided with a second vehicle on North Road, at the intersection of McClelland Drive, about 10.15pm. The unidentified male driver of the stolen vehicle was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The female driver of the second vehicle was also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The vehicle was allegedly stolen during an aggravated burglary in Cranbourne West about 12pm on 25 March. Investigators will interview the driver, who is under police guard, once he is released…
A CONTENTIOUS proposal by Mornington Peninsula Shire to charge locals for road sealing to address sedimentation runoff into the Balcombe Creek and Estuary has been dropped following overwhelming opposition. The shire had considered a 50-50 funding proposal by applying a “Mt Martha special charge scheme” to property owners near the estuary to help cover the costs of sealing dirt roads including Mark St, Gregory St and Matthew St (known as the Augusta Street group of roads) to reduce sedimentation in the Balcombe Estuary. According to a shire report, silt runoff from the unsealed roads has been “one of three leading…
HOUSING, healthcare, and the cost of living were at the forefront at a federal election forum attended by Flinders candidates last Thursday, 20 March. A large crowd watched the forum at Rosebud Country Club to hear the five nominated candidates outline their vision for the Mornington Peninsula. Taking the stage were Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie (Liberal), Adam Frogley (Greens), Ben Smith (Independent), Mike Brown (One Nation), and Sarah Race (Labor). Topics ranged from housing affordability, healthcare, and infrastructure funding to climate change, crime and the cost of living. Moderated by mayor Cr Anthony Marsh, the shire stated the aim of…
THEFT from motor vehicles, burglaries, and car theft have fuelled a soaring crime rate in the Mornington Peninsula Shire – up 28.3 per cent in 2024, according to the latest official Crime Statistics Agency data. Crime rose across most suburbs and most criminal categories including 1297 incidents of theft from motor vehicle offences (up 40 per cent) and 1330 burglary incidents (up 34 per cent), among the big movers in the year ending December last year. Also up were family violence order breaches (762 offences, up 28 per cent), assaults (13 per cent), residential non-aggravated burglaries (32 per cent), other…
THE state government have appointed Renée Enbom KC to lead the inquiry into the cause of the landslide that occurred in McCrae on 14 January. Enbom has appeared in several inquiries in Victoria over the last decade, including the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants and the Yoorrook Justice Commission, as well as several recent Commonwealth Royal Commissions. A statement from the government said the board of inquiry would be asked to “get to the bottom of what happened and to identify measures to prevent similar incidences occurring in the future”. “Once established, the inquiry will develop a…
Police are investigating the circumstances after a woman’s body was located in waters off Seaford this morning (Friday, 21 March). Emergency services were called to the vicinity of Nepean Highway about 6.55am. The woman is yet to be formally identified and it is not yet known if the death is suspicious. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death. A second crime scene is in place on Frankston beach front after a number of items were located. Police are investigating whether they are linked to the death of the woman. Anyone with information is urged to contact…
PLANS for 68 warehouses and 14 storage units have been given the green light for development in Hastings despite some fears over traffic problems and lack of parking.Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors endorsed the proposed development at 2153 Frankston-Flinders Rd in Hastings, which would see an existing caravan storage site converted into warehouses and rear storage units at the 12,810sq metre site.The warehouses, abutting Frankston-Flinders Rd, would be 7.5 metres high, while the rear section would have a mix of warehouses and three storey storage units of a maximum height of 14.15 metres, primarily abutting the Stony Point rail line. A…
Compiled by Cameron McCullough ON Sunday morning last, Mr. H. Stell, of the Peninsula Motor Garage, Bay Street, Frankston, was returning from Mornington in a Hudson Super-Six, after conveying a party to that favourite seaside resort. When approaching the bend leading to the Frankston Pier, a Ford car coming in the opposite direction, also alleged to having been taking up more than a fair share of the roadway, swung in towards the Pier House in front of the car driven by Mr. Stell, who in an endeavour to avoid a collision, negotiated his Super-Six to the right. In so doing,…
MAYOR Cr Anthony Marsh has fully supported community calls to undertake a “like-for-like” rebuild of a popular Mt Martha boardwalk two years after a section was closed following damaging storms.The 3.5km Balcombe Creek Estuary boardwalk was inundated by floods in November 2022 during heavy rainfall causing significant damage to one section which had been unrepaired and fenced off near Nepean Hwy and Uralla Rd in Mt Martha.Delays to fixing the boardwalk have left the community disappointed and frustrated including the Rotary Club of Mount Martha whose members originally built the boardwalk in the 1990s before it was handed over to…
THE Mornington Peninsula rightly holds the spot as the premier cycling and walking destination in the state. Filling in the final missing links on the Peninsula Link Trail will cement our region’s place, attracting more tourists to enjoy our beautiful environment and local businesses.That’s why an elected Coalition government will commit $5m towards the construction of a 5km path along the Mornington Tourist Railway, to connect Mornington to the Peninsula Link Trail at Moorooduc.According to the Mornington Peninsula Shire, the construction of the path would directly create 12 full-time equivalent jobs, and contribute $5.95 million in direct economic output.A Mornington…
THE CFA is warning the community that the fire season still remains active after a burn pile reignited two months after last being lit, causing a fire requiring a water bomber to be called in.Fire crews were called to the incident on a Coolart Rd property just after 3pm on 10 March where they found a “column of smoke” and a fast-spreading fire. Crews brought the fire under control within 30 minutes and were on scene for over three hours. Units from Somerville, Moorooduc, Tyabb, Baxter and Mt Eliza attended.Somerville Fire Brigade captain Joshua Caron said with conditions still dry…
The current measles outbreak in Victoria is growing with five further measles cases identified. Two of these cases are domestically acquired and linked to the recent domestic outbreak reported in February. Three cases acquired their infection overseas in Bali. These cases were infectious at multiple locations in Melbourne. The current outbreak has led to a list of exposure sites, including a number in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula. The local exposure sites are: Frankston Hospital Emergency Department, 2 Hastings Road, Frankston between 8.15pm Wednesday 12 March and 2.15pm Thursday 13 March Frankston Hospital Emergency Department waiting room, 2 Hastings Road,…
IN a major policy shift, and a huge potential win for Hastings, councillors have voted to nominate the Hastings Marine Parade site as the preferred location for consolidated shire offices. The change comes after the previous council had “shortlisted” two sites: Queen Street in Mornington and Wannaeue Place in Rosebud (Shortlist of two for new shire HQ, The News 3/9/24). Officers put forward a motion at the 11 March meeting endorsing the Mornington and Rosebud sites, but councillors had other ideas. An amendment was put forward to the presented motion requesting the removal of Wannaeue Place (Rosebud) as an option…
WORK has begun on a new “tropical paradise” industrial business park in Mornington, which will provide a mix of warehouses, retail, and studio spaces.Located near the racecourse at 41 Watt Rd, Mornington, the new $5 million business precinct called “Free Form” officially broke ground last week, creating a new opportunity for those who “want modern workplaces with a Mornington address”. Once complete it will feature 32 warehouses, nine offices, a café, five storage units, car parking, and one caretaker’s residence across the half a hectare site.A sod-turning ceremony on 5 March was celebrated by dignitaries including Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie,…
LABOR People in Somerville and surrounding towns will get the free urgent care they need, fully bulk billed, without waiting hours in a busy hospital emergency department, if the Albanese Labor government is re-elected.Foreign Minister and Leader of the Government in the Senate Penny Wong joined Labor candidate for Flinders, Sarah Race, at Tyabb Village Children’s Centre to celebrate the news with local families. If Labor is re-elected, the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Somerville will begin operating in the 2025-26 financial year, providing bulk billed care for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions, seven days a week, for extended hours, and…
MOTORISTS are being urged to take care on roads across the peninsula after a mother kangaroo, her at-foot joey and pouch joey were all tragically killed in the one incident in Merricks North last week. The incident occurred along Balnarring Rd near the Jackalope Hotel, early on the morning of 26 February when the kangaroos were struck by a passing vehicle on the 80kph stretch of road and left for dead.Belinda Eden, vice-president of the Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation, raced to the scene after being alerted by a distressed local about 7am where she initially found an eastern grey kangaroo…
Rosebud Police have charged a man after a pedestrian was allegedly hit by a car in Dromana on Sunday night. It is alleged that a woman and her dog were struck by a white 4WD when they were crossing Pier Street about 9.30pm. Investigators allege that the woman ended up on the bonnet of the 4WD before the vehicle increased speed, causing her to fall to the road. The 4WD allegedly failed to stop at the scene. The pedestrian, a 48-year-old Craigieburn woman, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The dog escaped injury. A 36-year-old Dromana man handed himself…
MEALS on Wheels will keep on rolling in the community after the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Rosebud-based kitchen reached the end of its life. The current kitchen needs significant investment, but the council announced last week it would seek to partner with a “quality food service provider” experienced in producing meals that meet the stringent requirements of the aged care and health sector.“Council has been delivering Meals on Wheels for almost 50 years. Outsourcing the preparation of meals will allow council to continue to be a Meals on Wheels provider without spending significant capital funds on upgrading infrastructure,” said mayor Cr…