HASTINGS traders have reached breaking point amid a wave of relentless vandalism and break-ins plaguing their businesses – and they say switched off public CCTV cameras is making it worse. The News spoke to several traders in the High St area who said crime was “getting worse,” with smash and grabs costing them thousands of dollars per week in what has become a “weekly nightmare”. “It’s continual and there’s just no deterrent,” Sally Smith, who runs Trotter Shoes, said, noting six businesses had been targeted in just one week in April despite the Hastings Police Station being located just down…
Author: Brendan Rees
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors will look to explore “alternative delivery models” for The Briars master plan to ease the financial impact on ratepayers as the project ran into a $3m loss. Development of the master plan for the 230-hectare conservation park and wildlife sanctuary in Mt Martha, which includes a heritage homestead, began in 2018 and sets out a vision for the site’s potential. Among the master plan’s successful projects has been the expansion of the existing wildlife sanctuary, which is nearly finished with 7000 plants having been donated (The Briars expansion nears completion, The News 10/04/25). The Ark Program,…
HERITAGE Victoria has granted a heritage permit for long-awaited repair works of the 1860s-built Flinders Pier but the project’s future remains uncertain amid concerns of insufficient funding. While the full 327-metre length of the historic pier remains open to the public, the old part of jetty, a 180-metre timber approach section, has been closed since April 2020 following the deterioration of piles and decking. The permit, issued on 10 April, would allow works to be undertaken but as reported by The News in March, a document released by Heritage Victoria revealed that the repairs could be hampered by a lack…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have decided to hold off progressing a proposed development plan of a multi-owned 573-hectare site within the Dromana-Arthurs Seat escarpment until thorough community consultation is undertaken. The escarpment encompasses the Arthurs Seat state park (managed by Parks Victoria), the currently degraded Hillview Quarries and inactive Pioneer Quarries (both owned by the Ross Trust), and the Hillview Community Reserve and the Parkdale Estate, both of which are owned by the state government and managed by council. The site is recognised as a key landmark on the peninsula by supporting habitat restoration, outdoor recreation, agriculture, and rock extraction,…
Teenage twin brothers Henri and Miles Levenspiel of Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club are making some serious headway in the youth sailing scene. The 15-year-olds recently won the Victorian Youth Championship in April and have now been named finalists as the Young Team of the Year in the Victorian Sports Awards. “We both were honestly pretty surprised – it’s not something we expected,” they said of the finalist nomination. “Just being nominated was already a huge honour, so to find out we were finalists was something special. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved this year in sailing, and to have…
A PENINSULA indoor soccer team is celebrating after booting their way to a jaw-dropping victory in a Go Soccer Mums tournament grand final on 12 April. The tournament is part of a program backed by Football Victoria that encourages people of all ages, fitness levels, and abilities to get involved in soccer. There’s no pressure – just the goal of getting active together and having fun along the way. The ladies from the Peninsula Futsal team not only won all games in their pool but also triumphed 14-0 in the final against Mt Martha. Sunny Shaw, who led the team…
BLAIRGOWRIE Yacht Squadron’s Samantha Batty is riding a wave of pride after being named a finalist in the Community Coach of the Year category in the Victorian Sports Awards. The 21-year-old has been a part of the squadron since she was aged seven, and a fully-fledged instructor since 2022. “It’s great to be part of the sailing community not only as a coach but also a competitor, and it’s fantastic to see the sport get some recognition,” said Batty. The Vic Sports Awards, which has 18 categories, celebrates the achievements of home-grown sporting heroes at both a grassroots and high-performance…
GET ready for some giggles and a whole lot of fun. Mt Eliza-based illustrator Karen Erasmus has launched her latest children’s picture book, Wombat Poos Are Square, which cheekily explores “another side” to Australian animals. Blending humour and education, the book provides some intriguing facts about animal poo and its role in the environment including from the sparkly poops of echidnas, to the vital role of whale poo in supplying Earth’s oxygen. While a wombat character is the main feature of the book, there are also nocturnal animals, reptiles, sea creatures and mischievous koalas to be discovered along the way.…
A DECISION on the future of beach cleaning has been deferred once again as Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors remain split over whether to use a mechanical rake or hand-cleaning. It marks the fourth time since December last year that councillors and shire officers have pushed back a decision, citing the need for more consideration. Since 1 July last year, a 12-month trial has seen all Port Phillip beaches across the peninsula cleaned 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…
LONG-awaited plans to replace a damaged section of the Balcombe Creek Estuary Boardwalk will be considered for funding in the upcoming budget after Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors expressed mixed views about repair works. The iconic 3.5km boardwalk in Mt Martha has been partly closed for more than two years after being significantly damaged in floods in November 2022, leaving one section unrepaired and fenced off near Nepean Hwy and Uralla Rd in Mt Martha. As reported by The News, locals have voiced their frustration about the repair delays including the Rotary Club of Mount Martha whose members originally built the…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have approved a three per cent rate increase amid “unprecedented pressures” including a newly estimated $8m to deal with the McCrae landslide recovery. Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said at least $75 from every household would be needed to help pay for the 14 January landslide event. Councillors unanimously approved the rate increase at their 8 April meeting, which would generate an extra $50 per household in revenue on average. But Marsh said this was just two thirds of the cost of addressing the landslide recovery which did not consider inflation or cost increases. The shire has…
A FORMER Mornington VCE student has earned a prestigious honour with her impressively crafted recipe book project being selected for exhibition at the Melbourne Museum’s Top Designs showcase.Caitlin Bouwmeester, who graduated from Padua College last year, created the piece as part of her year 12 visual communication design studies, which features vibrant digital illustrations, clear typography, and nutritional information. The exhibition, which runs from 29 March to 20 July, celebrates Victoria’s next generation of designers, featuring 77 student works that re-imagine innovative, renewable and inclusive futures.Caitlin said she was “super excited” to discover that her book titled The Fresh Produce…
VICTORIA Police across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula are targeting tech savvy criminals that are using reprogramming devices to steal popular cars with push-start systems. Police said their intelligence suggested that certain makes and models with electronic push start technology were increasingly being targeted, as no ignition key was required. “Once inside a vehicle, this device can be plugged into the cars on board diagnostic port to override the security system and start the engine,” Victoria Police said. Police believe this methodology is well known among criminal circles and being used extensively. Various models of Holdens, Toyotas, and Subaru cars…
AFTER a two-year hiatus, the Southern Peninsula Swans Reclink football team are officially back this season. The Reclink Footy League is key program of Reclink Australia, which has been running for more than 30 years. Currently, the league has 14 teams across Victoria and is open to all genders and abilities, emphasising participation over competition. The Swans’ return marks the culmination of months of hard work and a group of “spirited community members” coming together to make this season possible. “COVID-19 created difficulties in maintaining the team and unfortunately the Swans were forced into temporary liquidation as associated supports fell…
A VINTAGE aircraft from Tyabb has taken to the skies at the Avalon International Airshow, with a young Mornington Peninsula-based pilot showcasing its timeless beauty. The De Havilland Tiger Moth bi-plane, which is part of Judy Pay’s collection of old warbirds at the Old Aeroplane Company in Tyabb, flew as part of the “Frozen Five” Tiger Moth formation team in front of thousands of aviation enthusiasts on 28 March. Originally designed in the 1930s, Pay’s Tiger Moth was built in 1941 for England’s Royal Air Force, before later being used for “barnstorming” to entertain crowds at airshows and joy flights.…
HOLD onto your pint glasses, beer lovers – Jetty Road Brewing is about to rock your taste buds in the most unexpected way. The Dromana-based brewery has whipped up a bold concoction so unique, it might just be the sweetest idea to hit the craft beer scene: a Neapolitan Ice Cream Ale. The new brew, which features the triple threat of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavours, will be making its grand debut at this year’s Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular (GABS) festival at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, where attendees are bracing themselves for a taste experience like no other.…
WORK will soon begin on rebuilding the Mornington Fishermans Jetty, restoring not only access for berthing but also injecting new life into the harbour. The much-anticipated announcement was made last week by the state government with construction preparations set to start in April. The jetty was closed to pedestrians in November 2020 due to advanced structural deterioration with berthing access ceasing in 2022 following inspections by maritime engineers. The existing nearby Mornington Pier has been providing short term berthing for vessels. Once complete the new jetty will reinstate access for berthing, improve access, and provide an “attractive visual feature” for…
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…
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…
AN owner and operator of Donut King at stores at Rosebud and Berwick has been fined $10,000 for breaching child employment laws. Sam Minto, the sole director Minto Nominees Pty Ltd, the company of which Donut King trades under, pleaded guilty to 12 charges of breaking Victoria’s child employment laws at the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court on 21 March. He plead guilty to employing three children under the age of 15 without a licence on 28 occasions; failing to ensure the children are supervised by someone with a Working with Children Clearance; and failing to provide a rest break of at…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have raised the alarm over recent changes proposed by the Victorian Fisheries Authority, warning fewer officers would lead to a “much higher risk” of illegal fishing and habitat destruction. Cr Max Patton successfully moved a motion at the council’s March 11 meeting expressing concerns over the VFA’s restructure which would see a significant reduction in fisheries officer positions and enforcement capacity across Victoria, including Port Phillip Bay. In February the VFA proposed to close its Mornington station and replace it with a “community office” in Carrum (Fisheries office closure sparks concern of weak compliance, The News…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire ratepayers will foot a $1.125m bill to clean up a former Crib Point tip after the site was subject to scrutiny by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) four years ago.A contractor has been appointed to undertake landfill cap rehabilitation works at the former landfill – now the Lens Reserve at 2 Lens St in Bittern – to reduce the infiltration of rainwater and prevent leakage of landfill gasses. The project includes repairs to the existing compacted clay liner, which prevents contaminants from leaking to the surface, in areas that have been reduced to below 500mm in thickness.…
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…
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…
A HOUSE has gone up in flames in Rosebud on 20 March with all those inside lucky to escape.Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), alongside firefighters from CFA responded to the blaze just before 9pm at Ninth Avenue in Rosebud after receiving multiple triple-zero calls of a large fire. “Firefighters arrived on scene within five minutes to find the upper level of two storey house engulfed in flames,” an FRV spokesperson said. “Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire on the upper level of the house before attacking hot spots on the lower level.” The occupants safely evacuated the building and were…
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…
AMENDED plans to build three boat sheds instead of four at Westernport Marina in Hastings has been given the go-ahead after initially being knocked back by Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors. The decision comes after the original application faced significant community opposition with concerns about its bulk and coastal environmental impacts at 21 Skinner St, attracting more than 350 objections.Councillors had refused to issue a planning permit last August, which resulted in the applicant appealing the matter at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Following a compulsory conference, the applicant filed an amended VCAT application which was made in a…
CONTROVERSIAL plans to allow development of up to three storeys at Sorrento’s township entrance will go to a state government-appointed panel because of unresolved issues including heritage values and coastal character impacts.The proposed changes by the Mornington Peninsula Shire would see new buildings have a two storey, nine metre building height limit fronting Point Nepean Rd, and a three-storey, 12-metre height limit for new development abutting Ocean Beach Rd. It also proposes that new development has a maximum of two storeys or nine metres at street frontage while any third storey would see a reduced setback from eight to four…