A NEW ethane-generated power facility has officially launched at the existing Long Island Point (LIP) plant in Hastings – the first of its kind in Australia. ExxonMobil Australia (formerly Esso Australia) and Woodside Energy announced the $200 million Hastings Generation Project, saying it marked a milestone in the continuation of a reliable supply of natural gas to Victoria.The new facility uses ethane – a byproduct of natural gas processed at LIP – creating enough energy to power half the households on the Mornington Peninsula. Three Solar Titan 130 gas-fired turbine generators on-site will use ethane to bring power to the…
Author: Brendan Rees
THREE years ago, Janelle Giri’s life was forever changed when her baby girl, Jacqlyn, tragically passed away in her sleep from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).It has been an unimaginable journey of grief for Janelle and her husband after enduring the loss of their firstborn who was just nine months old. “You don’t really know the pain unless you’ve gone through it,” Janelle said. “They had no explanation, but she was a healthy baby.”Given the cause of SIDS is unknown, with clinicians and researchers believing that SIDS is associated with a combination of factors, navigating the pain had been even…
COMMUNITIES across the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston have honoured the sacrifices of fallen Australian soldiers during Remembrance Day services on 11 November. Hundreds observed a minute’s silence at 11am as this year marked the 106th anniversary of the Armistice that ended World World I, with locals paying their respects at a series of ceremonies.In Mornington, a large crowd, many of whom wore red poppies pinned to their chests, gathered at the Mornington and District Memorial Park, which included schools and community groups laying wreaths. Unfortunately, the Mornington RSL Sub-Branch officially closed its doors and ceased its operations last month after…
THE community animal shelter and animal pound in Mornington is set for a $6 million revamp, with work under way to deliver new animal kennels and ancillary buildings. The project will redevelop the existing shelter at 130 Watt Rd, with works scheduled for completion by September 2025.“This refurbishment will ensure the shelter meets the highest standards of care, providing a comfortable and stress-free environment for all animals in our care,” the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s community safety, health and compliance manager Dale Gilliatte said.Works began this month with the current shelter to stay open as usual during the renovation. The council…
PHIL Mapleback has expressed excitement at taking helm as Mt Martha fire brigade’s newly elected captain as the station undergoes a significant revamp. Mapleback, a seasoned firefighter with almost 19 years of experience, said he was incredibly proud and honoured to step into the new role two months ago, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to serving the community.“It’s challenging but quite rewarding,” he told The News, adding he looked forward to leading a dedicated team of volunteers during an exciting time of renewal for the station, marking a milestone in the station’s 73-year history.The 1951-built station…
MOUNT Martha Rotary Club is spearheading a renewed effort to restore a vital section of the Balcombe Creek Estuary boardwalk after it was partly closed two years ago. Part of the boardwalk, near Nepean Hwy and Uralla Rd in Mt Martha, was significantly damaged after an intense storm hit the peninsula in November 2022, causing Balcombe Creek to flood. This caused the wooden boardwalk’s structure to collapse and break, making it unsafe for public use. The boardwalk, which has a network of walking trails spanning 3.5km through the scenic estuary, was built by the Mount Martha Rotary Club in the…
A SOMERVILLE woman has been granted a two-year personal safety intervention order protecting her from a Somerville businessman who she says stalked and harassed her. The order was issued at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 7 November, which heard the victim endured months of persistent harassment including derogatory behaviour, sexually demeaning behaviour, repeated visits to her workplace, and physical intimidation.The man whom the order was made against, Jamie (Jay) Scicluna, is the founder and editor of the Somerville Times and Peninsula Local community newspapers. The Magistrate found that Scicluna had referred to the victim as a “c**t”, that he stated…
A BUSH block in Flinders, which saw its owner being fined $15,000 for illegally clearing a substantial amount of land eight years ago prompting a community outcry, is now up for sale. The vacant Green Wedge block at 2 Barkers Rd backs onto the Main Ridge Nature Conservation Reserve. The land was subject to court action when the owner, Antoinette Noronho, plead guilty at Frankston Magistrates’ Court in March 2016 to clearing about a third of the native vegetation on the 16-hectare block without a planning permit.She was fined $15,000 and ordered to pay the shire’s $4000 costs.Noronho made an…
A FLINDERS surfer has voiced concern after a recent Navy training exercise above Flinders Beach saw a live-firing exercise reportedly take place as he and other surfers were in the water. Paul, who asked not to use his surname, said it was not uncommon to surf at Flinders Beach while Navy exercises were undertaken at the nearby West Head Gunnery Range on top of the cliffs – with surfers out of any live-firing zone and warnings sounded from the Navy to the alert the public as a precaution.There are two main surf breaks at Flinders called Meanos and Gunnery. Meanos…
THE Mornington Peninsula Shire has put Illegal rubbish dumpers and irresponsible dog owners on notice after two people were substantially fined in the past year.A man was fined $5000 and ordered to pay more than $8000 in clean-up costs after dumping fencing materials at a Hastings reserve, a Dromana Magistrates’ Court heard on 5 September. And on 6 September, a woman was fined $5000 at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court after her dog attacked and seriously injured two women at Hastings in September last year. Police helped the council’s community safety officers secure the dog, which was impounded while an investigation…
AUTHORITIES are encouraging beachgoers to be vigilant of the threatened shorebird; the hooded plover, as they begin nesting on sandy beaches and coastal dunes.Hooded plovers, which are known to nest on the peninsula, are listed as a vulnerable species, with around 700 left in Victoria. The native birds lay eggs in shallow sand scrapes and raise their chicks on beaches between August and March.As part of National Bird Week (October 18-24), the Conservation Regulator, Parks Victoria, and BirdLife Australia have launched Operation Save our Hoodies (SoHo) to educate people to keep well clear of nests, walk along the waterline, and…
THE Salvation Army is seeing a huge demand in homelessness support at its Rosebud and Frankston offices as the cost-of-living crisis and lack of housing continue to push many to the brink.Stephen Milliken, the Salvation Army’s regional manager for Victoria East, said “demand for service is absolutely non-stop” with staff providing crisis and support services, housing assistance, and family violence outreach services and case management for people who are at risk of homelessness among others. “We do have a cost-of-living issue and there’s absolutely no two ways about that and I think the lack of affordable housing in the region…
AT least three bus stop shelters in Mornington have been vandalised with glass panes shattered across the pavement in what has been labelled as “disgraceful” behaviour. The affected bus shelters are located near the corner of Barkly St and Main St, and two along the Esplanade, one opposite Fossil Beach and the other near Mornington Park. The incidents, which occurred sometime between October 19 and October 20, have prompted concerns of risk to pedestrian safety and for more CCTV to be installed.The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), which is responsible for the maintenance of the infrastructure at the bus…
A GROUP of parents have voiced their outrage after discovering that the controversial glyphosate-based weed killer, Roundup, had been used at a playground at Rye Bicentennial Park.Mum Alexandra said she was shocked to see a maintenance worker holding a five-litre container with a nozzle to spray the herbicide on weeds on the tanbark within the playground located at Point Nepean Rd about 10am on Thursday 14 October – which the Mornington Peninsula Shire has since admitted to The News that it was an “operational error”. “I was walking my dog and there was a contractor spraying tanbark in the playground,”…
SOMERVILLE residents and business owners have been left disappointed yet again after its bid for federal government funding to help improve mobile phone coverage in the area was rejected.Despite their persistent fight for better connectivity, particularly in the east Somerville area for the past ten years, the federal government did not include the suburb in its second round of funding through the peri-urban mobile program.Funding of $40.9 million was allocated to the program which aims to improve mobile connectivity in bushfire and other natural disaster-prone areas.Communications Minister Michelle Rowland announced on October 3 that the program had approved 47 mobile…
AN author and a casual teacher at a Dromana school has launched a new book that aims to ensure children with additional needs are well supported in their education journey.Anne Vize, also a specialist education teacher, said she was excited to announced her newly published book called Partnerships with Families of Children with Additional Needs. Ms Vize said she wrote the book after realising how many teachers and early years workers found it challenging to work with families even though they are often confident teaching children. “This latest book helps teachers understand different family experiences, the impact caring can have…
A REVAMP of the century-old Flinders Pier is set to get under way next year after Parks Victoria announced it was progressing its efforts to obtain a heritage permit to undertake repairs.Critical safety works are needed to restore the 1860s-built wooden pier on The Esplanade, as one section of the jetty remained closed to the public since April 2020 because of a “significant risk of structural failure”. The jetty is a popular place for walking, diving, snorkelling, angling and boating, and is part of the Western Port aquaculture industry. The seabed beneath the pier is also home to the weedy…
FIVE candidates vying for wards in the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council election are advocating to save the historic Beleura Cliff Path in Mornington after it was closed two years ago because of safety concerns. Candidates Paul Pingiaro, Nick Fallow (Tanti Ward) along with Despi O’Connor, Anthony Marsh (Briars Ward) and Daniel McCaffrey (Kackeraboite Ward) have all thrown their support behind the 102-year-old path, which winds along the cliffs from Mills Beach.The path has been closed since October 2022 after two landslips occurred, causing the path to be “badly damaged in many sections and not safe for recreational use”, according to…
MOUNTAIN bike tracks, sporting facilities, and improved parking and walking paths are among the community’s aspirations to enhance Dromana while maintaining its rural character. The ideas were shared with the Mornington Peninsula Shire after public consultation was held in response to a draft of a Shaping Greater Dromana Plan.Feedback into the draft plan, which was sought from May 20 to June 21, was also gathered into the use and development of the Dromana and Arthurs Seat escarpment area and Parkdale/Hillview Community Reserve, to help with the management and masterplans, which are concurrently being prepared. These projects are planned for completion…
SEVENTEEN-year-old Austin Blight has no memory of the moment his life was nearly taken while training at a Rosebud gym. The Padua College year 12 student had been lifting weights at Yawa Aquatic Centre in July when, “out of the blue”, he suffered a heart attack and collapsed. Staff members immediately stepped in and began CPR before using a defibrillator to deliver two life-saving electric shocks needed to restore Austin’s heartbeat, before paramedics arrived. He was taken to Frankston Hospital where he was kept in ICU for 24 hours, most of which time he relied on a ventilator to help…
MORNINGTON Peninsula-based screenwriter and crime author Christian White is excited to launch his new book, with events to be held at Frankston Library and Farrells Bookshop in Mornington. The award-winning thriller writer is back with his fourth book, The Ledge, which hit bookshelves on 24 September.Building on his reputation as the master of the twist, White’s latest offering is a coming-of-age story about a group of childhood friends, a dead body, domestic abuse, and loyalty. “Writing this felt much more personal than writing my other books. The Ledge is about a weird teenager which I was and a 40-something author…
NINE youth have celebrated their graduation from the Salvation Army’s Tools For The Trade program, which aims to re-engage youths in education and training. Each term, the program provides participants with hands-on experience through learning activities, group work, trade tasters, accredited courses, and selected work experience opportunities. The latest graduation was held on 20 September at the Salvation Army’s Mission Centre in Mount Martha.The nine-week program, assisted through Youth Services Peninsula, is designed to support young people aged 16-21 who are disengaged or at risk of disengaging from education, training, employment and community connections. Salvation Army Major Warren Elliott congratulated…
A “HUGE spike” in kerbside rubbish collection fees could be looming for Mornington Peninsula ratepayers as the state government rolls out a four-bin waste and recycling system.All local governments, including Mornington Peninsula Shire, will transition to mixed recycling, food and garden organics (FOGO), general rubbish, and a new glass recycling service, which is set to be introduced by 2027.The new system is part of an effort to improve recycling and reduce landfill, including separating glass bottles and jars into a new purple lid glass bin. A FOGO service is expected to be introduced by 2030.While the state government has maintained…
THE Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club is desperately hoping to revamp its aging and decaying facilities but a $2.5 million funding shortfall to deliver a clubhouse redevelopment is threatening its future.The club’s 22-year-old building is no longer fit as a training facility or to have lifeguards or equipment onsite, which the club’s vice-president Marc Clavin warned would threaten the safety of visitors and impact its dwindling member numbers.“We are now at a point where we need to call on all members of our community including non-resident owners of holiday homes to contribute to meeting the funding shortfall to ensure that…
FOR artist Emma Davies, the enchanting beauty of the Mornington Peninsula is not just a backdrop; it’s a wellspring of inspiration that helps create her creations. The Frankston South resident uses material like bird net, baler twine and things in her garden as well as acrylic paint and other materials to form intricate textiles.“I think one of the reasons why I do work with these sorts of materials is because you can work with it instantly, unlike a medium like clay or something where you’ve got to wait for it to dry and fire it and stuff like that,” she…
A PLAN to build a $47.7 million sports facility on the Mornington Peninsula complete with skate parks and wakeboard lakes has outraged residents who fear it will “ruin what we have left” of the region’s cherished green wedge.Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors endorsed the massive development at their 9 September meeting which would see an existing 200-acre adventure park called The Ranch expanded at 810 Boneo Rd, Boneo.The green wedge site, which currently has horseback riding, archery, tennis courts, rock climbing and more, would feature a new indoor and outdoor skateboarding facility, mountain biking trails and BMX tracks, dry-ski snowboarding slopes,…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has given the green light for a retirement village to be built at the site of a heritage-listed former hospital in Mt Eliza after the plans were initially rejected.The design concept proposal by developer Hengyi Pacific is for a low-rise, 104-unit village set on a 3.4-hectare estate at 33 Jacksons Rd, which is home to the former Mt Eliza Centre built in 1929-30 as the Orthopaedic Branch of the Children’s Hospital. It is recognised on the council’s heritage overlay because of its “local historical, architectural and aesthetic significance to the Shire of Mornington Peninsula”.The decision to allow…
WILDLIFE authorities have issued a stern warning to the community following six reports of flying foxes being entangled in illegal residential fruit netting on the Mornington Peninsula this year.The Conservation Regulator, Zoos Victoria, RSPCA Victoria, Wildlife Victoria, and Animal Welfare Victoria have partnered to address the dangers illegal household netting pose to wildlife, especially native bat species.They are also reminding household growers to use safe, compliant fruit tree netting.Since 1 September 2021, it has been illegal in Victoria to use or sell household fruit tree netting with a mesh size bigger than 5mm by 5mm, as larger mesh netting is…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has left the door open to rolling out paid parking at popular beach foreshores despite significant concerns raised during a recent trial – with one councillor labelling it “total mayhem”.The controversial parking trail, which began last December, has seen visitors charged $6.20 an hour or $19.50 a day to park at Sunnyside Beach, Mt Eliza, Schnapper Point (near the pier), Mornington and near Flinders pier. Parking is free for peninsula residents who have an e-permit.The trial aimed to “not only generate a steady revenue stream for the council but also ensure that visitors contribute fairly to the…
DAMAGING winds lashed the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston areas last week, causing significant disruption and destroying iconic beach boxes.From 7pm on Sunday September 1 and 3pm on Tuesday September 3, the SES received more than 1500 calls for help in the southern metropolitan region. Of those, 1100 were related to downed trees and more than 400 for building damage. Frankston was the hardest hit with 285 jobs. Hastings SES were called to 176 jobs while Sorrento SES had 130 requests for help.Many beach boxes were severely damaged or ripped apart particularly along Shire Hall Beach after wind speeds as high…