A teenager has been flown to hospital after an allegedly stolen car crashed into trees before rolling down an embankment in Tuerong on the morning of 20 February. Victoria Police alleged a grey Mitsubishi Pajero was stolen during an aggravated burglary at a property on Atunga Terrace in Dromana about 1.40am. The Mitsubishi then crashed into trees on Old Moorooduc Road, before rolling down an embankment, a police spokesperson said. Ambulance Victoria said paramedics responded to the incident about 5am, which resulted in the male teen driver being airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a serious but stable condition…
Author: Cameron McCullough
A BABY has died at a Skye family day care centre. Emergency services were called to the Skye day care on Wednesday afternoon. The infant could not be revived. In a statement, Victoria Police confirmed that it is investigating the death. It is not being treated as suspicious. “Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the death of an infant at a family day care facility in Skye,” the police statement read. “An investigation into the circumstances is ongoing but the death is not being treated as suspicious.”
CASES of Buruli ulcer continue to remain high in Victoria with the Mornington Peninsula one of the infection’s hotspots. Department of Health data shows that as of 17 December 2024, there had been 344 cases notified for the year, only slightly lower than the 362 cases notified for the same time period in 2023; the highest year on record since the emergence of the infection in Victoria in 2004.Buruli ulcer is a bacterial infection linked to mosquitos that can cause significant skin damage. The condition can be treated with antibiotics, making early diagnosis and treatment vital. Symptoms for the infection…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has launched their “Shout Out for the Peninsula” advocacy campaign in the lead up to the 2025 federal election. The campaign consists of a list of “investment–ready projects” that the shire will advocate for, the reintroduction of the “pledge tracker” to monitor funding pledges made during the campaign, and a community election forum.The cornerstone of the shire’s campaign is a ten page document containing a list of investment–ready projects. The 125 projects in the document have a total value of approximately $300m. Items range widely in size and complexity, with big ticket items including a “Somerville to…
Six people have been taken to hospital after a multi-vehicle crash in Pearcedale on 11 February, which left one car on its roof. Emergency services were called to the incident on Baxter-Tooradin Rd, near Craig Rd, about 9.30am. Ambulance Victoria said a woman in her 50s and man in his 60s were taken to The Alfred Hospital. Others injured included two men in their 50s and a woman in her 50s who were taken to Frankston Hospital in stable conditions with upper body injuries, while a man in his 30s was taken to Dandenong hospital in a stable condition with…
LABOR candidate for Flinders, Sarah Race, has welcomed the federal government’s announcement that Women’s Community Shelters (WCS) will be funded to purchase three dwellings on the Mornington Peninsula.The funding is part of a $100 million commitment to 41 organisations around Australia for new crisis and transitional housing for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence. The organisation is in the process of establishing their first Victorian-based shelter on the peninsula. It will provide crisis accommodation for up to 70 clients within the first year including 30 women and 40 children, totalling over 3,400 bed nights.WCS operate a unique social…
Police have arrested three teenage boys after they allegedly pointed imitation handguns at people in a Somerville shopping centre this morning. It is alleged the boys stole the imitation guns from a store inside the centre on Eramosa Road about 10.40am. “Attending members have been told the boys pointed the guns at members of the public as they moved through the centre,” a police spokesperson said. “Officers were quickly on scene and arrested the trio.” The three boys are in custody and will be interviewed by police. Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating and have appealed for any…
The state government has announced it will establish a board of inquiry into the landslide that occurred in McCrae on 14 January, despite a letter from the shire mayor requesting “urgent technical and financial support” going unanswered. The announcement stated the government is “listening to McCrae residents impacted by landslide” with the inquiry tasked to “get to the bottom of what happened and to prevent similar incidences occurring in the future”. Once established, the inquiry will develop a process for locals to engage with its work, with details on how people can submit their stories to be released in the…
A motorcyclist was flown to hospital with life-threatening injuries following a crash on a Mornington Peninsula freeway on Monday 3 February. Victoria Police said investigators understood the bike was travelling north along Peninsula Link when it veered off the road colliding with the centre barrier just after 5pm. “The rider was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries,” a police spokesperson said. “Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.” Anyone who witnessed the incident, with dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police arrested two people and seized three allegedly stolen vehicles as part of an ongoing investigation in Baxter yesterday. Frankton Crime Investigation Unit detectives attended a property on Harold Court about 9.30am on Sunday 2 February in relation to an investigation targeting organised motor vehicle theft and high-risk driving. Detectives seized an allegedly stolen Holden VF Senator sedan, an allegedly stolen Holden VF Walkinshaw SS wagon, an allegedly stolen Yamaha motorcycle, a traffickable quantity of methylamphetamines, re-programmed car keys, allegedly cloned number plates and cash. The total value of the stolen vehicles is more than $200,000. An 18-year-old Baxter woman…
A SOMERVILLE businessman has failed in his bid to have a rehearing granted after a personal safety intervention order was made against him last year (Publisher ‘harassed’ and ‘intimidated’ woman – Magistrate, The News 12/11/24).At a November 7 Magistrates’ Court hearing, Jamie (Jay) Scicluna was found to have stalked and harassed a Somerville woman, who alleged she was the victim of derogatory and sexually demeaning behaviour, repeated visits to her workplace, and physical intimidation. Magistrate Charles Tan found that Scicluna had referred to the victim as a “c**t”, that he stated he was “out for blood” and “won’t stop until…
Emergency services are on the scene of a landslip that has caused the collapse of a house at Penny Lane in McCrae. The emergency alert, issued at 8.49am, stated that a house had “rolled down the hill”, and was responded to by the CFA, police and ambulance services. Paramedics are treating at least one injury on site. It is believed emergency services are inspecting the site to determine if any other structures are at risk due to the landslip. Point Nepean Road has been closed in McCrae, near Penny Lane, in both directions with police advising motorists to avoid the…
Four men were arrested by detectives from Frankston Crime Investigation Unit yesterday as part of an investigation into a number of aggravated burglaries in December and January. The quartet were arrested following the execution of a warrant at a home in Flynn Court in Frankston on Tuesday 7 January about 10.25am. Several vehicles were seized from the property including a: • 2013 Holden statesman sedan believed stolen from Patterson Lakes between 5-6 December and valued around $25,000. • 2015 Yamaha motorcycle allegedly stolen during an aggravated burglary in Waterways on 7 January and valued around $4000. • 2010 Volkswagon Passat…
COMMUNITY campaigner Fred Crump is calling on the state and local governments to do more to maintain roadside corridors to reduce the fire danger this summer. The call comes amid warnings from the Country Fire Authority about heightened risks this fire season, and calls on individuals to reduce vegetation loads around their properties.“The CFA are asking individuals to act to reduce the fire risk, but what about state and local governments?” said Crump. “The roadsides are an absolute disgrace. Very little maintenance is being done, and the grass and undergrowth is the worst I have ever seen.”Crump believes the issue…
PLANS to export hydrogen from Western Port to Japan are in doubt, after the lead company in the venture, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, issued conflicting reports about its viability and their intention to proceed.The project was seen as an essential part of the hydrogen energy supply chain (HESC) that would see the manufacturing of hydrogen from brown coal in the Latrobe Valley, before being liquefied at Hastings and shipped to Japan to provide what proponents call “green energy” in that country.The brown coal-to-hydrogen project’s commercial partners, led by Kawasaki, have been backed by the federal and state governments, who each provided…
Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of a woman in Langwarrin this morning. Emergency services responded to reports that a woman was stabbed at a Wood Duck Court address about 6.30am. The yet to be formally identified woman was declared deceased at the scene. Officers arrested a 63-year-old man at the address who is known to the woman. A crime scene has been established while detectives investigate to determine the circumstances surrounding the death. Anyone who witnessed the incident, with dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report…
Buses are replacing trains on the Stony Point line today (Saturday 21 December) after the Hastings Railway Station building was destroyed by fire overnight. Fire crews were called to the structure before 4am to find it fully engulfed by flames. The station has been the subject of recent discussion with Brian Stahl calling for the improvement of the rail precinct and the possible repurposing of the disused building for a social enterprise (Call for railway station renewal hosed down, The News 13/11/24). Stahl said at the time “As a significant public transport arrival point it leaves a lot to be…
A DECOMMISSIONED water reservoir in Mount Eliza is being prepared for sale by the state government, despite calls for it to be kept as community space. The 2.8 hectare site at 57 Kunyung Road operated as a South East Water reservoir before being handed to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport to either transfer its ownership or sell it off.Fear of the impending sale of the land prompted Mornington MP Chris Crewther, shadow minister James Newbury, South Eastern Centre for Sustainability president Steve Karakitsos and Ian Morrison, of Mount Eliza, to visit the site in January this year in the…
Mornington Peninsula mayor Anthony Marsh was joined by the Member for Hastings Paul Mercurio yesterday to celebrate construction starting on the Somerville to Baxter Trail. This much-anticipated new shared path is a vital missing link in the grand vision for the Peninsula Trails project, a 170km network of connected trails traversing the Mornington Peninsula. Once the Somerville-Baxter section is complete, walkers and cyclists will be able to travel off road from central Melbourne all the way to Balnarring. “The Somerville-Baxter Trail was council’s first priority in terms of filling in the missing links of the Peninsula Trails project, and we…
PENINSULA Health chief executive Helen Cooper has announced that Peninsula Health intends to merge with Alfred Health and Kooweerup Regional Health to create a new entity, tentatively named Bayside Health.A statement supplied to The News said the merger will come into effect from 1 January 2026, and “is an important step in improving health outcomes for the local community”. “The complementary nature of the three health services means we will be able to provide the full spectrum of care for the 1.1 million people we’ll serve through this network,” Cooper said. “Access to specialist care will become easier and more…
THE state government has unveiled its “Economic Growth Statement” providing a “ten-year pipeline of industrial land” that includes reviewing the zoning of surplus port-zoned land at Hastings. The announcement promised a review of “up to 3,300 hectares at Altona North and Hastings – currently restricted under Special Use Zoning” and was part of sweeping reforms designed to stimulate the economy.The Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula told The News they are “encouraged” by the announcement and called on the government to act quickly. “Surplus port-related land should be made available for broader industrial and commercial uses to support local industry,…
STUDENTS across the peninsula received their ATAR scores last Thursday (12 December) with some outstanding results. Kirsten Harkness made history for Mount Erin College with the highest score a student has ever achieved at the school; an outstanding 99.75. “I felt confident throughout the year,” said Harkness who plans to study law and arts at Monash University. “I was very nervous on Thursday morning, and it was a huge surprise I did so well.” The principal at Mount Erin College, Jenni Hodgins, told The News “We are overjoyed at the result Kirsten has achieved”.Hodgins, who has led the school since…
BEN Smith has been named as the “Independent 4 Flinders” candidate for the upcoming federal election.Smith, of Cape Schanck, is a small business owner, and has been the CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre since 2022. He was also awarded the 2024 Victorian Father of the Year award in August, being honoured for his “community advocacy and deep love for his family”.“The Peninsula community has been taken for granted by the major parties for far too long,” said Smith. “It is time to send an independent to Canberra to fight for the services and infrastructure we need.” Smith told…
THE plans for a $25m redevelopment of Arthurs Seat Eagle are currently with Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny and at the “request for information” stage, while community opposition to the proposal mounts. The planned redevelopment, announced in September, would add a new observation tower, pedestrian bridge over Arthurs Seat Road, function centre, luge ride attraction and an “experiential interpretive centre designed to celebrate the natural wonders of the Mornington Peninsula”. The redevelopment is expected to be undertaken in three stages with stage one the base station upgrade, stage two the development of the luge ride from the summit to the base,…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have voted to engage an “executive search consultant” to run the process for the recruitment of a permanent CEO, but proposed changes to reduce the number councillors involved in the appointment has been rejected by councillors.The option presented to the councillors at last Tuesday’s meeting (3 December) was to reduce the number of councillors that sit on the “Chief Executive Officer Employment and Remuneration Committee” from all 11 councillors to just four; the mayor, deputy mayor, and two appointed councillors, changed yearly on a rotating basis. The rationale for the change was to streamline the process…
Frankston Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged two boys, following an alleged armed robbery and a collision, in Melbourne’s southern suburbs yesterday (7 December). It is alleged that two offenders armed with machetes approached a male victim on McCormick’s Road in Skye about 2.15pm. The two alleged offenders made threats and demands for the boy’s shoes and phone before he handed them over. The alleged offenders took off from the scene, with the shoes and phone, in a silver Toyota Kluger. The victim, a 16-year-old boy from the Frankston area, was not physically injured. A short time later it is…
BEN Smith has been named as the “Independent 4 Flinders” candidate for the upcoming federal election. Smith, of Cape Schanck, is a small business owner, and has been the CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre since 2022. He was also awarded the 2024 Victorian Father of the Year award in August, being honoured for his “community advocacy and deep love for his family”. “The Peninsula community has been taken for granted by the major parties for far too long,” said Smith. “It is time to send an independent to Canberra to fight for the services and infrastructure we need.”…
A GROUP of Flinders residents have banded together to put pressure on the Mornington Peninsula Shire to better service the elderly in the community.“It all came about after we conducted a survey of the elderly, and heard about their lived experiences and key issues,” said a spokesperson for the group, Sandy Grant. “What became clear to us is that many services exist for the elderly, but there is a lack of knowledge about them, and lack of capacity to go through the complex maze of information to find them. “We are wanting to work with the shire to facilitate better…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is seeking community input on the three options it has put forward for repairing The Briars’ section of the Balcombe Creek boardwalk. “This popular trail is a beautiful walk that meanders through the natural bushland and creek from Mount Martha beach to The Briars, and connects with the Wildlife Sanctuary and Harrap Creek walking trails,” said a statement from the shire.“Unfortunately, back in November 2022 the boardwalk was severely damaged in a storm. The extreme weather event brought on a flood that destroyed and relocated the boardwalk in some areas. Since the flooding, this section of the…
IN a dramatic turn of events last week, an unscheduled council meeting was called for Wednesday (27 November) with the only agenda item being the appointment of an acting CEO following the early departure of John Baker.The new appointment was made from within the organisation, with the shire’s chief financial officer, Bulent Oz, being elevated to the role of acting CEO. It is unclear why Baker, who was due to vacate his role on 6 December, left his role early, but what is known is that by the time the meeting occurred, he had already left, departing the day before.A…