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…
Author: Cameron McCullough
IT was a full house at Eliza Archery on Sunday (16 March) for a female-only archery event in celebration of International Women’s Day. The day was free for all participants, with female coaches on hand to help, and 2024 Olympian Laura Paeglis in attendance.“This is something we are passionate about,” said Alec Potts, owner of Eliza Archery, and founder of the not-for-profit Peninsula Target Archers that hosted the day. “This is the first time we’ve held this event, and it sold out, which we are very happy about. “We have opened especially on a Sunday to host this event, and…
Advice has been issued by South East Water to the residents of Flinders, Point Leo and Shoreham that as of 7:37 pm, 20 March 2025, the tap water is not safe to drink without boiling first. The warning comes after a dead rodent was found in Shoreham Reservoir during a maintenance inspection on Thursday 20 March 2025. While South East Water undertakes water testing and investigations, they’ve issued a Precautionary Boil Water Advisory to make sure tap water is safe to drink. E. coli itself is not necessarily harmful, but finding it means that the drinking water may be contaminated…
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,…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has announced it will be lifting its annual investment in road renewal funding to $5.3m. Coupled with the $2.2m from the federal government’s “Roads to Recovery” program the yearly investment on road renewal on the peninsula will now be $7.5m.The shire manages more than 1360km of sealed roads, with their dilapidated state causing roads to be a regular feature in the shire’s customer satisfaction surveys. Residents have gone as far collecting petitions demanding action (Petition to fill potholes, The News 21/2/23) and have raised concerns that the current state of the roads is endangering motorists (Urgent safety…
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…
MERRICKS Station Grounds, an equestrian facility which provides a safe sanctuary for horse riders to pursue their sport and passion, is pushing forward with plans to build a roof over one of its arenas to support year-round equestrian services on the peninsula.The current push comes after years of delays and false starts that have seen cost overruns and bureaucracy stymie the project. “This project was first mooted in the shire’s 2015 masterplan, and it looked like it was set to proceed before covid came along,” said Jenny Moore, chairperson of the Merricks/Red Hill Station Ground Equestrian Reserve Inc, that is…
THE only accommodation currently available for the homeless on the Mornington Peninsula, The Ranch Motel in Mornington, is set to close with no plans for its replacement.A joint venture between Mornington Community Support Centre and Southern Peninsula Community Support, the accommodation was only made possible as the developer had allowed it to be used as crisis accommodation while he finalised plans for redevelopment of the site. The News understands he has given notice that development will take place in the next six to 12 months.“Our understanding is that when the developer is ready to start work on the site, they’ll…
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…
LESS than a year after forming a new entity after the collapse into liquidation of the old one, the Hastings Club again faces an uncertain future with a letter out to members outlining a dire situation.Frantic efforts behind the scenes to get the club open after closing due to a water leak have been met with delay and “lip service from the shire”, according to the chairman of the club David Gibbs. “This isn’t just a ‘Hastings Club’ problem, this is a Hastings problem,” said Gibbs. “Take a look around. The pool was closed all summer, so was the gym.…
The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has announced it has appointed Mark Stoermer as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) following a Special Council Meeting today (4 March 2025) Mark brings extensive leadership experience in local government, corporate services, and financial management. He is currently the Director of Corporate Services at Brimbank City Council and previously held the same role at Wyndham City Council. He has also served as CEO of Douglas Shire and Nillumbik Shire Councils. As Director of Corporate Business at the City of Melbourne, he led major financial and governance reforms, delivering sustainable budgets and operational efficiencies for…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have voted to create a clear framework that governs the forced sale of property for the recovery of unpaid rates.The policy, to remain in place for three years, governs the criteria that the shire will use to enforce s 181 of the Local Government Act 1989 (Vic) titled “Council may sell land to recover unpaid rates or charges”.Under the Act, the shire can seek to sell property where the outstanding rates are more than three years overdue, no current arrangement exists for the repayment of that amount, and the council has a court order requiring payment…
PORTSEA Surf Life Saving Club has a proud history stretching back to 1949. A true community club, a testament to its success is its over 5000 members, with over 500 active, that patrol the waters of Portsea back beach.The club isn’t just about protecting those in the water but about fostering leadership and commitment among its members young and old, and building the next generation of lifesavers and leaders. “In the early days, surf lifesaving was a traditionally male-dominated arena,” said Susan Crow, a director of Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club. “We are very proud of our efforts at PSLC to…
Mornington Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man and a woman following an alleged kidnapping in Mornington. Investigators have been told a ride-share driver was stopped on Mornington-Tyabb Road about 8.30pm on 20 February by a potential fare. A man and a woman got into the car and it is alleged the driver was threatened with a knife and told to drive to an address in Joffre Street, Noble Park where the pair got out of the car. The driver, a 26-year-old man, was not injured during the incident. Detectives have made a number of enquires and on Tuesday…
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…
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…