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…
Author: Cameron McCullough
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…
TWO people are dead after a shooting in Rye in the early hours of 2 December. Police allege that a group of people were involved in an altercation at a Parson Street property just after 4am on Monday. Police arrived at the scene later that morning and found a man and woman with gunshot wounds. Emergency services attended to treat the victims, but they were declared dead at the scene. Investigators believe that a second man may have fled the scene. In a statement, Victoria Police said “it’s believed the parties were known to each other”. Detectives have established a…
THE new Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors met for the first time on Tuesday 19 November and elected Briars Ward councillor Anthony Marsh as mayor and Tanti Ward councillor Paul Pingiaro as deputy mayor. Marsh told The News he was “humbled” by the endorsement of other councillors and saw his term as a “huge opportunity for change at a pivotal time in the shire’s history”. Marsh, who served in the mayoral role in 2021/22, sees this term as one of “cultural shift”. “We have huge challenges ahead,” said Marsh. “And to see through these challenges, the voters have chosen to elect…
ELEVEN new councillors will be sworn in this week to face a four year term that could end up being the most testing in the shire’s history.Fundamental challenges face the new council, including a reduction in federal government funding, rate capping at below CPI, and a cost-shifting crisis expected to cost the shire $234m over the next five years (Financial crisis looms for shire, The News 22/10/24). They will also have to contend with the controversial paid-parking decision that was delayed into the new councillor’s term by the last term councillors (Paid beach parking ‘mayhem’ not over yet, The News…
HASTINGS’ stalwart Brian Stahl has called on the state government to take action to remedy the “deplorable state” of the Hastings railway station. In a letter to Hastings MP Paul Mercurio, Stahl said “As a significant public transport arrival point it leaves a lot to be desired”. “Surely this is not an acceptable situation and certainly not a welcoming place for those who regularly use the station or visit Hastings for the first time by public transport. “On behalf of our community I appeal to have this unacceptable situation dealt with promptly and properly maintained in the future.”Nearly all stations…
All 11 wards that make up the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council have now been decided.Already declared last week were Kate Roper in Beek Beek Ward, Anthony Marsh in Briars Ward, Stephen Batty in Kackeraboite Ward, and Bruce Ranken in Moorooduc Ward. Last Friday (8 November), preferences were distributed for a further five wards where no single candidate polled greater than fifty percent of the primary votes. That resulted in the declaration of Max Patton in Benbenjie Ward, Patrick Binyon in Brokil Ward, David Gill in Coolart Ward, Paul Pingiaro in Tanti Ward and Cam Williams in Tootgarook Ward.On Monday (11…
THE Short Stay Levy Bill has been passed by parliament, and a 7.5% short-stay levy will be applied to short-term accommodation from 1 January 2025. But concern has been raised at the high contribution the peninsula will make to the levy, which will go towards funding affordable housing projects, and the small amount of funds to be spent back into the area.It is believed the Mornington Peninsula has over 4,500 homes listed on the Airbnb platform alone. It makes the peninsula the highest short-stay accommodation rental market in the state, dwarfing the Surf Coast (2,254) and City of Greater Geelong…
Ballots that had arrived by last Friday’s cutoff date were counted yesterday in Beek Beek Ward, Benbenjie Ward and Briars Ward, giving an indication of two clear winners, and one close race. Those votes (Group A) made up the bulk of expected votes with the final batch, those signed and dated no later than 25 October, and received by midday Friday 1 November (Group B) expected to be counted for the three wards on Wednesday 6 November. In Beek Beek Ward, the Group A results were 5515 votes for incumbent councillor Kate Roper, and 2709 for Lavinia Jenkin, meaning Kate…
THE Australian Conservation Foundation (Mornington Community Group) is calling on the state government and the Environmental Protection Authority to immediately implement sustainable procedures to ensure roadside cleanliness in Victoria on an ongoing basis.The organisation believes roadside litter has significantly increased since covid, and is creating traffic hazards, drain blockage issues as well as various environmental issues. “The current situation is not acceptable,” said ACF Mornington Community Group member Maria Remova. “The level of the roadside contamination in the area is very high. Not only is it disheartening and ugly to residents and our millions of visitors each year, but it…
VOTING has closed for the 2024 Mornington Peninsula Shire Council election, and the 36 remaining candidates now face a nervous wait for the results.The Victorian Electoral Commission will continue to receive postal votes until Friday 1 November, but will begin counting the first group of votes (received by 6pm Friday 25 October) between Tuesday and Thursday this week. Scrutineer observations during this counting may shed light on some of the eventual winners, especially in wards with only two candidates where preferences will not play a role.Only one candidate was withdrawn by the VEC during the election period, Bill Daish from…
JOHN Baker resigned as CEO of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council last Thursday (24 October) and will take up the role as CEO of Sunshine Coast Council in Queensland.Baker was appointed shire CEO in 2018 after the departure of former CEO Carl Cowie, and spent six years in the role dealing with a myriad of challenges, both natural and man-made. His resignation will be effective from 6 December.In a letter to officers, seen by The News, Baker said “It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of the shire and I want to thank you all for your trust, your…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is moving towards a “precarious financial position” over the next five years with a “perfect storm” of rate capping, reduced federal government grants, and state government cost shifting “jeopardizing both the provision of essential services and the financial sustainability of local government”. The claims by the shire have been made at two recent inquiries into local government funding and sustainability at the state and federal level.Of greatest concern to the shire is state government cost-shifting which it estimates to balloon to $234m over the next five years. The shire’s submission to the Victorian inquiry noted the…