THE screws are being tightened on Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors’ off-the-record expense claims. A three-part notice of motion put by Cr David Gill last week – and passed unanimously – will ensure councillors’ reimbursement claims and requests for training, personal development, entertainment or other expenses, including payments for tickets for functions, should only be claimable from their expense allowances and not through any other council accounts. Secondly, all past claims presented by councillors not claimable under legislation or Mornington Peninsula Shire Council protocols, must now be reported to council. The third part of the motion was to remind councillors that…
Author: MP News Group
POINT Nepean Men’s Shed members are busy working on extra carts for competitors in the annual Billy Kart Derby to be held in Sorrento this month. Nearby primary schools have been informed the carts would suit younger age groups. Club vice president Terry Phippen said the club had been granted a permit for the Saturday 14 March event and that preparations are “in full swing”. “We have an extra 10 simple karts under construction and we have invited a lot of community groups to participate. “We are just hoping for good weather to attract a few interesting designs from these…
DIRECT from the USA “You Got It! – a salute to Roy Orbison” Live In Concert. Wesley Orbison, Roy Orbison’s eldest son is very proud to fully endorse and present this amazing live concert experience remembering his father as we relive the sound & all the magical hits of Music Legend Roy Orbison in an International production starring The sensational Voice From Downunder John Stephan. This is the only show of its kind in the world and is officially endorsed & presented by Roy Orbison’s eldest son Wesley Orbison. Featuring spoken word from Wesley with a very personal narrative of…
Fast-acting police have saved the lives of three male fishermen after they were swept from rocks at a Rye beach today. It is believed the men were fishing on rocks near Harold Road when they were swept into the water about 12.10pm. A nearby passer-by noticed the men struggling in the water and alerted emergency services who arrived on scene shortly after. Police Airwing searched the area for a short time before locating the three men with the assistance of local Mornington police. Police managed to winch two of the men to safety before attending to the third man struggling…
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a burglary at a church in Red Hill on 10 February. It’s believed two unknown males have attempted to jemmy open the front doors of the Arthurs Seat Road church sometime between 12.10am – 12.30am. The males eventually gained access by forcing a side door. A distinctive religious icon that holds significant value to the church was stolen along with a green wooden donation box containing money. The silver icon was made in Greece in 1974 and would cost between $5,000 to $10,000 to replace. Investigators have released images and CCTV in…
A “DROWN-IN” by members of Western Port Extinction Rebellion at Balnarring last Friday aimed to raise “climate crisis as a local issue and not just city centric”. Organiser Murray Lindsell Turner said the action at the village shopping centre promoted the science behind climate change and asked people about their concerns about being in a time designated as a climate emergency. “Morning Peninsula Shire Council has already declared a climate emergency and are actioning the policies required to help future residents understand the effects of climate change at unprecedented rates,” Mr Turner said. “Already discussions of an 80 centimetre sea…
CAT and dog owners must renew their pet registrations with Mornington Peninsula Shire by Friday 10 April. It costs $45 per year to register a desexed dog and cat. Discounts apply for pension card holders. The current fine for owning an unregistered dog or cat is $330. In issuing a renewal reminder, the shire says registration fees enable it to provide such services as leash-free dog areas (mornpen.vic.gov.au/leashfree); the Community Animal Shelter and Pound for lost pets and finding new homes for unclaimed cats and dogs (mornpen.vic.gov.au/lostpets); rangers to respond to dog attacks and complaints; and, a state government levy.…
GET fit and get fearless is the theme of a women’s event at a Mornington kung fu school this month. With Sunday 8 March being International Women’s Day – a celebration of women’s achievements – Peninsula Kung Fu is inviting women to attend any women’s class for free during March. Instructor Sarah Hanna said this year she wanted to help as many girls and women as possible be safe by having the ability to defend themselves. She has “runs on the board” having organised an anti-bullying seminar 18 months ago. “I will be instructing the classes and offering a safe…
THREE teenagers from Mornington, Mt Eliza and Frankston have been arrested over a range of thefts from motor vehicles and burglary-related incidents. Detectives from Frankston Crime Investigation Unit charged the men – a 19-year-old from Mornington, 18-year-old from Mount Eliza and 20 year-old from Frankston with five petrol drive-offs in various suburbs, five thefts from motor vehicles overnight 11-12 February in Mount Eliza and Frankston South, and a burglary at Karingal Hub Shopping Centre on 11 February. All were bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 4 August. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 25 February 2020
POLICE on a drive-by say they spotted cannabis plants growing in the backyard of a house in Rye last week before arresting the occupant. Senior Sergeant Steve Duffee, of Rosebud police station, said the officers acting on a tip-off “looked over the fence” of the Dundas Street property before returning with a warrant, Saturday 9 February. As well as the six cannabis plants they allegedly found stolen tradies’ tools valued at $10,000. A 64-year-old Rye man was later charged with cultivating a drug of dependence and handling stolen goods. He was bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court in July.…
ROSEBUD police stopped a bus last week to catch a couple of suspected crooks. A 35-year-old man and woman, 32, of Tootgarook, were later charged with theft from a motor vehicle, handling stolen goods and handling the proceeds of crime. A woman who spotted the couple loitering in a business park near Rosebud Plaza later realised items, including an iPad, portable speaker, and personal id, were missing from her car. She activated her Locate-My-Device App and tracked the items to a nearby bus stop where, coincidentally, the couple she saw earlier were waiting. When the suspects boarded the bus, she…
HOODED plovers are moving into Sorrento in a big way. The small birds are usually spotted darting around near the waterline or, when nesting, protecting their exposed eggs from predators and the elements (just 2.5 per cent of the birds survive from egg to fledgling). But now there’s no excuse for not knowing what a hoodie, as they’re affectionately known, looks like. Jimmy “Dvate” Beattie has used his aerosol paints and mural skills to cover a wall at Sorrento back beach with a hooded plover and chick. Beattie is known for his work on Victoria’s silo art trail and spaces…
ENTRIES are still open for the 92nd Red Hill Show to be held on Saturday the 7th of March. The Red Hill Showgrounds come alive with the festivities of one the State’s most popular agricultural shows. Kids and Adults can enjoy a full day of activities at this “Community Event of the Year 2019”, now in its 92nd year run by the Red Hill Agricultural & Horticultural Society. Visit our website and enter online: www.redhillshow.com.au/forms $10 Kids | $20 Adults | $60 Family | $10 Student & Pensioner Once you enter the showgrounds pavilions, activities, entertainment and RIDES FREE (with…
FREQUENT attacks by vandals on toilets at the Jacks Beach picnic area – the first on the day they opened – has members of the Crib Point Stony Point foreshore management committee tearing their hair out. “We can’t understand what makes the block a target for repeated vandalism attacks,” secretary Cecelia Witton said. In September, the volunteer community group replaced the old toilets with money they raised themselves. “Since they were opened – in fact on the very day they were to open – vandals struck [by] spraying graffiti over the building,” she said. “Since then they have been the…
A CHARITABLE service providing housing for adults with intellectual disabilities has opened its third property on the Mornington Peninsula. Bittern House on Frankston-Flinders Road, built by Frankston Peninsula Carers, is 150 metres from Bittern Fields shopping centre, with its supermarket, restaurant, pharmacy and medical clinic, and near Bittern train station. The residents will be looked after by genU – which provides disability services, including individual support, accommodation and recreation activities, to its members. Frankston Peninsula Carers secretary Leon Black said: “It was lovely having the families at the opening whose children will live there. “We have spent five years fundraising…
DRIVERS using towbars are being urged to check that they are properly connected to their vehicles after one was found on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway, McCrae, Wednesday 5 February. Officers on patrol found the towbar, pictured, in the middle of the outbound lanes. In December a tow bar on a road west of Melbourne was flicked up by a truck and smashed through an oncoming car’s windscreen killing a mother and injuring her baby son. Visit bddy.me/2Utbjog First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 18 February 2020
A MT ELIZA woman has been reunited with jewellery valued at $35,000 after it was stolen from her Walkers Road house, Monday 10 February. Detective Acting Sergeant Steve Reidy, of Somerville CIU, said the jewellery was found at the home of a 28-year-old Frankston man, Thursday 13 February. The jewellery was returned to the woman – a widow – who was said to be “overjoyed”. The man appeared before Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Friday and remanded to reappear at a later date. First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 18 February 2020
POLICE have charged 10 drivers on summons with a range of offences after a crackdown on hoon and anti-social behaviour at the summit car park at Arthurs Seat lookout, Thursday 6 February. The charges include reckless conduct endangering serious injury, criminal damage, drive in a manner dangerous, careless driving, improper use of vehicle involving loss of traction and drive vehicle causing undue noise and smoke. Two drivers have had their vehicles impounded for 30 days and a further seven have been issued with infringement and defect notices. Tyre marks, pictured, were all over the car park last week. Leading Senior…
A MEMORIAL “pilgrimage” conducted at Queenscliff last week has special relevance to families living on the Mornington Peninsula. It marked the date 60 years ago when three young Army commandoes lost their lives in a training exercise while crossing The Rip, 17 February 1960. A ceremony marking the tragedy was held at Shortlands Bluff, Sunday 16 February. Soldiers involved in the exercise still living on the Mornington Peninsula are Bob Dunball, Dave Gilder, Leigh Power, Wil Vicum and Winston Trood. A keen historian – and skipper of an army vessel involved in the disaster – Mr Trood said on that…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s conservation park The Briars has donated 950 bales of hay to the Need for Feed disaster relief program. Need for Feed provides fodder to farmers affected by drought, fire and flood emergencies. In 2018, 800 bales of hay from The Briars broad-acre paddocks were donated to farmers hit by drought. Last year 950 bales were donated. The mayor Cr Sam Hearn said the small gesture would give some relief to bushfire affected communities and farmers. The Lions Club project the Need for Feed coordinates the pick-up and delivery of hay. See needforfeed.org. First published in the Mornington…
OWNERS must register their swimming pools and spas with Mornington Peninsula Shire by 1 June. This is in line with tougher standards introduced by the state government to improve pool and spa barrier safety. To ensure safe and compliant pool or spa barriers, owners must register their pool or spa; have the barrier checked by a qualified surveyor; undertake required works to make it compliant and then have their pool or spa barrier certified. A one-off registration fee set by the state government is $79 for pools and spas built before 1 December 2019, and $31.80 for those built after…
A TARNEIT man will appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 8 July over a series of roadside concrete dumps on the Mornington Peninsula. The EPA’s southern metro regional acting manager Megan Vallas said the waste caused “serious road safety concerns and cost the community thousands of dollars to remove” (“Concrete dumper set on avoiding tip fees” The News 21/10/19). At the time, builders and plumbers across the peninsula were asked to help track down the alleged concrete dumper after at least eight solid clues were left on peninsula roadsides. Authorities believed the concrete was most likely leftovers from a building…
A SMART-parking trial aimed at easing traffic congestion at Rye will feature in-ground and camera parking bay sensors, mobile electronic parking availability signs, and a smart parking availability App. In the trial, drivers approaching Rye will be able to see the number of available parking spaces on the foreshore and commercial precinct and be directed to those spaces. “The trial aims to make accessing the Rye precinct easier and more convenient, while providing a better parking experience for both residents and tourists,” the mayor Cr Sam Hearn said. “By using this innovative technology, visitors and residents can drive straight to…
Police and emergency services were called to Rosebud this morning following reports of a collision between a car and a mobility scooter. It is believed the collision occurred on Boneo Road near Grenfell Way just before 10.20am. The male rider of the mobility scooter was treated at the scene but could not be revived. The driver and sole occupant of the car was uninjured and stopped to assist at the scene. Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are attending the scene and will investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Anyone who witnessed the crash or with further information or dash cam…
ROSEBUD Junior Football Club will host a junior girls’ football “Come and Try” session at Olympic Oval, 4.30pm, Tuesday 18 February. Girls aged 10-17 are invited to join in, and have a free sausage sizzle and drink. The club also welcomes current players to come along, too. Mel Peterson who is the Junior Girl’s Football Co-ordinator says: “Footy is a great way to meet new friends, get active and be part of a fantastic, strong local community club. At Rosebud, we are all about development, fitness, teamwork, meeting new friends and most of all having fun! The girls have also…
HERONSWOOD Harvest Festival will be held at the Diggers Club, Dromana, over the weekend 29 February-1 March. Heronswood is seen as one of Australia’s finest gardens and the country’s first organically certified public garden. It houses a living catalogue of rare plants and heirloom fruits and vegetables. Keen gardeners can get tips at free workshops, join free garden tours with expert gardeners and take part in the harvest taste test. They’ll enjoy lunch on the pool lawn and explore the famous vegetable parterre, the mini-plot – an example of high-density growing – and a kitchen garden which services the award…
ONE day, plastic drinking straws may be gone from the Mornington Peninsula. When that day comes, nobody will be happier than outgoing Citizen of the Year Josie Jones. It’s been a busy 12 months for the Rye resident, who helps run the Peninsula’s Last Straw campaign. Since becoming Citizen of the Year, her anti-litter campaigns have gained national attention, including TV coverage and support from National Geographic and the University of Tasmania. The Peninsula’s Last Straw began at a workshop run by Mornington Peninsula Shire and is now in 11 towns. “So far we have started in Sorrento, Dromana, Mount…
Mornington Peninsula Shire residents are being urged to reduce bushfire risk by disposing of green waste for free this weekend. The mayor Cr Sam Hearn said the severity of this year’s bushfire season had prompted the council to bring forward the bi-annual event and extend it by one day. It will take place at all the shire’s transfer stations from Friday 14 February-Monday 17 February. “If you’re concerned about dangerous vegetation in the middle of this fire season this is a chance to clear your property of anything that might be a fire risk,” he said. Green waste includes all…
ENDURING 1990s band Chocolate Starfish and the Nola Lauch Band, pictured, will perform in Rosebud on 21 February at a bushfire relief concert. “The need for bushfire relief is still great and many are struggling for immediate needs,” Starfish lead singer Adam Thompson said. Chocolate Starfish became known in the early 1990s with their cover of Carly Simon’s You’re So Vain and original hit Mountain. Nola Lauch is a Kirrae-wurrung woman who has lived on the Mornington Peninsula for most of her life. She received a regional 2017 NAIDOC Artist of the Year award for her songwriting and live performances.…
THE Rye Township Plan with $3.25 million is one of three Mornington Peninsula Shire Council projects to receive a share of $4.7 million from the state government. The others are Somerville Active Recreation Hub, $742,000 and the Tyabb Kindergarten, $727,000. Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek said the grants were among 32 across the state to share $50m through the Growing Suburbs Fund in 10 rapidly growing municipalities. The Rye announcement on Wednesday 22 January under the clock tower was attended by Nepean MP Chris Brayne, the mayor Cr Sam Hearn, shire CEO John Baker, Crs Bryan Payne and Hugh Fraser,…