A recent spate of youth crime across Hastings has pushed fed up residents to the brink, with a planned protest expected to occur outside the Somerville office of Member for Hastings Paul Mercurio on Friday afternoon, 21 February. They are calling for action as local campaigners spread the word on social media that youth crime was “out of control” and encouraged residents to “make a stand” at the peaceful demonstration that organisers said would run between 4pm to 7pm. “Improvements in youth crime, unsatisfactory sentencing laws, improvements in policing and other local issues,” one post read. Over the past few…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
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…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has made an ambitious bid to secure more than $5.6 million in funding to fix dangerous and high-risk roads under the federal government’s Black Spot program. The council has put forward a total of 12 projects across the peninsula that either have a history of serious crashes or are at risk of accidents occurring including $1.22 million for the Capel Sound area and almost $1 million for the Mornington area. A formal submission has been made by the shire under the 2025/26 Black Spot program, with a response from the federal government expected in June, but there’s…
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…
INDEPENDENT candidate for Flinders Ben Smith has called for urgent action to make healthcare accessible for everyone after data showing bulk billing no longer exists for many patients on the peninsula.The latest Cleanbill report shows that of 42 clinics across the electorate of Flinders only four are still able to offer bulk-billing to all patients, with the average cost of a standard consultation being $86.80.Medicare data shows that the Mornington Peninsula bulk billing rate is only 67% – 11% below the state average. For people aged 16-64, the bulk billing rate falls to 56%.Smith said the cost of visiting a…
SOMERVILLE Recreation Reserve would be upgraded under a $5m plan if Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie is re-elected and the Liberal Party takes office at the federal election. The proposed revamp would benefit the football, netball and cricket clubs, as well as the Somerville Scout Group, whose hall is in desperate need of repair.Currently, 49 sporting teams call the reserve home, which has cricket nets, six tennis courts, two netball courts, three pavilions, two playgrounds, an oval, a scout hall, public toilets and a bowls club.But McKenzie said many of these clubs were relying on facilities “that belong in the last…
LABOR candidate for Flinders Sarah Race joined representatives Ross Kilborn and Graeme Rocke from Mornington Community Safe Link Group, Labor Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh, and about 20 community members to cycle along a section of the Peninsula Trail. The Peninsula Trail is a 170km mostly continuous walking and cycling trail circling the Mornington Peninsula.The Mornington Community Safelink Group has been advocating for five years for the completion of the Peninsula Link Trail from Moorooduc Station, into Mornington. It will connect the rest of Melbourne with Mornington and Mt Martha, and offer safe off-road walking and riding for nearly…
EIGHT properties affected by the McCrae landslide have been deemed safe, allowing the homeowners to return, while the shire grapples with the enormity of “going it alone” with the recovery, absent of state government support. Meanwhile, the mayor has condemned the “appalling violation” as it has been revealed that some of the evacuated houses have been broken into and looted while their owners were away.Emergency orders were lifted on the eight properties at 2.50pm Friday (14 February) following the installation of additional ground stability monitoring equipment on Wednesday. The specialised equipment, including global navigation satellite systems, tilt sensors and survey…
Putting the case for hand beach cleaning I was relieved to read that the council plan to scale back hand beach cleaning has been postponed.As a coastal ecologist I first observed the impacts of mechanical raking in the 1990’s at Seaford Foreshore when it was introduced in response to syringes, later found to be sourced from a medi-vac company dumping them, washing up on the beach.At that time I had the job of collecting rubbish along that 3.5km section of foreshore. The benefits of hand collection were many. I was a presence on the beach which made people feel safer;…
THE Peninsula Raiders have proudly launched their 2025 Indigenous training shirts. The shirts were designed by talented local First Nations artist Holly Ryan. Having painted murals for Hastings Primary School, St Macartan’s Primary and Red Hill Consolidated School, Holly has a special connection with football and her Indigenous heritage. Her great-grandfather, Joe Johnson, is recognized as the first-ever Indigenous Australian to play VFL football, representing Fitzroy and playing in back-to-back premierships in 1904 and 1905. Her grandfather, Percy Johnson, also played 52 games for North Melbourne from 1951 to 1955.The Peninsula Raiders Football Club values community and family, themes Holly…
PROVINCIALLANGWARRIN got off to a strong start in their two day match against Baden Powell. Opener Jack Marget top scored for the side with 63, and captain Ricky Damiano wasn’t far behind with a knock of 57 not out. Langwarrin finished the day at 7/221.Pines came up against Red Hill in their two day clash. The day didn’t get off as planned with opener Declan Jackson out for a golden duck. The ship steadied and Nick Christides and Connor Jackson put on 61 and 51 respectively. There wasn’t much of a fight after they left the crease though, and Pines…
Soccer ALANA Murphy, 19, last week became the second Langwarrin junior to achieve senior national team recognition when called up to the Matildas squad for the looming SheBelievesCup. The event starts later this week and features teams from host nation US, Japan, Colombia and Australia with matches played in Houston, Glendale and San Diego.First featured in these pages over seven years ago when she was 12 her potential to go all the way in the sport was encapsulated by our headline “Is Alana Murphy a Matilda in waiting?” Back then the pre-teen Murphy named Steph Catley and Sam Kerr as…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors will push for a compulsory lobbying policy to be created at local government level to improve transparency and best practice standards. Councillors voted unanimously at their 28 January meeting to call on the state government to introduce mandatory regulations for council officers and councillors state-wide as part of a lobbying policy to “help ensure transparency and accountability in decision making”.Currently Victoria does not have any lobbying regulations at local government level, meaning influences could operate unchecked and potentially undermine public trust, particularly when councils consider multi-million-dollar development proposals.Cr David Gill led the charge in proposing the…
The owners of two fast-food franchise stores including one at Rosebud Plaza could be hit with almost $250,000 in fines for allegedly breaching child employment laws. The Donut King operator will face 70 criminal charges this month after the state’s child employment watchdog Wage Inspectorate Victoria found it had breached the Child Employment Act between 1 January and 6 July last year. It has been alleged the stores, including Donut King in Berwick, which trade under Minto Nominees Pty Ltd, had employed three children under the age of 15 without a licence on 30 occasions and failed to ensure children…
THE Bays’ new Cancer Care Centre in Mornington officially opened its doors last week with a grand ceremony, marking a milestone in the community.The centre will be the first of its kind to have a radiation oncology service on the Mornington Peninsula, providing the latest radiation therapy technology and techniques for all cancer types. Other services include diagnostic, treatment, and support, with an integrated approach focused on personalised care for patients and their families. The $15 million project was completed late last year after construction began in April 2023. “Today marks the culmination of years of planning and dedication 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…
COMMUNITY independent candidate for Flinders Ben Smith has set himself a challenge to meet as many members of the peninsula community as he can in the next month. His 30 day Listening Lap marathon kicked off last Friday in front of dozens of supporters and interested locals at the Flinders Golf Club.“This what being a community independent is all about; listening to members of our community and hearing their priorities,” said Smith. “Time and time again, I hear that locals feel ignored and neglected by the major parties, treated as just another safe seat. “Almost everyone raises the state of…
Mornington Divisional Response Unit officers have charged a man and woman following a warrant in Safety Beach where they allegedly located a commercial quantity of 1,4 Butanediol and a stolen shotgun. A search warrant was executed at a property on Rymer Avenue on Wednesday, 5 February about 1pm. Officers allegedly located a stolen shotgun concealed in an alcove near the laundry. A further search revealed more than 6 litres of 1,4 Butanediol, along with cannabis plants, methylamphetamine and various prescription medications. An Audi sedan and two Honda CBR motorcycles were also seized from the property as proceeds of crime. A…
Firefighters contained a scrub fire that spread over two hectares in Cape Schanck, with a water-bombing helicopter called in to tackle the blaze on 6 February. The fire broke out near Long Point Rd about 5.50pm which saw 15 fire vehicles respond including units from Boneo, Rosebud, Main Ridge, Rye, Dromana, Moorooduc fire brigades and Fire Rescue Victoria pumper 95. Ambulance Victoria was also in attendance but no injuries were reported. The fire was declared under control just before 8.20pm. Crews stayed on scene until 10pm to ensure the area was safe. CFA also issued a community advice message for…
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…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have united in imploring the state government to immediately ban all donations from property developers, gambling businesses, and politicians to candidates running for local councils.Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the move at their 28 January meeting after Cr David Gill led a motion to end the three streams of financial contributions for candidates, as well as set a cap of $500 for all other donations ensuring the process is “transparent and it is accountable”.“The state government has the power to make these changes,” said Gill, who has made similar pushes in previous years. “It’s not…
A FATHER whose life was narrowly spared after a tree fell on his moving car last August in Tuerong says he’s “overwhelmed with gratitude” towards his rescuers.Mark Stockwell was driving home on Coolart Rd when a freak storm caused a large tree to crash directly on top of his car. He was trapped for 90 minutes as CFA crews from Hastings, Langwarrin and Dromana, as well as SES, Ambulance Victoria, and Victoria Police tried to free him from the wreckage.“I don’t really remember much about it. I just recall thinking, ‘I think I’ve been in an accident,’ and I was…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has postponed any decision on the future of a controversial hand beach cleaning trial at all Port Phillip beaches due to “further work” being needed.The matter was set to be considered by councillors at their 28 January meeting after deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro moved an urgent business motion last December calling for the hand cleaning trial to end “with immediate effect” and to reinstate a mechanical rake method. But a report prepared by council officers was withdrawn just hours before the meeting was to be held. It will instead be presented to councillors no later than…
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.
INDEPENDENT candidate for Flinders Ben Smith has launched a petition demanding that the federal and state governments commit to saving and upgrading Rosebud Hospital.“The Rosebud Hospital is the only public hospital serving the entire peninsula, and it’s literally falling apart while both major parties have failed to secure the funding we desperately need,” Smith said. “For our growing community of young families and seniors, having a properly funded local hospital isn’t just about convenience – it’s about saving lives when every minute counts. “This is just another example of how the residents of the peninsula are overlooked. We may be…
COUNCILLORS voted to kill off paid parking for good at last week’s Mornington Peninsula Shire council meeting, putting an end to the contentious trial that faced widespread backlash from residents, business, and various groups.The shire had tested paid visitor parking at Sunnyside Beach, Mt Eliza, Schnapper Point (near the pier), Mornington and near Flinders pier in the trial that was halted on 14 September last year. The trial was initially intended for 12 months after starting in December 2023 but lasted only nine months after community concerns prompted the shire to suspend it for further review. Issues included beachgoers using…
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…
THE Dolphin Research Institute has renewed calls for boaters to be careful around dolphins in Port Phillip Bay after young calves were “clearly distressed by vessels” earlier this month.There are at least seven dolphin calves only weeks old and are still totally reliant on their mother, the institute’s executive director Jeff Weir said. But he said researchers had unfortunately witnessed “profound tail slapping,” where dolphins “vigorously bang their tail fluke on the water in a graphic distress response that can be seen and heard hundreds of metres away”. “It’s a sign that vessels need to give them space,” he said.“The…
EXTENSIVE testing is continuing following a landslip in McCrae with a total of 20 homes having now been evacuated.Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Anthony Marsh confirmed it could be weeks if not months before homeowners returned to their properties as the site was yet to be deemed safe, adding it “remains a complex and evolving issue” and the “risk of further landslides is unknown”.“We assure the community that we are diligently investigating the source and cause of the landslide, with community and site safety a priority. We are in direct contact with affected residents and homeowners and will continue to provide…
The 2025 Cashie Comp, hosted by Peninsula Surfriders and sponsored by YETI, St Andrews Brewery, and the Mornington Peninsula Shire, was held in large overhead surf at Gunnamatta Surf Beach on Saturday, 25 January. Top Victorian surfers competed for a total prize pool of $5,000 ($2,500 for the men’s winner and $2,500 for the women’s winner). Both representing the Torquay Boardriders Club, Xavier Huxtable won the men’s final, while Ellie Harrison (pictured) claimed victory in the women’s final. First published in the Mornington News – 28 January 2025