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…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula Shire
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…
THE registration of two websites by a Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor, with other entities listed as the “registrant” has drawn the ire of the Liberal Party, and a request for removal from the shire. Current councillor and former mayor Steve Holland recently registered the website “morningtonpeninsula.org.au” with a Facebook post indicating he intended to use it as a “council-watch” style website. While Holland used his personal name and contact details for the registration, he used “Mornington Peninsula Shire Council” as the “registrant”, complete with the shire’s Australian Business Number. One possible explanation is the requirement for a “.org.au” to be…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have approved the commencement of a preliminary concept design for a performing arts centre and precinct in Hastings. The motion was approved at the August 20 council meeting and would involve furthering the business case and concept development already completed and presented to the councillors at the meeting.The “Mornington Peninsula Performing Arts Centre” (PAC) would transform the five acre block of land bounded by High Street, Marine Parade, Herring Street and Salmon Street in to a multi-use performance and entertainment precinct. The feasibility report presented to councillors stated the cost of the development would be in…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s Music Industry Summit on Monday 12 August was a day of collaboration and connection for our music industry. The event, held across five venues in Mornington, brought together prominent musicians, music venues, and industry professionals who shared their invaluable insights and expertise in workshops and panel discussions throughout the day.Attracting some heavy hitters from the Australian music industry, such as Frontier Touring director Gerard Schlaghake, Brad Hinds from OzTix, singer-songwriter Katie Noonan, rocker Dallas Frasca, and Something for Kate’s Clint Hyndman, delegates learned about current trends and opportunities.Panel discussions were lively and centred on various issues currently…
PLANS for a 24-hour fast food restaurant and convenience store at Safety Beach have been knocked back for a second time by Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors.Councillors last week took turns emphasising to a packed public council meeting that they believed the proposal would increase existing traffic problems and lead to “anti-social behaviour” and vandalism on the beach opposite.Council’s original refusal to grant a permit in September 2020 was subsequently upheld by the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in November 2021.This time around, council officers considered the proposal “acceptable” as it had been amended to include changes recommended by VCAT. However,…
THE heritage-listed Norman Lodge gatehouse on Nepean Highway, Mount Eliza, faces demolition after a structural engineer’s report identified the building as having suffered “total loss of structural integrity”. Norman Lodge Estate’s listing on the Victorian Heritage Register, which includes the gatehouse, notes the site “is significant to the history and development of Victoria and is protected by law.” The estate is considered a rare intact example of one of several bayside estates constructed in the 1860s as summer retreats for Melbourne’s businessmen. It is one of the few of these estates which was not substantially subdivided during the mid-20th century,…
A NUMBER of state government-managed toilet facilities in Mornington Peninsula tourist hotspots have been closed for months, with padlocked doors or fencing around them, and no sign of reopening. An attempt by Cr David Gill to shine a light on the closures was seized by his colleague Cr Steve Holland who tried to turn the issue into an attack on both Gill and The News. Tourism is a vital segment of our economy, and the visitor experience essential for our future prosperity. A notice of motion from Gill presented to Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors at the 23 July public meeting…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council officers are looking for ways to limit how long boats and caravans are left parked in streets. Councillors have told the officers to investigate ways to make sure boats and caravans are not “parked on roads for long periods or indefinitely”. However, councillors have already been warned that under existing laws registered boats, trailers and caravans can be parked in streets for up to eight weeks. After eight weeks council can consider a vehicle to be have been abandoned, although this could be contested if they are “within the vicinity of the registered owner’s known address”.…
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance after an elite racing bicycle was stolen from a home in Capel Sound, early last month. Investigators believe unknown offenders have gained access to the garage at the Brendel Street home, between 5 and 12 February. The bicycle, thought to be worth around $8000, is distinctive in style with its DRAPAC racing team colours paint scheme. The bicycle holds great sentimental value to the victim, given their association with the now disbanded DRAPAC team. Investigators have released images of bicycles that are similar in appearance to the bike that…
CAMPAIGNERS calling for upgrades to Rosebud Hospital say the state government’s focus on redeveloping Frankston Hospital is short sighted. A rally planned for this Friday (15 March) will put pressure on the government to commit money to upgrading the hospital.Ongoing pressure on the government to repair and upgrade Rosebud Hospital will focus on the catch cry of Frankston Too Far Away to highlight the difficulties for southern peninsula patients to access hospital care. Spokesperson and long-time health worker Sue Gilbert said the nearest major hospital from Rosebud was more than one hour away.“We will not let the government hand ball…
MORNINGTON Peninsula residents are being asked what special features, amenities or themes they would like to see on the Peninsula Trail, despite the project being at least $35 million behind in costs and no completion date in sight. The ambitious plan being promoted by Mornington Peninsula Shire links 130 kilometres of trails throughout the peninsula to create one of “the great walking and cycling trails of the world”. The shire last week issued a news release stating that for many years “our community has been telling us they dream of a connected trail network … we are ready to turn…
AN overzealous ranger who removed “anti-tip” signs from roadsides in Arthurs Seat, Red Hill and Dromana last Saturday has forced Mornington Peninsula Shire to issue a public apology. The shire posted a statement on its website on Sunday after receiving complaints from Peninsula Preservation Group members and other anti-tip sign owners. Shire officers delivered the signs to a PPG member’s home on Sunday. The statement said rangers would return a number of “no tip” protest signs “that were mistakenly impounded on Saturday”. Claire Smith, the shire’s manager of environment protection and community safety, said signs had been removed from “the…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire denies any responsibility for delays and costs associated with a $6 million affordable housing project on contaminated land at Hastings. The shire issued a planning permit for 20 houses to be built at the corner of Marine Parade and Church St but says it was up to the applicant, Low Cost Housing Pty Ltd, to say if there were any problems with the site. “It is incumbent on the permit applicant to submit all information relative to the proposed development including information about the existing conditions of the land in order to allow a full and proper assessment…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has awarded expanded infrastructure maintenance contracts to Transfield Services. Transfield announced the contract last Tuesday, although the shire has not yet made a public statement. The decision is likely to see smaller contractors lose work from the shire. Graeme Hunt, Transfield’s managing director and chief executive, said the company would “continue its 15-year relationship with the …shire in three expanded 10-year contracts providing sustainable infrastructure maintenance services for $190 million”. “We are thrilled to be able to continue to apply our expertise in long-term asset management principles to the Mornington Peninsula Shire, in one of the company’s…
HASTINGS Rotary Club has stepped in to save the weekly market in High St. Stallholders feared the market would close following the collapse of Western Port Lions Club, which had run it for some years. The club closed late last year due to lack of members (‘Limited Lions call it a day’, The News, 18/12/12), and the market permit issued by Mornington Peninsula Shire ran out on Tuesday 9 January. Signatures were quickly being added to a “save the market” petition when the Rotary club offered to take over its management. “There were all sorts of rumours and conspiracy theories…