ARTHURS Seat Eagle have announced plans to undertake a $25 million upgrade of its “facilities, attractions and natural green space” raising the ire of community members concerned about the scope of the works and lack of consultation.The proposed upgrade 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”.A statement from Arthurs Seat Eagle said, “As a result of securing further capital from the destination’s investors, the upgrade intends to diversify the types of experiences offered to tourists,…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
A NEW education facility nestled within the Mornington Peninsula’s very own rainforest will help students learn about the natural environment and the area’s cultural heritage.The Nearkey Biik Education and Environment Centre was formally opened at Endeavour Fern Gully, a 28-hectare National Trust property that is the peninsula’s original rainforest featuring the area’s last remaining sections of indigenous bushland south of Red Hill.The National Trust of Victoria celebrated the official opening on September 6, with the name Nearkey Biik meaning “Take Care of Country”, which was made in partnership with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation. The name also reflected both…
RESIDENTS and visitors are up in arms at Mornington Peninsula Shire’s near two year closure of the Birdrock Beach access stairs. A recently formed action group ‘Repair the Stairs – Birdrock Beach Action Group’ held a protest rally on Saturday (21 September) in front of the closed stairs leading down to Birdrock Beach.The spokesperson for the Birdrock Beach Action Group, Sharon Forrest, told The News that the Birdrock Beach stairs were closed to the public at the beginning of December 2022 after a severe storm and associated king tide caused the collapse of the bottom three sections of the stairway…
MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONETHE Mt Eliza Football Netball Club celebrated one of the greatest days in its history last Sunday when it took home three football premiership trophies from Kinetic Stadium.Mt Eliza played Dromana in the Division One Seniors Grand Final. Dromana came into the game as favourites, having lost just twice during the season. After losing their qualifying final, Mt Eliza earned their way through to the big dance the hard way.A bumper crowd turned up to watch on Sunday. Mt Eliza got out to an early lead, and took a 16 point lead into the first break. The…
Helping hands I am 92-years-old, disabled, and living alone in Rosebud with no family I can call on in times of need. I thought it was terrible when the bush rats moved into my garden, but then came the wind! On 1 September, the howling gale brought a huge ivy covered pine tree down into my back garden. It lay across the roof of my shed, my clothesline and back window. I rang the SES and they were helpful, removing it from my back window, chopped it up, but then had to go to another job, as they were flat…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have endorsed officer’s two recommended options as potential sites for consolidated shire offices.The two locations have been whittled down from seven slated for investigation at the council meeting on 21 November 2023. The locations are 35 Wannaeue Place, Rosebud and a combination of two Mornington locations; 2 Queen Street (the current Mornington office) and 5 Queen Street.Removed from the recommended list are Waterloo Place Mornington, 90 Besgrove Street Rosebud (current Rosebud offices), 21 Marine Parade Hastings (current Hastings offices) and 350 Dunns Road Mornington (Civic Reserve). Council will now conduct further investigations and business case analysis…
Police are continuing to search the Sorrento area today and appeal for public assistance to help locate missing woman Laura. It’s believed the 36-year-old left an address in Murrumbeena about 7.40am on Tuesday, 27 August and has not been seen since. Police and family have concerns for Laura’s welfare due to her disappearance being out of character. Laura is Asian in appearance, about 158cm tall, with a slim build, short black hair with golden ends and wears round glasses with gold frames. Police located Laura’s grey Mazda CX30 parked in a carpark on St Pauls Road, Sorrento about 2pm yesterday.…
A man has died in waters off Rye this afternoon, 31 August. It’s believed the man went into the water, just off Rye pier, around 2.45pm. The yet to be formally identified man was unable to be found for around 30 minutes until Air Wing located him in the water around 3.15pm. Divers retrieved the man and brought him back to shore where CPR was commenced but he died at the scene. Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
ROSEBUD has been named as one of Australia’s top ten places to retire.Financial technical company Citro says research into retirement destinations showed Rosebud came sixth out of 30 based on such “key factors” as affordability, access to quality health care and a range of lifestyle options. Citro said that with a population of more than 14,000, Rosebud offered “a laidback allure, beachside living and a busy and welcoming community”.Armidale in New South Wales, Ingham, Queensland and Maryborough, Victoria top the rankings as potential retirement destinations.Citro predicted that “regional lifestyle property markets will flourish as more Australians than ever hit retirement…
PLANS for a new bus route linking Mornington to Hastings are progressing. The state government has begun consultation on the new bus route – it is proposed to span between Tanti Avenue in Mornington and Hendersons Road in Hastings (pictured above). Changes to the 784 and 785 bus routes are also under consideration, with the new proposed route servicing Mornington Racecourse and St Macartan’s Primary School.Hastings MP Paul Mercurio has thrown his support behind plans to expand bus services on the peninsula. He said “the cross peninsula bus service will enable people in Hastings and surrounds to get across to…
Police are investigating after a fatal collision in Baxter this afternoon. Emergency services were called to reports of a collision involving a car and a pedestrian on Frankston-Flinders Road, near the Peninsula Link off ramp, about 3pm. The pedestrian, a 68-year-old Baxter woman, died at the scene. The female driver and sole occupant of the car was not injured and is speaking with investigators. The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV, dashcam footage or any other information that could assist police is urged to contact…
Somerville Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal collision in Frankston South this morning. It is believed a motorcyclist was riding along Frankston-Flinders Road when they collided into the back of a green hatchback about 9.40am. The rider died at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured and is currently assisting police with their enquiries. The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV, dashcam footage or any other information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000…
POLICE have experienced a rise in aggravated burglaries across the Mornington Peninsula and are pleading with residents to lock their doors. Local police intelligence indicates almost 65 per cent of peninsula homes targeted by offenders this year were unlocked. A further 20 per cent were unsuccessful attempts, when would-be thieves tried doors and windows, but realised they were secured.Police across the Mornington Peninsula are targeting burglars in the area, who are taking advantage of both unlocked homes and unoccupied holiday homes in the cooler months. A man accused of 16 home and commercial burglaries, as well as stealing and breaking…
MEN’S DIV ONEMORNINGTON celebrated a win for the ages on Saturday, saving themselves from relegation and casting Frankston Bombers into division two. Sitting comfortably last on the MPFNL division one ladder, their final match of the season was against Red Hill, and it was a must-win for the Bulldogs. They fought hard all day and went into quarter time four points up and then into the long break with a seven-point lead.After that, it all fell apart for Mornington and relegation seemed a foregone conclusion. Red Hill came out in the third quarter and decimated the Bulldogs. They kicked 6.7…
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,…
MOOROODUC Fire Brigade last week took delivery of a heavy tanker and an ultra heavy tanker to increase its firefighting capabilities.MP for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh joined brigade members and representatives from the Country Fire Authority to handover the tankers and thank volunteers for their service to the community.Valued at $460,000, the heavy tanker is one of 48 being rolled out by the state government to brigades across the state. The heavy tanker includes features to help reduce firefighter fatigue, including electronic monitors and electric rewind hose reels.The government also provided 29 ultra heavy tankers, including the one at Moorooduc,…
SKATEBOARD and scooter riders are being invited to have a say on designs for a $1 million upgrade to the Rye skate park. Skate park design company Playce has been hired by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to improve the existing design. The design was drawn up after skaters met with shire officers and the Playce team during several workshops last year. The resulting design is open for public comment until 4 September.The first stage of the upgrade includes making the skate park suitable for beginners, including such street skate elements as mini ramps, banks, blocks, manual pads and rails. The…
SOCCER HAYDEN Taylor is the new senior coach of Baxter after Saturday’s shock 5-4 loss to visitor Brighton. He replaces his father in a caretaker capacity following Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor’s dramatic resignation amid chaotic scenes during this State 4 South clash.Baxter went into this contest a clear favourite against a side which had won just two games and lost 14 but by the final whistle Brighton had earned another precious win and given itself a faint hope in the relegation battle. Contrast that with Baxter’s roller-coaster season and a dismal first-half display providing a backdrop for a head coach about…
Non-equal rights for shire voters In federal and state elections, those enrolled may vote in only one seat, the one in which they reside. The Victorian Parliament has enacted a new law which ensures that residents on the roll of any of its electorates are also automatically placed on the voters list of the municipality within it, where they live, but proprietors of businesses and owners of properties such as holiday homes in that municipality are required to make their own arrangements to be placed on the voters roll.This means that all federal voters have equal opportunity to influence federal…
A PLANNING scheme amendment that allows for 1,200 new homes a year to be built on the peninsula was adopted by council at their meeting last week (6 August).The shire states the amendment C219morn provides a sustainable approach to housing on the Peninsula by: A shire release stated “Amendment C219morn meets the State Government’s draft housing targets under its long-term housing plan for Victoria. The amendment will provide for about 1,200 new homes per year to house our growing population which is expected to reach 180,000- 200,000 residents by 2036,” and insisted the new planning scheme would not affect the…
Compiled by Cameron McCulloughON Friday last at about 12.45, W. McTaggart, son of Seaford’s popular butcher, was driving a horse and cart along Seaford road, when the animal suddenly took fright and bolted with the lad.On turning into Railway Parade the lad was horrified to notice that the midday express train was running parallel to him, and the horse was actually keeping level.The lad realised that if he could not manage the horse before the Station Street crossing was reached, a serious collision must occur. However, his efforts were unavailing, and there was a grave possibility of an accident, until…
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…
CAMERAS were rolling at Mornington last week for a new thriller movie, although it appears viewers will think they are watching a drama unfold in the United States.The Mornington Yacht Club and The Rocks building was rebranded the Oceanic Research Center, South Carolina, while a television live broadcast truck bore the name ALB6 News, Atlantic Local Broadcasting. Spectators and film crew gathered round a four-wheel drive vehicle partly crushed by a fallen power pole.While the name of the film is being kept secret, the state government has not been slow in congratulating itself for enhancing “Victoria’s reputation as a global…
STORIES about the kidnapping of Aboriginal women by sealers at Point Nepean and their being taken to islands in Bass Strait were recounted last month for about 50 members of Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN).The presentations by Bunurong woman and community educator Aunty Jillian West and Aunty Deb Mellett, a Gurindji woman from the Northern Territory were made a week after this year’s NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee ) Week at SWAN’s 21 July meeting at Mount Martha Community House.“Aunty Jillian is a descendent from Point Nepean, and Palawa from the Islands of Bass Strait. Her address,…
A NEW community group has been formed to back an independent candidate for the federal seat of Flinders, now held for the Liberal Party by Zoe McKenzie. The Independent 4 Flinders (I4F) group says it is aiming “to not only find a stellar community independent candidate but also grow a strong and unified grassroots movement to support this candidate being elected”.Twenty-two people at the group’s inaugural meeting on 26 May at Mount Martha House heard an “outline” of its chances of “flipping Flinders”. The meeting was convened by Sarah Russell (who stood as an independent candidate for Flinders at the…
THE future of foreshore camping is being considered by the Mornington Peninsula Shire. The shire has begun its first round of consultation to draft a “foreshore camping strategy”. The strategy is expected to assess preferred accommodation options, payment methods, accessibility measures, and other potential improvements.The mayor Cr Simon Brooks said that drafting a new strategy would help improve the foreshore camping experience. “Our foreshore camping areas are a treasured asset, and we want to ensure they remain accessible and enjoyable for everyone. I encourage all community members to share their ideas and help us develop a draft strategy that benefits…
MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONESORRENTO endured one of their most miserable days in recent memory last Saturday when they took on ladder leaders Dromana. The Tigers have lost just twice this season, and Sorrento have floated around the middle of the ladder. After a scrappy first quarter, Dromana put their foot down and dominated.The second half was when most of the damage was done. Sorrento scored just one behind for the half, and saw 11 goals go in at the other end. Dromana came away from the game with a stunning 115 point win – 18.16 (124) to 1.3 (9).Clayton Gay…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire last week agreed to televise online briefing meetings that are held behind closed doors. The decision was made at the same time that council adopted a review of its public transparency policy.It is understood by The News that councillors and the CEO Baker met the following day and discussed rescinding the motion they had adopted just hours before. Legal advice will be sought.Debate at the council’s Tuesday 23 July public meeting followed a report from governance officer Diana Harris and acting governance manager Pam Vercoe that stated briefing and workshop documents were not intended for public release…
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man with 41 offences following a series of aggravated burglaries and commercial burglaries on the Mornington Peninsula. It’s alleged the incidents occurred between 17 June and 17 July, 2024 including: • A burglary at a supermarket in Blairgowrie on 28 June where cigarettes and a charity tin were stolen. • A burglary at a general store on 2 July where cigarettes were stolen. • A burglary at a liquor store on 13 July where cigarettes and liquor were stolen. At least $70,000 worth of cigarettes were stolen during the burglaries. Investigators…
EVERY fortnight at the Moorooduc Hall, the sounds of what could be mistaken for a large family celebration backed by live music ring from the quaint, red brick walls and fill the country air with happiness. These folk of all ages and backgrounds may not be related by blood, but they do share a bond over music and the restorative social, mental and health benefits it brings them.Although the Seaside Community Orchestra is still in its fledgling stage, after being founded by Mount Martha music lover Becca Smith and her daughter Jemima, 20, last October, the cohesion and energy of…