By Kennedy McCullough AN estimated 580 women couch surf, sleep in their cars or sleep rough every night on the Mornington Peninsula. The high cost of living makes rent unaffordable for single women, whether they have children or not, with pandemic-induced population growth and short-stay tourism worsening the situation. Coupled with insufficient government-funded crisis shelters, a desperate need has arisen to support at-risk women and children on the Mornington Peninsula.Women’s Community Shelters (WCS) have begun the process of establishing their first Victorian-based shelter on the peninsula. It will provide crisis accommodation for up to 70 clients within the first year…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
A FLINDERS surfer has voiced concern after a recent Navy training exercise above Flinders Beach saw a live-firing exercise reportedly take place as he and other surfers were in the water. Paul, who asked not to use his surname, said it was not uncommon to surf at Flinders Beach while Navy exercises were undertaken at the nearby West Head Gunnery Range on top of the cliffs – with surfers out of any live-firing zone and warnings sounded from the Navy to the alert the public as a precaution.There are two main surf breaks at Flinders called Meanos and Gunnery. Meanos…
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…
THE Mornington Peninsula Shire has put Illegal rubbish dumpers and irresponsible dog owners on notice after two people were substantially fined in the past year.A man was fined $5000 and ordered to pay more than $8000 in clean-up costs after dumping fencing materials at a Hastings reserve, a Dromana Magistrates’ Court heard on 5 September. And on 6 September, a woman was fined $5000 at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court after her dog attacked and seriously injured two women at Hastings in September last year. Police helped the council’s community safety officers secure the dog, which was impounded while an investigation…
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…
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…
MOONLIT Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park and Western Port Biosphere have joined forces to launch a new project to save the region’s precious koala population. Named the Western Port Koala Corridor Project, the initiative aims to create a network of trees throughout the UNESCO listed Western Port Biosphere to allow koalas and other vulnerable species to move safely between areas of bushland. The project will also address the growing threats faced koalas as their numbers have rapidly dropped due to habitat destruction, disease, dog attacks, and road hazards.To help support their populations, the project is seeking to engage dedicated community volunteers…
FOR over 75 years, The Portsea Camp has been a haven and lifeline for thousands of children, providing support to disadvantaged and vulnerable kids through tailored wellness programs and camps.Property developer and philanthropist Max Beck is once again leading the charge with his fellow cyclists to raise vital funds for the “Making a Difference” programs at the camp. Starting the Sorrento Bay Riders 30 years ago, Beck and his fellow riders have raised over $1 million for various charitable organizations. This year, they are on an urgent mission as more and more children seek the services of The Portsea Camp.…
SOCCER TOMMY Wood has been involved in a tug of war between former club Mornington and current club Peninsula Strikers.And it looks like Mornington has won the battle to clinch the young forward’s signature. Wood texted Strikers’ gaffer Scott Morrison last week to let him know he was going to return to Dallas Brooks Park. “The message was along the lines of thanks for everything but I want to go try this,” Morrison said. It’s understood that the Seagulls have offered the 21-year-old an attractive match fee and goal bonus and Strikers were not given the opportunity to match it.Morrison…
Embrace cultural heritage instead of a luge I do love the Letters page! It stimulates community debate and better ideas. After reading ‘Support the RAP’ (Ralph Catts) and ‘Don’t mention the luge’ (John Weir) in last week’s Letters page, I came up with a better proposal for The Eagle development.Arthurs Seat was called Wonga before colonisation. The history and culture of the local Bunurong/ Boon Wurrung people is awe-inspiring and important. It is of great interest to locals and tourists alike. It can be explored in an environmentally friendly way and is relevant for Australia today. An Aboriginal Heritage and…
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…
AN author and a casual teacher at a Dromana school has launched a new book that aims to ensure children with additional needs are well supported in their education journey.Anne Vize, also a specialist education teacher, said she was excited to announced her newly published book called Partnerships with Families of Children with Additional Needs. Ms Vize said she wrote the book after realising how many teachers and early years workers found it challenging to work with families even though they are often confident teaching children. “This latest book helps teachers understand different family experiences, the impact caring can have…
By Mechelle CheersExciting news for Rye residents and visitors! The very popular Rye foreshore will now finally get its long-awaited makeover. The Shire has advertised for tenders to undertake the work which is expected to start in March 2025.The Rye community might recall back in January 2020, a combination of Council funds and a State Government grant meant a total of $6.5million became available to implement the Rye Foreshore Plan (Grant gives Rye chance for new lease on life, The News 18/2/2020). Its implementation has taken much longer than anyone expected, with a few hiccups along the way, but it…
MOUNTAIN bike tracks, sporting facilities, and improved parking and walking paths are among the community’s aspirations to enhance Dromana while maintaining its rural character. The ideas were shared with the Mornington Peninsula Shire after public consultation was held in response to a draft of a Shaping Greater Dromana Plan.Feedback into the draft plan, which was sought from May 20 to June 21, was also gathered into the use and development of the Dromana and Arthurs Seat escarpment area and Parkdale/Hillview Community Reserve, to help with the management and masterplans, which are concurrently being prepared. These projects are planned for completion…
CANDIDATES for this year’s Mornington Peninsula Shire Council elections are facing a huge number of survey requests from local and national organisations, many about issues that are beyond the scope of the role of a councillor.The ‘insurmountable’ number has left some surveys and questionnaires incomplete, giving the impression the candidate doesn’t have opinions on the issues. Others have vague or misleading questions, some requiring “yes or no” answers that candidates fear could be misleading to the public.Current Red Hill Ward councillor, and candidate for the newly formed Coolart Ward, David Gill, told The News “This is an issue for all…
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…
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,…
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…