MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has thrown its support behind the revised target of 24,000 new homes on the peninsula by 2051 despite it being a reduction of 7000 homes to the number set in last year’s draft target.Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny announced the final council housing capacity targets on 24 February, saying the government had met with every Victorian council to understand their “plans and the barriers they face in unlocking the capacity”. The new target for the Mornington Peninsula was down from the original 31,000 marking a 22.6 per cent decrease. But mayor Cr…
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Mornington Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man and a woman following an alleged kidnapping in Mornington. Investigators have been told a ride-share driver was stopped on Mornington-Tyabb Road about 8.30pm on 20 February by a potential fare. A man and a woman got into the car and it is alleged the driver was threatened with a knife and told to drive to an address in Joffre Street, Noble Park where the pair got out of the car. The driver, a 26-year-old man, was not injured during the incident. Detectives have made a number of enquires and on Tuesday…
A MORNINGTON Peninsula kangaroo welfare group is sounding the alarm after a recent bushfire came dangerously close to hundreds of kangaroos trapped on a private property in Cape Schanck.According to Save the Kangaroos on Mornington Peninsula Inc. (SKOMP), more than 600 kangaroos have been trapped on the Rogers Rd property since September 2021 after the land manager erected gates and closed off all exits.SKOMP’s spokesperson Jo Hansen said they had unsuccessfully appealed to authorities including the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (DEECA) to secure the release of the kangaroos, noting of particular concern was a bushfire came dangerously…
By Dr Sarah Russell AFTER the heart-breaking revelations of the Aged Care Royal Commission, many of us hoped stories of neglect and poor treatment of older people were behind us. Not so on the Mornington Peninsula, thanks to our council leaving aged care.Mornington Peninsula Shire Council stopped providing aged care services in 2022 because of changes in the way the Federal Government funded aged care. Thousands of vulnerable older people were left without home care – some for several months. Then mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said the council wanted “to ensure our residents had a choice and the advantage of…
HELICOPTERS are scanning powerlines across the Mornington Peninsula over the next fortnight, as part of United Energy’s year-round bushfire mitigation and vegetation management program.People may see and hear the choppers, which fly about 300 metres above the ground and use technology known as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to scan the distance between tree branches and powerlines. Using the LiDAR data, United Energy teams create 3D models of powerlines and their surroundings, helping to inform what vegetation needs to be cut.United Energy’s Head of Vegetation Management, Ayce Cordy, said it was important that accurate measurements were taken of all vegetation…
A MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire plan to install roadside barriers along a scenic route in Red Hill has sparked concern from residents who argued it overlooked “far greater” road safety issues.The shire has locked in state government funding to develop concept plans to improve motorcycle safety on Arthurs Seat Rd near Mechanics Rd, with a proposal to install a 30-metre barrier with under-rails on the eastern embankment that sits within the hinterland region. Funding for the plans has been provided under the government’s Motorcycle Safety Levy program as the council investigated “possible solutions to reduce risk” at this site. However, the…
SOCCER ROSEBUD v Mornington and Peninsula Strikers v Banyule City are the marquee match-ups in this weekend’s second preliminary round of the 2025 Australia Cup. Rosebud and Strikers go in to these sudden-death ties as underdogs but they won’t make life easy for their more-fancied opponents.Many Rosebud players have ties with Mornington having come through the club’s juniors and played in the reserves and in most instances they have moved on in order to gain senior playing time. What an opportunity this clash presents to showcase their talent to their former club. Remarkably 18 of Rosebud’s senior squad have been…
Ask these questions of election candidates Congratulations and thank you to the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula on the excellent federal election candidate forum held on 14 February in Mornington.Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN) was very pleased to attend and hear all candidates acknowledging the critical issue of the housing and homelessness crisis on the Mornington Peninsula.The plight of our homeless, the lack of social housing and the unfairness of housing affordability is a huge problem both for our business sector trying to attract a stable well-trained workforce, and for our community support organisations trying to find homes for…
INDEPENDENT candidate for Flinders, Ben Smith, has called on the Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan to give Peninsula residents a say on the $25 million Arthurs Seat Eagle redevelopment. The project is being fast-tracked through the state government’s Development Facilitation Program, bypassing local council oversight. There has been minimal consultation with the community about the impacts of the project.“Decisions that will reshape our region should not be made from Spring Street without listening to the people who live here,” Smith said. “Arthurs Seat is not just another development site – it’s a treasured state park with deep environmental and community significance.…
CFFMP AT this year’s federal election, the results in both Dunkley and Flinders will shape the national outcome in Canberra. The pathway to forming government will see major party leaders visit Dunkley over coming months, while Flinders is shaping up to be a three-cornered contest between the Liberals, Labor and a Community Independent.The Committee was pleased to facilitate a Federal Candidates Forum held on 14 February in Mornington with all major candidates for both electorates. More than 200 people attended the event at Mornington Racecourse for the forum hosted by the ABC’s Patricia Karvelas.As the peak advocacy body for the…
LABORFRIENDS of Peninsula Home Hospice hosted Rosie Batty AO for a sold out fundraising luncheon at the Blairgowrie Yacht Club last Thursday. Peninsula Home Hospice provides free critical support to people on the Mornington Peninsula who are suffering life-limiting illnesses in the comfort and safety of their own homes.Labor candidate for Flinders Sarah Race attended the luncheon to show her commitment to the health care sector and health care workers. Primary health care plays a crucial role in our communities. It gives patients access to the right care at the right time, leading to improved health outcomes and reduced pressure…
THE McCrae Lighthouse will be illuminated in a symbolic display of support for Rare Disease Day on 28 February, drawing attention to the often-overlooked rare condition of myositis.The event, which is part of a global initiative to raise awareness of rare diseases, is set to shine a light on the challenges faced by individuals living with myositis. A group of autoimmune diseases, myositis causes inflammation in the muscles, leading to weakness, pain and fatigue. Research toward a cure is underway but is dependent upon funding and support.The Lions Club of McCrae is throwing its support behind the Myositis Association with…
GUNNAMATTA Surf Life Saving Club’s Jill Douglas has been awarded a Life Saving Victoria national medal recognising her 15 years of dedicated service.The award, which is part of Australia’s national honours system, acknowledges those who “risk their lives to protect or assist the community in enforcement of law or in times of emergency or natural disaster”. Recipients must have served a minimum of 30 patrol hours per year over 15 years to be eligible for the medal.Douglas, who is one of the club trainers and assessors and the junior bronze lifesaver camp coordinator, expressed her commitment to volunteering was not…
EXCITEMENT is building for the 97th Red Hill Show, Saturday 8th March 2025 at Red Hill Recreation Reserve and Showgrounds! This much-loved event brings together families, farmers, artisans, and competitors for a day packed with tradition and excitement.From the moment the gates swing open, the showgrounds will be a hive of activity. Champion livestock competitions will be in full swing—cattle, alpacas, poultry and sheep – are proudly on display, showcasing the dedication of our local exhibitors.And of course, no Red Hill Show would be complete without the thrilling woodchop competition – a crowd favourite where strength, skill, and sawdust fly!…
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…
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…