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…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
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 But a report prepared by council officers was withdrawn just hours before the meeting was to be held.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
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Mayor Anthony Marsh will invite a meeting with Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny expressing growing community concern over a proposed redevelopment of Arthurs Seat Eagle.The $25 million plan involves expanding the popular tourist attraction including adding a new observation tower, a pedestrian bridge over Arthurs Seat Rd, a function centre, a luge ride attraction and an “experiential interpretive centre” – all of which would be delivered over three stages.However, a petition launched by “Save our Seat” last October has warned that Arthurs Seat state park was in “grave danger” if the plans went ahead. “Private developers are planning…
A CONTENTIOUS citizens’ panel aimed at helping shape the peninsula’s future at a cost of $150,000 to ratepayers has been given the flick by Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors.The panel, established in 2022, has seen 150 members participate in “gaining valuable insights into the many challenges facing council” as well as developing a community vision to 2040. Through the forums panellists provided councillors with “a rich data source to assist them with their decision-making” as part of “deliberative consultation” as stated in the Local Government Act. Last year the budget allocated to the 2024 panel was $140,000 with each panellist receiving…
Rosebud police have charged a woman and a man following an alleged hit-run collision in a stolen vehicle in Dromana early last night. It is alleged that a stolen green Toyota Rav 4 was involved in a collision with a second vehicle on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway about 5.30pm. No one was injured. Investigators allege that the driver of the Toyota failed to pull over and exchange details, continuing to drive on at a fast rate of speed. It is alleged that the Toyota left the road near the intersection of Seacombe Avenue and Palm Grove, before crashing into trees…
Detectives are appealing for public assistance after a man was stabbed during New Years Eve celebrations in Sorrento. It is understood an altercation occurred between a group of males on Point Nepean Road, near Collins Parade and Calcutta Street on 1 January about 2am. The victim, an 18-year-old man from Melbourne, was stabbed five times during the altercation before he was able to escape and run to the aid of his friends. He was later taken to hospital with serious upper body injuries and required stiches for his injuries. The offenders fled the scene prior to police arriving. Detectives believe…
A MOTHER has spoken out against what she describes as unfair parking fines being issued to parents outside Sorrento Primary School, claiming they are nothing more than a “revenue raising” tactic by the Mornington Peninsula Shire.Sari, who asked not to use her surname, said she and other parents had been targeted last year for parking in Kerferd Ave for just a few seconds or minutes while they collected their children from school. Sari said while there were about three to four “kiss and go” parking spaces, this was “not enough” for the growing school population with the nearby Ocean Beach…
A DIVISIVE trend of people setting up cabanas and tents to reserve prime beach spots on the peninsula has prompted mayor Cr Anthony Marsh to call for the behaviour to end. “If you come and set up (at the beach) with the intent of going off and doing other stuff and returning half a day later, that’s totally inappropriate,” he said.The issue has attracted global attention after it was revealed early beachgoers were reserving coveted beach spots at Safety Beach with cabanas, tents and chairs before wandering off and returning later. It has sparked debate on social media as to…
A PLAN to transform a huge beachside Dromana site, including a former holiday park, into 69 homes has been approved despite strong community opposition.Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors have given the green light for the 1.7-hectare site to be developed at 105-113 Point Nepean Rd that comprises eight allotments of varying sizes, one of which was formerly used as a service station and the Kangerong Holiday Park.The plans, endorsed at council’s 17 December meeting despite receiving 79 objections, proposes a mix of three and four-bedroom residences across two-storey buildings, each providing private open space and garages that have two car parking…
Emergency services are on the scene of a landslip that has caused the collapse of a house at Penny Lane in McCrae. The emergency alert, issued at 8.49am, stated that a house had “rolled down the hill”, and was responded to by the CFA, police and ambulance services. Paramedics are treating at least one injury on site. It is believed emergency services are inspecting the site to determine if any other structures are at risk due to the landslip. Point Nepean Road has been closed in McCrae, near Penny Lane, in both directions with police advising motorists to avoid the…
A PLAN to introduce paid parking along the peninsula foreshore appears all but set to be scrapped after a trial was slammed by residents and business owners. The controversial trial, which began December 2023 and lasted only nine months, saw visitors charged $6.20 an hour or $19.50 a day to park at Sunnyside Beach, Mt Eliza, Schnapper Point (near the pier), Mornington and near Flinders pier. Parking was, however, free for peninsula residents who had an e-permit. But it quickly became a burden for beachgoers, who reported confusion over the new system, not to mention a negative impact for businesses…
A CONTENTIOUS hand beach cleaning trial launched by Mornington Peninsula Shire has come under fire for failing to meet the “community’s expectations” with reports of litter and seaweed having increased.The shire is currently undertaking a 12-month trial that involves cleaning all Port Phillip beaches solely by hand on a fortnightly basis instead of a mechanical rake, which was found to have only removed about 40 per cent of litter, according to the shire. However, while mechanical raking does create an aesthetically pleasing groomed look, it has been known to leave behind broken bottles, shredded plastic and even hypodermic needles.Deputy mayor…
By Barry Irving OAMDESPITE a very warm day Rye’s premier event, the 49th running of the Rye Gift, drew a record number of entries. There were 99 juniors who contested the junior gift with competitors coming from clubs as far away as Warrnambool. A record number of 736 VAL registered athletes contested the day’s events with clubs coming from Victoria-wide and including one international competitor from Scotland.Mornington Peninsula Shire prepared an excellent surface for competition; the running track was cut and rolled a number of times as was the 400 metre surface for all the distance runners. The event is…
A CENTRAL Victorian mum whose toddler almost drowned last summer is urging parents to learn the signs of drowning and know what to do in an emergency.Chloe Freeman and her sister-in-law had taken their five children to the Mornington Peninsula for a holiday at the end of 2023. “We were setting up a sun tent (at Sorrento Beach) for the kids when I turned around to do a head count,” Freeman said. “I remember scanning the children, counting them one by one, and then I noticed a child face down in the water. “At first, I thought it was another…
The Water Police Squad is issuing a water safety warning ahead of the weekend as figures show the unit has been called to more than 100 incidents in the first week of 2025. It’s an extraordinarily busy start to the year following days of favourable weather. During the same time last year there were 17 incidents, while the year before 36 were recorded over the period. Many of this year’s callouts have related to dangerous jet ski behaviour including speeding, travelling too close to other swimmers and in some cases even collisions with other vessels. A multi-agency rescue was required…
AN overflow carpark at the popular Peninsula Hot Springs, which was shut down by Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors last month after not having proper permits, is still allegedly being used.The spa and wellness centre in Fingal had made a formal planning application to the shire to continue using the carpark at 170 Devonport Drive even though it had been operating without a permit for the past four years when the existing car park reached capacity, with access via Springs Lane. But the proposal was rejected unanimously by councillors at their 17 December meeting after facing a community backlash, with their…
Four men were arrested by detectives from Frankston Crime Investigation Unit yesterday as part of an investigation into a number of aggravated burglaries in December and January. The quartet were arrested following the execution of a warrant at a home in Flynn Court in Frankston on Tuesday 7 January about 10.25am. Several vehicles were seized from the property including a: • 2013 Holden statesman sedan believed stolen from Patterson Lakes between 5-6 December and valued around $25,000. • 2015 Yamaha motorcycle allegedly stolen during an aggravated burglary in Waterways on 7 January and valued around $4000. • 2010 Volkswagon Passat…
COMMUNITY campaigner Fred Crump is calling on the state and local governments to do more to maintain roadside corridors to reduce the fire danger this summer. The call comes amid warnings from the Country Fire Authority about heightened risks this fire season, and calls on individuals to reduce vegetation loads around their properties.“The CFA are asking individuals to act to reduce the fire risk, but what about state and local governments?” said Crump. “The roadsides are an absolute disgrace. Very little maintenance is being done, and the grass and undergrowth is the worst I have ever seen.”Crump believes the issue…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh and Hastings MP Paul Mercurio have turned the first sod to celebrate construction starting on the Somerville to Baxter Trail.This much-anticipated new shared path is a vital missing link in the grand vision for the Peninsula Trails project, a 170km network of connected trails traversing the Mornington Peninsula. Once the Somerville-Baxter section is complete, walkers and cyclists will be able to travel off road from central Melbourne all the way to Balnarring.“The Somerville-Baxter Trail was council’s first priority in terms of filling in the missing links of the Peninsula Trails project, and we…
Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of a woman in Langwarrin this morning. Emergency services responded to reports that a woman was stabbed at a Wood Duck Court address about 6.30am. The yet to be formally identified woman was declared deceased at the scene. Officers arrested a 63-year-old man at the address who is known to the woman. A crime scene has been established while detectives investigate to determine the circumstances surrounding the death. Anyone who witnessed the incident, with dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report…
Buses are replacing trains on the Stony Point line today (Saturday 21 December) after the Hastings Railway Station building was destroyed by fire overnight. Fire crews were called to the structure before 4am to find it fully engulfed by flames. The station has been the subject of recent discussion with Brian Stahl calling for the improvement of the rail precinct and the possible repurposing of the disused building for a social enterprise (Call for railway station renewal hosed down, The News 13/11/24). Stahl said at the time “As a significant public transport arrival point it leaves a lot to be…
Homicide Squad detectives have charged a man following the death of two people in Rye on 2 December. Emergency services were called to a property on Parson Street shortly after 4am following reports of an alleged altercation. It’s alleged a man and a woman had attended the address and became involved in an altercation with the residents of the property. A male resident of the property and the female who attended the property were allegedly located with gunshot wounds. Medical treatment was provided, however a 29-year-old Rye man and a 19-year-old Mornington woman passed away at the scene. It’s alleged…
THE Mornington Community Support Centre is making sure everyone has a Christmas to look forward to through a range of programs to help families doing it tough, including a toy and gift program, a steam train ride, and Christmas lunch, supported through a $50k Christmas Appeal fundraising campaign.As part of the Christmas programs, the centre transformed the Mornington Pavilion into a giant toy and gift shop, where clients with children or grandchildren could choose from hundreds of gifts donated by the community. Donations came from families, businesses and organisations who collected gifts through Giving Trees in a range of community…