Author: Neil Walker

IMAGES on a Facebook page dedicated to the killing of feral cats have been called “disturbing” by federal Liberal MP for Flinders Greg Hunt. Mr Hunt, appointed as Industry, Innovation and Science Minister in a Coalition government cabinet reshuffle last week, was contacted by The Times for comment on the Cat Busters page while still Environment Minister. In 2014 Mr Hunt launched a $10 million federal government program “to tackle feral cats”, as part of a Threatened Species Strategy, across Australia since the wild cats pose a threat to native animals. Despite the government’s push to eradicate feral cats, Mr…

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A RELIGIOUS group established in India could build its Australian base in Carrum Downs after councillors backed a plan to build a place of worship on green wedge land. The Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) proposal to construct a place of worship, guest dwelling and caretaker’s house on 26.3 hectares of green wedge land was approved seven to one by councillors at last week’s Frankston Council public meeting. The RSSB buildings will be erected near an existing Hindu temple. An attempt by the group to build the place of worship and dwellings to house devotees in Chirnside Park was rejected…

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AN archery club has hit the bullseye with several of its members taking out top honours at recent national and state championships. The Frankston Archery Club, based at Baxter Park, has 122 members and is targeting more amid hopes for an upgrade of facilities. Club president Brian Fitton says the club is punching well above its weight in archery competitions. “We took gold, silver and bronze at the Victorian Open State Championships five weeks ago,” he said. Mr Fitton says it only takes “a month or so” for the average beginner to get up to speed and the club offers…

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FRANKSTON councillors have finally adopted a united front against any possibility of sky rail along the Frankston line after unanimously backing rail under road as Frankston Council’s official position on level crossing removals. Councillors previously deferred a decision on opposing elevated rail last month (‘Council delays decision on sky rail stance’, The Times 13/6/16). Frankston Council’s decision to formally oppose elevated rail follows neighbouring Kingston Council’s stance against sky rail adopted in May. At last week’s public council meeting Frankston councillors voted to notify the state government that council does not support elevated rail to separate rail and road at…

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A LIGHT could shine on Kingston Council decisions made behind closed doors if a proposal to record confidential meetings between councillors is approved at this month’s council meeting. Councillors at last month’s public council meeting decided to defer a decision on recording in-camera meetings to seek clarity on whether some of these meetings could still go unrecorded at councillors’ or the mayor’s discretion. In-camera meetings are mostly held in private in the council chamber after public council meetings and allow councillors to discuss matters such as commercial-in-confidence decisions and staff employment contracts. Cr David Eden wants all such meetings to…

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