THE deputy mayor was kicked out of the room by the mayor during a debate about the future of Long Street Reserve at last week’s Frankston Council meeting.
In October last year, Frankston councillors unanimously voted behind closed doors to make Long Street Reserve in Langwarrin their preferred site for a new kindergarten. The public revelation of those plans sparked backlash – a petition with 1751 signatures opposing the proposal has been handed to council.
Consultation is now underway, with residents being offered a say on two different designs for the site. At a public meeting on Monday, 20 February, the matter came before Frankston Council again. By the end of the debate the mayor Nathan Conroy had booted deputy mayor Liam Hughes from the chamber.
The public gallery featured many residents who oppose the kinder plans. They vocally disrupted councillors on multiple occasions. Hughes was removed from the room after interrupting the mayor to call the debate “ridiculous”.
Hughes had publicly declared his intention to move an alternate motion to cease consultation and consider different options, but he did not get the opportunity. A separate alternate motion was moved by councillor Sue Baker before Hughes moved his – its approval meant that Hughes could not debate his proposal.
Sue Baker’s alternate motion increased the scope of the report councillors will receive on the proposal after community engagement closes. The alternate motion read that the report will include “both comments on the design options and the range of other feedback generated not related to design.” The report will also detail future amenity improvements to the reserve.
“Having gone out with a narrow community engagement, we have actually heard a lot more feedback about the whole issue,” Baker said. “There are a lot of ‘why’ questions, and I think it’s only right and proper that we listen to those and we hear those and we respond to those as part of this consultation process.”
Ultimately, the remaining councillors in the room voted in favour of Baker’s alternate. The approved motion also authorises the release of more information on the project and ensures that councillors will receive a report on the engagement findings no later than June.
Hughes urged councillors to reject Baker’s alternate and consider his instead. “What I was going to present tonight (…) is the answer that all the residents have been asking for. This answer is supported by a 1751 signature petition, that’s the consultation you need,” he said.
Hughes, who voted in support of nominating Long Street Reserve as the preferred site for a new kindergarten during the confidential vote taken last year, said “that reserve is the most beautiful little reserve I’ve ever been to.”
Hughes was contacted for comment.
The matter will come back before council before any construction proceeds.
To make a submission on the plans visit engage.frankston.vic.gov.au/early-years-infrastructure/new-kindergarten-langwarrin. Consultation closes 26 March.