Author: BaysideNews

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…

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TWO new playgrounds have opened in Langwarrin and Seaford for the summer holidays.Works have been completed at Monique Reserve in Langwarrin and East Seaford Reserve in Seaford. Frankston Council spent $350,000 each at the two playgrounds on new equipment and other upgrades. Among the new installations are basket swings, toddler swings, play towers, and seating and picnic tables.Frankston councillor Sue Baker said the projects are “part of council’s ongoing commitment to enhancing local reserves and play spaces across the municipality.” “We’re thrilled to welcome the community back to the East Seaford Reserve,” she said. “Through these upgrades we’re not just…

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MORNINGTON Peninsula 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 missing link in the 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 are extremely grateful to…

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FREE swimming classes at PARC and the Pines Pool are helping novice swimmers stay safe this summer.January of 2024 saw drowning rates double compared to the year prior. Free swimming classes are now running at Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre and Pines Forest Aquatic Centre in a bid to reverse that trend.The “Can Swim” programs are designed for people of all ages. Frankston councillor Emily Green said “these fully funded programs cater to all needs – from children just learning to swim, to adults with limited swimming abilities.”“By partnering with Peninsula Leisure, we are placing the safety of our community as…

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A RATE cap of three percent has been set for Victorian councils by the state government for the next financial year.The rate cap limits the amount of revenue that councils can raise from general rates and municipal charges. It will be three percent in the 2025/2026 financial year, a small increase on the 2.75 percent rate cap in effect for the 2024/2025 financial year.Local government MP Nick Staikos said the rate cap “will mean local councils are able to raise necessary revenue for the services they provide, without adding cost of living pressure on households.” “‘Fair Go’ rates are there…

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