SAFETY improvements on the track that Natalie Russell was taken from nearly 30 years ago have been completed. Nat’s Track links Skye Road in Karingal to Monterey Secondary College in Frankston North. In 1993, John Paul College student Natalie Russell was taken from the track while walking home from school and murdered. Upgrades completed on the track include the installation of CCTV, construction of new fencing, and the resurfacing and realignment of the track. The reopening of the trail was attended by Natalie Russell’s parents, Brain and Carmel. Brian Russell said “we are humbled and proud Natalie will be remembered…
Author: Bayside News
A SECTION of Golf Links Road will close until early July to accommodate upgrade works. The road will close between Grandview Grove and Warrandyte Road from early May until early July. While the road is closed crews will replace the road surface, and install guard rails and lighting. The state government says that Golf Links Road between Barretts Road and Grandview Grove will reopen in early May. Roadworks on Grant Road between Speedwell Street and 121 Grant Road are expected to continue until early June. The project includes work on the six-way roundabout at Golf Links, Grant, Warrandyte and Baxter-Tooradin…
THE “significant” rise in value of Frankston homes is the reason that residential ratepayers could be slugged with a rate rise, the Frankston mayor says. The Frankston Council budget currently out for consultation reveals that residential rates are expected to increase by around 3.9 per cent on average in the next financial year, while commercial property rates will decrease by around 8.5 per cent. Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy said that a recent independent re-evaluation of Frankston properties had found that residential sites have increased in value by 26.01 per cent, meaning some residential ratepayers will have to pay more. “Overall,…
FRANKSTON’S oldest house has reopened after undergoing maintenance works. The Ballam Park Homestead, which was built in 1855, is now the home of a museum. The home received $250,000 in maintenance works, funded by Frankston Council, after an electrical fault. Frankston Historical Society President Glenda Viner said that she was excited to see the doors to the historic homestead reopen. “The homestead has remained practically unchanged in appearance since it was first constructed using bricks made on site. It has long been a favourite with residents and visitors thanks to its historic charm and museum, cafe and resource centre,” she…
EVERY Monday until the end of May, volunteers around the Mornington Peninsula are being asked to search for little black nuggets – the poo equivalent of searching for gold. The volunteers are part of a study led by Kelly Smith, of Dromana, from Federation University, which is gathering information on the movement and health of koala populations around the peninsula and Gippsland. There have been plenty of Eureka moments for Smith and her volunteers, with every find contributing to a bank of evidence and data about presence of disease, genetic diversity, ancestral origin and gender. Smith says the genetic sampling…