THE new Kingston Council is slightly outperforming the old one, according to the results of a community survey. Kingston ratepayers gave Kingston Council an overall performance score of 66 this year, up from 62 last year. The statewide average is 61. The survey was conducted by JWS Research in February and March this year for the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. Four hundred randomly selected Kingston houses took part. The mayor Steve Staikos said “the new council, which has been in place since November 2020, care passionately about supporting our community, working collaboratively, delivering high-quality services and providing value…
Author: Bayside News
PATTERSON River trail could become the home of an ambitious public art program. At their 26 July meeting, Kingston councillors ordered a report to assess the creation of “a network of contemporary arts and cultural trails throughout Kingston, featuring artistic works by recognised professional artists along high-profile cultural trails including the Patterson River trail”. The report will outline a plan to fund the public art works as part of council’s five year capital works programme and operational budget “including the allocation of two per cent of the budget for open space and building projects over $1,000,000 and ongoing funding for…
THE local ban on fire pits may soon be repealed. The existing local law in the Kingston Council area reads that “a person must not light or allow to be lit or remain alight a fire in any incinerator or other structure used for the purpose of burning solid fuel materials to create heat outdoors.” On 26 July, councillors voted to review the law. A recent survey conducted by council on the issue of fire pits revealed that most residents would like to see them allowed. Of 724 responses received, 89 per cent said that fire pits should be legal.…
WORK will be undertaken to improve safety at the McLeod Road intersection in Carrum. The boom gate-free connection between the Nepean Highway and McLeod Road opened in February 2020 (“Green light for new road”, The News, 19/2/2020). In November last year, a 75-year-old woman died when she was involved in a crash at the intersection of Station Street and McLeod Road. Kingston councillor Cameron Howe said “safety for motorists local and abroad will improve, after the Department of Transport agreed to requested rail bridge lane signage, following previous contact resulting in electronic give-way signage, line marking and signal reprogramming improvements.”…
A DRIVER is wanted after they evaded police in Mentone, 11 July. Police say that a white Toyota RAV4 was speeding on Beach Road at about 2.30pm. They later spotted the car on the road at about 3pm, when they say the driver “evaded police and was seen driving through several red pedestrian lights near a life-saving club on Kitchener Street.” The driver allegedly drove erratically, on the wrong side of the road, and escaped police. They were last seen turning right onto Marina Parade. An image of the car has been released by police. They are asking for anyone…