MORE than 150 community members have rallied in solidarity to support a popular beachside sauna following Kingston Council’s decision not to extend its lease.The peaceful protest took place on 14 October at Seasoul Sauna, which is situated in the rear car park of the Mordialloc Sailing Club as part of a sublease agreement.The business’ founder, Amy Salisbury, named Kingston’s Woman of the Year last year, has been fighting to keep her small business alive as it faces closure on 2 December after the council refused to renew the lease. The business was operating under an 11-month trial, which ended in…
Author: Brendan Rees
A SMALL business owner is fighting to save her popular foreshore sauna in Mordialloc after being told by Kingston Council her lease would not be renewed, sparking community outrage and claims of unfair treatment.Seasoul Sauna, a tiny two-by-two-metre mobile unit that caters to up to six people, is facing closure by 2 December despite having become a local gem since launching as part of an 11-month trial. The business’ founder, Amy Salisbury, named Kingston’s Woman of the Year last year, said the council’s decision was “unfair and unjust” given the sauna’s positive community impact and her efforts to comply with…
THE Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM) has received a $4000 community grant from Australia Post to support its Mornington Peninsula arts-based veteran wellbeing program. The program, called Making Space, is designed to foster connection, creativity and peer support through creative engagement among local veterans.ANVAM deputy director Kat Baldwin said they were “thrilled and grateful” on hearing the news. “This grant recognises the importance of veteran-led creative spaces and the role they play in building resilience and community connection,” said Baldwin.Funding will go directly towards program costs, expanding access for more veterans across the peninsula. “It will make a real…
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build a giant high-tech industry and business park in Somerville is a step closer after Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors backed an independent planning panel’s report.The proposed development, known as Amendment C243morn, would occupy a large parcel of land at 79 and 83 Bungower Rd in Somerville with offerings in manufacturing, research and development, smaller start-ups and small to medium enterprises.The plan is being privately led by Procter Investments Pty Ltd, the founders of navigation technology company Sealite. If approved, it would see a technology, industry and business park created, providing up to 1100 jobs with the…
MORNINGTON Peninsula has recorded 227 reports of animal cruelty over the past financial year with 22 animals either seized or surrendered. The new data was released in RSPCA Victoria’s latest animal cruelty report, making the peninsula the 13th highest in the state for animal cruelty. The report ranked each Victorian local government area (LGA) with Geelong topping the list with 560 reports, followed by Casey (470), and Hume (431) for the 2024-25 financial year.Mornington Peninsula’s 227 cruelty reports matched the previous year’s figure but was still fewer than the 2022-23 financial year (281 reports). There were also fewer animals seized…