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…
Author: Brendan Rees
A PLAN to merge Peninsula Health with four other health services under a new entity called Bayside Health to improve healthcare access has been green–lit by the state government. Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced the approval of the voluntary merger of five health services including Alfred Health, Bass Coast Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service, Kooweerup Regional Health Service and Peninsula Health, which will become effective from 1 January next year. The decision follows a compelling case made by the services, demonstrating how uniting under one umbrella will enhance healthcare access, bring specialist services closer to home, and lead to better…
FRANKSTON and the Mornington Peninsula have a new top cop, and vehicle crime, theft, and road trauma are at the top of her agenda. Superintendent Anne Rudd moved into the lead role in August as the divisional superintendent for the Frankston and Mornington police service area in the southern metropolitan region. She brings 24 years of policing experience, including stints as the local area commander in Yarra, a tasking coordination inspector in the city, and, more recently, overseeing police recruit training at the Victoria Police Academy for the past five years. Superintendent Rudd plans to use that experience to ensure…
A GROUP of concerned animal welfare advocates have held a peaceful vigil outside RSPCA Victoria’s headquarters as it investigates reports of underweight horses at a Mt Eliza property. The vigil drew about 20 people holding placards at the Burwood East offices on 25 July with calls for “transparency and clarity around the organisation’s handling of the matter”. The RSPCA launched an investigation in June following reports about 30 horses had allegedly been neglected under a former race trainer at a Moorooduc Highway property. In a statement, the RSPCA said the owner was currently cooperating with their Inspectorate, but as it…
HEALTH authorities have launched an investigation into a potential contamination of the mains water at Mt Eliza’s Emil Madsen Reserve following reports of a gastro outbreak. The onset of the illness on the weekend of 26-27 July occurred around the same time several visitors to the reserve had noticed the tap water appearing unusually “cloudy”.Mornington Peninsula turned off the mains water and closed the reserve with affected sporting games being moved to other reserves. The shire had also issued a community warning on Facebook for people to “not drink or use the water in this area at this time”. Emil…