NEARLY $50 million for the Mordi Aquatic Centre project is the centrepiece of Kingston Council’s draft budget. Although the draft budget includes an average rate rise of three percent, a majority of councillors also voted to receive a report back assessing the possibility of a budget without a rate increase. The report will also investigate smaller rate increases than what is proposed in the draft budget. Council has set aside $103.6 million for infrastructure works in the 2025/2026 financial year. That includes $48.6 million for the Mordi Aquatic Centre, $20.5 million for community and sporting facilities, $20.2 million for roads,…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
A PROPOSAL to release information about the standing down of Cr Jane Agirtan has sparked disagreement between Kingston councillors. Councillor Jane Agirtan was stood down under section 229 of the Local Government Act after being charged with breaching a personal safety intervention order. At Kingston Council’s 28 April meeting, councillor Chris Hill moved a notice of motion to “where possible, release details of the internal review that has taken place into the events that led to the standing down of a councillor” and “develop a robust process for the handling of similar matters in future that incorporates the principles of…
MPNFL MEN’S DIV ONEPINES have handed Rosebud their first defeat of the 2025 season. A stirring final quarter comeback saw the Pythons topple Rosebud. Pines overcame a 22 point three-quarter-time deficit to claim a brilliant 15.8 (98) to 13.8 (86) win. Pines kicked seven goals in the final term, and restricted Rosebud to just one. Lachlan Sharp was the hero for Pines – he booted five goals in a best-on-ground performance. Callum White kicked four goals for Rosebud.Edithvale-Aspendale’s strong start to the season continued on Saturday with a win over Mt Eliza.Edi-Asp have lost just one game so far this…
OWNERS of vacant land in Frankston’s city centre are set to face big rate increases. Under a proposal put forward by Frankston Council, vacant properties within the Frankston Metropolitan Activity Centre and along the Nepean Highway would be subject to a differential rate three times higher than the general rate. Frankston mayor Kris Bolam said the proposed change would address “land banking” and encourage developers to build. “There are several key locations across our city that have remained vacant since the early 2000s. This kind of tactical underdevelopment is no longer sustainable, so the council is taking steps to counteract…
MARK Dreyfus has been elected member for Isaacs for a seventh time. Dreyfus was first elected in 2007. On Saturday he comfortably retained the seat as Labor secured a landslide election win. With just over 72 percent of the vote counted, Dreyfus holds a massive 14.9 percent lead over Liberal Fiona Ottey on the two-party-preferred count. The Liberals have badly struggled to gain traction in Isaacs in recent times. In 2019 Liberal candidate Jeremy Hearn was disendorsed by the party before election day, and in 2022 the Liberal campaign was damaged when candidate Robbie Beaton was found to have provided…