THE new $12 million Frankston Tech School was officially opened last week. The school, which is at the Chisholm Institute Frankston campus, can cater for up to 60 secondary school students at a time. The state government has announced that the project is now complete.Science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics programs will be offered at the campus. Students will get hand-on experience with technology including drones, robotics, battery storage systems and virtual reality equipment.Chisholm Institute CEO Stephen Varty said the new school will create more opportunities for young people. “By giving local students access to cutting-edge technology and practical experiences,…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
MORE than 3000 rates notices will have to be reissued after Kingston Council undercharged some property owners.The state government’s new emergency services levy, which will be collected by Victorian councils alongside rates, was the cause of the council bungle. Kingston Council miscalculated its contribution to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund and undercharged thousands of property owners.Kingston Council’s chief finance officer, Bernard Rohan, said affected property owners had been informed and the issue would be rectified. “We identified an error on some of the rates notices after they were issued, with the State Government’s new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund…
FRANKSTON’S mayor and deputy mayor will spend an extra three weeks in charge of council. At council’s most recent public meeting, the mayor Kris Bolam raised a proposal to extend the terms of the mayor and deputy mayor by three weeks. The election date for a new mayor was pushed from 19 November to 10 December.Interim Frankston Council CEO Cam Arullanantham said “council’s decision makes a December date more practicable to accommodate the current mayor’s outstanding commitments, which include attending a housing roundtable meeting with the involvement of the Federal Minister for Homelessness and Housing; hosting a formal visit by…
A PLAN to tackle graffiti across Frankston is underway, with a cash reward for residents who report it now on offer.Earlier this year, Cr Nathan Butler successfully proposed that council refer $5000 to the 2025/26 annual budget process to be used to purchase anti-graffiti kits and set aside a cash bounty. This month council began offering the anti-graffiti kits, and confirmed that residents who make graffiti reports leading to a successful police prosecution may be eligible for a $500 reward.The free graffiti removal kits, which are available at council’s Civic Centre, include removal solution, brushes, gloves, safety glasses, and instructions.Cr…
FUNDS for disaster response measures will be quarantined by Frankston Council in future budgets. Three major storm events in the last four years have required significant Frankston Council spending. It spent $100,000 during June 2021, $50,000 in February 2024, and $100,000 in August 2024. The 2025/2026 council budget does not feature a dedicated budget allocation for disaster response. Frankston Council officers have been investigating the necessity of a dedicated “emergency disaster fund” this year – the officers ultimately recommended against proceeding with establishing the fund, but Frankston councillors have voted to push ahead.Cr Emily Green moved the successful amendment to…