FRANKSTON councillor Steven Hughes is facing an allegation of serious misconduct. At their most recent public meeting, seven Frankston councillors agreed to apply for a councillor conduct panel to assess the allegation made against Hughes. Since being elected in 2020, Steven Hughes has been the subject of two arbitration applications and has served a one month suspension. He was suspended following a series of social media posts criticising council spending and policy. The Times understands that Hughes’ recent public social media activity was once again a trigger for seeking disciplinary action. Only Steven Hughes and his son, fellow councillor Liam…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
IN the leadup to its 2018 re-election the state government committed $25 million towards creating the “Sandbelt Parklands”, a 355 hectare chain of parks running from Dingley Village to Moorabbin. With the next election looming the project remains incomplete, and Kingston Council is pleading for the state government to fulfill its promise. Kingston Council is keen to see the chain of parks project completed. The project has taken a few hits in the last four years, none more damaging than the state government announcing that land previously earmarked for the project in Heatherton would instead be used for suburban rail…
CRICKET PROVINCIAL OLD Peninsula picked up where they left off last season to get their MPCA season off to a good start. The reigning champions took on Baden Powell at Overport Park in their season opener. Old Peninsula were sent into bat first. A half century from opener Dylan O’Malley helped Old Peninsula get out of the gates. A massive knock of 92 from Justin Grant saw the champions put the game out of Baden Powell’s reach. Old Peninsula finished their innings at 7/227. Baden Powell worked hard but were bowled out for 194 in reply. Wade Pelzer tore through…
AN inquiry into the impacts of online gambling has been launched. Dunkley MP Peta Murphy chairs the House of Representatives’ standing committee on social policy and legal affairs. The committee is seeking submissions on online gambling and the impacts it can have on problem gamblers. Murphy says that the committee’s inquiry will “be a fresh look at online gambling and whether current laws, regulations, consumer protections and education and support programs are enough to reduce harm to gamblers.” “The committee is concerned about the increasing reach of online gambling platforms into Australians’ lives, the exposure of children and young people…
THE public park at Evelyn Street in Frankston has officially opened. The park site, opposite the Frankston Police Station, was nearly sold to the Department of Justice at the start of 2019. Frankston Council later backed out of the sale and began to make plans to turn the land into a public park. The state government spent $1.3 million to help upgrade the open space. Frankston Council spent $400,000 of ratepayer money on the project. The upgraded park features an amphitheatre, rainforest garden, planted arbours, footpath connections to Nepean Highway and Fletcher Road, seating, lighting, and barbecues. Frankston MP Paul…