MAJOR developments in Frankston are being fast-tracked under a new council scheme. The “Priority Development Program” launched last week. Under the initiative, Frankston Council will fast-track eligible major developments by offering priority case management, clear upfront guidance, and a commitment to decisions within 16 weeks. The passage of the FMAC Structure Plan in 2025 paved the way for more high-rise developments in Frankston. Late last year Frankston councillors unanimously approved plans for a 10 storey building at 347-349 Nepean Highway, a 14 storey building at 431 Nepean Highway, and ticked off amended 14-storey plans for 424-426 Nepean Highway. Construction on…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
FRANKSTON Council has unveiled its wishlist for funding ahead of the state election later this year. Voters will head to the polls for the state election by late November. The election will be preceded by a by-election in Nepean in May, triggered by the resignation of former deputy Liberal leader Sam Groth. With election fever ramping up, Frankston Council has revealed its “advocacy agenda”. It is seeking just over $17 million from the future state government to match commitments made by council. Council’s election wishlist includes $1.75 million towards the Bruce Park Pavilion redevelopment; $2 million for the Len Phelps…
A KINGSTON councillor has proposed giving the CEO expanded powers to strike down notices of motion before they are debated in the council chamber. Cr Chris Hill submitted the proposal for inclusion on the agenda of Kingston Council’s 23 February meeting. He has requested a report assessing “options to strengthen and clarify the Chief Executive Officer’s powers to reject or require amendment of notices of motion that do not align with the principles and objectives of the Governance Rules; are inconsistent with the Local Government Act 2020 or other relevant legislation; are inconsistent with the Model Councillor Code of Conduct;…
FORMER Langwarrin Park Primary School principal Richard Barren will spend at least three months in prison for possessing child abuse material. Barren was sentenced in the County Court last Wednesday, 18 February, after pleading guilty to one count of possessing child abuse material obtained using a carriage service and one count of transmitting child abuse material using a carriage service. The 50-year-old Mornington resident was handed a 16-month prison sentence, but also received a recognisance release order with a minimum non-parole period of three months. Barren was found to have possessed two child abuse videos of children aged between 10…
A CAMPAIGN to prevent older adults from drowning has been launched by Life Saving Victoria. In the last decade, Life Saving Victoria estimates that 131 people aged 65 years and over drowned in Victoria – roughly 34 percent of people aged over 65 that drowned were from multicultural backgrounds. Over-65s made up 27 per cent of all drowning fatalities during the last decade. The multilingual campaign to reduce drownings was launched last week. Life Saving Victoria head of research, evaluation and insights Dr Bernadette Matthews said it is “an important step forward in supporting multicultural older adults to safely enjoy…