Author: Brodie Cowburn

THE Mentone Hotel is set to reopen next year. The building was purchased by Momentum Developments in late 2014. An original plan to convert the building into apartments without a substantial pub space was abandoned in 2018 after community pushback (“Mentone Hotel saved’, The News, 18/4/18). Paul Huggins from Momentum Developments said “the restoration of the hotel is well underway, and the heritage listed building will be stunning when it’s completed.” “People will be blown away by the hospitality space,” he said. “It is important we get every detail right and that is not just limited to the commercial business,…

Read More

THE death toll from a COVID-19 outbreak at the Bupa Edithvale nursing home has reached 17. Figures released by the Department of Health last week showed that 17 residents at the Edithvale home had died after testing positive to COVID-19. A total of 44 residents and 32 staff at the site had tested positive for the virus as of 11 September. Of the 44 cases among residents, 25 were considered resolved. All cases in staff were listed as resolved. In a statement released earlier his month, Bupa said that the alert level at their home has been lowered to “active…

Read More

THE number of local residents living on the JobSeeker payment has risen by thousands since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Figures released by the Department of Social Services showed that the number of residents in the Frankston municipality receiving the JobSeeker payment grew by around 4000 between March and July this year. It is understood that around 10,000 local residents are currently receiving the payment. Dunkley MP Peta Murphy says there was a 45 per cent increase in JobSeeker recipients and a 51 per cent increase in Youth Allowance recipients in her electorate between March to July. She said…

Read More

KINGSTON Council has splashed more than $5 million on a parcel of land in Chelsea. Council purchased the 3500 square metre block at 19 Tarella Road last month. The mayor Georgina Oxley said council used funds from its “open space reserve” for the land. “Council is really excited to announce the news of the land purchase as I know the community has been tirelessly campaigning to secure this fantastic natural asset for locals to enjoy for years to come,” she said. “Our community values our beautiful open spaces, and having parks close to home is vital. This investment will provide…

Read More

SMOKING is now banned in all foreshore, beach, and reserve areas across the Kingston municipality. Tobacco product and e-cigarette use was banned by council this month. Fines of $500 can be applied to people who defy the smoking ban. Council undertook a period of community consultation about the ban earlier this year. Kingston mayor Georgina Oxley said that local residents were “overwhelmingly in support of the introduction of smoke-free areas in Kingston.” “The feedback we received is the community wants to see smoking banned along our foreshore areas and in our reserves to reduce passive smoking and keep our beaches…

Read More