THE cost of the planned aquatic centre in Mordialloc has blown out by another $8 million. The new swimming centre will be mostly paid for by Kingston Council ratepayers. After an initial report in 2021 estimated it would cost between $40 million and $50 million, the cost was later revised to $79.2 million. Kingston Council confirmed last week that its latest design would cost up to $87.5 million to build.The pool will be built at 1-7 Wells Road in Mordialloc, opposite Jack Grut Reserve. Kingston Council paid $14.6 million for the land.In a statement, Kingston Council said that additions to…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
FRANKSTON mayor Nathan Conroy says increased interest rates and material costs justify his call for a review of the state government rate cap.Conroy authored a submission to a state government inquiry late last month calling for a review of the state government’s rate cap. The rate cap limits how much Victorian councils can raise rates and charges on average each year – for the 2024/2025 financial year it is set at 2.75 per cent. Conroy’s submission was made just days after he publicly called for council officers to investigate a rate freeze as a potential cost-of-living relief measure (“Mayor calls…
MPNFL WOMEN’S DIV ONEMORNINGTON has qualified for the Grand Final after a stirring comeback victory against Warragul Industrials.Mornington Blue and Warragul Industrials have been the two standout teams of the inaugural MPFNL Women’s competition. The two sides faced in the Division One qualifying final at Hastings last Saturday.After a close first quarter, Warragul took control of the game in the second term. They booted three goals to zero to take a 16 point lead into the main break. Mornington struck back in the second half, and worked their way back into the lead. They held Warragul goalless in the second…
60 YEARS have passed since he first signed up, but time hasn’t stopped Edithvale Fire Brigade member Phil Jones from making a contribution. Jones joined the CFA in 1963. Last month, Commander Brad Fogden and Edithvale Captain Sean McGuckin presented him a medal honouring 60 years of service.Although Jones no longer attends fires, he still plays an important part. He said “I do a lot of the smaller stuff around the brigade now – washing the windows, doing the gardening, fundraising.” “We have a remembrance garden out the back for some of the old members who have passed away, so…
PLANS for a 14-storey building at the former Frankston cinema site have been rejected.The proposal for 438-444 Nepean Highway in Frankston was considered by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Earlier this month, VCAT handed down its decision to refuse a planning permit for the project.The “Pace” project started out as a 16-storey proposal. Earlier this year the plans were amended, and a revised 14-storey proposal was sent to VCAT for consideration. The final proposal featured 133 apartments.The proposal has sparked community backlash – opponents to it said that it forms part of the “Great Wall of Frankston”, a series…