THE Local Government Inspectorate has decided that the Local Government Act was not breached when the previous Kingston Council awarded a grant to a community group linked to a sitting councillor.A grant awarded to the Druze Community Charity of Victoria by Kingston Council prior to the 2024 local government elections has been put under the microscope this year. Cr Hadi Saab sat on the committee of the Druze group at the time the grant was approved – the two-term councillor declared a conflict of interest and recused himself before the vote took place.In March this year, Kingston Council voted to…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
KINGSTON Council has slammed the planning minister’s approval of a plan to build more than 900 homes at the former Kingswood golf course in Dingley Village, calling the decision a “complete failure to listen to local residents”.Late on Friday, 17 October, planning minister Sonya Kilkenny released a statement confirming that a proposal to build 941 homes on the golf course site had been approved. Kingston Council was informed its planning authority over the site had been removed earlier this year.Kingston mayor Georgina Oxley has hit out at the state government. She said “more than 1400 residents took the time to…
FRANKSTON and Kingston Councils are expected to maintain their arrangements with their contracted animal shelter, The Lost Dogs’ Home, despite recent criticism of the organisation.The Lost Dogs’ Home, which provides animal shelter services for multiple councils including Frankston and Kingston, is under fire after it euthanised a young dog after he failed the shelter’s behavioural tests.Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell has slammed The Lost Dogs’ Home for its decision to put down 12-week-old Murphy, and expressed concern for Murphy’s sister Milly who is currently in foster care. She said in parliament earlier this month that “it is currently not…
PROVINCIAL Langwarrin batted brilliantly to claim a hard-fought win over Sorrento at David MacFarlan Reserve on Saturday. The Kangaroos headed into day two with a tall mountain to climb. Sorrento set them a target of 269 to chase down to win on day one. Langwarrin opener Jack Marget set his side on the right path with a patient half-century. Number three batter Matthew Prosser came in and dealt a huge blow, going on to score 97 runs from 178 deliveries. Langwarrin’s run chase was nearly brought down by a few shaky middle-order performances, but Taylor Smith kept the ship steady.…
THE second monitor tasked with overseeing Kingston Council has been appointed. Last week, John Watson was named the second state government-appointed monitor for the beleaguered council. He will work alongside John Tanner, who began monitoring the council on 25 August, until the end of the year. The two monitors will report to the local government minister, who is responsible for any subsequent action taken.In a joint statement, Kingston Council mayor Georgina Oxley and council CEO Peter Bean said “we have been working well with Mr Tanner since he started in August and look forward to meeting Mr Watson. “We will…