Author: Brodie Cowburn

FRANKSTON councillors will consider walking back their decision to reject opening up part of Green Wedge land in Carrum Downs to allow for the expansion of the industrial precinct. The proposal will be debated at council’s 28 January public meeting. On 14 October, Frankston Council approved their Green Wedge management plan and agreed “that any reference to the potential expansion of the Carrum Downs industrial precinct” would be “removed from the draft plan, including all recommendations to further investigate this potential.” The vote took place in the absence of of four councillors, and was approved 4-1. Crs Lillian O’Connor, Brian…

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POLICE have released CCTV images in their bid to catch the people responsible for shootings in Carrum Downs last year. Armed Crime Squad detectives released the footage to the public last week to help with their investigation into two firearms incidents at an Outlaws Motorcycle clubhouse in September 2019. Police say that on 27 September, a dark coloured SUV was spotted driving past the Outlaws clubhouse on Titan Drive, Carrum Downs just after 7.45pm. It is alleged that a number of shots were then fired from the car into the clubhouse. There were multiple people standing outside the clubhouse at…

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PENINSULA A HAT trick from Pines bowler Jackson Mockett was not enough to get his side over the line against Somerville on Saturday. Pines had a lot of work to do at Eric Bell Reserve, having only made 94 runs the week prior on day one of their clash. Mockett’s haul of 6/41 was impressive, but Somerville still managed to grab the win. They finished all out for 169 runs. Pines’ second innings finished at 7/90. At Ballam Park East, Red Hill did enough to grab a win over Long Island. Chasing 112 to win, Red Hill started things off…

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FRANKSTON councillor Steve Toms’ four month suspension has concluded. A councillor conduct panel upheld a bullying complaint against Cr Toms in September last year, and handed him a four month suspension. Cr Toms was found guilty of “serious misconduct” for allegedly bullying another Frankston councillor. The panel was asked to investigate an allegation that “Cr Toms had repeatedly behaved in an intimidating, offensive and disrespectful manner toward a fellow councillor (…) which adversely affected [their] health, and that these actions constituted the bullying of another councillor (“Councillor suspended after bullying allegation”, The Times, 9/9/19).” Cr Toms’ suspension finished on 5…

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FRANKSTON mayor Sandra Mayer has told residents concerned about local fire hazards that council’s bushfire prevention measures are “tried and tested”. Council put out a press release last week in response to a “large volume of queries from residents, rightfully concerned about potential fire hazards in local reserves and other council-owned areas.” Cr Mayer said that “I applaud residents for taking the time to get in touch, and for the concern they are showing for their community’s safety during this difficult time. However, I want to reassure everyone, council has a tried and tested bushfire management and prevention system in…

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