TRAINS have returned to the Frankston line after nearly two months of replacement buses. Buses have replaced trains between Moorabbin and Mordialloc stations since 23 May. An uninterrupted train service resumed one week ahead of schedule on 20 July, with works on the underground rail trenches now complete. Trains are also stopping at the new Mentone Station since the restart of regular service. Works on the station have been completed two weeks ahead of their scheduled completion date. Cheltenham Station is on track to open on 16 August. Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson said “wrapping up works early and getting people…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
FRANKSTON Police Station was closed for deep cleaning last week after at least one police officer tested positive for COVID-19. A statement released by Victoria Police on 13 July read that “contact tracing is currently underway to establish how many Victoria Police officers had contact with the infected officer during the past 14 days.” “It is expected that several officers will go into self-isolation and be tested as a precaution as per health advice,” the statement read. “Enquiries are being made to determine whether any members of the public had contact with the officer while they were contagious and may…
FAKE signs with Kingston Council branding have been put up at local playgrounds, telling residents it is okay to use the equipment despite the lockdown restrictions currently in place. The mayor Georgina Oxley called out the fake material, which contained her forged signature. “I was made aware of fake signs which had been put up at some of our playgrounds at Bicentennial Park in Chelsea and Bonbeach Recreation Reserve. Council staff are out now checking there aren’t signs up at any other playgrounds,” she said. “These signs are falsely telling people that the park is open and that the best…
KINGSTON Council has approved a five per cent rate cut for residents. Council’s draft annual budget for the 2020/2021 financial year had suggested that rates should be raised by 2 per cent, but councillors moved to change that at their 13 July meeting. The mayor Georgina Oxley said the decision was made to reduce rates because “there are people and businesses struggling through COVID, and with the increased numbers and restrictions we have seen people struggle even more, so it’s important we support them.” “What we passed was a necessary adjustment for a five per cent rate reduction from this…
AN internal audit into the abandoned sale of Frankston Council-owned land on Evelyn Street has been completed. Council resolved to sell off the parcel of land at the beginning of 2019, before later backing out of the sale. An investigation was called into the sale of the land, with Cr Glenn Aitken expressing concerns that negotiations may have occurred without the knowledge of councillors (Public space sale investigated”, The Times, 9/9/19). The internal audit into the matter was conducted by HLB Mann Judd. Auditors found three issues that presented a “high risk” to council. They were that “there are no…