Author: Brodie Cowburn

A PLAN to electrify and duplicate the Frankston rail line to Langwarrin has been endorsed by a committee of MPs, council employees, and local business representatives. A business case looking into duplicating and electrifying the train line to Baxter was completed last year. The project has since been at a standstill, with $225 million in funding committed by the federal government but none committed by the state government (“Rail extension at a standstill”, The Times, 30/3/2020). Since the completion of the business case an advisory committee has been set up to explore the future of the project and make a…

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THE Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League is set to return on 25 July, albeit with a shortened season and a zero salary cap. The league’s return is subject to the further lifting of COVID-19 restrictions which would allow up to 500 spectators to attend matches. The top two divisions of the senior football and netball leagues will return on 25 July, with Grand Finals to be played on the weekend beginning 17 October. Division one football will consist of nine rounds, with teams playing each other once. A top five finals series will begin on 25 September. Division two football…

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THE removal of local government minister Adem Somyurek won’t have an effect on changes made when the new Local Government Act was passed in March this year. The passage of the act mandated changes to single member wards for most Victorian councils. Kingston Council will change to single member wards at the October election this year. Premier Daniel Andrews said on 15 June that decisions made by Mr Somyurek while he was local government minister would not be reviewed. “The minister has taken forward positions endorsed by cabinet. He has made a number of different decisions pursuant to his role…

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THE Chelsea Football Club will not participate in the 2020 MPNFL season if it goes ahead. The club announced last week that they had made the decision to withdraw their football sides from this year’s season. The seniors, reserves, and under 19s squads have all been pulled out. The decision taken by the club excludes their netball sides. Chelsea FNC president Michael Davis said “the decision to withdraw from the season has not been taken lightly, but we believe it is in the best interest of the club and our members.” “With over 110 years of history we need to…

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FRANKSTON Council has taken the axe to their sculpture program in a cost saving measure. Council has cut nine public art projects that were set to be leased or created in the next year. The artworks would have been installed at Pines Pool, Baxter Street, the library forecourt, Peninsula Link at Frankston-Dandenong Road, Fletcher Road, Eel Race Road, and Mile Bridge. The motion approved by Frankston councillors on 1 June read that “COVID-19 has called for an assessment of critical and urgent works and potential savings to support the community during the relief and recovery phases of the pandemic. The…

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