KINGSTON Council has splashed more than $5 million on a parcel of land in Chelsea. Council purchased the 3500 square metre block at 19 Tarella Road last month. The mayor Georgina Oxley said council used funds from its “open space reserve” for the land. “Council is really excited to announce the news of the land purchase as I know the community has been tirelessly campaigning to secure this fantastic natural asset for locals to enjoy for years to come,” she said. “Our community values our beautiful open spaces, and having parks close to home is vital. This investment will provide…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
SMOKING is now banned in all foreshore, beach, and reserve areas across the Kingston municipality. Tobacco product and e-cigarette use was banned by council this month. Fines of $500 can be applied to people who defy the smoking ban. Council undertook a period of community consultation about the ban earlier this year. Kingston mayor Georgina Oxley said that local residents were “overwhelmingly in support of the introduction of smoke-free areas in Kingston.” “The feedback we received is the community wants to see smoking banned along our foreshore areas and in our reserves to reduce passive smoking and keep our beaches…
A PANDEMIC and recession hasn’t stopped Frankston councillors from approving a pay rise for their CEO. Behind closed doors at their 31 August meeting, councillors endorsed a recommendation for CEO Phil Cantillon to receive a 3 per cent pay increase. Frankston mayor Sandra Mayer said “this decision was about securing the knowledge, capability, and leadership that Frankston City Council residents need and deserve, particularly during and beyond COVID-19.” “The committee undertook extensive benchmarking prior to making the recommendation and determined that Mr Cantillon’s annual salary was noticeably lower than the industry standard,” she said. “As outlined in the public…
A PROPOSAL to allow people over the age of 50 to reside permanently at the notorious Ambassador Hotel has not been approved by Frankston Council, but discussions are set to continue. The permit in place at the hotel reads that “the owner covenants and agrees that no dwelling allowed by the permit on the land will be used as a principal place of residence, without the further written consent of council”. The owners at the hotel sought to amend that to read “‘the owner covenants and agrees that no dwelling on the land will accommodate persons who are under the…
KINGSTON councillors have expressed an interest in leasing the Kingswood site at Dingley Village to reopen the golf course. The Dingley Village site was purchased by Australian Super in 2014 for $125 million. The original proposal for the land, to subdivide it and build nearly 800 residential dwellings, did not proceed after Kingston Council voted to abandon the planning scheme amendment for rezoning in late 2018 (“Council tees off on golf course plans”, The News, 24/10/18). Golf is no longer played at the site, and its future remains unclear. At their 24 August meeting, Kingston councillors voted to write to…