MORE council safety officers will soon patrol Frankston’s CBD. In the last year, Frankston Council’s rapid response officers carried out 532 investigations. They issued warnings and infringements for public drinking and smoking in designated smoke-free areas. At the moment officers undertake an average of three patrols per weekday. Frankston Council has confirmed it is planning to expand the program.Frankston deputy mayor Steffie Conroy said “transforming our city centre isn’t just about construction and development. It’s also about creating a place where people feel safe, supported, and connected.” “From daily patrols and joint police operations to expand CCTV, we’re tackling the…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
THE state government is reportedly set to introduce new laws to hold churches vicariously liable for sexual abuse that occurs under their watch. The new law will override last year’s High Court decision that the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat was not vicariously liable for the sexual abuse of a young boy because the offender was not an employee. The High Court overturned the Victorian Supreme Court’s ruling that the church was vicariously liable – the man who sued the diocese was originally awarded $230,000 damages.After a vocal campaign by victim-survivors of sexual abuse, the state government is preparing changes to…
A THREE percent rate rise has been approved after a tense Kingston Council meeting which saw a councillor file a dissent motion against the mayor. The rate rise was approved alongside Kingston Council’s 2025/2026 budget.Cr Caroline White had foreshadowed her intent to amend the budget to reduce the planned rate rise. The mayor Georgina Oxley closed debate before Cr White had moved the amendment, prompting Cr White to file a dissent motion against the mayor’s decision. The dissent motion was supported by Crs White, Sarah O’Donnell, and Georgia Erevnidis, but ultimately failed. Oxley returned to the chair and put the…
MPFNL MEN’S DIV ONEROSEBUD are back on the winner’s list after beating Pines on Saturday.Ladder leaders Rosebud came into the match off of a shock three point loss to Langwarrin. They remained on top of the ladder by percentage only.Pines were up for the fight at Olympic Park last weekend. The Pythons led at the first break by a point. By three-quarter-time Rosebud had taken the lead, but only by seven points.Rosebud finished the job with a strong final quarter, going on to win 15.10 (100) to 12.8 (80). They kicked the last four goals to wrap things up.Campbell Hustwaite,…
FRANKSTON Council has ticked off its 2025/2026 budget, featuring a $73 million infrastructure bill and a $1.7 million “local support package” to ease cost-of-living pressures. The budget was approved by councillors at their meeting last week. An average rate rise of three percent was included, although a portion of that will be covered by a new differential rate on vacant properties in Frankston’s CBD.Vacant land within the Frankston Metropolitan Activity Centre and along Nepean Highway will be charged a rate three times higher than the general rate. The average increase in revenue from residential ratepayers will be 2.24 percent, and…