FRANKSTON councillors have called for acting mayor Liam Hughes to resign amid what they call a “leadership crisis”. With mayor Nathan Conroy on leave contesting the Dunkley by-election for the Liberals, deputy mayor Liam Hughes has been appointed the acting mayor. Hughes has been overseas, leaving Frankston Council without a present leader. Last week, a majority of Frankston councillors passed a no confidence motion against Hughes demanding he step down to allow someone else to fulfill the mayoral responsibilities. Hughes contacted councillors soon afterwards informing them he would not be standing down and would be returning to the deputy mayor…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
NOMINATIONS for Kingston’s citizen of the year awards are now open. The awards for citizen of the year and community group of the year will be handed out in May. Kingston mayor Jenna Davey-Burns has encouraged people to nominate others. “Whether it’s someone quietly supporting our most vulnerable, an inspiring mentor, or someone excelling in their particular field, we want all those making a real difference recognised,” she said. “The awards aim to showcase fantastic community members – we’re looking for nominations for people young and old, from high-flyers to quiet achievers, and for individuals and groups. “I am personally…
LIFESAVERS are urging beachgoers to be careful around waterways after a tragic quadruple drowning at Phillip Island. Last Wednesday, 24 January, four people drowned in the water off Phillip Island. Their deaths brought the state’s summer drowning toll to 19 people. Residents in beachside municipalities face an increased risk of drowning. Between 2013/2014 and 2022/2023, more people died from drowning in the Mornington Peninsula local government area than any other. Frankston ranked 8th out of 79 LGAs, Bayside ranked 7th, and Kingston was 12th. In the Kingston municipality, older swimmers are most commonly the victims of drowning. More swimmers aged…
FRANKSTON Council officers have begun using body-worn cameras. The cameras were turned on in mid-January. Recorded footage will be stored electronically, and may be shared with investigators. Frankston Council acting CEO Kim Jaensch said that protections had been put in place to prevent the footage from being accessed. “All footage recorded by a body worn camera will be downloaded and stored in a secure electronic location with strict controls, restricted access and protection from unauthorised viewing, copying, alteration, and disclosure. The footage will only be retained for a short period, unless needed as evidence or for another purpose,” she said.…
MOST taxpayers in the Dunkley electorate will receive a larger tax cut this year than expected under proposed changes to the federal government’s stage three tax cuts. The changes to the previous Coalition federal government’s legislated stage three tax cuts, which have not yet been implemented, will see those earning less than $135,000 a year retain more of their money in the next financial year. Those earning more than $135,000 will still get a tax cut, but less than originally planned. Labor plans to cut the lowest rate of tax, which applies to the first $45,000 earned by a worker…