EXTRA bus services will be scheduled across Frankston, with money for the expansion set aside in the state government’s annual budget. The 2026/2027 budget was handed down last week. Part of the funding allocated for buses will be spent in Frankston. Carrum MP Sonya Kilkenny wrote on social media that “in a big win for our community, we’re getting a bus service to link Carrum Downs and Skye with the Karingal Hub Shopping Centre.” “Thank you to everyone who’s added their voice to this campaign. The 777 bus will soon operate between Carrum Downs and Skye and Seaford and Karingal…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
AN arbitration matter between two Kingston councillors has been dismissed without a finding of misconduct. Cr Jane Agirtan made the application against Cr Hadi Saab, alleging that a comment left on his Facebook page by a third party had put him in violation of council’s code of conduct. The comment referenced Cr Agirtan encouraging her social media followers to attend March for Australia rallies last year. Cr Agirtan alleged that Cr Saab had breached clause two of the Model Councillor Code of Conduct, which reads that “a councillor must treat others, including other councillors, members of council staff and members…
AFTER months of delays Kingston councillors have finally approved a motion to “reject in the strongest possible terms all forms of extremism”, and consider programs benefiting local refugees and migrants. The proposal was first raised by Cr Hadi Saab in October last year. The rationale for last year’s motion read that it was raised after “extremist groups staged coordinated displays of hate and division across several Australian cities which also included the use of Nazi symbolism and rhetoric under the misleading banner of a March for Australia.” The matter was ultimately deferred, and put back on the agenda at council’s…
KINGSTON Council will write to the Department of Transport and Planning and the state’s planning minister to urge against proceeding with the planned redevelopment of the Kingswood Golf Course in Dingley Village. After years of deliberations the state government approved a development plan for the Kingswood site in late 2025, clearing the way for developer Satterley to build 941 lots on the land. Kingston Council faced criticism shortly afterwards for lodging an appeal with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal four days after the required deadline (“Council misses crucial Kingswood deadline” The News, 14/1/2026). Since the state government’s approval some…
DUNKLEY MP Jodie Belyea says that the federal government’s proposed gambling reform will honour the legacy of her predecessor Peta Murphy. In June 2023 an anti-gambling inquiry chaired by Dunkley MP Peta Murphy released its final report, making 31 recommendations on gambling reform. Proposed changes included a ban on online gambling advertising, stronger consumer protections for licensed online gambling, a crackdown on illegal gambling websites, and a legislated duty of care. Murphy died roughly six months after the report was released. After years of delays, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled the federal government’s plans for gambling reform this April. His…