THE proposed extension of the Frankston line to Baxter is in serious doubt, with $225 million in federal funding for the project on the chopping block. The Liberal federal government committed $225 million towards the extension of the Frankston line in 2018. Since then the project has laid dormant, and no other level of government has contributed cash towards it. While releasing its first budget last Tuesday, the Labor federal government confirmed that an independent review into all Infrastructure Investment Program projects not yet under construction will be undertaken. The Times has confirmed that the Frankston line extension is one…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
FUNDING for Medicare and energy bill relief are the biggest benefits for Frankston residents in this year’s federal budget, Dunkley MP Peta Murphy says. The federal government’s budget was handed down last Tuesday. The budget, the first delivered by Labor in a decade, projects a $4.2 billion surplus. Dunkley MP Peta Murphy says that residents in her electorate will benefit most from the budget’s funds for Medicare. She says that nearly 74,000 residents in Dunkley will “benefit from the largest ever increase to bulk billing incentives”, and that more than 40,000 residents will “be able to save money on prescriptions…
Consultation on Kingston Council’s draft budget closes this Friday. KINGSTON Council’s draft budget projects a $1.2 million surplus. It reveals that average rates and municipal charges are expected to increase by 3.5 per cent. The 2023/2024 draft budget features a $53 million capital works budget. Council has set aside $7.6 million for road improvements, $4.8 million for stage two works on a Dingley Village community hub, $4.4 million for a new pavilion at Regents Park in Aspendale, and $4 million towards the planned aquatic centre in Mordialloc. Kingston mayor Hadi Saab said that the budget was “informed by over 160…
DIFFICULT market conditions and expanded plans have been blamed for the inflated price of Kingston Council’s Mordialloc pool project. The new pool will be built to replace the Don Tatnell Leisure Centre in Parkdale, albeit at a different site. The 2021 report received by council on the project costed the build at between $40 million and $50 million. A detailed business case on the project has now been completed. It projected the actual cost of the new aquatic centre at around $79.2 million. In addition to the cost of the build, council has executed an option deed worth $14.6 million…
MPNFL DIVISION ONE PINES picked up a hard-fought win over the reigning premiers last Saturday. Incumbent champions Frankston YCW hosted Pines at John Coburn Oval. The home side raced out of the gates with a four goals to two first term, and led by 16 at quarter-time. Pines stayed within reach of YCW. At three-quarter-time the Pythons trailed by five, but they were ready to strike. Pines ran over the top of the Stonecats. A six goals to one final term secured them the win. The Pythons bested Frankston YCW 9.7 (61) to 14.5 (89). Alex Spencer top scored with…