THE planned redevelopment of Frankston Basketball Stadium will now cost ratepayers an extra $15 million. The project, initially expected to cost around $45 million, is now projected to cost $60 million. Frankston Council ratepayers will likely pay for the extra cost. The project has expanded, with ten competition-ready courts now included in the final build instead of eight. Six courts will be fully rebuilt, and a 1000 square metre gymnastics hall will be constructed. It will house the Frankston District Basketball Association and the Bayside Gymnastics Club. Matching commitments of $15 million each have been made by the state and…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
ALL residents in the Kingston local government area should one day live within 400 metres of an open public space, a new Kingston Council plan reads. A final strategy for the future of open space in the Kingston municipality is being formed. Kingston Council has commenced consultation on its draft open space strategy. The strategy was written after a round of community consultation earlier in the year. In addition to the draft open space strategy, council is also working on a draft Green Wedge management plan. Consultation on the Green Wedge plan is expected to begin soon. Kingston mayor Hadi…
MOORABBIN Airport’s master plan has been approved by the federal government. The fate of the master plan has been unclear since last year. The previous federal government rejected the Moorabbin Airport Corporation’s draft master plan in 2022. The new master plan, approved by infrastructure minister Catherine King earlier this month, replaces the 2015 master plan. Opponents to the master plan have voiced concerns about the amount of land set aside for non-aviation use. Moorabbin Airport Corporation CEO Paul Ferguson said “we’re committed to creating a world-leading sustainable, mixed-use urban site with safe aviation, training and education facilities while supporting commercial,…
FRANKSTON councillor Steven Hughes’ suspension is officially underway. A special meeting of Frankston councillors was called last Wednesday to commence Hughes’ three month suspension. The suspension was handed down by a councillor conduct panel late last month. This is Hughes’ third suspension from council – he has previously served two separate one month bans. In addition to the active suspension, Hughes is also facing the potential of further punishment. Another councillor conduct panel application made against him earlier this year remains unresolved. Hughes responded to news of his suspension with a combative Facebook post, which was more than 1200 words…
MORE than 300 reports of animal cruelty were made in the Frankston municipality within the last year. The RSPCA has released animal cruelty statistics for the 2022/2023 financial year. 307 reports were made in the Frankston LGA in 22/23. The figure is the ninth-highest of 79 Victorian LGAs. Frankston’s animal cruelty reports are higher than in 2021/2022 and 2020/2021. It is an improvement on the 2019/2020 figure of 338. 27 animals in the Frankston municipality were surrendered to the RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate in 22/23. Statewide, the total number of animals seized by or surrendered to RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate has increased…