Author: Neil Walker

PLANS for the long-awaited new train station at Southland shopping centre are taking shape with councils keen to have their say. Kingston and Bayside councils have made public submissions to Public Transport Victoria voicing their concerns about aspects of the $21 million project. Kingston Council welcomed the state government’s investment in the new train station but is concerned pedestrian access to the station platform will solely be through Westfield’s private car park at Southland shopping centre. Council has proposed the station should be moved slightly further north to give access to both ends of the station platform. “We believe this…

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LABOR’S first state budget since winning government in November has delivered funding for some major projects in Kingston. Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson said he is “over the moon” that $2.5 million in funding promised before the election to build a new station for the Edithvale CFA has been ticked off in the first budget announced by Treasurer Tim Pallas. “It’s important for community safety,” he said. Other big ticket items for Kingston in the state government budget include the confirmation of $4.5 million for Mordialloc College to install basketball courts, build a performing arts centre and refurbish the Year 7…

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RATEPAYERS face a 4.25 per cent hike in rates in 2015-16 as part of Kingston Council’s draft budget released last week. Council described the rate rise as “modest” but increased its pensioner rebate from $80 to $100 “to help reduce the impact on pensioners”. Rates income for 2015-16 is estimated at about $197 million and $52.2 million will be spent on community infrastructure works. Major projects to be funded by ratepayers include the construction of a new Mordialloc Life Saving Club ($3.2 million), the completion of a portion of the Bay Trail share pedestrian and bike path ($600,000) and a…

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LAW and order was in the spotlight last Thursday when Police Minister Wade Noonan visited Frankston train station to thank police for their work to keep commuters and passerbys safe. Crime statistics show an 18 per cent fall in disorderly and offensive conduct and a 15 per drop in weapons offences last year. “The decrease in public order and security offences reflects the hard work carried out by police in the Frankston area in detecting and preventing these types of crimes,” Mr Noonan said. Labor won government at November’s state election so the majority of the fall in crime in…

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THE race is on to save the Frankston City Motorcycle Park as an affordable venue for motocross riders after Frankston Council decided not to renew its lease with the Frankston Motorcycle Club in the wake of a fatality at the Seaford track last month. A 20-year-old man died after a collision with a fellow motocross rider and council asked the club to close the Seaford facilities in the short term (‘Fatality closes motorcycle track’, The Times 13/4/15). Last Friday council issued a statement headed “Safety first priority at Frankston Motorcycle Park” and advised the Frankston Motorcycle Club’s tenancy would end…

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