OPINIONS on the Frankston train station redevelopment are being canvassed by Frankston Council. A draft submission to the state government’s Frankston Station Precinct Taskforce, headed by Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke, outlines council’s “vision” for the $50 million revamp of the transport hub. The draft, published on council’s website last week, states “the agreed vision” is “to achieve a high amenity, safe, landmark gateway destination that engages and connects people, spaces and transport services through inspiring design that delivers new vibrancy and invites new opportunities”. Council wants to see “an iconic entrance” and “civic square featuring green park space and…
Author: Neil Walker
COUNCILLORS have waved through a plan to build a new Mentone Activity Hub in Venice St at a cost of more than $1.51 million. The proposal was narrowly rejected at last month’s public council meeting (‘Hub on hold as building costs rise’, The News 11/3/15) amid concerns about the new building’s cost rising from about $1.38 million after the original winner of the tender bid pulled out. Cr Ron Brownlees introduced a notice of motion at Monday evening’s council meeting asking councillors to reconsider the matter. He said the proposal to build had been put to the community “over some…
POLITICAL gestures have embroiled Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke in controversy for the second time in as many months in Victoria’s Parliament. Mr Edbrooke was accused by Liberal MP Ryan Smith of making “a threatening gesture to me across the chamber” during a debate last Wednesday (18 March) about teachers’ performance in state schools. The member for Frankston denied the allegation in the House and the Speaker, Telmo Languiller, said he would review the video of proceedings before reporting back to Parliament. When contacted by The Times Mr Edbrooke denied he made a threatening gesture and said he and his…
TWO doyens of the Frankston arts scene have left the stage. The final curtain has fallen on Frankston Arts Centre manager Robin Batt’s two decades at the helm of council’s cultural headquarters and McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park director Robert Lindsay will step down in July. Ms Batt exited earlier this month with successor Andrew Moon, hired by the FAC in November, appointed arts and culture manager. Mr Moon was previously an executive at Arts Centre Melbourne for 23 years. Mr Lindsay told The Times he decided not to seek a further contract extension at the McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park…
NEW Planning Minister Richard Wynne has given the first indication that Kingston’s Green Wedge will not be opened up to residential development under a Labor state government. Kingston Council is pressing ahead with a proposal to rezone land between Kingston and Heatherton roads and Lower Dandenong Rd and on the eastern side of Tootal Rd in Dingley Village to a Rural Living Zone. Councillors narrowly voted five-four late last year to order a report from consultants Meinhardt’s to investigate the option at a cost of $164,000 to ratepayers. Any such plan would have to be approved by the state government.…