THE wait to find out whether Frankston MP Geoff Shaw will preference the Liberal Party above Labor at this month’s state election goes on. The rebel MP’s preferences could prove to be crucial in deciding which party wins the prized marginal Frankston seat. A Melbourne-based tabloid newspaper reported last week that the former Liberal, now independent, MP is “likely” to preference the Liberals over Labor but the decision was less clear cut when The Times contacted Mr Shaw’s office late last week. A spokesman for Mr Shaw said there is no preferences agreement with the Liberal Party two weeks out…
Author: Neil Walker
A LONG-RUNNING mystery over exactly who should pay for the upgrades and maintenance of Carrum access pathways at Patterson River has been partially solved. The state government has finally put its hand up to take on some responsibility for eight tracks, including timber and gravel pathways which can be eroded after heavy rains, by promising to make Patterson River “accessible to all”. Nearby Patterson Lakes residents have spent more than 20 years trying to find out who is responsible for the upkeep of pathways accessed from Valetta, Tennyson, Westley, Dahmen streets and True and Riversdale Avenues (‘Pathways impasse drags on’,…
LABOR has pledged to “take the politics out of planning” if the party wins government this month. Opposition planning spokesman Brian Tee has accused state Liberal Planning Minister Matthew Guy of “forcing intensive high-rise development in some areas, while locking up leafy Liberal suburbs”. Mr Tee said Labor would order a full review of new residential planning zones “imposed on councils” and “the role of Planning Minister Matthew Guy and his office in that process” if it wins government. Councils across Victoria spent 12 months consulting communities about proposed new residential zones after the state government announced in June last…
CONCERNED Kingston residents are rallying to try to save the iconic Mentone Hotel from closure and being converted into apartments. The hotel’s management announced late last week that the pub and live music venue would close its doors after trading this Sunday. The shock revelation prompted an outpouring of public angst against any move to shut down the pub, called The Edgy by locals due to its former Edgewater Hotel name. Thousands took to social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter to express their opposition to any apartment building proposal, using the #savetheedgy hashtag. #savetheedgy Tweets Kingston councillor Tamsin…
TRUE to pugnacious past form, independent Frankston MP Geoff Shaw became embroiled in more controversy last Thursday morning when ABC radio presenter Jon Faine visited the city. While Faine spoke to Liberal candidate for Frankston Sean Armistead and Labor candidate Paul Edbrooke during his live ABC 774 broadcast from Wells St about Frankston train station’s reputation as a “trouble spot”, Mr Shaw was arguing with a passerby at the station. Dromana resident Lysette Ashford told The Times Mr Shaw had made a “nasty” comment to her when she approached the MP as he was electioneering near Frankston train station. Ms…