Author: Neil Walker

AN apparent administrative bungle over the registration of a cooling tower system has set Frankston Council on a courtroom collision course with state health authorities. The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has advised council the Public Health and Wellbeing Act has been breached by the failure to register a cooling tower system at Frankston Arts Centre’s Cube 37 building. The matter was mentioned at Frankston Magistrates’ Court last Thursday (15 March) and council asked for more time to prepare its defence. Both parties were reluctant to go into detail when approached by The Times last week due…

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A FALL in crime across the Frankston region has been welcomed by police after the release of the latest crime statistics. Crime Statistics Agency Victoria figures released on Thursday (15 March) revealed crime generally trended down in 2017 across Frankston compared to 2016. Thefts fell from 3714 in 2016 to 2879 last year. Property damage dropped from 1004 in 2016 to 900 in 2017. Assaults totalled 893 in 2017, down from 946 in the previous year. Burglaries and break and enter offences fell from 922 to 728. “Police here are very pleased with the strong result,” Frankston Acting Inspector Miro…

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A FRIENDLY game of footy turned nasty at Seaford’s Belvedere Reserve last month and police are now investigating an on-field assault. A player for a Druze Victoria team was allegedly headbutted by a rival Aussie rules player for “a Muslim team” at about 2pm on Sunday 11 March. Frankston Acting Inspector Miro Majstorovic said it is unusual for police to investigate sports-related incidents but they want to hear from any players or spectators who saw the alleged assault. The 24-year-old victim was knocked unconscious and had surgery to fix a broken nose at Frankston Hospital. He was released from hospital…

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A BURGER bar in Frankston fined for several food handling offences last year has closed its doors for good. Big Dog Diner, an America-themed fast food outlet, on Cranbourne Road closed down last month. A Big Dog Diner burger joint in Bendigo has also shut up shop. Frankston Council took the business proprietor to court in February last year after council inspectors were “obstructed” from carrying out food safety inspections (“‘Dirty’ diner fined”, The Times 13/6/17). The state government’s Food Convictions Register listed multiple hygiene offences at Big Dog Diner. Business owner Kris Stephens claimed on Facebook the company “made…

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A MOVE to clamp down on state and federal candidates who are Kingston councillors from participating in debate and voting on council matters has sparked a war of words between Kingston Council and the state Liberal Party. Liberal state Upper House MP for the South Eastern Metropolitan Region Inga Peulich condemned the council move in Parliament last Wednesday (7 March). Ms Peulich called on state Labor Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings to intervene. “What that seeks to do is improperly use the position of council — the majority on the council which controls the Kingston Council — to deny the rights…

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