FRANKSTON train station was a honeypot for politicians on both sides of the political spectrum last Monday (19 February). The Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull turned up at the station about half an hour after Victorian Transport Minister Jacinta Allan dropped by to announce the awarding of a tender as part of the Labor state government’s $63 million station precinct redevelopment project. Mr Turnbull, accompanied by Dunkley Liberal MP Chris Crewther, travelled to the station flanked by a prime ministerial security detail. Most people walking past on the streets of Frankston seemed non-plussed by Mr Turnbull’s declaration that he was there…
Author: Neil Walker
A FEDERAL government department could be on its way to Frankston if talks about relocation public service jobs to the area come to fruition. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited Mornington and Frankston last Monday (19 February) and met Frankston Council representatives including council CEO Dennis Hovenden and the mayor Cr Colin Hampton at a Quest Apartment Hotels room being leased by federal Liberal Dunkley MP Chris Crewther after his central Frankston office was damaged by fire in April last year. Mr Crewther told The Times council and the Prime Minister mostly discussed the electrification of the Frankston line to Baxter…
FRANKSTON mayor Cr Colin Hampton has publicly attacked “local” media in a column published in council’s quarterly Frankston City News distributed free to more than 60,000 homes and businesses. In comments similar to US President Donald Trump in his ongoing battle against what he calls “fake news”, Cr Hampton blasted “local media” and said “sometimes the facts are not accurately presented”. The column, headlined “Keeping our community informed”, said: “Unfortunately our local media does not always present balanced news. I have often seen important information omitted from local reports, with what seems to be a bias against council”. “As much…
COUNCILLORS have decided not to rejoin an alliance of councils united against climate change since they believe Frankston Council already does enough environmental work in the climate change mitigation arena. A council officers’ report tabled at the public council meeting last Monday (19 February) recommended council reinstate its membership of the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA). A 6-3 majority of councillors voted down the proposal with some citing a “duplication” of existing climate change mitigation programs at council and were also concerned about the amount of time council officers would spend on the group’s projects. The existing SECCCA…
SMOOTH sailing at Frankston Council’s latest public council meeting last week was interrupted amid another clash between councillors in full view of the public and a monitor appointed to report back to the state government on governance matters at council. Storm clouds were gathering outside during the meeting last Monday evening (19 February) while a storm erupted inside the council chamber. It was the second time council meetings were broadcast near live online and the second time monitor Prue Digby looked on as councillors accused one another of showing disrespect. Civil debate was suddenly shattered about an hour and a…