A RAINBOW flag will fly at Kingston City Hall “until marriage equality is achieved” after a majority of councillors voted to have council publicly declare support for same-sex marriage. A 5-4 majority of councillors voted at Monday’s public council meeting on 25 September to raise a rainbow flag at the Moorabbin venue until federal politicians legalise marriage equality. Cr Tamara Barth had called on councillors to be on “the right side of history” in backing same-sex marriage at a time when Australians are being asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to marriage equality in a federal non-binding postal survey. “I…
Author: Neil Walker
THE state government has pledged to build the Mordialloc Bypass “to the highest environmental standards” after announcing a full investigation into any impact on nearby wetlands will be done before construction of the nine-kilometre road. Labor Planning Minister Richard Wynne confirmed last Thursday (21 September) that an Environmental Effects Study report will be needed before the $300 million project can be built. Concerned community groups say the bypass between the Mornington Peninsula Freeway and Dingley Bypass poses a danger to species of birds, animals and fauna in the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands (“Plea to dump bypass build”, The News 20/9/17). Residents Against…
OUTDOOR dining is in the air in central Frankston as part of a state government push to encourage food and drink businesses to kick business outside to the kerbside. The state government’s appetite for kerbside dining has seen up to $40,000 of taxpayers’ money put on the table for Frankston businesses to buy street furniture or install small seating areas on pavements outside established eateries. A Kerbside Dining Encouragement Package, announced last week in partnership with Frankston Council, will offer 20 grants of $2000 each to Frankston city centre food and drink businesses offer outdoor dining for the first time…
AN ALLIANCE of six councils that lobbies state and federal governments for investment in the south east has been rebadged and relaunched but ratepayers are in the dark about how much the renewed lobbying push will cost. The South East Melbourne Group of Councils (SEM) includes Frankston, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Kingston, Casey, Cardinia Shire and Greater Dandenong councils. A new website at southeastmelbourne.org and launch event on Friday 15 September at Greater Dandenong council offices in Dandenong mentioned on the group’s new Facebook page flagged a new look for the group. The site domain name was registered last year by…
A TRIP to Canberra for a national conference has been described as “productive” by Frankston deputy mayor Steve Toms. The councillor attended the National General Assembly of Local Government at Canberra’s National Convention Centre on 18-21 June. A report on meetings with federal Coalition government MPs and Labor opposition counterparts was tabled at the 4 September public council meeting. The report stated it cost $5,787 in airfares, accommodation and meals for Cr Toms and council strategic planning coordinator Kate Jewell to hear ideas about “Building Tomorrow’s Communities”, the theme of this year’s conference hosted by the Australian Local Government Association.…