A GROUP concerned about the environmental impact of the construction of the Mordialloc Bypass is calling on the state government to abandon plans to build the planned $300 million between the Mornington Peninsula Freeway and Dingley Bypass. The Residents Against Mordialloc Freeway say the nine-kilometres will threaten endangered species of birds, animals and fauna in the nearby Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands. RAMF president Scott Fothergill said there are “precious” wetlands, parks and grasslands all through the corridor through which the Mordialloc Bypass is to be constructed. “One endangered animal lost is too many,” he said. “It’s just a stop-start road through here,…
Author: Neil Walker
OTHER uses for the Seaford substation will be canvassed by Frankston Council to make use of the building constructed in the 1920s. Councillors at this month’s public council meeting voted to investigate possibly converting the abandoned building into an “art museum” or “community hub”. Cr Kris Bolam said Seaford residents at a recent ward meeting with ratepayers had mentioned making use of the substation. The Seaford substation is located on VicTrack land and effectively falls under state government control but council CEO Dennis Hovenden believes council can be involved in discussions about its future use. “I think there is a…
FIVE peninsula sports and leisure centres will be managed by a private operator from 29 October after Mornington Peninsula Shire decided to outsource day-to-day operations to a company that manages more than 120 such centres across Australia. Belgravia Leisure will manage and operate the Pelican Park Recreation Centre in Hastings, Mornington’s Civic Reserve Recreation Centre, the Somerville Health & Fitness Studio, Crib Point Pool and Western Port Gymnastics at the Hastings Hub. The Bayswater-based leisure centre and golf course management company will also run All Access outreach programs for older adults in Mornington, Rosebud, Hastings, Somers, Blairgowrie and Somerville. In…
FREE all-day parking in central Frankston is being pushed as a way to encourage shoppers to support local traders and businesses. Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke launched a ‘Free parking for Frankston’ petition this month calling on Frankston Council to make car parking free in “our CBD [central business district].” The state government surprisingly decided in August 2015 that a multi-deck carpark at a redeveloped Frankston train station is not needed. It was decided to instead consider a partnership with Bayside Shopping Centre to lease unused short term parking spaces for train commuters. “The state government and Bayside [Shopping Centre]’s…
THE arrival of a state government appointed monitor to oversee Frankston Council operations has not yet been finalised. Labor Local Government Minister Marlene Kairouz said the government has not yet decided the duration of the monitor’s stay in Frankston. The state government announced last Sunday (10 September) that a monitor will attend council meetings amid concerns about councillor “infighting” in recent months (“‘Infighting’ at council condemned”, The Times 11/9/17). “We have concerns about the conduct and proper functioning of Frankston Council – that’s why we are appointing a monitor,” Ms Kaiouz said last week. “The monitor will report back to…