WORDING displayed on Frankston Council vehicles has inadvertently drawn council staff into the same-sex marriage debate. Council contractors daubed the words “Vote No” this week on vehicles as part of an ongoing campaign to demand a better deal than a 1.4 per cent pay rise being offered to workers as part of protracted enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) negotiations. Several people complained to council about “Vote No” message, mistakenly believing the slogan referred to the same-sex marriage plebiscite that Australians are being asked to vote on in November. Australian Services Union branch executive president Michelle Jackson said union members have been…
Author: Neil Walker
BAYSIDE residents took a step back in time this month when contacted by a polling firm canvassing their views on local MPs. Voters were asked to rate the performance of previous MPs instead of current incumbents in an apparent bungle when drafting the questions for the “robocall” poll by ReachTel. Carrum residents were asked to rate the performance of Donna Bauer, Mordialloc households were asked about Lorraine Wreford and Bentleigh voters faced questions about Elizabeth Miller. All three former Liberal Party MPs lost their seats at the 2014 state election to Labor’s Sonya Kilkenny (Carrum), Tim Richardson (Mordialloc) and Nick…
A FIGHT to keep Eel Race Rd in Carrum open to traffic is set to go the distance despite a decision to close the road as part of the state government’s level crossing removals project. A petition with 571 signatures has been tabled in the Victorian Parliament urging the state government to intervene and reverse a Level Crossing Removal Authority move to axe the road when road is separated from rail at Carrum. Opponents of the closure of Eel Race Rd say congestion will increase on nearby streets and part of the Carrum community will be effectively cut off from…
TRADERS frustrated over delays to a revamp of Young St in central Frankston have implored the state government to help out financially since the project was initially slated to finish in May. Federal Dunkley Liberal MP Chris Crewther has forwarded a letter to Labor Transport Minister Jacinta Allan signed by several business owners who say they have suffered a downturn in trade since foot traffic past stores has fallen during the Young St works. The letter in part asks that “affected traders be granted just financial compensation and relief from the original completion date in May 2017 to the final…
DOGS will not be freed to roam along Frankston foreshore after councillors voted against a trial of a leash-free area between Frankston Pier and the Olivers Hill boat ramp. Councillors decided at last week’s monthly public council meeting against a four-month trial from December to allow pet pooches to be off leash on the beach and a plan to test allowing dogs to be walked by owners on leads within central Frankston. Cr Glenn Aitken brought a jar of dog excrement into council chamber picked up from the nature strip in front of his home to graphically illustrate his opposition…