RPP NEWS Wrap May 18-22

🏛️ Politics • Council • Governance

• Frankston Tightens Sister City Oversight

  Frankston Council has adopted a revised Sister City and Friendship City policy. The change follows debate over international delegations and federal agency advice ahead of a Wuxi visit. Cr Michael O’Reilly again criticised the program, but the revised policy passed by majority.

• Tracee Hutchison Rules Out November Run

  Independent Nepean candidate Tracee Hutchison will not contest the November state election. She described the recent campaign as successful but brutal. Hutchison welcomed Victorian Electoral Commission interest in campaign behaviour. Anthony Marsh was confirmed as the winner with an improved Liberal margin.

• Pingiaro Points to Council as Political Training Ground

  Mornington Deputy Mayor Paul Pingiaro says local government can develop strong state candidates. He cited Paul Mercurio’s move to Spring Street for Labor. Former mayor Anthony Marsh has now followed, winning Nepean for the Liberals. Cr Pingiaro says councillors build wide skills and community experience.

• Mornington Shire Prepares for New Mayor Mornington Peninsula Shire expects to have a new Mayor in place by its June 9 meeting. Deputy Mayor Paul Pingiaro has been overseeing Briars Ward responsibilities. The vacancy follows Anthony Marsh’s move to State Parliament as Member for Nepean. A Briars Ward by-election is expected later this year, subject to VEC timing.

• Whole-of-Council Planning Briefings Retained Mornington Peninsula councillors have rejected a return to smaller ward-based planning meetings. Officers argued broader briefings better supported transparency and consistent information. Cr Bruce Ranken said the model ensured all councillors heard the same planning advice. Council backed whole-of-council briefings for statutory and strategic planning matters.

• Shire Seeks Views on Property Framework Mornington Peninsula Shire is consulting on how it manages, buys and sells land and buildings.

  The proposed framework covers a Property Strategy and land sale and acquisition policy. It also includes rules around road and minor reserve discontinuance. Consultation is open until June 14, with a Mornington Library information session planned.

💰 Budget • Business • Economy

• Frankston Budget Balances Rates, Works and Housing

  Frankston Council has adopted its 2026–27 budget with a 2.75 per cent rate rise. The budget includes an $83 million infrastructure program and cost-of-living focus. Major projects include the Frankston Stadium redevelopment at Seaford. Mayor Sue Baker says housing and accommodation supply must remain a long-term priority.

• Frankston Backs First-Year Entrepreneurs

  Frankston Council has announced its inaugural Entrepreneur Program grant recipients. New businesses completed training, mentoring and pitch sessions before local experts. Ten-thousand-dollar grants went to ExploreABLE, Link Forward, Bella’s Sourdough, Undercover Paws and Little Compass Collective. Council says the program is designed to strengthen Frankston’s small business community.

🚨 Police • Emergency • Compliance

• Anonymous Tip Leads to Mornington Weapons Seizure

  An anonymous Crime Stoppers call has led to a major Mornington weapons and drugs seizure. A 49-year-old local man has been remanded on 21 charges. Police allege eight firearms, ammunition, cannabis, drugs and prohibited weapons were uncovered. He is due back in court on June 12, with further charges possible.

• CFA Crews Reduce Fire Risk at Arthurs Seat CFA crews have carried out planned burn and candling operations near Arthurs Seat. Brigades from across the Peninsula joined Shire crews along Pindara Road. The work targeted dangerous stringy bark fuel loads before the next fire season. CFA says planned burning has covered almost 2900 hectares statewide since June.

• EPA and Police Target Waste Truck Compliance

  EPA Victoria and Victoria Police have been checking waste transport trucks in Hastings.

  The operation is part of a statewide crackdown on waste tracking breaches. Officers are targeting operators carrying high-risk reportable priority waste. EPA says more than $80,000 in fines and 28 warnings have been issued this financial year.

🏥 Health • Housing • Social Support

• Frankston Seeks Clearer Homelessness Picture

  Frankston Council has voted to investigate homelessness and vulnerability across the city. Cr Kris Bolam’s motion follows estimates of up to 30 people sleeping rough each night. The report will examine amenities, storage and support services. Bolam and Cr Nathan Butler are also developing further homelessness initiatives.

• Rosebud Hospital Push Remains Urgent Deputy Mayor Paul Pingiaro says rebuilding Rosebud Hospital remains a top Shire priority. He points to ageing demographics, population growth, summer traffic and distance from Frankston. The issue dominated the recent Nepean by-election. The Liberal Party has pledged $350 million toward a rebuild if Anthony Marsh is returned in November.

• Rosebud PPP Proposal Adds New Dimension A public-private partnership proposal has emerged for Rosebud Hospital. Journalist Mike Hast has reported details of a TLC Healthcare concept. The proposal combines a public hospital with private day surgery, aged care, childcare, staff housing and allied health. It could reshape one of the Peninsula’s most politically charged infrastructure debates.

• Community Connectors Help Improve Frankston Station Safety

  The Victorian Government says outreach workers are helping improve safety around Frankston Station. Community Connectors support people facing mental health, homelessness and family violence issues. They work with Metro staff, PSOs and police before situations escalate. The government reports a 44 per cent fall in disorderly and offensive conduct around the precinct.

🌿 Environment • Sustainability • Wildlife

• Mornington Reef Project Builds Bay Habitat The Mornington Reef Project is restoring marine habitat using recycled shells. OzFish volunteers are working with Bunurong Land Council, Melbourne Water and the Shire. Degradable oyster baskets are being used to support fish populations and water quality. Melbourne University researchers are continuing scientific monitoring.

• Library Recovery Stations Turn Waste Into Resource‍ Mornington Peninsula residents can now recycle selected household items at local libraries. The recovery stations accept old cables, CDs, DVDs and VHS tapes. The program is delivered with Melbourne social enterprise Green Collect. It diverts waste from landfill while supporting employment for people facing work barriers.

• EPA Rankings Name Bay’s Cleanest Beaches New EPA summer water quality rankings have highlighted strong performers around Port Phillip Bay. Portsea, Santa Casa and Mt Martha Surf Life Saving Club ranked among the best. Carrum finished last, with Frankston Surf Life Saving Club and Frankston Coast Guard also lower. EPA says drier summer conditions helped beaches further from dense urban areas.

• Free Green Waste Weekend Opens Across Peninsula‍ ‍

  The Shire’s no-charge green waste weekend is running at Rye, Tyabb and Mornington. Residents are reminded to bring proof of residency. Limits apply at some sites, with delays expected during busy periods. The Shire says the program supports garden waste management and longer-term composting.

• Experts Urge Seal Safety After Sammy Death Marine experts are calling for stronger public education around seal behaviour. The warning follows the suspected death of well-known Peninsula seal “Sammy”. Researchers say recovering fur seal populations mean more encounters around Port Phillip Bay. The public is being urged to keep distance and avoid social-media-driven contact.

🏗️ Development • Planning • Infrastructure

• Fifteen-Storey Davey Street Proposal Under Review‍ ‍

  Frankston Council is reviewing a proposed 15-storey apartment and residential hotel development.

  The application relates to 8 Davey Street in the city centre. Council has requested further information, including on building height and parking. Community submissions have already raised concerns about height, amenity and parking.

• Nature Strip Parking Fines Frustrate Locals More than 1100 motorists have been fined this year for parking on Peninsula nature strips. Some residents say narrow streets leave them with few practical parking options. Areas including Dromana, Safety Beach and Somerville have seen $122 fines. Critics say streetscape ideals are colliding with everyday parking reality.

🏖️ Heritage • Tourism • Peninsula Life

• Fort Nepean Tunnels Reopen to Visitors Visitors can now explore historic underground tunnels at Fort Nepean. The limestone passages sit beneath the former coastal defence base at Point Nepean. Fort Nepean fired the British Empire’s opening shot of World War One and Australia’s opening shot of World War Two. The tunnels have reopened after major heritage conservation and structural repair works.

• Peninsula Misses National Tidy Town Crown The Mornington Peninsula has missed out on the 2026 national Tidy Town title. The Western Australian community of Williams was named Australia’s tidiest town. The Peninsula was one of six national finalists. Judges praised Williams for community engagement, youth environmental programs and heritage preservation.

⚽ Sport • Volunteers • Community Spirit

• Mornington Life Saving Club Wins VicSport Honour ornington Life Saving Club has won a major VicSport Award for its schools program. The initiative teaches CPR, first aid, lifesaving skills and aquatic participation. It includes Auslan-supported sessions, subsidised access and adaptive equipment. Almost 3900 students from 24 schools have already taken part.

• National Volunteer Week Salutes Community Broadcasters

  RPP FM has used National Volunteer Week to acknowledge its volunteer backbone. The station runs 24 hours a day on 98.7 FM, RPP Plus and social media. Volunteers support presenting, production, technical work, news gathering and station operations. Nationally, 9.5 million Australians volunteered in 2025, contributing more than 618 million hours.

• MPNFL Round Six Celebrates Club Volunteers Round

  Six of MPNFL football put the spotlight on the volunteers behind local clubs. The competition acknowledged the people who keep community sport running each week. Club volunteers remain central to match-day operations, junior pathways and local connection. The round underlined how much Peninsula sport depends on unpaid community effort.