RPP News Wrap - June 29 - July 3

4 July

🚔 Teen Crime Continues
Teenagers faced courts over alleged stolen cars, armed robberies and violent street offences stretching from Frankston to Melbourne.
🛍️ Operation Pulse Intensifies
Extra police flooded Bayside Shopping Centre as Victoria Police targeted machete violence and retail crime during the school holidays.
👮 Operation Eclipse Charges
A 19-year-old will face court after detectives investigating organised crime targeting Melbourne licensed venues laid fresh charges.

💰 Shire Passes $326 Million Budget
Mornington Peninsula Shire adopted its 2026-27 Budget and unveiled its first ten-year Capital Works Plan.
🅿️ Paid Parking Returns To Debate
Councillor Max Patton says visitor parking charges deserve another look as ratepayers shoulder the cost of tourism.
🏘️ Frankston Seeks More Support
Frankston boosted its homelessness funding request five-fold as it pushes for a broader response to rough sleeping.
🗳️ Tracee Hutchison Steps Aside
The Independent candidate confirmed she will not contest November's election following a pragmatic review of the Nepean by-election.
⚖️ Municipal Monitors Under Scrutiny
Kingston's monitoring program has been extended again, raising fresh questions about the future of oversight at neighbouring councils.
🏗️ Big Build Under Fire
Fresh corruption allegations surrounding Victoria's Big Build have renewed calls for greater accountability on Peninsula infrastructure projects.

🚗 Road Safety Push
Fourteen Black Spot projects have been nominated as councils battle one of Victoria's worst regional road trauma records.
🐢 Wildlife Poaching Alarm
Conservation volunteers at Devilbend say turtle poaching is becoming an increasing concern after disturbing discoveries.
🔥 Firefighter Health Concerns
Volunteer firefighters are calling for better protection following a cluster of cancer diagnoses among long-serving CFA members.
🌳 Pick My Park Returns
Frankston residents are being asked to choose the city's next generation of park improvements.
🤝 Welcoming Communities
Frankston has retained its national recognition as one of Australia's Established Welcoming Cities.

🖤💛❤️ NAIDOC Week Celebrations
The Peninsula will mark 50 years of NAIDOC Week with community events, workshops and cultural activities across the region.

🍇 Wine Talent Goes Global
Kooyong's Lucy Adam has earned one of Australia's most prestigious emerging wine industry scholarships.
🥬 Certified Peninsula Produce
A new Provenance Mark is helping shoppers identify genuinely local Mornington Peninsula produce.
🏖️ Portsea Eyes Tourism Crown
The coastal village is awaiting the result of Victoria's Top Tiny Tourism Town awards.
🏡 Historic Pink Landmark Listed
Somerville's famous stagecoach-era pink building has generated extraordinary buyer interest ahead of auction.
🏠 Luxury Property Prices Ease
Million-dollar price reductions suggest the Peninsula's prestige housing market is continuing to recalibrate.

🛠️ Flinders Pier Battle Continues
Government says engineering realities have changed restoration plans—but community campaigners say the fight is far from finished.

🏉 Big Wins Across the Peninsula
Round 11 of the MPNFL produced several emphatic victories as the season moves towards the business end.
🚂 Transport
Fans are reminded Frankston Line disruptions begin next week as RPP heads to Pearcedale for another live Saturday broadcast.

RPP News —written by locals, for locals,

The stories that matter most to Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula

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Brendon Telfer

Mornington mum conquers Everest…..