RPP News Wrap - July 13 - 17th

🗳️ POLITICS & PUBLIC MONEY

"Election season shifted up another gear as roads, rates and regional priorities took centre stage."

Potholes, poll positions and projects seeking a place on the ballot

• Marsh turns pothole dispute into reporting tool
  Nepean MP Anthony Marsh launched a free online service allowing residents to report potholes, identify whether the road belongs to the state or council, and follow repair progress on a public map. The initiative follows a Department of Transport investigation into his by-election road-repair stunt, which ended without further action. Marsh says deteriorating roads will be a significant issue at November’s state election.

• Climate 200 again eyes Mornington
  The Mornington electorate could again become a target for the community-independent movement. Climate 200 is reportedly preparing to support a candidate following Dr Kate Lardner’s strong 2022 result, when she secured 49.3 per cent of the two-candidate-preferred vote against Liberal MP Chris Crewther. No candidate has yet been announced.

• Briars Ward prepares to choose a new councillor
  Residents and property owners were urged to check their electoral enrolment ahead of the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Briars Ward by-election. The vacancy follows Anthony Marsh’s election to State Parliament. Candidate nominations close on August 25, with voting to be conducted by post and completed ballot papers due by October 2.

• Bolam challenges Frankston’s election priorities
  Former Frankston mayor Cr Kris Bolam criticised the council for leaving Kananook Creek silting and the future home of Frankston Hockey Club off its state-election funding wish list. Bolam says Monash University intends to reclaim the hockey centre site for future student accommodation, potentially leaving the club without a home.

  “The club will be completely displaced and our local hockey community left entirely homeless.”
  — Cr Kris Bolam

🏥 HEALTH & HOSPITALS

"From Frankston to Rosebud, the week's message was clear—better healthcare remains the Peninsula's highest priority."

New hospitals, old equipment—and the continuing fight to keep care close to home

• Frankston Hospital marks six months of expanded care
  The $1.1 billion redeveloped Frankston Hospital has completed more than 6,400 operations since opening in January. Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke says the redevelopment has increased capacity and expanded healthcare services across Melbourne’s south-east, while using the milestone to warn that services could be threatened under a future change of government.

• Rosebud scanner appeal receives a major boost
  The campaign to replace Rosebud Hospital’s ageing CT scanner has received substantial backing from Bendigo Bank’s Southern Peninsula Community Bank. The bank will match community contributions dollar-for-dollar, potentially contributing up to $250,000. The existing machine was also purchased through community fundraising more than 20 years ago and is now approaching the end of its working life.

  “We only have to raise half that amount, and I can see it happening sooner rather than later—hopefully in time for a new hospital.”
  — Sue Gilbert, Save Our Rosebud Hospital

• Race highlights healthcare improvements in Flinders
  Former Labor candidate for Flinders Sarah Race says investment in bulk billing, urgent care and cheaper medicines is improving access across the western Mornington Peninsula. She says everyone in the electorate now lives within a 20-minute drive of a bulk-billing clinic, while the Somerville Urgent Care Clinic has handled more than 5,800 presentations since mid-December.

  “Everyone who lives in Flinders is within 20 minutes’ drive of a bulk-billing clinic.”
  — Sarah Race

  Race also says PBS reforms have delivered more than 3.3 million cheaper prescriptions to Flinders residents, producing estimated savings of $21 million.

🏠 HOUSING & COMMUNITY SUPPORT

"Behind the Peninsula's postcard lifestyle, the cost-of-living crisis continued to reveal its human face."

Behind the postcard coastline, more locals are losing the roof over their heads

• Older women increasingly pushed into homelessness
  The Southern Peninsula Community Support Centre says a growing number of older women are facing homelessness following bereavement, family breakdown and sudden changes in living arrangements. Chief executive Jeremy Maxwell says accommodation on the Peninsula is virtually impossible to afford on a single pension, forcing some women to survive in cars.

  “There is no way that anything down here is affordable on a single pension.”
  — Jeremy Maxwell, Southern Peninsula Community Support Centre

• Homelessness is no longer somebody else’s problem
  Ahead of the centre’s July 31 Winter Sleepout, Maxwell said many people sleeping rough have longstanding connections to the Peninsula. They include local workers, older residents and people priced out of the rental market—not simply transient visitors. Funds raised will support food relief, showers, laundry services and outreach assistance.

  “Most of the time, when we talk to people, they have a connection to the Peninsula.”
  — Jeremy Maxwell

• Career guidance coming to Rosebud Youth Hub
  Young people aged 15 to 25 will soon have free access to professional career counselling through a partnership between Mornington Peninsula Shire and Chisholm Institute. Advisers will attend the Rosebud Youth Hub on the first Thursday of each month, providing help with education, apprenticeships, employment pathways, résumés and job applications.

🌆 FRANKSTON

"Frankston balanced ambitious renewal with some of the community's toughest social challenges."

A city investing in its future while confronting the pressures of the present

• Family-violence response placed under review
  Frankston Council unanimously backed a review of its family-violence response after figures showed the city has the highest reported rate of any metropolitan municipality in Victoria. A report due in October will examine council funding, prevention measures, support programs and opportunities to secure greater state and federal assistance.

  Cr Kris Bolam said Humanity Support Frankston had recorded a 30 per cent increase in demand, while requests for family-violence assistance at Frankston Magistrates’ Court had risen sharply.

  “Families who have never had to ask for help before have been pushed to the absolute brink.”
  — Cr Kris Bolam

• Bruce Park pavilion seeks final funding piece
  Frankston Mayor Sue Baker and Derrimut Ward councillor Brad Hill called on the Victorian Government to contribute $1.75 million towards a new pavilion at Bruce Park. Council has committed $3.3 million and the Federal Government has pledged $5 million towards the estimated $10 million redevelopment. Hill says the existing facilities can no longer accommodate growing participation, particularly among women and girls.

  “The current facilities are well out of date. They aren’t fit for purpose.”
  — Cr Brad Hill

• Waterfront revival gathers momentum
  Council says Frankston’s troubled waterfront hospitality precinct may finally be turning a corner. Southern Italian-inspired restaurant Stella’s Lido remained on track to open in August, while planning continued for the Pier Promenade redevelopment on the former Sofia’s and Visitor Information Centre site. Council believes the projects signal renewed commercial confidence in the foreshore.

👮 POLICE, COURTS & COMMUNITY SAFETY

"A week of crime, scams and vandalism served as a reminder that community safety never takes a day off."

From online traps to smashed shopfronts—the week carried some costly warnings

• Hastings joyride leads to firearms investigation
  A motorcycle was allegedly ridden across the front lawn of Hastings Police Station twice during the month, causing damage. Detectives later executed a search warrant at a Hastings property, where they allegedly discovered a homemade firearm. A 22-year-old man was arrested and is expected to face firearms charges, while inquiries into the station damage continue.

• Tax-time scammers target MyGov accounts
  Victoria Police warned residents to be alert for fraudulent emails, text messages and websites designed to steal personal information and redirect tax refunds. Police received 978 reports of tax-related fraud and 303 complaints involving fake online stores during the previous year, with combined losses exceeding $1 million.

• Facebook defamation case could test volunteer administrators
  A Mornington teacher launched defamation proceedings against a volunteer-run community Facebook page over material posted by third parties concerning his criminal convictions. The case follows his unsuccessful appeal against an indecent-assault conviction and could have broader implications for volunteers administering large community forums. Mediation was scheduled for later in July.

• Sorrento businesses hit by vandalism spree
  Eleven businesses were left counting the cost after shopfronts were smashed and property damaged overnight in Sorrento’s main shopping precinct. Traders warned the closures and repair bills had arrived during an already difficult economic period.

  “These shops really are struggling at the best of times—and to throw this into the mix, it’s just horrible for everyone.”
  — Kate, Tommy Bahama Sorrento

🌿 ENVIRONMENT, INNOVATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

"Innovation, sustainability and ageing infrastructure all competed for attention across the Peninsula."

Old paint finds a new purpose while old problems remain in need of attention

• Recycled-paint courts win state award
  Mornington Peninsula Shire’s netball courts at Truemans Road Recreation Reserve won a state innovation award after becoming the first in Australia to incorporate recycled household paint into their construction. About 22 per cent of the courts’ base layer consists of paint diverted from landfill. The project will now progress to national judging.

• Kananook Creek silting returns to the agenda
  Cr Kris Bolam called for state-election funding to address continuing silting in Kananook Creek. He says the waterway’s environmental sustainability must be considered alongside the extensive public and private redevelopment taking place across Frankston.

• Sporting reserves cleared after safety inspections
  Mornington Peninsula Shire undertook precautionary inspections of council-managed sporting grounds containing synthetic cricket wicket covers. The review followed the death of footballer Nathan Fitzgerald after an incident at Lalor Recreation Reserve. The Shire said grounds used for senior weekend competition met safety requirements.

🍷 BUSINESS, TOURISM & CULTURE

"From world-class wines to vinyl records, the Peninsula continued exporting far more than just tourism."

Wine, waterfront dining and vinyl—the Peninsula keeps exporting its flavour

• International wine buyers headed for the Peninsula
  Influential wine buyers from Britain and Ireland will visit the Mornington Peninsula in November through a Wine Australia initiative aimed at strengthening exports. The delegation will meet producers and visit vineyards across a region known internationally for cool-climate pinot noir and chardonnay.

• Local stores contribute to Victoria’s vinyl revival
  Frankston and Mornington Peninsula retailers, venues and artists are helping reinforce Melbourne’s claim as a world vinyl capital. Victorian record-store numbers have reportedly risen by 18 per cent since 2023, while direct sales between artists and fans continue through gigs, markets, independent outlets and online platforms.

• Peninsula art worn at the Winter Ball
  Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie showcased local art and design at the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery Winter Ball. Her outfit included a brushed-gold tunic fashioned from repurposed baler twine and bird netting by Mornington Peninsula sculptor Emma Davies, complemented by locally made jewellery.

🏉 LOCAL FOOTBALL

"Local football again delivered the full spectrum of community life—triumph, heartbreak and extraordinary resilience."

One-point thrillers, painful setbacks and a victory carrying far more than four premiership points

• Pearcedale rallies during an emotional week
  Pearcedale staged a stirring comeback against Karingal only days after the death of much-loved club figure Damien Scully from a rare and aggressive brain tumour. Trailing by 28 points at halftime, the Panthers kicked six unanswered goals in the third quarter before securing an eight-point victory.

• Mornington survives Stonecats charge
  Mornington held on for a thrilling one-point victory over Frankston YCW after withstanding a frantic late challenge. The match was overshadowed by a serious ankle injury to Stonecats player Lachie Bryce, who was transported to hospital and later booked for surgery amid concerns over significant ligament or tendon damage.

• Chelsea wins the Division Two summit meeting
  Chelsea strengthened its position with a 41-point victory over Seaford in the top-of-the-table clash. Frankston Bombers continued their strong form with a 137-point win over Tyabb, while Somerville held off Red Hill by four points and Hastings upset Crib Point.

• Rosebud holds on as Dromana finds form
  In Division One, Rosebud survived a Devon Meadows challenge to win by three points. Dromana defeated Sorrento by 61, Edithvale-Aspendale beat Pines by ten, and Langwarrin overcame Mt Eliza by eight points in RPP FM’s Bendigo Bank Match of the Day.

RPP News —written by locals, for locals,

The stories that matter most to Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula

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