RPP News Wrap - August 3 -7
🚔 POLICE & CRIME
PENINSULA LINK CRASH DRIVER FACES CHARGES
Police are continuing to investigate a crash on Peninsula Link at Baxter after reports a van was being driven erratically before Saturday afternoon’s collision.
A white Hyundai iLoad and grey four-wheel-drive collided near Frankston-Flinders Road.
Police allege the van driver left the scene before being arrested nearby.
A 35-year-old Frankston man is expected to be charged on summons.NUMBERPLATE THEFT PROMPTS POLICE WARNING
Almost 32,700 numberplates were stolen across Victoria in the year to March, with nearly half taken from vehicles parked in residential streets.
Mornington Peninsula motorists are being urged to fit anti-theft screws and park securely where possible.
Police say stolen plates are frequently used in burglaries, petrol drive-offs and ram raids.
The Peninsula is not among Victoria’s worst hotspots, but police say prevention remains important.NEW POLICE CARS NAB THREE P-PLATERS
Rosebud Highway Patrol’s new enforcement vehicles have quickly made their presence felt on Peninsula roads.
Three male P-platers allegedly committed serious speeding or drink-driving offences.
One 21-year-old was allegedly clocked at 116 kilometres an hour in a 60 zone while driving an unregistered vehicle.
All three immediately lost their licences for 12 months and will face court.COPPER THIEVES COST SHIRE MORE THAN $100,000
Mornington Peninsula Shire has spent more than $100,000 investigating and repairing copper theft damage at sporting reserves and community facilities.
The thefts have forced clubs to cancel training sessions and relocate games.
Council has now installed anti-theft devices to protect critical infrastructure.
Police are investigating similar thefts across Melbourne’s southeast.
🏛️ POLITICS & GOVERNMENT
FRANKSTON MP TAKES OVER AS POLICE MINISTER
Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke has been promoted to Police Minister in Premier Ben Carroll’s major pre-election Cabinet reshuffle.
The former firefighter takes responsibility for Victoria Police amid almost 1,500 officer vacancies and continuing concern over youth crime.
Edbrooke relinquishes the Men and Boys portfolio as part of the move.
The Suburban Rail Loop portfolio has also been abolished in the reshuffle.ONE NATION NAMES ITS PENINSULA CANDIDATE
One Nation has unveiled its Victorian upper-house team ahead of November’s state election.
State president Warren Pickering will lead the Eastern Victoria ticket covering the Mornington Peninsula.
Former Liberal Colleen Harkin will contest South-Eastern Metropolitan, which includes Frankston.
Pickering was involved in Darren Hercus’s campaign during this year’s Nepean by-election.MARSH TURNS UP HEAT OVER PENINSULA POTHOLES
Nepean MP Anthony Marsh has intensified the political fight over the condition of Peninsula roads.
He criticised Labor upper-house MP Sonja Terpstra after she suggested potholes could help reduce traffic congestion.
Marsh says deteriorating roads are creating safety risks and damaging vehicles.
He argues the Peninsula has suffered from years of State Government neglect.PENINSULA PUTS WISHLIST BEFORE PARTIES
Mornington Peninsula Shire has stepped up its Shout Out for the Peninsula campaign ahead of November’s election.
Heading the list is the proposed redevelopment of Rosebud Hospital.
The Shire is also seeking major investment in roads, public transport, housing, homelessness, coastal infrastructure and digital connectivity.
Mayor Stephen Batty says the region’s population and visitor economy warrant a much greater share of State Government funding.CREWTHER: FOUR FISHERIES OFFICERS CAN’T DO IT ALL
Mornington MP Chris Crewther has challenged the Government over falling Fisheries Authority staffing and inspection levels.
He says almost 28,000 inspections were undertaken in 2025, compared with around 11,000 since.
Crewther says a Mornington team of just four officers cannot adequately cover offshore patrols, illegal fishing, marine parks and investigations.
“The Government owes the Peninsula an explanation,” he says.ELECTION CANDIDATES TO FACE PENINSULA FORUM
Candidates from Frankston, Mornington, Hastings and Nepean will come together for a major election forum on November 6.
The Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula will stage the event at Mornington Racecourse.
It will put the region’s issues before candidates ahead of November’s Victorian election.
RPP FM will stream the forum.
🏘️ COUNCIL & COMMUNITY
FRANKSTON SEEKS POWER TO VARY COUNCIL RATES
Frankston Council wants the Municipal Association of Victoria to lobby for greater flexibility in applying differential council rates.
Cr Nathan Butler says the present system no longer adequately reflects how properties are actually used.
He argues a broader structure could encourage desirable businesses, influence land use and produce greater equity for ratepayers.
The motion required Mayor Sue Baker’s casting vote to get across the line.“EXCEPTIONAL” RESULT FOR FRANKSTON COUNCIL
Frankston City Council has recorded its best-ever result in the annual Community Satisfaction Survey.
Mayor Sue Baker says the result reflects a council that has listened, communicated and delivered on its commitments.
“Seven-point-two is the highest overall score ever achieved by Frankston City Council,” she said.
“It really is exceptional.”FRANKSTON TURNS 60
Frankston celebrates 60 years as a city this month after officially gaining city status on August 24, 1966.
Three days of celebrations will run from August 21 to 23.
The program includes exhibitions, live music, markets, family activities, author talks and historical displays.
Several local sporting clubs also celebrating their 60th anniversaries will be recognised.SHIRE RESPONDS OVER MORNINGTON FESTIVAL CANCELLATION
Mornington Peninsula Shire has moved to clarify why this year’s Main Street Mornington Festival was cancelled.
Council says it has provided $80,000 in sponsorship to the festival committee since 2022.
It says rising costs and difficulty attracting private sponsorship — rather than a lack of Council support — led organisers to cancel.
The Shire says it shares the community’s disappointment and would welcome the festival’s return.A LETTER TO A STRANGER HELPS FIGHT LONELINESS
Frankston’s Positive Ageing team and library have launched the Letterbox Project during Loneliness Awareness Week.
People are invited to write short anonymous handwritten letters for someone else to receive.
Recipients can optionally respond, with the library managing the exchange and no personal information being shared.
It is a deliberately simple attempt to create connection and a sense of belonging.
🏠 HOMELESSNESS
PENINSULA SHINES A GREEN LIGHT ON HOMELESSNESS
Homes, businesses, schools and community organisations were encouraged to shine green lights during Homelessness Week.
McCrae Lighthouse, YAWA Aquatic Centre and Shire offices also joined the Shine a Light on Homelessness campaign.
The green lights represent hope and support for people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
The Peninsula continues to record Victoria’s highest number of people sleeping rough.GOLFERS TEE UP TO HELP PEOPLE WITHOUT HOMES
Golfers and local businesses are being urged to support the Peninsula’s Mayoral Charity Golf Day.
Funds will go to community support centres in Rosebud, Mornington and Hastings helping people in crisis.
The four-ball Ambrose event will include prizes and a silent auction.
The fundraiser comes as the Peninsula continues to confront Victoria’s highest rate of homelessness.
🌊 ENVIRONMENT & COAST
COUNCILS JOIN FORCES TO REDUCE DROWNINGS
Mornington Peninsula has joined four neighbouring councils and Life Saving Victoria in the state’s first cross-council water-safety framework.
The partnership will use education, planning and community engagement to help reduce drowning deaths.
More than 60 people attended a regional water-safety event launching the approach.
Portsea Surf Life Saving Club’s Henry Kiss particularly highlighted the hazards of Peninsula back beaches.CALL FOR WESTERN PORT-WIDE PROTECTION PLAN
Corinella resident Neil Daly wants the next Victorian Government to establish a Western Port Region Strategic Management Plan.
He says protecting the coastline alone will not protect the bay.
Development further inland can also affect waterways, mangroves and the Western Port marine environment.
The Greens have indicated support, while responses from Labor and the Coalition remain pending.GREEN WASTE WEEKEND RETURNS
Mornington Peninsula residents can dump green waste free at Rye, Tyabb and Mornington from August 14 to 16.
The offer is available to residents and ratepayers with proof of residency.
Mornington will accept a maximum of three cubic metres per visit.
The Shire is warning motorists that the popular weekend can produce lengthy queues.
🐔 AGRICULTURE
“INEVITABLE”: BIRD FLU THREAT CLOSES IN
The Peninsula’s $100 million poultry industry is on heightened alert as bird flu moves closer to the region.
Somerville Eggs producer Linda says even stringent biosecurity cannot completely protect free-range flocks from infected wild birds.
“All egg farmers are crossing their fingers it’s not going to be them,” she told RPP FM.
“It is inevitable... you can have that absolute pinnacle of biosecurity measures, but it’s a lot of luck involved.”
🚒 COMMUNITY
MT ELIZA CFA MARKS 90 YEARS OF SERVICE
Firefighters from across the Peninsula will march through Mt Eliza as its brigade celebrates 90 years of service.
A ceremonial torchlight procession will be staged on Friday, August 21.
Firefighters carrying torches, flags and banners will travel along Mt Eliza Way to Howard Parker Reserve.
Residents are being encouraged to line the route to recognise nine decades of volunteer service.
🎭 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
MT ELIZA ACTOR CHRISTOPHER CHUNG’S STAR CONTINUES TO RISE
Mount Eliza-raised Christopher Chung is being tipped as one of Australia’s next international acting stars.
The Padua College old boy made his name internationally playing Roddy Ho in Slow Horses.
Roles in Doctor Who and Steve McQueen’s Blitz followed.
Chung now takes the romantic lead opposite Philippa Northeast in the new adaptation of My Brilliant Career.
⚖️ COURTS
DROMANA FOOTBALLER FINED OVER NIGHTCLUB ASSAULT
A current Dromana footballer has been fined $1,000 without conviction after pleading guilty to assault.
The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard the incident occurred outside Billboards nightclub in Russell Street in 2024.
The assault was described in court as alcohol-fuelled.
We kept this one deliberately brief during the week — and it probably deserves no more prominence than that.
🏉 SPORT
DOLPHINS LAND THEIR BIGGEST COMMERCIAL DEAL
Frankston Dolphins have announced a major naming-rights sponsorship with Markscon Construction, with reports valuing the agreement at seven figures.
Frankston’s home ground becomes Markscon Stadium in what the club describes as its biggest commercial deal.
It is another extraordinary milestone for a club which lost its VFL licence more than a decade ago.
The rebuilt Dolphins now regularly attract crowds of more than 5,000 as one of the VFL’s strongest standalone clubs.
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