RPP News Wrap - August 17 -21st
EDITOR’S PICK • Frankston street safety dominated the week, with two women allegedly stabbed in separate attacks just days after a major police operation around Frankston Station resulted in 40 arrests.
★ STORY OF THE EDITION
40 ARRESTS — THEN TWO WOMEN STABBED IN CENTRAL FRANKSTON
▸ Police revealed 40 people were arrested during a five-hour operation targeting drugs, weapons and antisocial behaviour around Frankston Station.
▸ Five edged weapons were seized, 16 cannabis cautions issued and two people charged with alleged drug trafficking.
▸ Within days, two women were allegedly stabbed in separate attacks in Young and Playne streets, both suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
▸ A 27-year-old man was arrested and charged, intensifying concerns about safety around Frankston’s city centre and transport precinct.
⚖ POLICE & COURTS
POLICE AND PSO PRESENCE EXPANDED ACROSS CRIME HOTSPOTS
▸ The State Government will recruit another 150 Protective Services Officers as part of a $151 million community-safety package.
▸ Operation Pulse patrols at shopping centres and retail precincts will continue through next year.
▸ Another 200 former police officers will join the reservist program, doubling its planned strength to 400.
▸ A further $10 million will be available to councils for local safety measures including CCTV.
FATAL ROSEBUD CRASH UNDER INVESTIGATION
▸ Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives appealed for witnesses following a fatal collision on Jetty Road, Rosebud.
▸ Police allege a vehicle crossed onto the wrong side of the road before colliding with another car.
▸ The sole occupant of the second vehicle died at the scene.
▸ A 62-year-old Rosebud man was arrested, interviewed and released pending further inquiries.
◆ COUNCIL, POLITICS & THE STATE ELECTION
GREEN WEDGE FIGHT ERUPTS OVER 2,000-HOME PROPOSAL
▸ Nepean MP Anthony Marsh used State Parliament to demand the government rule out rezoning Green Wedge land between Mornington and Mount Martha.
▸ Marsh says a private proposal involving several landowners could deliver more than 2,000 homes outside the urban growth boundary.
▸ Mornington Peninsula Shire’s lobbying register records an April meeting with representatives of property group Bauenort about housing and community opportunities.
▸ No planning application or government proposal to rezone the Green Wedge land has been publicly confirmed.
SHIRE SAYS 25,000 HOMES CAN FIT WITHOUT GREEN WEDGE DEVELOPMENT
▸ Mornington Peninsula Shire challenged State Government modelling of its capacity to meet housing targets through to 2051.
▸ The State says the municipality lacks capacity for about 1,700 of the 24,000 additional homes required.
▸ The Shire says its own analysis identifies room for approximately 25,000 new dwellings within existing townships.
▸ Council argues that means the housing target can be met without pushing development into protected Green Wedge land.
BREE AMBREY TO TAKE ON PAUL EDBROOKE IN FRANKSTON
▸ Former nurse and health operations manager Bree Ambrey has been endorsed as the Liberal candidate for Frankston.
▸ She will challenge Labor MP and Police Minister Paul Edbrooke at November’s Victorian election.
▸ Ambrey says residents are raising concerns about crime, struggling small businesses, school infrastructure and cost-of-living pressures.
▸ The Liberals will attempt to wrest the traditionally Labor-held electorate from the government.
ONE NATION RETURNS FOR NEPEAN REMATCH
▸ Darren Hercus will again contest Nepean for One Nation, setting up a rematch with Liberal MP Anthony Marsh.
▸ Hercus secured 24.5 per cent of the primary vote at May’s by-election before finishing behind Marsh after preferences were distributed.
▸ Speaking to RPP FM, Hercus declared he was “here for the duration”.
▸ He nominated roads, Rosebud Hospital and housing affordability among his priorities for November.
BRIARS WARD BY-ELECTION RACE BEGINS
▸ Nominations opened for candidates seeking the vacant Briars Ward seat on Mornington Peninsula Shire.
▸ The vacancy followed Anthony Marsh’s resignation from Council after winning the state seat of Nepean.
▸ Candidates have until midday Tuesday August 25 to nominate.
▸ Voting closes on October 2, with the winner serving the remainder of the current council term.
PARKING FINES RESUME AFTER $162,000 COUNCIL ERROR
▸ Mornington Peninsula Shire restored the legal basis for issuing $105 parking fines following an administrative mistake.
▸ The error forced Council to withdraw or refund 1,547 infringements worth more than $162,000.
▸ Councillors unanimously corrected the penalty rate at a brief special meeting, allowing normal enforcement to resume.
▸ The meeting provided little explanation of how the original mistake passed the Shire’s internal checks.
FRANKSTON OPENS THE DOOR TO MORE PHILANTHROPIC FUNDING
▸ Frankston Council adopted its first formal policy governing philanthropic partnerships and sponsorships.
▸ The framework grew from lessons learned during fundraising for the Accessible Beach Project, which attracted more than $200,000.
▸ It establishes rules around transparency, integrity and the handling of donated funds.
▸ Council has also added a governance role aimed at strengthening future partnership work.
🎰 GAMBLING REFORM
GAMBLING REFORMS FALL SHORT OF PETA MURPHY BENCHMARK
▸ The Federal Government strengthened its proposed gambling reforms but stopped short of the complete advertising ban recommended by the late Dunkley MP Peta Murphy.
▸ A national register would allow Australians to opt out of online wagering advertising, alongside restrictions on inducements and direct marketing.
▸ Murphy’s husband Rod Glover says the reforms are a breakthrough but fall well short of the standard established by her bipartisan inquiry.
▸ Dunkley MP Jodie Belyea has repeatedly pledged to advocate for Murphy’s recommendations within government.
PENINSULA PRESSURE ADDS TO NATIONAL GAMBLING DEBATE
▸ Prime Minister Anthony Albanese conceded betting inducements are excessive and need to be wound back.
▸ The shift followed renewed pressure for reform, including a major gambling forum involving the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula community.
▸ Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie has highlighted more than $90 million in annual poker-machine losses on the Peninsula.
▸ Local campaigners argue the region has helped add weight to growing national demands for tougher controls.
✚ ENVIRONMENT & COMMUNITY
BIRD FLU SPREADS — FIRST LITTLE PENGUIN TESTS POSITIVE
▸ Another crested tern at Dromana tested positive for H5 bird flu as authorities continued monitoring the virus.
▸ Victoria also recorded its first infected little penguin at Phillip Island.
▸ Vaccination of more than 5,000 little penguins at Phillip Island and St Kilda began during the week.
▸ Authorities say no poultry or other animals have tested positive and people should avoid sick or dead wildlife.
2,000 LITRES REMOVED AFTER KANANOOK CREEK SPILL
▸ Melbourne Water continued the clean-up of a hydrocarbon spill discovered in Kananook Creek earlier this month.
▸ Around 145 booms and absorbent pads were deployed through the creek and drainage network.
▸ About 2,000 litres of hydrocarbon material had been removed, with signs the waterway was improving.
▸ Melbourne Water and the EPA continued investigating the source while people and pets were asked to stay clear.
ANOTHER RECYCLING TRUCK FIRE SPARKS BATTERY WARNING
▸ Another fire inside a Mornington Peninsula recycling truck prompted fresh warnings about hazardous waste in household bins.
▸ The latest incident occurred during a collection in Rosebud and followed recent truck fires at Flinders and Balnarring.
▸ Batteries, vapes, gas bottles and electrical items are among the major risks.
▸ The Shire says hazardous waste can instead be deposited free at Peninsula resource-recovery centres.
FOUR BUSHLAND RESERVES COULD RECEIVE PERMANENT PROTECTION
▸ Mornington Peninsula Shire proposed conservation covenants over four environmentally significant bushland reserves.
▸ The sites are Betty Clift and Peninsula Sands reserves at Rosebud, Lorna’s Triangle at Bittern and Woods Reserve at Tuerong.
▸ Together they cover more than 105 hectares.
▸ Once registered on the land titles, the protections would remain even if ownership changed.
ILLEGAL DUMPERS HIT WITH MORE THAN $50,000 IN FINES
▸ Mornington Peninsula Shire issued more than $50,000 in penalties after investigations identified illegal dumping offenders.
▸ The largest fine — more than $16,000 — was issued to a Cranbourne excavation company.
▸ A Hastings civil construction company was fined more than $12,000.
▸ Other cases involved dumped sofas, vegetation and business waste, while a Hastings man allegedly set fire to an abandoned trailer loaded with rubbish.
☀ PENINSULA LIFE, BUSINESS & TOURISM
FLINDERS PIER CAMPAIGN DRAWS 150-STRONG SHOW OF SUPPORT
▸ Campaigners emerged more determined to secure the full restoration of Flinders Pier after around 150 people rallied at the historic structure.
▸ Mornington Peninsula Mayor Stephen Batty and Nepean MP Anthony Marsh joined residents at the weekend gathering.
▸ Save Flinders Pier says its campaign has now attracted more than 45,000 supporters.
▸ The State Government has maintained public access to the pier but made no commitment to completing the abandoned restoration.
MOONRAKER REBUILDS AFTER STORM DISASTER
▸ Moonraker Cruises began rebuilding its fleet after its 14-metre flagship was washed ashore at Sorrento during June’s severe storms.
▸ The well-known dolphin-and-seal cruise vessel is undergoing repairs in Melbourne.
▸ A sightseeing boat and a purpose-built dolphin-and-seal-swim vessel are joining the fleet.
▸ The community is being invited to help name the two new boats.
BIGGEST WATER POLICE VESSEL LAUNCHED
▸ Victoria Police launched the largest vessel in the history of the Water Police.
▸ The 18.6-metre catamaran will patrol Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and Victoria’s coastline.
▸ It carries six crew and up to 16 passengers.
▸ Police say it can be rapidly deployed for emergencies across Bass Strait and surrounding waters.
SORRENTO CINEMA DREAM HITS A ROADBLOCK
▸ Plans for a boutique community cinema at Sorrento stalled after approval was not secured for its proposed Morce Avenue location.
▸ Around 150 supporters had contributed $109,000 through the Australian Cultural Fund.
▸ Organisers say purchased cinema equipment can be returned to help repay donors seeking refunds.
▸ They are now exploring a larger cultural hub at another site and say the cinema dream remains alive.
PORTSEA SURF CLUB NAMED VICTORIA’S BEST
▸ Portsea Surf Life Saving Club was named Victorian Club of the Year.
▸ The club received the prestigious Sir Frank Beaurepaire Shield for the third time in its 76-year history.
▸ The award recognises Portsea’s performance and contribution to lifesaving.
▸ The club will represent Victoria at Surf Life Saving Australia’s Awards of Excellence in Sydney in November.
FRANKSTON PLANNING TEAM OUTPERFORMS STATE AVERAGE
▸ Frankston Council reported more than three-quarters of planning applications were decided within statutory deadlines last financial year.
▸ Its result of just over 75 per cent compares with a Victorian council average of 69.7 per cent.
▸ Frankston also reported better results than neighbouring Mornington Peninsula, Kingston and Casey councils.
▸ Councillors described publication of the figures as an important transparency measure.
PENINSULA ARTS PLAN PUTS LIVE MUSIC AND WINTER EVENTS CENTRE STAGE
▸ Mornington Peninsula residents were given a final opportunity to comment on Council’s proposed ten-year Arts, Culture and Events Plan.
▸ The draft covers live music, festivals, public art, cultural heritage and the creative sector.
▸ Community feedback called for more live music, a winter events calendar and better creative spaces.
▸ The plan also covers the future role of the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery.
PORTSEA PIER CLOSED FOR MAJOR REPAIRS
▸ Portsea Pier will remain closed to pedestrians and mariners while major maintenance works are completed.
▸ The refurbishment follows significant damage caused by severe storms in 2024.
▸ Timber piles, beams, decking and capping are among the components being replaced.
▸ Parks Victoria expects the work to be completed before summer, weather permitting.
RYE SKATE PARK REOPENS WITH ALL-ABILITIES FOCUS
▸ Rye’s revamped skate park opened with free activities for people of all ages.
▸ The program included free lessons for people with disability using an All Abilities Skate Frame.
▸ Peninsula-based Enable Skate, Skateboarding Victoria and Mornington Peninsula Shire supported the initiative.
▸ The reopening marks the return of the upgraded community facility after redevelopment works.
🏠 FORESHORE & GOVERNANCE
819 PENINSULA BATHING BOXES FACE RULES OVERHAUL
▸ Mornington Peninsula Shire began reviewing the rules governing 819 bathing boxes and boatsheds on its foreshores.
▸ The existing policy dates from 2000.
▸ Council says the absence of formal occupation agreements creates legal, operational and governance risks.
▸ Community consultation will take place before a revised policy returns to councillors for final consideration.
★ SPORT
FINALS ARRIVE IN PENINSULA FOOTBALL
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