RPP News Wrap - 12th to 16th Oct.

This week’s news from Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula, led by firefighting fleet funding, Rosebud Hospital and the Briars by-election result.

Audit identifies fire fleet funding gap as minister defends investment

Victoria’s Auditor-General has found identified funding covers 26.7 per cent of the estimated $1.5 billion needed for critical fire truck replacements and upgrades between 2024–25 and 2033–34.

The report, tabled on 14 October, also finds none of the three fire authorities completes all scheduled maintenance, increasing the risk of breakdowns and insufficient suitable trucks for emergencies.

Emergency Services Minister and Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke defended government funding in an ABC Melbourne interview. According to the ABC’s interview summary, he cited record funding and acknowledged more work remained, but did not commit to fully closing the funding gap.

Separately, Labor has pledged $167 million for 150 new fire trucks by 2030 if re-elected.

The relevant agencies have accepted the audit recommendations in full or in principle.

The audit’s statewide findings do not establish a truck shortage at any particular Frankston or Mornington Peninsula station.

Rosebud Hospital pledge puts delivery timetable in focus

Nepean MP Anthony Marsh has reaffirmed the Coalition’s $340 million commitment to rebuild Rosebud Hospital if elected in November, promising construction would begin during its first term.

Speaking at Wednesday’s Nepean candidates forum at Rosebud Country Club, he said the project would be delivered working with Bayside Health Group.

The forum was the first of three in Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Shout Out for the Peninsula campaign. All four candidates on the panel supported a hospital rebuild.

The panel comprised Liberal MP Anthony Marsh, independent Kim Robbins, One Nation’s Darren Hercus and the Greens’ Sianan Healy. Despite invitations, no Labor or government representative attended.

Mornington candidates are next, at Alexandra Park Pavilion on Monday, 19 October, from 6.30pm.

Kerry Macdonald enters Mornington contest

Labor has named Mount Martha resident Kerry Macdonald as its candidate for Mornington at November’s state election.

The mother and grandmother told RPP FM her background in government policy and the senior public service would inform her approach.

She says she wants to offer community-focused representation and challenge what she describes as simplistic election solutions.

She will contest the seat held by Liberal Chris Crewther, who won by 590 votes in 2022.

Goffin calls for regional payroll tax treatment

Independent Mornington candidate Melissa Goffin wants eligible Peninsula businesses to access Victoria’s lower regional payroll tax rate.

She is seeking a specific exemption from metropolitan payroll tax treatment, rather than a change to the Peninsula’s overall classification.

The regional rate is about 1.2 per cent, compared with the standard metropolitan rate of 4.85 per cent.

Ms Goffin says the change could deliver substantial savings for eligible employers.

Christine Leahy elected with maintenance and roads on her agenda

Mount Martha executive director Christine Leahy has been officially declared the new Briars Ward councillor, replacing Anthony Marsh following his election to state parliament.

She secured more than 64 per cent of first-preference votes in the contest against Sue Ellison-Whyte.

Ms Leahy says maintenance, infrastructure and fixing things faster are priorities, including roads and intersections.

She also says her responsibilities extend across the whole Shire and that collaboration with fellow councillors will be central to getting things done.

She has leadership experience across family businesses, charities and health services, and has lived locally for nearly ten years with her husband and two daughters.

Young Street funding bid exposes differing views on safety

Frankston Council is seeking $2.7 million in state election funding for its Young Street Action Plan, including community connectors and city-centre safety measures.

Councillor Nathan Butler says the program is producing tangible results, citing a 15 per cent reduction in disorderly conduct and a 30 per cent reduction in crimes against people at the railway station.

Councillor Steffie Conroy says residents remain anxious, with some telling her conditions are getting worse despite the reported improvements.

She wants the bus interchange moved to the eastern side of the station, away from the Young Street shopping precinct.

The competing assessments put both recorded improvements and community confidence at the centre of the funding debate.

⚖️ Frankston pier murder trial continues

The Supreme Court trial of Forrest Stevenson, accused of murdering fisherman Andres Pancha at Frankston pier in June 2024, is continuing.

Mr Stevenson has pleaded not guilty to murder.

He denies being the attacker.

The jury is hearing evidence in the case.

Frankston rehabilitation hospital to become aged care

St John of God Rehabilitation Hospital in Frankston is due to cease hospital operations on 23 October, ahead of conversion to aged care under an acquisition agreement with Vasey RSL Care.

Patients and families are being supported through the transition, with refurbishment expected to be completed in 2027.

Free overdose medication available around the clock

A naloxone dispensing machine at Peninsula University Hospital in Frankston provides free nasal spray 24 hours a day.

The medication temporarily reverses opioid overdoses, including those involving heroin and prescription painkillers.

The spray can be administered by following the package instructions, buying time until emergency help arrives.

The installation forms part of Victoria’s $95 million statewide drug harm reduction plan.

Mount Martha man faces false document charges

A 33-year-old Mount Martha man has been charged with 232 counts of making false documents.

Taskforce Hawk detectives arrested him in Melbourne as part of an investigation into allegedly fraudulent construction and workplace qualifications.

He is on bail and is due to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court in February.

The police investigation remains ongoing.

⚠️ Police warn motorists about key cloning

Police are urging motorists across Frankston and the Peninsula to protect vehicles against key-cloning thieves.

Victoria Police seized more than 900 cloning devices statewide in the past year.

Frankston recorded 639 vehicle thefts and the Peninsula 462 in the year to March 2026; those totals include all theft methods.

Police recommend steering-wheel and diagnostic-port locks, locking vehicles even at home and parking in a garage where possible.

Frankston seeks more flexible council rates

Frankston Council wants greater scope to set different rates according to how properties are used.

Its proposal covers owner-occupied homes, long-term rentals, short-stay accommodation and vacant land.

Councillor Nathan Butler says flexibility could support businesses and help revitalise the city centre; no specific rate increase is proposed.

The motion goes to the Municipal Association of Victoria’s state council on 23 October, following a tied council vote broken by Mayor Sue Baker.

⚓️ Schnapper Point boat ramp reopens

Mornington’s Schnapper Point boat ramp has reopened after a Better Boating Victoria-funded upgrade, including new jetties, increased launching capacity and improved disability access.

Nearby boardwalk works begin later this month, with temporary closures and completion expected by Christmas.

Baseball facilities feature in election pledge

Mornington MP Chris Crewther has promised $5 million for Mornington Baseball Club facilities if the Liberals win government, prioritising female change rooms, lighting and safety netting.

It follows a $6 million Liberal pledge for Somerville Recreation Reserve.

Local operator takes on dangerous pothole

Inside Out Demolition operator Pete Gleeson used his own crew, 80 kilograms of asphalt and 20 kilograms of concrete to repair a pothole on Baxter–Tooradin Road.

He told Channel Nine he feared for road users, including his family, and was prepared to face consequences for doing the work himself.

Legal Aid opens new Frankston office

Victoria Legal Aid has officially opened its new Frankston office, where staff began operating in late August while maintaining services through the move.

The service assisted nearly 4,500 people locally last financial year and says the new space will improve access and reduce stress for people seeking help.

Community facilities receive Peninsula upgrades

Peninsula projects include Somerville station toilet refurbishment, three fenced zones at Grant Road dog park, Sorrento pickleball courts and foreshore amenities, and seating planned for Mount Eliza’s Village Green.

Other works cover Main Ridge Bowls Club, goal netting at Alexandra Park and Emil Madsen Reserve, Shoreham Tennis clubhouse and Rosebud seniors’ club roofing.

Local produce mark celebrates ten years

Mornington Peninsula Produce is celebrating ten years of identifying food grown, bred or raised locally through its certification mark.

The Shire values local agriculture at $1.3 billion and encourages shoppers to look for the mark at farm gates, markets, cafes and restaurants.

♻️ Frankston shortlisted for recycling awards

Frankston Council says food waste in red bins has fallen 20 per cent since its organics service began, while its recycling centre recycles over half the material received.

Both initiatives are finalists in national waste and recycling awards, with winners announced on 29 October.

Peninsula libraries refresh community spaces

Mornington Peninsula libraries have refreshed furniture, children’s areas and workspaces, with a new mural by Daniel Van De Wiel at Hastings.

Mornington Library’s quiet pod can be booked for up to two hours for meetings, interviews, telehealth or study; bookings are essential and library membership is free.

Local councillors record strong attendance

Frankston and Mornington Peninsula councillors recorded nearly 95 per cent attendance at formal meetings during 2025–26, according to a Leader newspaper analysis.

Neither council was listed as having unexplained no-shows.

Monthly gatherings connect multicultural residents

Frankston Library’s monthly gatherings with the CALD network welcome multicultural and linguistically diverse residents to meet and share stories over tea and coffee.

The next session is Thursday, 5 November, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

Four Dolphins sign for 2027

George Grey, Darby Hipwell, Pat Cotter and Max Gregory have signed with Frankston’s Dolphins for the 2027 VFL season.

Hipwell was Geddes Medal runner-up and made the team of the year squad; Cotter played all 19 matches in his debut season, while Gregory made 13 appearances after crossing from Casey.

Langwarrin century leads cricket highlights

Jack Marget’s unbeaten century helped Langwarrin beat reigning premier Mornington, while Xavier Warmbrun’s unbeaten 85 guided Balnarring past Mount Eliza.

Skye and Mount Martha tied after a last-ball run-out; the women’s competition has added five teams across three divisions, with Somerville heading the table in the early rounds.

Frankston Library welcomes Sunrise

Frankston Library’s lively online content attracted a Sunrise visit from weather presenter Sam Mac, showcasing Pilates, craft sessions and story time.

Local author and photographer Fiona Basil joined the fun, supported by Public Libraries Victoria ambassador Andrea Rowe.

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