RPP News Wrap - 19th to 23rd Oct.

🏘️ Community

Peninsula deaths renew calls for crisis accommodation

Four people sleeping rough on the Peninsula have died in just over six weeks.
They were aged between 36 and 65, according to The Guardian.
Local support services want dedicated crisis accommodation with ongoing support.
They say outreach funding alone cannot fill the housing gap.

🗳️ Politics

Belyea speaks out about threats and intimidation

Dunkley MP Jodie Belyea says women MPs are receiving death and rape threats.
Speaking on RPP’s Peninsula Talks, she criticised social media moderation.
She also alleges twelve far-right activists intimidated her and staff in Chelsea.
She wants greater accountability for threatening behaviour.

🏗️ Planning

Landslide controls narrowed to about 6000 properties

About 27,000 Peninsula properties will leave interim landslide planning controls.
Revised mapping reduces coverage from about 33,000 properties to 6,000.
Requirements for minor works posing minimal landslide risk will also be simplified.
Permanent controls will follow a detailed Shire-wide study.

🎓 Education

Frankston digital training centre designs unveiled

Designs are out for Chisholm Frankston’s $30 million technology centre.
Federal and state funding will support digital, AI and technology training.
Facilities will include cyber simulation laboratories, robotics and specialised computer spaces.
Satellite training sites are also planned across Australia.

🏥 Health

Hospital parking fees draw concern at Rosebud

Paid parking starts at Rosebud Hospital and The Mornington Centre next week.
Patients and visitors could pay up to $19 a day.
Staff face a $4.50 charge per eight-hour shift.
Campaigner Sue Gilbert questions the timing; Bayside Health cites rising operating costs.

Hospital campaigners encouraged by candidate support

Save Rosebud Hospital campaigners say candidate support is giving them renewed optimism.
Convenor Sue Gilbert welcomes backing for redevelopment at recent election forums.
She says Anthony Marsh and other candidates support a rebuild.
The hospital’s future remains a key local election issue.

🚒 Emergency services

Baxter station shortcomings become election issue

Baxter firefighters are hosing down outside because their station lacks a working shower.
Members say cramped facilities are also hampering recruitment.
Hastings MP Paul Mercurio agrees the building is unfit for purpose.
One Nation’s Peter Angelico proposes redirecting Treaty funds, without specifying Baxter’s allocation.

🗳️ Politics

Crewther election pledges reach at least $33.7 million

Chris Crewther’s identified local election pledges now total at least $33.7 million.
The latest is $10 million for Mount Eliza Secondary College.
Other commitments include Narambi Reserve, Emil Madsen Reserve and Mornington Baseball Club.
The pledges depend on the Liberals winning government.

🚧 Roads

Rye among hotspots for wheel and tyre breakdowns

Rye ranks among Victoria’s top ten regional wheel and tyre breakdown hotspots.
RACV attended 66 call-outs there between July and September.
Regional flat tyre call-outs exceeded 8,200, up almost twenty per cent.
Deteriorating road surfaces top motorists’ safety concerns in RACV’s latest survey.

🗳️ Politics

McDonald calls for more resilient road repairs

Labor’s Mornington candidate Kerry McDonald says road damage has several causes.
She points to heavier vehicles, increased traffic and extreme weather.
At the candidates’ forum, she linked worsening weather to climate change.
She argues longer-lasting repairs need different construction methods and more resilient surfaces.

⚖️ Community legal services

Legal service reports pressure from housing and violence

Peninsula Community Legal Centre reports nearly 15,000 services for over 7,000 clients.
Rising costs, housing pressures and family violence are driving demand.
Seventy-nine per cent experienced financial disadvantage; forty-seven per cent recorded family violence.
The centre also expanded its older persons legal services.

🚔 Police and courts

Mornington man among seven charged over fatal stabbing

An eighteen-year-old Mornington man is among seven charged with manslaughter.
The charges concern Lino Atem’s death at Wyndham Vale in January 2025.
Four adults and three boys were charged following Homicide Squad raids.
The allegations remain before the courts.

Frankston man faces theft and vehicle crime charges

A Frankston man has appeared in court over alleged theft and vehicle offences.
The 34-year-old was among five arrested at a Cranbourne property.
Police investigated more than twenty-five alleged offences across Melbourne’s southeast.
His charges include theft, handling stolen goods and offending while on bail.

Four men await sentencing over Tyabb drug laboratory

Four men await sentencing over a methamphetamine laboratory in a Tyabb factory.
A jury found them guilty of drug offences in July.
The County Court has heard submissions, including claims manufacturing was largely unsuccessful.
They remain in custody and will be sentenced on December 2.

🗳️ Politics

Somerville residents set priorities for election forum

Somerville residents have identified priorities for Hastings election candidates.
A business group survey drew contributions from 630 residents.
Roads, the roundabout, rail facilities and policing feature among the concerns.
A forum is planned for November 16 at 7pm at the Senior Citizens Hall.

Hastings candidates next in Shire forum series

Hastings candidates are next in the Shire’s election forum series.
The event is on Thursday October 29 at 6.30pm.
It will be held at Toscano Italian Kitchen at Sanctuary Inn.
It follows the Nepean and Mornington Shout Out for the Peninsula forums.

Maher stresses independent credentials in Mornington

Mornington independent Adrian Maher is stressing his independence from major backers.
He says donations have gone to charity, often matched personally.
His promises include tackling state debt and establishing a Peninsula ferry service.
He is competing against party candidates and fellow independent Melissa Goffin.

Crewther sets sights on majority Liberal government

Chris Crewther says the Liberals are aiming for majority government.
The Mornington MP outlined that position at the local candidates’ forum.
He acknowledged crossbench negotiations could follow if neither major party wins outright.
He says those discussions would be addressed if necessary.

Election enrolment deadline falls on Cup Day

Victorians have until 8pm on Tuesday November 3 to check their enrolment.
The deadline falls on Melbourne Cup Day.
Recent movers and first-time voters are urged to check their details.
The state election will be held on Saturday November 28.

🏛️ Council

Casting vote defeats community recognition review

Frankston Mayor Sue Baker’s casting vote has defeated a community recognition review.
Kris Bolam sought the review after two nominations were rejected.
Councillors split three votes each, with two abstaining.
Mayor Baker says the recently introduced arrangements are working well.

Shire seeks views on safety and animal management

The Shire wants feedback on community safety and animal management.
A survey covers pets, litter, dumped rubbish and local law enforcement.
Responses will guide service priorities over the next three to five years.
The five-to-seven-minute survey closes on Sunday November 29.

⚽ Sport

Langwarrin soccer club seeks synthetic pitch

Langwarrin Soccer Club is seeking a synthetic pitch at Lawton Reserve.
About 700 players across sixty teams place pressure on existing facilities.
The club says winter weather compounds training and scheduling problems.
Football Victoria is backing improvements through its Level the Playing Field campaign.

⚓ Community

Navy parade to bring ceremony to Mornington

HMAS Cerberus will receive Freedom of Entry in Mornington on October 31.
Navy personnel and the Navy Band will parade along Main Street.
The free ceremony runs from 9.30am until 10.15am.
Temporary road closures will affect Main Street and surrounding streets.

🏛️ Heritage

French ambassador scheduled to view Briars collection

French Ambassador David Martinon was scheduled to visit The Briars on Friday.
The visit was to explore the Peninsula’s Napoleonic collection.
It traces its origins to the Balcombe family’s friendship with Napoleon.
Selected artefacts will be displayed when the restored homestead reopens later this year.

🍺 Local business

Tar Barrel wins pale ale championship

Mornington’s Tar Barrel has won Champion Pale at the inaugural Beer Championships.
Its flagship Corner Pale took the award.
The national competition attracted 260 entries from 74 brewers.
Matt Bebe and head brewer Andrew Gow accepted the Hidy trophy.

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