This week’s news from Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula🚔 Police and courts
Frankston Pier killer to face pre sentence hearing
Forrest Stevenson will return to court for a pre-sentence hearing on February 15 after being convicted of murdering fisherman Andres Pancha.
A Supreme Court jury found him guilty of killing the 45-year-old father of three on Frankston Pier.
Mr Pancha was fishing before dawn on June 29, 2024, when Stevenson, a stranger, attacked him.
The conviction follows a trial at which the jury rejected Stevenson’s defence.
Bookkeeper jailed over almost seven million dollars in thefts
A Carrum Downs bookkeeper has been jailed for nine years.
Julie Manning, 58, stole almost $7 million from three employers.
She pleaded guilty to offences including theft and obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
Manning had admitted the thefts to Frankston police.
Three charged after alleged stolen vehicle pursuit
Two Frankston men and a Seaford man have been charged after police tracked an allegedly stolen four-wheel-drive across Melbourne’s southeast.
Police allege the vehicle reached speeds of up to 170 kilometres an hour early on Friday.
It allegedly travelled on the wrong side of the South Gippsland Highway before hitting roadworks barriers.
The men were bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on March 5.
Tyabb driver allegedly more than five times the alcohol limit
A Frankston South man has had his licence suspended and car impounded after allegedly returning a blood alcohol reading of 0.261 in Tyabb.
Police say the 34-year-old was stopped during the statewide Melbourne Cup road blitz, Operation Furlong.
He was among 337 drink-driving offenders detected during the operation.
Police recorded almost 9,000 traffic offences statewide, including nearly 4,000 for speeding.
🏛️ Council and household costs
Shire reports stronger financial outlook
Deputy Mayor Paul Pingiaro says difficult decisions and organisational reform have improved Mornington Peninsula Shire’s financial outlook.
He says councillors elected in 2024 faced a projected $296 million deficit over ten years if existing trends continued.
The annual report recorded an operating surplus of approximately $14.2 million, with borrowings reduced by about $3.1 million.
Cr Pingiaro says the revised long-term plan is encouraging, but its projected improvements still need to be delivered.
Rates hardship help available for Peninsula households
Mornington Peninsula residents struggling to pay their council rates are being urged to contact the Shire.
Deputy Mayor Paul Pingiaro says mortgages, rents, insurance and everyday expenses are putting household budgets under pressure.
He says council’s financial hardship policy allows officers to work with residents through difficult times.
Residents needing assistance are encouraged to discuss their circumstances with Shire staff.
Council rejects extension of costly service point trial
Mornington Peninsula Shire has rejected Cr David Gill’s push to retain trial customer service points at Somerville, Dromana, Sorrento and Red Hill.
An officer report put average attendance below two visits per operating day, at a cost of $467 per visit.
Only Cr Max Patton supported Gill’s position; retaining the service points alongside full-service hours would cost around $267,000 a year.
Council will instead trial extended hours at Hastings and redirect resources towards other customer services.
Seven day parking limits proposed for central Mornington
Parking restrictions in central Mornington could be extended to seven days a week under proposed Shire changes.
Revised time limits would apply across Main Street, surrounding streets and council-managed car parks to improve turnover and availability.
The consultation follows separate concerns about nature-strip and school drop-off fines, with the chief executive acknowledging some enforcement outcomes were unfair or impractical.
Residents, traders, workers and visitors have until December 11 to comment before final recommendations are made.
🏘️ Housing infrastructure and services
Twenty supported housing beds promised for Mornington
The Victorian Government has announced a 20-bed supported housing facility in Mornington for people sleeping rough.
Housing Minister Nick Staikos says a site has been identified and the project will be funded through the short-stay levy.
Speaking alongside Hastings MP Paul Mercurio, he said levy revenue raised on the Peninsula would help meet local housing needs.
The announcement follows growing calls for intervention after a series of deaths among people experiencing homelessness.
Patterson Lakes interchange upgrade enters pre construction
An upgrade to the Thompson Road and Mornington Peninsula Freeway interchange at Patterson Lakes has entered pre-construction.
Traffic lights, additional right-turn lanes and realigned left-turn lanes are planned for the western side.
The proposed works aim to improve safety and traffic flow.
A construction contractor is yet to be appointed and no firm start date has been confirmed.
New gym and wellness facilities for Somerville
Somerville Recreation Centre is set to gain a new gym and wellness centre, expected to open early in 2027.
Plans include a 350-square-metre gym with 24-hour access, an outdoor training area and group fitness classes.
Recovery facilities will include massage chairs and float therapy, with membership presales expected in coming weeks.
The Shire’s 2025–26 budget allocated $250,000 to repurpose the centre’s childcare room.
Cerberus Freedom of Entry ceremony postponed
Mornington’s Freedom of Entry ceremony involving HMAS Cerberus was postponed because of forecast poor weather.
The ceremony had been scheduled for Saturday, October 31.
Mornington Peninsula Shire is working with the naval base and Victoria Police to rearrange the event.
A new date is expected in early 2027.
🌿 Environment animals and the coast
Briars sanctuary gains forty hectares of protected habitat
The Briars Wildlife Sanctuary has expanded from 90 to 130 hectares, adding protected habitat for threatened species.
A Victorian Government tourism grant of more than $1.5 million supported restoration of former pastoral land.
The project includes 2.5 kilometres of predator-proof fencing and a new accessible 2.6-kilometre Grasslands Walk.
The Shire says the expansion strengthens conservation and gives visitors more opportunities to explore the regenerating landscape.
Rabbit control underway around Western Port
Rabbit control work is underway around Pearcedale and neighbouring Western Port communities as warmer weather brings rising pest numbers.
Casey Council says contractors are targeting council-managed land, including areas around Pearcedale, Devon Meadows and Tooradin.
It says coordinated action by private landowners and public agencies is essential.
Mornington Peninsula Shire also encourages joint control efforts to limit damage to vegetation, crops and pasture and reduce soil erosion.
Pet care assistance for eligible pension card holders
Eligible pension card holders on the Mornington Peninsula can access free microchipping and subsidised cat and dog desexing.
The Shire’s Responsible Paws Project covers half the desexing cost at participating local veterinary clinics.
The initiative aims to ease costs, prevent unwanted litters and help lost animals return home.
Participating clinics span the Peninsula, including Mornington, Hastings, Mount Eliza, Dromana, Rosebud, Rye, Somerville and Balnarring.
Flinders Pier campaigners demand restoration whoever wins
Flinders Pier campaigners say restoration must proceed regardless of the outcome of this month’s Victorian election.
Anthony Marsh says an elected Liberal government would underwrite completion after the original $1.53 million project stalled when further structural damage was uncovered.
Save Our Pier spokesman Charles Reis has welcomed commitments to rebuild the heritage-listed structure.
He says the test is delivering the promised work and reopening the pier to the public.
🎭 Arts community and history
Stage Door opens arts pathways for young creatives
Frankston Arts Centre has announced Stage Door, a new annual mentorship program for emerging artists and creatives aged 16 to 21.
Six interactive sessions will offer behind-the-scenes access to industry professionals and show how performances, exhibitions and events are developed.
Participants can explore production, visual arts, gallery curation, marketing and administration through selected events, networking and collaborative projects.
Expressions of interest close on December 13 through the Arts Centre’s Stage Door webpage.
New touring platform connects musicians and venues
The Australian Music Touring Network has launched a free online platform linking artists and live music venues nationwide.
A map-based directory includes a tour builder and route planner with distance and driving-time estimates between venues.
Venue information and contact details aim to improve communication between venues, artists and management teams.
The platform covers metropolitan, regional and remote areas and includes a Community Radio Directory.
Frankston man returns Civil War relics to descendants
Frankston’s Mark Lawrence has helped return an American Civil War veteran’s medals and pocket New Testament to his descendants.
The former Age journalist inherited the belongings of Henry Ouseley Blake Lane, known as Harry, through his grandfather, Lane’s solicitor and executor.
Lane migrated to Australia after the war, raised a family in Brighton and died in St Kilda in 1913.
The items were returned at a Brighton General Cemetery ceremony recognising his wartime service and bravery rescuing a friend from Port Phillip Bay.
Ranelagh recollection links Mount Eliza to Guy Fawkes Night
A heritage study of Mount Eliza’s Ranelagh Estate records a local connection to Guy Fawkes Night.
Resident Jane Hildebrant recalled the old beach clubhouse burning down one fifth of November.
She remembered teenagers playing table tennis there, with members storing boats downstairs.
Bonfires and crackers were once a Victorian tradition, before fireworks sales to individuals were banned in 1982.
🏏 Sport
Frankston Park Oval closes for turf recovery
Frankston Park Oval at Kinetic Stadium is temporarily closed following extensive turf maintenance.
Council crews have undertaken aeration, fertilising, scarifying, top dressing and pest and weed treatments after significant seasonal wear.
The oval will remain closed until November 24 to allow the playing surface to recover.
Other areas of Frankston Park remain open to the community.
Rain disrupts cricket as Baden Powell and Long Island shine
Rain again interrupted local cricket, but an unbeaten 54 from Rhys Elmi helped Baden Powell defeat Sorrento and top the Provincial ladder.
In Peninsula, Aiden McKenna’s 109 not out powered Long Island past Rosebud.
Carrum Downs passed Moorooduc in the final over with one wicket remaining to move to the top of District.
Ballam Park claimed its first Sub-District win in a close encounter with Tootgarook.
Bailey returns and Peckett brothers reunite at Bonbeach
Bonbeach has secured former captain Beau Bailey from Frankston YCW, according to Simon McEvoy’s reporting in the Herald Sun.
Jet and Elwood Peckett return from Mount Eliza, bringing all four Peckett brothers together at the Sharks for 2027.
Queensland premiership player Jackson Osland also returns, with coach Jamie Mollo reporting no departures.
Karingal has signed 14 recruits under new senior coach Kris Thompson, who joins from Southern league club Springvale Districts.
Boneo and Flinders rivalry returns to RPP airwaves
A cricket rivalry dating to 1892 takes centre stage when Boneo meets Flinders on Saturday, November 7.
Flinders was formed by English cable company workers in 1874, initially playing where the golf course’s 13th green now stands.
Boneo’s history includes Italian migrant and tomato farm worker Gino De Bolfo, who claimed 171 wickets across four seasons in the 1930s.
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