This week in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula, the Baxter rail extension returned to the headlines, the Shire sought feedback on Rye landfill and ballot positions were confirmed for four local seats.
🚆 Transport and infrastructure
Langwarrin station back in the spotlight
Langwarrin’s housing growth has revived calls to electrify the Frankston–Baxter line and reopen the suburb’s station.
The federal Coalition set aside $225 million in 2018, which the Albanese government withdrew in 2023 after an infrastructure review.
The Liberals took a $900 million pledge to the 2025 federal election. An earlier business case put the cost at up to $1.5 billion.
Frankston Council still backs the extension, which has no confirmed construction funding or start date. The Herald Sun reported on the suburb’s growth.
Martha Cove residents challenge $541,000 lighting bill
Martha Cove residents are challenging the cost of replacing ageing lights in the Safety Beach underpass, The Age reports.
Nepean MP Anthony Marsh has asked the state government to review the cost and residents’ obligations under a longstanding agreement.
He told Parliament the proposed number of LED lights had more than doubled from initial advice.
Residents support replacing the lights and want the scope and price examined.
🗳️ Victorian election
Four local seats draw 34 candidates
The Victorian Electoral Commission has confirmed ballot positions for 34 candidates across Frankston, Hastings, Mornington and Nepean.
Hastings has seven candidates, with Chloe Coulson first and Labor’s Paul Mercurio fourth, immediately ahead of Liberal Frank Schiefler.
Mornington has seven, with Labor’s Kerry McDonald second and Liberal Chris Crewther third and independent Melissa Goffin sixth.
Nepean has nine candidates, with Greens candidate Sianan Healy first, independent Kim Robbins fifth and Liberal Anthony Marsh eighth. Frankston has 11, with Labor’s Paul Edbrooke fifth, Liberal Bree Ambry seventh and One Nation’s Paul Stafford eighth.
Candidates’ forum goes online
Candidates from all four local electorates took part in a forum in Mornington.
The Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula has released the video of the event.
Committee chief executive Josh Sinclair said the forum gave candidates a chance to address priorities shared across the region.
The video is available on RPP FM’s YouTube channel.
Mercurio calls for cooperation in Hastings
Hastings MP Paul Mercurio has called for more cooperation across party lines as he campaigns to retain the seat he won in 2022.
The Labor MP and former Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor is defending a narrow margin.
He made the appeal at the regional candidates’ forum in Mornington.
Mercurio urged people to work together on ways to strengthen their communities.
Healy returns to contest Nepean
Greens candidate Sianan Healy is running in Nepean again after contesting the May by-election.
She secured 9.4 per cent of first preferences in May, a modest lift in the Greens’ vote.
Healy is campaigning on housing, healthcare, environmental protection and social justice.
She told RPP FM she believes frustration with the major parties is drawing voters to alternatives.
Snowball questions funding for Rosebud Hospital rebuild
Labor’s Nepean candidate Surbhi Snowball has questioned how the Coalition would pay for its proposed Rosebud Hospital rebuild.
The Shire’s pledge tracker lists the Coalition commitment at $340 million.
On RPP FM’s Peninsula Talks, Snowball defended Labor’s $4 million pledge to upgrade the hospital’s emergency department.
She asked how the Coalition would fund the rebuild alongside its proposed tax cuts.
🏛️ Councils and local services
Rye tip could get 16 more years
Mornington Peninsula Shire is seeking feedback as Rye landfill’s current disposal area nears capacity.
Council officers favour using space within the existing boundary to handle about 35,000 tonnes of waste a year for another 16 years.
The Herald Sun reported the option would cost about $23 million. Alternatives include trucking waste to Dandenong or redeveloping Rye for at least 25 more years.
Deputy Mayor Paul Pingiaro said waste-to-energy could be a longer-term option. Residents can respond through the Shire’s Shape Our Future website.
Shire puts beach box rules on hold
Mornington Peninsula Shire has deferred a decision on new rules for about 820 bathing boxes and boatsheds.
The draft policy would introduce formal ten-year licences.
Council is waiting for the state environment department to approve the proposed licence agreement.
Councillor Bruce Ranken moved the deferral, saying changes to the agreement could mean staff have to rewrite parts of the policy.
Shire takes on removal of fallen council branches
Mornington Peninsula Shire has introduced its first stand-alone tree policy, the Herald Sun reports.
Residents can ask the Shire to remove branches from council trees that fall onto private property.
The policy follows a review of how council dealt with trees and branches that fell on residents’ land.
The Shire has also budgeted $160,000 for root barriers to help prevent damage.
Frankston reports record resident satisfaction
Frankston recorded its highest community satisfaction score, 7.2 out of 10, in its 2025–26 annual report.
Mayor Sue Baker said council recorded a $26.5 million operating surplus and invested $71.8 million in capital works and infrastructure.
Council delivered more than 95 per cent of its capital works program, its strongest result in more than a decade.
The year also marked the first time women simultaneously held the roles of mayor, deputy mayor and chief executive.
Frankston asks residents to set budget priorities
Frankston Council is seeking feedback on services, programs and facilities for its 2027–28 Annual Plan and Budget.
Mayor Sue Baker said the feedback would help council weigh community priorities against existing commitments and available resources.
Residents can respond through Engage Frankston until 30 November, with offline options also available.
Council will hear public submissions at its 14 December meeting.
Crib Point has a say on skate park and playground
Mornington Peninsula Shire wants feedback on a skate park and upgraded playground at A.W. Peterson Reserve.
The skate area would focus on beginner and intermediate riders, with better access, shade, seating and drinking fountains proposed.
Feedback will help shape a draft design expected in early 2027.
A pop-up at the reserve starts at 5 pm on 26 November. Consultation closes on 6 December.
🌿 Environment and energy
Shire calls for permanent protection of Cerberus land
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council voted unanimously to strengthen its opposition to the proposed sale of surplus Defence land at HMAS Cerberus.
Councillor Michael Stephens called for a transfer to the state, a public trust or a conservation organisation to protect the land.
Eighty-nine per cent of respondents backed the Shire’s draft conservation submission. Council will lodge its revised position with the Commonwealth.
The proposal covers about 1,164 hectares, including bushland and the golf course. Defence says the operating base and training facilities will remain.
Western Port groups press for early start on bay plan
The Victorian Government says Western Port’s first marine spatial planning process will begin in 2027.
Conservation groups want work underway early in the year and a dedicated fund to protect and restore the bay.
Scoping is due to follow the environmental assessment of the proposed Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal at Hastings. Funding for the bay plan is yet to be announced.
The process will bring together environmental, cultural, economic and community perspectives on the future of Western Port.
Councils seek bigger role in green wedge reforms
Mornington Peninsula Shire has joined five other councils calling for a stronger local voice in Victoria’s green wedge planning reforms.
In a joint letter to Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, the councils welcomed moves to protect farmland, biodiversity and open space.
They want the government to consult all 17 green wedge councils before finalising further changes.
The councils say planning rules should reflect the different roles of each green wedge and the priorities of local communities.
Hastings in line for $30 million hydrogen trial
Hastings could host a $30 million pilot testing Australian technology designed to make green hydrogen cheaper.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has committed $15 million to Hadean Energy’s proposed trial at BOC’s Hastings site, subject to approvals and final arrangements.
Hadean says its CSIRO-developed technology could use 30 per cent less electricity than conventional systems and supply hydrogen for steelmaking.
Hastings is also the proposed site of a renewable energy terminal for assembling offshore wind turbines.
⚖️ Police and courts
Prestia and May face civil claim over alleged Sorrento brawl
The ABC reports a man is seeking personal injury damages from former AFL players Dion Prestia and Steven May in Victoria’s Supreme Court.
The claim relates to an alleged altercation at Sorrento on Boxing Day 2024.
Both men previously denied involvement, and criminal charges against them were dropped in May.
Two additional defendants are being added to the civil case. Their pending criminal proceedings are expected to delay the claim.
Police seek $160,000 boat missing from Carrum Downs
Frankston detectives are appealing for help to find a boat allegedly stolen from a Carrum Downs storage business in July.
The vessel is a Stabi Craft Super Cab valued at $160,000.
Investigators believe its appearance may have been altered since it disappeared from the Colemans Road premises.
Police say it may display the false registration WM805.
🎨 Arts and community
McClelland seeks $750,000 in annual funding
Langwarrin’s McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery is campaigning to restore $750,000 in annual government funding.
The gallery says it receives about $2 in government support per visit, compared with $20 to $30 at comparable institutions.
It draws about 60,000 visitors a year and has combined sculpture, bushland and education for more than 55 years.
Details of its funding petition are available on the gallery’s website.
Slow Horses actor Christopher Chung takes on festival role
Mount Eliza’s Christopher Chung has been named an ambassador for the 2027 AACTA Festival.
The Peninsula-raised actor, who plays Roddy Ho in Slow Horses, will host a panel on the Gold Coast in February.
The former Padua College student discovered acting in a school production of Aladdin and later trained at St Martins Youth Arts Centre.
Chung told The Australian he came close to leaving acting before landing the role.
Whistle & Trick win two children’s music awards
Local duo Whistle & Trick won Album of the Year for Chats with the Moon at the Australian Children’s Music Awards.
Esther Holt and Maddy Kelly also took home the publicly voted Kindred Family Choice award.
The pair met through the Woodleigh School choir as students.
Holt now heads music at Woodleigh’s Penbank campus.
Frankston offers free beach safety lessons for children
Peninsula Leisure is encouraging Frankston families to make water safety part of their summer plans.
Its free Can Swim program teaches beach safety and basic swimming skills to children and teenagers aged five to 17.
VICSWIM Kidz is also offering five subsidised lessons at PARC and Pines Aquatic Centre.
Royal Life Saving Australia is urging families to check pool fences and gates and enrol children in lessons.
Two local lottery tickets win $1.1 million each
A Mount Eliza woman and a Pearcedale woman each won about $1.1 million in the same Saturday lottery draw.
The Mount Eliza winner said she was home alone when she checked her ticket and went from stunned silence to screaming.
She told the lottery operator she plans to use the money to secure her future.
The Pearcedale winner said the news came as her family was buying a house.
🏏 Sport
Jobling leads Boneo back to the winners list
Boneo beat Flinders in RPP FM’s broadcast match, with captain Chris Jobling making 50.
Baden Powell went top in Provincial after beating Old Peninsula by eight wickets, led by Luke Long’s unbeaten 58. Reigning premier Mornington remains winless.
Jackson Hannah hit 55 as Balnarring beat Somerville, while Steve Lindsay took four wickets in Mount Martha’s win over Tootgarook.
Two-day cricket begins this weekend across all senior divisions.
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