NEWS DESK
Skateboarder robbed after withdrawal at cashpoint
At a crossroads: Friends of Mentone Station chairwoman Dorothy Booth, left, discusses concerns about Mentone level crossing removal plans with Kingston mayor Cr Tamsin Bearsley. Picture: Yanni
Fears for station elevated Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au THE heritage-listed train station at Mentone could be in danger of removal as part of planned works to separate road from rail at the Balcombe Rd level crossing. Friends of Mentone Station and Gardens group chairwoman Dorothy Booth says an apparent lack of community consultation before the state government announced an elevated Sky Rail plan for three sections of the Cranbourne-Pakenham line is a concern. “If what they’ve done on the Dande-
nong line is the government’s idea of consultation then I’m very apprehensive about it all,” she said. Ms Booth said a representative from the Level Crossings Authority has said “they will be consulting on the Frankston line and every situation is different.” Traffic congestion at the Balcombe Rd crossing is severe, especially at school drop-off and pick-up times during week days. Grade separation at the Mentone level crossing has been earmarked for completion as part of the Labor state government’s commitment to remove 50 level crossings across Victoria’s
rail network, including eleven on the Frankston line. Works are underway at Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh and the Mentone level crossing removal is at the ‘consultation and planning’ stage according to the Level Crossings Authority. If the historic Mentone Train Station, built 103 years ago, is to be moved or redeveloped Heritage Victoria would have to assess the proposal and gives its approval. “This is a one in 100 year opportunity and if it is stuffed up now everybody is going to be stuck with what they do for the next 100 years,” Ms Booth said.
Divers search for body after plane crash mined its location and guided police divers to the site. The wreckage was then loaded onto a barge and towed into Williamstown where it was to be inspected by investigators this week. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority said yesterday it was “not in a position to comment [on the accident] as there is an investigation under way by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. We will study the findings carefully when they are available.” The bureau, as part of its investigation, will examine weather conditions at the time; pilot training and experience, and aircraft maintenance records. Their preliminary report is expected to be released in early March. They ask that any witnesses call 1800 020 616. Police are preparing a report for the coroner.
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POLICE divers were yesterday still searching for the body of 55-year-old Mordialloc man Daniel Flinn, who died when the plane in which he was flying with three friends crashed into Bass Strait, off Barwon Heads, late last month. The fuselage of the Piper Cherokee carrying the bodies of Donald Hately, 68, of Noble Park, Di Bradley, 63, of Black Rock, and her 65-year-old husband Ian Chamberlain, was recovered soon after the accident but Mr Flinn’s body has yet to be found. The friends had left Moorabbin airport on Friday 29 January intending to spend the weekend at the races at King Island. It is usually a 90 minute trip.
Their 1967 dual-control plane was heading into “really heavy weather; terrible sky and lots of driving rain” – and flying as low as 100 metres over the ocean – according to a Queenscliff fisherman who saw the lead-up to the crash. Although it has not yet been made public who was piloting the aircraft, all on board were regarded as experienced aviators. There was no distress call. Aviation experts say pilot error is the major cause of air crashes – especially disorientation in cloud. Late Sunday afternoon the plane’s engine block, propeller and part of the fuselage were found on the seabed, at a depth of 33 metres, about four kilometres offshore between Point Lonsdale and Barwon Heads. The wreckage was found using a remote operated vehicle which deter-
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Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au
A BOY riding a skateboard was robbed by a man, aged about 20, after he withdrew $40 from an ANZ ATM in Nepean Hwy, Chelsea. Leading Senior Constable Glenn Baptist, of Kingston CIU, said the robbery occurred outside the rear of Goodyear Tyres, 370 Nepean Hwy, Chelsea, 7.50pm, Christmas Eve. The man had asked the boy, 13, for directions to Bath St, Chelsea, which is nearby. The boy offered to show him the way. They walked towards Bath St but stopped at the rear of the tyre service where the man asked the boy to look away while he urinated. The man then grabbed him in a headlock and demanded money. The boy handed it over and the man ran off in an unknown direction. Leading Senior Constable Baptist said the man probably regarded the boy as “a soft target”. He is described as aged 20, solid build, wearing a sleeveless T-shirt, dark shorts, no shoes and with a satchel strap slung over his shoulder. Anyone with information should call Leading Senior Constable Baptist, 9556 6166, or Crime Stoppers, 1800 333 000.
CCTV footage: The man peers into the bank while the boy rides towards the ATM, top, then the pair walk off towards Bath St, Chelsea, near where the robbery occurred.
Speak to councillors Missing link help RESIDENTS, traders and community groups from Kingston’s south and central wards can meet and discuss local issues with councillors at upcoming councillor ward meetings. The South Ward meeting will be held on Thursday 18 February, 6-8pm at Carrum Surf Life Saving Club, 15 Old Post Office Lane, Carrum. Councillors will provide a brief overview of current initiatives taking place in South Ward and will be happy to talk about any local issues. In particular they are seeking community views on level train crossing removals, sports facilities and volunteering. As light refreshments will be available, please RSVP by Monday 15 February by phoning 9581 4907 or emailing governance@kingston.vic.gov.au The Central Ward meeting will be held on Thursday 3 March, 6-8pm at Parkdale Family and Children’s Centre, Warren Rd, Parkdale. Councillors will provide a brief overview of current initiatives taking place in Central Ward and will be happy to talk about any local issues. In particular they are seeking community views on the proposed next section of the Bay Trail from Mentone to Mordialloc. As light refreshments will be available, please RSVP by Monday 29 February by calling 9581 4907 or emailing governance@kingston.vic.gov.au
KINGSTON Council is seeking feedback on the final stage of the Kingston leg of the Bay Trail from Mentone to Mordialloc for cyclists and walkers. Drop-in information sessions will be held at council marquees on: • Wednesday 17 February, 5.30-7pm at Mentone (opposite Naples Rd) • Saturday 27 February, 10-11.30am at Parkdale (near Parkdale Cafe) • Wednesday 9 March, 2.30-4pm at Mordialloc (near Peter Scullin Playground) After community consultation, council will seek planning approval for the entire project with construction to take place in stages as funding becomes available for the $3 million final stage.
Clarification
LAST week’s article ‘Blip in Bauer’s preselection bid’ (The News, 3/2/16) stated a teenage worker’s hand was crushed at Peter Angelico’s Dandenong factory before the 2010 federal election as per press reports at the time. The WorkCover prosecution summary states: ‘the employee suffered a crush injury to his left hand which required the surgical removal to the first joint of his 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers, and injury to his 4th finger’. Mr Angelico is a Liberal Party nominee to be the party candidate for Dunkley at this year’s federal election.
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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 10 February 2016
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