NEWS DESK
Full steam ahead for station revamp Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au
Crowded memorial: Anzac Day commemorations at Davey St last year. Picture: Gary Sissons
Memorial ‘moves forward’ FRANKSTON’S new war memorial is a step closer to reality after Frankston RSL agreed to work with council on a scaled back design budgeted at about $490,000. In November, councillors voted to a new memorial design after a $1.4 million project, announced with much fanfare early last year, was deemed too expensive to build. At Monday evening’s council meeting, Frankston RSL secretary Brent Clyne said it is time to set aside differences of opinion about the design of the new memorial which is needed because the existing Davey St memorial cannot accommodate large
Anzac Day crowds. “Let’s move forward… it’s for the veterans and citizens of Frankston,” he said. Frankston RSL has pledged $25,000 towards construction of the new memorial and $10,000 per year for ten years for maintenance costs. Some councillors have criticised the RSL in the past, claiming the organisation can afford to pitch in more money due to its pokies revenue at its Cranbourne Rd venue. Mr Clyne revealed last week that Frankston RSL will spend “about $250,000” to “refresh the entranceway” of its Cranbourne Rd
venue to include “a memorial garden”. He told The Times “it’s not the RSL’s role to build memorials, we conduct services” and played down councillors’ assertions that the RSL had threatened to withdraw funding in recent weeks. “We’ve always had a few issues with a number of councillors but... we’re a community partner and we support the project,” Mr Clyne said. Since the new war memorial at Beauty Park will not be ready for Anzac Day this year, council will host Anzac centenary commemorations at Frankston Park. Neil Walker
PREMIER Daniel Andrews visited Frankston last Thursday to confirm his newly elected Labor state government will redevelop Frankston train station and its surrounds in its first term. Before November’s state election, Mr Andrews had promised to assemble a taskforce to seek community feedback and identify priorities for a $50 million overhaul of the train station (‘Fast track for station upgrade’, The Times 17/11/14). The Premier announced last week that the taskforce will be headed by Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke and will include Frankston mayor Cr Sandra Mayer, Chisholm TAFE CEO Maria Peters and representatives from Victoria Police, the Frankston Business Network, Public Transport Victoria and the state government. The taskforce will meet for the first time next month. Mr Andrews said “a fast-tracked master plan” will include planning for a transport hub, permanent police presence, a new retail strip and multilevel car park. A commercial hub for businesses and start-ups will be developed in partnership with Chisholm TAFE. “This is more than a facelift,” Mr Andrews said.
“We’ll make this precinct a safe and modern hub for transport, TAFE and shopping. “We’ll clean up Young St and bring in new employers, new shops and a permanent police presence.” Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the Frankston station precinct is “a gateway to Melbourne from the peninsula” so “needs this investment”. Frankston mayor, Cr Sandra Mayer, said it is “an exciting time” for Frankston. “This announcement gives us a definite timeframe and framework to work towards – and gives us hope that it will result in shovels in the ground by early 2016.” Cr Mayer said Frankston “stakeholders” will meet to talk about plans for the precinct on 23 January in preparation for the taskforce’s first meeting in February. “Our meeting with local businesses and stakeholders will focus on securing strong and united support for council’s long-standing transit interchange plans which have strong backing from the local community.” The state government has also committed $13 million to fund improvements to Young St and $46.9 million to redevelop Chisholm TAFE. Mr Edbrooke said the precinct “is in the heart of our community and we’re going to make it a place locals can be proud of.”
Y A D N OPE 9AM - 1PM Sat. February 7th 2015 Greenways Open Day this Saturday, come and enjoy a sausage sizzle and meet the residents. Newly refurbished Villas open for viewing. Bring your family and friends - All Welcome.
Call Sandra now 1800Greenways Frankston Times 26 January 2015
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