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Before new dawn: Frankston Dolphins players train in front of the partially-built function centre at Frankston Park earlier this year. Picture: Gary Bradshaw
Function centre open for business THE two-storey Frankston Park Function Centre was officially opened last weekend on Saturday (19 September) by Frankston mayor Sandra Mayer, Labor Carrum MP Sonya Kilkenny and Dunkley Liberal MP Bruce Billson. With Frankston Park already home to special events, VFL football, local football, junior football and - from next year - women’s football, Cr Mayer said this modern function centre would make Frankston Park a hub for an even wider section of the local community. “This venue will cater for functions, events and conferences for local businesses, schools, sports clubs and community organisations,” she said. “It’s also another great development for Frankston, along with significant investments in the Frankston Station Precinct, Chisholm TAFE, South East Water, the PARC aquatic centre and the Frankston Yacht Club redevelopment.” Funded by the Frankston City Council ($1.5 million), State Government ($1.5 million), Frankston Football Club ($400,000), AFL Victoria ($250,000), AFL ($250,000) and federal government ($200,000), the centre will seat as many as 350 people downstairs and 220 people upstairs. “We’re listening to grassroots sports clubs, who say they need more space to grow. Our investment will help the Frankston Dolphins stage vital fundraisers - and that means a stronger club,”
Victorian Sports Minister John Eren said. The function centre will be council-owned and managed by the Frankston Dolphins as part of their Frankston Park lease agreement. AFL Victoria infrastructure and planning manager Ricky Bell said the project will help the Frankston Football Club become a strong and viable entity within the VFL. “Frankston Football Club provides local talented players an opportunity to play at the highest level possible within their local area. It is hoped that this facility development will support the club in their ongoing sustainability and continue to see Frankston Park as the premier football facility in the region.” Dolphins Acting President Joe Russo said “generous grants from Frankston Council, state government, AFL Victoria, AFL and the federal government” will enable the Frankston Football Club to provide the community sporting and social clubs with a cost-effective alternative for functions and events. “This will give the Frankston Football Club the ability to generate the income necessary so the people of Frankston can have a successful, standalone VFL football team that we can all be proud of, and which will give our local up-andcoming footballers a pathway to play football at the highest level. This is what the Frankston Football Club is all about,” he said.
Chomp, chomp: mulcher makes light work of pests A LARGE mechanical mulching machine that chews vegetation into coarse mulch has been used to remove large woody weeds in the Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve as part of works to regenerate indigenous flora species. The work involved the removal of coast tea tree and sallow wattle which are identified as priority pest plants for eradication in the reserve. Much of the mulching is done by hand using chainsaws, and this is where Parks Victoria’s tracked forestry mulcher is used – especially in the more densely weeded areas where hand removal is not practical. The treatment is then followed up with an intensive weed management program that will return the area to its native heathy woodland state. “Burning is a method sometimes used to reduce weeds, however, in this instance, it would have been detrimental to the Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve in the longer term because it would have increased vigorous woody weed regrowth,” Parks Victoria area chief ranger Bill Mallinson said. “Mulching woody weeds is superior to other methods of weed removal, such as burning, as it does not cause mass germination of the wat-
tle and tea tree seeds which are stored in the soil and can be very difficult to control. “The mulch also provides an ideal environment for the indigenous heathy woodland species to grow, which is a great outcome for the park.” Visitors will notice a change in the park where the works have been conducted. “It is not what you would usually expect good environmental park management to look like,” Mr Mallinson said. However, Parks Victoria says residents should not to be concerned as it is an important step in restoration of the indigenous heathy woodland. “At first, the initial impact of the works are not visually appealing, however, the long-term results will be a much healthier indigenous heathy woodland that will be consistent to other high quality areas within the reserve.” The mulching works also support work done by the Friends of The Pines who help control weeds and encourage balanced natural biodiversity within the reserve. Parks Victoria will continue to monitor the results of this work to ensure long-term success of the weed removal program. Details: parks. vic.gov.au or call 13 19 63.
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