NEWS DESK
Dog days, afternoons may return Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au DOGS are in with a sniff of returning to Frankston’s city centre after councillors narrowly voted to fully investigate reversing a 20-year ban. Council officers will prepare a full report on overturning a ban on canines in Frankston’s central streets after a four-three vote at last Monday’s public council meeting. Frankston mayor Cr Sandra Mayer has led the pack in pushing the ban reversal despite not being a dog owner herself. Cr Mayer said “other people” had asked her to raise the dogs ban on their behalf. “I have been approached on more than one occasion to undertake a review regarding council’s policies around banning dog access into Frankston’s city centre - to help drive up foot traffic for local business at a time that we have a high vacancy rate.“ Some councillors at last week’s meeting urged caution about allowing dogs back into central Frankston due to the potential for dog attacks and irresponsible dog owners not cleaning up after their pets. “I don’t own a dog but I love dogs,” Cr Glenn Aitken said. “As much as I like dogs … I think that bringing dogs into the city centre is very much a backwards step. There will be a number of people who will be responsible, as they always are … the fact is not everyone is as well mannered.” Cr Suzette Tayler also had reserva-
Make it snappy? Dogs could soon be allowed back into central Frankston after a 20-year ban on canines on city streets. Picture: Gary Sissons
tions about overturning the ban. “I think we’re opening ourselves up to a lot of things that may take place in the CAD [central activity district] if we allow dogs. We’re not a country town … we’re a city and I don’t think it’s appropriate to have dogs in the CAD,” she said. Cr Colin Hampton believed “lots of people and dogs on a leash will mix [and] some people are terrified of dogs.” Cr Aitken noted “there are people
who will bring in large cross breed dogs into the city centre that have not been properly trained to socialise with other dogs … or be around other people”. However, Cr Rebekah Spelman condemned apparent prejudice about particular breeds. “It’s dog racism to say crossbreeds are more dangerous,” she said. “Most people make sure their dogs are well behaved [and] clean up after their dogs.” The mayor said most dog attacks in Frankston were carried out by Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Information requested from council by The Times reveals there have been ten dog attacks reported in the city centre over the past three years. There are just over 20,000 dogs registered with council. Cr Mayer admitted the proposal to reverse the dogs ban had split the community. “I don’t think I expected quite a strong reaction and I’ve learnt that the hard way.” Cr James Dooley had no qualms about welcoming dogs back to central Frankston. “People get happy when they’re around dogs and we want happy people so let’s bring dogs back into the city and make everyone happy,” he said. Crs Aitken, Hampton and Tayler voted against investigating a ban reversal while crs Dooley, Mayer, Spelman and Darrel Taylor backed the move. Officers will now report back to council later this year before a final decision is made.
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Demolition plan: The Ambassador function centre may be knocked down in four weeks’ time according to a new owner who plans to build apartments at the site. Picture: Gary Sissons
Ambassador faces axe A DEVELOPER has promised to demolish The Ambassador function centre in a month’s time after being granted a 12 month extension by Frankston Council to redevelop the site. Fine artist and interior architect Joanna Kordos, the new owner of the site, told councillors at last week’s public council meeting that “we are looking at demolishing in about four weeks”. Ms Kordos plans to build a four-storey building with 37 apartments. “We are working towards pioneering a new look for that area, the entry to the peninsula,” she said. The Prahran based architect said she had experience in designing multi-unit sites and rooming houses. She owns four rooming house but said they “are brand new and unlike what we see at the back of The Ambassador”. In recent years the derelict Ambassador function centre has attracted illegal squatters, vandalism and drug use in the area.
There are 112 low-cost apartments, former motel apartments, behind the function centre. Neighbouring residents often complain to council about anti-social behaviour at the apartments. Cr Glenn Aitken doubted The Ambassador will be demolished any time soon. “Where have we got the iron clad evidence in front of us that this will happen?” he asked. He also questioned whether the ‘luxury apartments’ would ever be built on the site. “Why would you construct ‘high class apartments’ … next to one of the most challenging places of accommodation in greater Melbourne? I’m not confident with this application.” Councillors reluctantly agreed to extend the planning permit since many believed there is no other option to try to clean up the Frankston “eyesore” the derelict Ambassador function centre has become. Neil Walker
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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Frankston Times
30 March 2015
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