NEWS DESK
Stadium upgrade thrown into doubt Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au CONFUSION over local funding for a major redevelopment of the Frankston Basketball & District Association stadium in Seaford led to the project missing out on Commonwealth funding to start work on a $20-$25 million revamp. Frankston mayor Cr Sandra Mayer said council had applied for funding from the federal Coalition government earlier this year as part of the first round of the government’s National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) program. Council sought funding to add to commitments by the state government, council and the Frankston Basketball Association but the application was bounced out due to a lack of overall funding to proceed with the project. Council pledged $4 million, the state government promised $2.5 million and the basketball association will throw in $1 million to redevelopment the Seaford facilities. “The federal Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development advised this application could not proceed because there was not enough guaranteed funding for the project to proceed,” Cr Mayer said. “Council applied for $4 million federal government funding, indicating in the submission that $2.5 million was committed from the state government and another $1.5 million was being sought.” Federal Liberal MP for Dunkley MP Bruce Billson said council’s application for funding failed at the first at-
tempt since “the application that was submitted didn’t actually match up with the facts”. “It seems the $4 million was a bit of a try on given that the state had only indicated a commitment to $2.5 million,” he said. Mr Billson’s criticism of council came despite previously claiming discussions with the previous Coalition state government gave council “the impression that extra funding would be provided” (‘Parties clash over stadium funding’, The Times 15/6/15). He had called on the Labor state government to commit another $1.5 million even though his Liberal state counterparts had not formally done so when in government. Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke says the Labor state government, which won November’s state election, will match the official $2.5 million pledge by the previous government. The federal government’s NSRF program “has capacity to consider applications up to a dollar for dollar amount but as those requests for funding increase in value so does the rigour and the context for those funds,” Mr Billson said. The Small Business Minister said council’s rejected application for funding in the first round of the NSRF program “put forward a reasonable case” but more money and “a stronger proposal” than outlined in the initial application may be needed to highlight the positive economic and social impacts of the project. Mr Billson says council needs to find additional funding, persuade the state government to up its contribution or
Car thefts arrest A SOMERVILLE man, aged 19, was arrested last week and charged with stealing of and from cars, as well as stealing registration plates and credit cards. The stolen cards were allegedly used to steal petrol from service stations. Frankston Crime Investigation Unit Senior Constable Caroline McGill said the man also allegedly stole cigarettes, cash, wallets and electrical items – often from cars left unlocked. The offences were committed throughout June at Frankston, Mornington, Mt Martha and Carrum. The man appeared in Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and was remanded until 31 July. Senior Constable McGill urges motorists to ensure their vehicles are locked. “Most of the thefts were from unlocked vehicles between the hours of 10pm and 7am,” she said. As well as stealing from cars left unlocked in driveways and carports, police say thieves target cars at play centres, parks, beaches and sports reserves, where motorists are often distracted by their children.
Funding slam dunk: Steve Blackley, left, Nepean School student Sean Lynch, Wally Grivins, Kelly Bowen and Madeleine Garrick, front right, look forward to improved facilities at Frankston Basketball Stadium. Picture: Gary Sissons
apply for a greater amount of federal government money which would require a more detailed application. “Everyone has to be on the same page to win funding,” he said. Cr Mayer said council is currently considering its application for the second round of funding from the $1 billion federal NSRF program. Applications must be submitted by the end of this month. “I’m sure our residents, many of whom regularly use the basketball stadium, would welcome a state government announcement of the additional $1.5 million to help ensure this project goes ahead,” Cr Mayer said. Frankston Basketball Association general manager Nathan Jolly told The Times “dollar for dollar” federal funding
is “the missing piece” to get the redevelopment project started. Funding of $13 million is needed to begin stage one of the stadium redevelopment which will include the refurbishment of existing facilities and new basketball courts. “The much needed stadium expansion project is a key infrastructure project for our region and will create significant economic benefits not only during construction but on-going for our community so qualifies as part of regional fund guidelines,” Mr Jolly said. “This project is shovel ready pending federal funding.” He hoped the three levels of government can work together to ensure the Frankston community benefits from the planned upgrade of the stadium.
Stony Point line open TRAINS returned to the Stony Point rail line last Tuesday (30 June). Passenger services between Stony Point and Frankston have been suspended since early April due to technical problems which saw boom gates occasionally malfunction and fail to close when trains approached level crossings. Axle counters have been installed along the Stony Point line to ensure boom gates are triggered to close.
Smoke blankets crash scene
‘F-bomb’ hits council chamber THE F-word was uttered in the council chamber at the latest public council meeting and it wasn’t “Frankston”. Cr Rebekah Spelman let an expletive slip during a debate about relaxing beach curfew regulations for dogs. The councillor immediately apologised for her inadvertent outburst made amid repeated interruptions by some fellow councillors during her speech about the beach curfew. Cr Spelman has proposed a beach curfew for on-leash dogs from 9.30am7.30pm between 1 December and 31 March during summer months should be eased to 10.30am-7.30pm to allow dog owners to walk their pooches along Frankston beach later in the morning. Councillors including Cr Brian Cunial and Cr Glenn Aitken vehemently opposed any relaxation of the dogs beach
curfew rules at the meeting on Monday 22 June, claiming dogs frequently soiled beach towels at Frankston beach and some pet owners are “aggressive” when confronted about such incidents. Cr Spelman told The Times she regretted using the F-bomb in public. “Unfortunately I got a little frustrated ... before I could even stop myself I looked up and half-whispered it. I didn’t even get the full word out but everybody heard it.” Councillors switch on individual microphones to speak at public council meetings and comments during debate are therefore amplified. “I was mortified immediately afterwards and I did immediately apologise at the meeting.” Cr Sandra Mayer, who chairs council meetings as the mayor, did not sanction Cr Spelman.
It is a summary offence to swear in public in Victoria and offenders can face an on-the-spot fine of $240 by police. However “swearing has become so commonplace now that most people won’t even raise an eyebrow when someone does drop the ‘F-bomb’”, according to legal resources directory FindLaw Australia. Council officers will investigate the possibility of changing the beach curfew times for dogs after councillors voted 5-3 in favour of Cr Spelman’s notice of motion. Crs Spelman, Colin Hampton, Mayer, Michael O’Reilly and Darrel Taylor supported an investigation into easing the curfew rules. Crs Aitken, Cunial and James Dooley opposed the proposal. Neil Walker
POLICE, ambulance and fire brigade officers worked frantically to clear Nepean Hwy, Mt Eliza, last Wednesday after a ute and a van collided at the intersection of Mt Eliza Way. The van burst into flames following the crash and heavy smoke blanketed the intersection. Two men were treated at the scene. One, a 77-year-old, was taken by ambulance to the Alfred hospital where he was reportedly in a stable condition on Thursday. Hastings highway patrol and Mornington police attended the scene along with Mt Eliza CFA and Frankston SES. The speed limit along this stretch of road is 80kph. Witnesses to the collision should contact Hastings Highway Patrol on 5970 7800.
Mortified: Cr Rebekah Spelman inadvertently dropped the F-bomb at a public council meeting. Pic: Gary Sissons
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BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK Frankston Times
6 July 2015
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