6 July 2015

MP counsels council on station

Police target alcohol abusers

Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au

A STRONG police presence in the Frankston CBD – and especially the entertainment precinct – on Friday night was run as part of Operation Abide.

Officers targeted the “radical” selling of alcohol, unruly behaviour, under-age drinking and anti-social behaviour. They also kept an eye out for “vulnerable road users”.

Acting Inspector Andrew McDowell on Wednesday said police “would be visible and prevent any social disorder”. He said they would engage with retailers of pre-packaged alcohol because “most drivers for crime come from alcohol”.

“It’s a huge issue for us,” he said.

“It generates anti-social behaviour, violence and traffic incidents – every crime theme we have.”

Acting Inspector McDowell said police would give retailers and licensees advice on “target hardening” – reducing the risk of theft – and preventive issues to beef up in-store security.

The operation is relevant in the lead up to a liquor forum on 16 July. The aim of a liquor forum is to get police, retailers, licensees and local councils working together to improve safety in entertainment areas, reduce alcoholrelated anti-social behaviour, traffic offences and violence.

The forums focus on the supply of alcohol, the management and conduct of licensed premises and packaged outlets, the banning of troublemakers and the sharing of information between forum members and their staff.

“We want to improve communication between officers, managers and licensees,” Acting Inspector McDow-

FRANKSTON MP Paul Edbrooke has welcomed council’s views on how best to redevelop the Frankston train station precinct but says the community and state government will have the final say on the specifics of the $50 million project.

The Labor MP is chair of the Frankston Station Precinct Taskforce, set up by the government to hear submissions and suggestions about the project.

“As the chair of the taskforce, what I would like to clarify is that the council’s submission for this Andrews government project is just that,” Mr Edbrooke said.

“The project is 100 per cent state government funded and managed and the council’s submission will be taken into account just like the results of the community consultation that has just finished.”

Frankston councillors unanimously backed a formal submission to the state government pushing for more money to be invested to revamp the transport hub and electrify the rail line to Baxter (‘All aboard station plan push’, The Times 29/6/15).

Mr Edbrooke said Labor had always intended to use the state government’s $63 million investment to drive private investment at the redeveloped transport interchange and Young St. Council hopes the area can be opened up as “green public open space” and offices and shops could be part of the transport hub.

Council may move offices to the new transport hub.

Ramping up rhetoric: Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke has reminded council that the Frankston train station precinct redevelopment is wholly state funded. Pic: Yanni

Young St will be revitalised thanks to $13 million of funding committed by the previous Coalition state government which Labor will honour.

A further $46.9 million has been committed by Labor to fund a first stage upgrade of the Frankston campus of Chisholm TAFE alongside the train station redevelopment.

Mr Edbrooke said the Frankston Station Precinct Taskforce - which includes mayor Cr Sandra Mayer as Frankston Council’s representative, Chisholm TAFE CEO Maria Peters and representatives from Victoria Police, the Frankston Business Network, Public Transport Victoria and the state government – has “made great progress”.

“The masterplan developed by the

taskforce for Young St will be based on what the community tell us they want with an evidence based approach,” he said.

“It’s great to finally have the council’s opinion as a major stakeholder, it’s fair to say that our community have already been very clear about what they want and it is a very exciting time.”

Mr Edbrooke said the buck and the bucks stop with him.

“The Frankston community voted for this 100 per cent Andrews government funded project to change the face of Frankston for the future and I will ensure the project is carried out in full.”

ell said. “It’s a whole-of-government approach; a long-term strategy. The return on this investment will be significant.”

He said “high-risk” outlets in the entertainment precinct would be targeted. “We aim to be robust and open up lines of communication by getting out there and building relationships.

We want retailers to be pro-active.

It’s all part of taking small steps for a greater vision.”

Stephen Taylor

Carrum Downs drug raids arrest A CARRUM Downs man was among 11 people arrested when police raided houses and a factory as part of an investigation into drug manufacturing and trafficking in the south-east suburbs.

The man, 33, was seized “without incident” by Clandestine Laboratory Squad members at a factory in Frankston Gardens Dr, Carrum Downs, at 5am Wednesday.

Police raided two houses and the factory in Carrum Downs during 11 raids.

He was in custody at Dandenong police station on Friday, said to be assisting police with their inquiries.

Officers allegedly seized a firearm, excavators, forklift, trailers, vehicles, cash and illicit drugs, including what is believed to be Ice and GHB. The raids were part of Operation Conscripted – an ongoing drug operation focusing on the manufacturing and trafficking of methamphetamines by an alleged drug syndicate.

Other units involved in the raids were Morwell Divisional Tasking Unit, Santiago Task Force, Dog Squad and the Critical Incident Response Team.

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6 July 2015

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