NEWS DESK
Safer crossing at Bittern THE opening of a $224,000 signalised pedestrian crossing in Bittern has made crossing Frankston-Flinders Rd a safer proposition for pedestrians. About 50 pedestrians an hour cross the road between the train station and shops, and in peak hour around 1000 vehicles an hour drive past at 60kph. “Without a pedestrian-operated crossing, local residents have been taking risks when crossing the busy road in between traffic breaks,” Eastern Victoria MP Daniel Mulino said. “Bittern residents will now be able to cross Frankston-Flinders Rd safely.” Hastings MP Neale Burgess last month called on Roads Minister Luke Donnellan “to get on with the job” of installing the pedestrian crossing.
“The Bittern community had called for the installation of a pedestrian crossing [there] for many years and I was pleased to have obtained funding of $224,000 for it last October,” he said. “Work began in March, but was abruptly stopped a short time later. I wrote to the minister asking for an explanation and was told that work had ceased because an electrical contractor had withdrawn and had to be replaced.” Mr Burgess said he had “again written to the minister, this time asking that he personally intervene to ensure that installation of the Bittern pedestrian crossing was completed as a matter of urgency”.
Busted on way to bottle shop
Hanging day: Rebecca Davy hangs a painting by Gail Rutland Gillard at the revamped Noels Gallery, 1175 Mornington-Flinders Rd, Red Hill.
Gallery opens with owner’s exhibition NOELS Gallery at Red Hill is about to enter a new phase after being renovated and refurbished by new owners Rebecca and Craig Davy. The couple previously owned galleries at Flinders and Sorrento and plan to hold exhibitions and artists’
demonstrations (sometimes with dinner) at Noels. Exhibitions will include paintings, glass, jewellery and ceramics. Craig Davy started painting six years ago and has won 70 awards. His new works will be on show for open-
ing night, Saturday 5 September. To arrange an invitation to the opening email becdavy@iinet.net.au The yet-to-be-opened cafe at Noels will be open for breakfast and light lunch. Details: Rebecca Davy 0415 458 080.
A LANGWARRIN woman has had her license suspended after allegedly being found driving at more than five times the legal limit in Langwarrin Sunday evening. Frankston Highway Patrol police was called to Cranbourne Rd following reports of an erratic driver around 6.45pm. Police caught up with the woman when she was reportedly on her second run to the bottle shop and she returned a positive breath test at the scene. An evidentiary breath test then found her reading to be 0.289 per cent. The 40-year-old’s licence was immediately suspended and it is expected she will be charged on sum-
mons with drink driving and trafficrelated offences.
Unlocked, robbed THIEVES broke into eight cars parked at houses on Bentons and Dunns roads, Mt Martha, in a spate of overnight raids early Sunday morning last week. One car – a Subaru – was stolen and later recovered in Frankston North, while loose change was taken from the others. Detective Sergeant Jason Hocking, of Mornington CIU, said all the cars are believed to have been left unlocked. “We go on about it but people are still making it easy for thieves,” he said.
WHAT’S NEW...
Red Hill Spring Garden Festival - Grow for Life IT’S on again. The fourth Red Hill Spring Garden Festival will ignite gardeners’ imaginations. A unique community hosted event, presented by gardeners for gardeners. If you like to get your fingers in the soil, this is the practical event for you. Pass on the “Grow for Life” benefits to the next generation by bringing the children for little green thumbs activities: free planting in quality pots, think seed bombs, beautiful terrariums and more. If it’s craft on a cool day that your kiddies enjoy, then the traditional Flower Show has some creative categories for all ages. Take a peek in the Show Schedule and prepare to exhibit your garden goodies: produce, herbs, blooms or arrangements. Entries are welcome. Share to inspire others and you’ll be thrilled with your award and a prize. The schools’ section, Show Off Your Best, is expected to be bulging with local student talent again this year. Buy a gift for your garden from the Festival from local and country specialists who will advise and sell an exciting array of tools, sculptures, and plants. See what’s new and needed to enhance your home garden. Borrow an idea in the information session. Professor Tim Entwisle, is privy to amazing species at Royal Melbourne Botanic Gardens. No wonder his session is called “Rock Stars of the
Plant World”. Meet Melissa King, well known from television gardening appearances. Prepare your questions and secure a seat in the marquee for the Q&A Session with sustainable produce, pruning for fruit or flowers, and native plant experts. Participation and entry is affordably pitched at $5 per adult and free options: parking, children’s entry, the Flower Show, Expert Sessions and Flower Show exhibiting. Food is available. With something to inspire every gardener at any age, you’ll want to be there. September 12, 9am – 3pm, Red Hill Show Grounds, Arthurs Seat Road, Red Hill. www.rhgs.com.au Western Port News 1 September 2015
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