NEWS DESK
Hawthorn plans onto next stage
Rail to nowhere: The extension of the Frankston line is up in the air, and the business case has not been made public. Picture: Gary Sissons
Rail extension at a ‘standstill’ Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au FRANKSTON MP Paul Edbrooke says that the Baxter rail extension will remain at a “standstill” until the business case is released. The proposed rail extension would see the Frankston line duplicated and electrified to Baxter, with two new stations at Langwarrin and Frankston East constructed. The business case was handed to the federal government in October last year, but has not been publicly released. Mr Edbrooke said “our community understands that the project is at a standstill until the federal government releases the business case for consideration of the costs and benefits.” The News has twice asked the office of federal urban infrastructure minis-
Police patrol
ter Alan Tudge whether the case will be released, and for updated costs for the project. Both times Mr Tudge’s office was asked, in November last year and March this year, the questions were not addressed. In March Mr Tudge’s office said that “the Victorian government has completed the federally funded preliminary business case. The federal government is currently considering the outcomes of the PBC.” “Currently, there is no state commitment towards funding, or towards the completion of a detailed business case, which would be the requisite next step prior to the project moving into the construction phase. We have $225 million committed towards its construction (“MP calls for release of Baxter business case”, The News, 17/3/20).” Mr Edbrooke told The News
when Hawthorn FC president Jeff Kennett announced that work would go on hiatus while the club deals with the financial fallout from COVID-19 (“Hawks’ Dingley Village plans on hold”, The News, 25/3/20). During the exhibition period between January and March, 30 submissions were made about the proposed amendments. 16 submissions were in favour of the changes, and 14 opposed.
An artist’s impression of Hawthorn FC’s new Dingley Village home. Picture: Supplied
“simply put, this is a 100 per cent federal Liberal Government broken promise on a billion dollar project they said they would build and didn’t even budget for”. Mr Edbrooke did not answer when asked if the federal government had communicated with the state government about funding for a further business case. Infrastructure Australia’s latest update of their priority list saw the expansion of public transport services in Frankston listed as a “priority initiative” (“Public transport expansion a priority”, The News, 2/3/20). While the rail extension sits in limbo, Frankston line users continue to suffer through more cancellations than any other rail users. More than 1500 Frankston line trains were cancelled last year, over 400 more than the next worst performing line.
with Brodie Cowburn
500 police to enforce new virus rules
Arrests after car thefts
A POLICE operation has been set up to enforce containment measures brought in to help halt the spread of COVID-19. Police operation Sentinel has been set up to conduct spot checks on returning travellers, and enforce gathering bans. 500 police officers have been dedicated to the operation. Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said “for police, it’s not just about fines or arrests but ensuring everyone in the community understands the serious risks associated with coronavirus and the importance of complying with the directions from the Chief Health Officer.” “People can be issued with an official warning, directed to return home, or charged on summons where a person repeatedly refuses to obey a direction or blatantly disregards the restrictions. People can also face heavy fines,” he said. “Already we have seen a degree of ignorance where people think it’s okay to just go out for breakfast or to see a friend when it’s absolutely not. “We also want to take advantage of Operational Sentinel to engage with the community, provide any further education around current requirements, and do everything we can to protect the safety of all Victorians. It gives police the opportunity to check on the health and wellbeing of those in self isolation, and see if they need any further support such as medical assistance. “So far, people are for the most part complying with the restrictions. We want to ensure that continues and people are showing each other the right amount of respect. People who ignore the restrictions are placing others at significant risk, which means more people will become infected.”
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KINGSTON Council will ask the planning minister to assemble a panel to report on proposed amendments to Hawthorn Football Club’s Dingley Village homebase. The Hawks’ new training centre will feature an MCG sized training oval, as well as aquatic and gym facilities. A series of proposed amendments to Hawthorn’s plans would allow for the addition of a six court basketball stadium, medical centre, shop, café, and museum. After exhibiting the plans earlier this year, council has agreed to ask the planning minister to appoint an independent panel, which will provide a report to be considered again by council at a later date. The project hit a snag last month
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
A POLICE investigation into a series of aggravated burglaries, theft of motor cars, and drug offences in the Caulfield area has resulted in four arrests. At around midday 25 March, A 30-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were arrested at a property in Bentleigh. Police allege that they recovered an allegedly stolen Volkswagen and Toyota Hilux from the property, as well as a large number of personal documents and multiple keys believed to belong to stolen vehicles. Police also allege they found drugs, cash, and “controlled weapons” at the address. The arrested pair are assisting police with their enquiries. At around 1.15pm 28 March, a 27-year-old man and 30-year-old woman from Sandringham were arrested as part of the same police operation. Police executed a search warrant at an Abbott Street, Sandringham property at 6pm that day, and allegedly recovered a motorcycle, a large quantity of allegedly altered personal documents, and other allegedly stolen property. Police say they also found drugs, cash, and other items “connected to large scale drug trafficking”. The Sandringham pair were charged with offences including trafficking, possess drug of dependence, handle stolen goods, and possess proceeds of crime. They were remanded to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. The operation is ongoing.
Driver blows over A WOMAN returned a breath test reading of nearly four times the legal limit in Somerville last week. Police pulled over the 26-year-old Carrum Downs resident on Eramosa Road East at around 8.30pm, 24 March. They allege that she was driving at 60kmph in a 40 zone. The woman returned a roadside breath test
1 April 2020
reading of 0.185. Police say that she told them she had “drunk a bottle of wine throughout the afternoon and thought she would be right to drive”. The woman’s license was suspended and her car was impounded. She will face court at a later date.
Shot fired during arrest POLICE fired a shot at a man in Clayton last week during an attempted arrest. Police were called out to a house on Franklyn Street, Oakleigh East, at around 11pm, 25 March. They were told that six armed men with knives and a longarm firearm had forced entry into a house and assaulted two men. The alleged offenders fled in two vehicles. Police pursued one of the cars, a silver Holden commodore, and intercepted it on North Road near Beleura Grove. They approached the vehicle and arrested the male passenger. A police statement read that “the driver
refused to comply with police instructions and was seen attempting to access under his seat.” “A firearm was discharged by members and the driver exited the vehicle and ran from the scene. The area was patrolled but police were unable to locate him. “No one was injured during the intercept and the male passenger is currently assisting police with their enquiries.” The two victims of the assault at the home, aged in their 20s, were taken to hospital with non-life threatening hospital. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Caravan blocks road THE Frankston freeway was blocked by a rolled over caravan last week, 25 March. The road was blocked for about an hour on the northbound lanes. Emergency services attended the scene (pictured below).