NEWS DESK
Plans for station unveiled Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au PLANS for a massive revamp of train stations in Mentone and Cheltenham have been unveiled. Level crossing removal works are set to send trains underground, with the rail line to be lowered into trenches. The works are expected to be complete by the end of 2020. As part of the new station construction, the station garden will be expanded into a bigger open space. Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson said “getting rid of these level crossings has been talked
about forever. We are getting on with the job and preserving the historic Mentone Station as well.” “The heritage listed stations at Cheltenham and Mentone will be incorporated into the design of the new stations, and a third track will be built at Cheltenham station to allow for more trains more often on the Frankston line,” he said. “The five heritage listed trees in the Mentone station gardens will be protected in their current location during construction and a major landscaping program will create a new garden bridge across the rail trench near Balcombe Road, expanding the much-loved station garden.”
Public transport minister Jacinta Allan said “we’re getting rid of these death traps, making Cheltenham and Mentone safer, and delivering brand new stations and more open space.” “The project will include more than three kilometres of walking and cycling paths connecting the stations, better lighting and accessibility, landscaping, new open space, parking, and potential residential and retail development,” she said. “This $536 million package of works are part of a massive $3 billion investment on the Frankston line which includes the removal of 18 level crossings, with five already removed, and building 11 new stations.”
Revamp plans: Final designs for a reconstructed Mentone Station, featuring a “garden bridge” (inset), have been revealed. Pictures: Supplied
Run to raise fire funds THE Edithvale Fire Brigade annual community fun run will take place on 24 March. The All Fired Up community fun run will commence from The Common on Edithvale Road, and go up to the Mordialloc Creek and back. 5km, 10km, and 15km options are available to choose from. Funds raised on the day are intended to be used to fit out the fire station. Registration closes 23 March. Register and find more information at allfiredupfunrun.com. au
Isaacs candidate makes economy priority ARCHITECT Jeremy Hearn, last weekend preselected as the Liberal candidate for Isaacs, said providing “a strong economy” for the area is his top priority. “I’ve spent recent days talking to the locals in Dingley and Patterson Lakes and they told me they want a strong economy and secure future, and that’s what I’m determined to provide,” Mr Hearn said. He claimed he would “save the people of Isaacs from economic disaster.” Mr Hearn unsuccessfully nominated for preselection in the seat of Higgins.
Councillor confirmed KINGSTON councillor George Hua has been preselected as the Liberal candidate for Hotham. Cr Hua was the Liberal candidate for the seat in 2016. It has been held by Labor since 1980. “I’m very honoured to once again be representing the Liberal Party in the seat of Hotham,” Cr Hua said. “I am passionate about the economy. Business owners, families and senior residents of Hotham deserve a strong economy.” Council candidate: Kingston councillor George Hua is the Liberal candidate for Hotham.
Police nab alleged con man Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au FRANKSTON Police have charged a 26 year old man in relation to an alleged scam being run out of Seaford. Police attended a property on the Nepean Highway, Seaford at around 3.30pm on 11 March. Four men from
Ireland were taken into custody at the scene, with three of those later released without charged. One man was charged with obtaining property by deception and state false name. Frankston Police Detective Acting Sergeant John Melhuish said “we have been conducting an ongoing investigation for a few days now. We have been engaging with interstate police
and also border force as part of that investigation. While we were investigating one single report of deception committed in the Seaford area, I was surprised at the apparent extent of this issue across the city.” “After the media attention we got last week, the amount of information flooding in relating to these types of incidents was quite staggering. We
were able to solve this due to a very switched on member of the public. As it turns out, despite being the talk of the town, these offenders kept up their dodgy little act and approached a Frankston man, offering to fix his roof. This Frankston man was aware of the scam and while he was talking to them called 000 to report them. From there the divvy van crew was able to inter-
cept them and brought them in to the police station,” he said. “We have issued charges against one of the men, and continue to follow up on reports from members of the public. If you have recently been a victim of a scam such at this, then please attend your local police station to make a report and have an investigation commenced.”
Record HEAT WAVE predicted for March and April!
ORDER NOW! to beat the heat! Phone (03) 9775 1726 21/61 Frankston Gardens Drive, Carrum Downs www.undercoverblinds.com.au info@undercoverblinds.com.au | follow us on Facebook: undercoverblindsandawnings Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 20 March 2019
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