NEWS DESK
Sculpting grant questioned
Police patrol
Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au
Hidden haul A MAN entered the Fujiua House Japanese restaurant, Southland, before it opened Sunday 28 February, and stole two days’ takings valued at $5000-$6000 hidden in a cupboard. The elderly female owner had been washing rice and had left the door unlocked when she momentarily left the shop. Images from CCTV, above, show the thief entering the kitchen area and reaching for the cash bag. He is described as Caucasian, late 20s, wearing a dark hoodie and light colour shorts. Anyone with information should call Detective Senior Constable Susanna Hughes, Kingston CIU, 9556 6111.
Mind the pole A PATTERSON Lakes man crashed his car into a power pole on the corner of Woodland Dr and Lower Dandenong Rd, Dingley, 4.50am, Monday
29 February, and fled the scene. The car was destroyed and the power pole badly damaged. Three CFA crews attended. Lower Dandenong Rd was closed off for several hours causing morning peak traffic snarls. Police later found the man at his home suffering extensive injuries. He was taken to The Alfred hospital for treatment.
Wallet, handbag stolen THIEVES stole a man’s wallet and women’s handbag from the kitchen counter of a house in Pacific Dr, Aspendale Gardens, overnight Tuesday 23 February. A sliding door was found open in the early morning and the theft of the items discovered. Inside the wallets were credit cards, driving licences, cash, and security cards. Car keys left on the bench were untouched. Anyone with information should call Mordialloc police, 9588 2988.
FUNDING for an enclosed structure to house the sand sculptures exhibition at Frankston’s waterfront all year round has faced criticism as “a waste of money”. Dunkley Liberal MP Bruce Billson last week announced a $750,000 federal government grant towards building a weatherproof structure to house the sand sculpting exhibition hosted by Sandstorm Events (‘Sand sculptures exhibition cash boost’, The News 23/2/16). Many readers took to Facebook to say they believed the money could be better spent housing the homeless, helping the aged or improving hospital services in Frankston. Frankston Council confirmed it had been notified of the grant before its announcement but said any ratepayer funded contribution to the project “has not been considered at this stage”. Mayor Cr James Dooley said councillors had not yet had a chance to discuss whether council will offer financial or in-kind support to ensure the sand sculpting exhibition, usually a summer event, can become an allyear attraction. “Council was requested to provide a letter of support for the funding,” Cr Dooley said. “Obviously the support does not negate the need for all necessary approvals and consents. “Planning approval is required as is state government permission as the foreshore is Crown Land. Other fac-
Exhibition success: King and queen of the sand castles Sharon and Peter Redmond’s sand sculpting exhibition draws thousands of visitors to Frankston. Picture: Keith Platt
tors to consider relate to benefits and impacts upon the community including hours of operation, parking, landscaping and balancing other potential users of the space.” The $750,000 in federal funding, part of a federal nationwide $3.6 million Tourism Demand Driver Infra-
structure program, is dependent “on a matched dollar-for-dollar basis”. Sandstorm Events managing director Sharon Redmond said the company will match the funding grant bringing the total project cost to $1.5 million.
Airport plan takes flight Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au AN airport at Hastings is an idea being flown by Frankston Council and Mornington Peninsula Shire appears to be onboard. The high-flying concept was first floated at a Frankston Council public meeting early this month. Councillors unanimously voted to write to Premier Daniel Andrews and the South East Metropolitan Group of Councils “to determine the viability of the Port of Hastings
site as a location for the South Eastern Airport as identified in Plan Melbourne”. “We have received support for this proposal from the members of the South East Melbourne Group of Councils,” Frankston mayor Cr James Dooley said last week. “To date there have been only informal conversations about this proposal. We’re excited to get the ball rolling regarding this conversation.” The airport proposal seems to be taxiing for takeoff with Mornington Peninsula Shire happy to take a look at expert advice about building an
airport in western port. “Mornington Peninsula Shire has discussed the proposal for a regional airport with Frankston Council and supported their development of a feasibility study,” Mayor Cr Graham Pittock said. Cr Pittock said he and Shire CEO Carl Cowie attended the latest SEM Group of Councils meeting and “are keen to consider any options that could lead to new major developments in the region”. The Plan Melbourne report, released by the state government in May 2014, noted Melbourne is likely
to have a third airport in the south east in the long term, by the year 2050, but did not specify a location for the airport. Frankston Council is pushing for a passenger and freight airport to be built on a 2000 hectare site, dubbed ‘the Long Island Precinct’, between Hastings and Somerville earmarked as a container port for the Port of Hastings. Frankston Council sees the construction of an airport on the Mornington Peninsula as “a viable option to drive economic growth in South East Melbourne” since it
seems unlikely the Hastings port will now be built. “We need an economic catalyst here in the south east that supports the growth of our region’s shared strengths: manufacturing, tourism and premium produce,” Cr Dooley said. “A regional airport could enable the south east to maximise upon the opportunities that come from international demand for premium Australian beef, wine, dairy, berries, asparagus and herbs and further cement the region as a major tourism destination.”
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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 2 March 2016
Bayside