NEWS DESK
Memorial missing A BANNER commemorating a man killed in Seaford last year has gone missing. Cameron Smith died aged 26 in November last year. He was stabbed to death. After his tragic death, a memorial banner was installed on Station Street. It went missing between Friday 23 July and 24 July. Carrum MP Sonya Kilkenny issued a plea for information on Facebook last week. “I am so saddened to report that the temporary memorial banner for Cameron Smith was removed from its site in Station Street Seaford with-
Council considers rail advocacy
out the family’s permission,” she said. “Cam’s family is heartbroken. They just want it back. “If you know anything, or saw anything at all, please contact me or Frankston Police. Or just return the banner. As you can imagine it holds significant sentimental value for Cam’s family. Work will soon take place on a permanent memorial for Cam - a place to sit and to reflect on a young life cut short and the preciousness of life.” A TRIBUTE to Cameron Smith. The memorial has gone missing. Picture: Gary Sissons
KINGSTON Council is weighing up how it will advocate in regards to Suburban Rail Loop projects in the municipality. The proposed multi-billion dollar rail loop project starts from Cheltenham. The former Delta landfill site in Heatherton has been identified by the state government as its preferred location for stabling, angering some residents (“Stabling plans spark protest”, The News, 17/3/21). The stabling site at Heatherton will be assessed as part of the Environment Effects Statement hearings. Kingston Council will make a submission during this process, and is currently considering the way forward. At their most recent meeting, Kingston councillors opted to defer community consultation on the proposed stabling facility “pending further discussions with key local groups including Move the Train Yard Group, Heatherton Residents Against Inappropriate Development, Defenders of the South East Green Wedge and other interested community members”. A further report and detailed advocacy documents are expected to be presented to councillors for consideration later this year. Council has agreed to start community consultation on initial design principles and opportunities for the Cheltenham Suburban Rail Loop Station. A late change to the motion councillors approved read that “council [will] reiterate its previous position of strongly opposing the Delta site for use as a stabling yard and continue its advocacy to the state government to find a more suitable site that does not have such negative amenity impacts for local residents.” A report prepared by Kingston Council officers read “on 9 June 2021 council received a letter from the Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Suburban Rail Loop Authority confirming that the Kingston Road site is the selected site for consideration through the Environment Effects statement (EES) and the reasons for this decision. Having now received this confirmation from the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, it is proposed that council advocate on behalf of the community to optimise the design of the proposed stabling yards and seek to mitigate its impact on surrounding residents and the Green Wedge landscape.” “Council has now assembled a team of consultants to assist in its response to the EES, through the technical reference group and recent advocacy work. The advocacy work will comprise the development of two precinctbased documents that will be developed for adoption in late 2021. The documents will speak to council’s expectation for design outcomes at the station precinct and stabling facility building upon previous advocacy work and feedback to the SRL,” the report read.
Thousands get jabs
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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
4 August 2021
THE new vaccination hub at Bayside Shopping Centre is delivering up to 1200 COVID-19 vaccinations a day. The Frankston hub, operated by Peninsula Health, opened last month at the old Toys’R’Us location near Rebel Sport. The clinic is manned by a team of more than 100 immunisers, administration staff, pharmacists, doctors, security, cleaners, and concierge. Both Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs are available at the hub. There are a small number of walk-in appointments on offer for people over age 60 to receive the AstraZeneca jab. Mornington resident Di Amiet was recently vaccinated at the hub. “It was really easy for me to come up to Bayside and find a car park, receive my second jab and get that protection,” she said. “You can see the staff are doing a really good job at making it as pleasant and efficient an experience it can be – it’s just brilliant to know people can get the vaccine locally. I’m so happy to feel safe from COVID and go about life knowing I am not only keeping myself but my family and friends safe.” Parking at Bayside Shopping Centre is free for people receiving vaccines. Bookings for the vaccine clinic can be made by calling 1800 675 398 or visiting coronavirus. vic.gov.au