NEWS DESK
Pool ready to reopen
FRANKSTON Council election manager Peter Williams announcing the vote results. Picture: Supplied
New council offers ‘fresh perspectives’ Continued from Page 1 Frankston Council CEO Phil Cantillon said the new council makeup would “offer a positive mix of experience and fresh perspectives.” “Our new council includes one incumbent, three who have served previously and five first-time councillors,” he said. “This is an exciting time for the city. Our councillors have such a diverse array of experience to draw on, to get the best outcomes for the com-
munity and I’m sure they can’t wait to get started.” Kris Bolam, the only returning councillor from the previous term, also said he was looking forward to working with a new council. “I feel the range and diversity of the new council is reflective of the changing demographics of Frankston as a bayside suburb. This is a good thing and I look forward to working with my colleagues to take Frankston forward,”
he said. “I intend to dedicate this term to helping our community get back on its feet after what has been a volatile and unprecedented twelve months.” Total voter turnout in Frankston was 79.35 per cent of eligible voters. The last council term was marred by infighting and bad behaviour. Their issues came to a head when the state government appointed a monitor to write a report on council’s conduct.
THE Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre has finally reopened. The pool began to accept visitors again on 9 November. Only 20 people are allowed in each area inside the centre for the time being. Plans were put in place to reopen the gym floor with a capacity of 10, group exercises with a capacity of 10, the 50 metre pool with a capacity of 20, and the warm water pool with a capacity of 20. A 5-week “Learn to Swim” program is also expected to begin on 16 November for the remainder of Term 4. A statement from PARC read “thank you so much for your patience as we finalise all the details of our reopening plan. We will be confirming the final details of our reopen plan, including how to book, what to expect and details of our offering on Friday 6 November.” “The inability to access learn to swim programs during lockdown is a significant and emerging safety risk. Peninsula Leisure remains committed to ensuring every child in Frankston can swim, and as a result we have prioritised learn to swim programming. “There is a lot to consider in relation to opening a centre as large as PARC, and we have been actively working with council to ensure that when we do open, we have the right processes in place to protect your safety. Thank you for your patience. We’re so excited about welcoming you back at PARC again next week.”
Campers locked out by MP Shire EAGER foreshore campers got a shock last week when Mornington Peninsula Shire pulled the pin on this year’s holidays. The shire emailed those with bookings at its Rosebud, Rye and Sorrento campgrounds on Wednesday night (4 November) notifying them of its decision to postpone camping until February. The 1136 campsites were expected to be available from the last weekend of October, in time for the Melbourne Cup weekend, until April. But a council risk assessment concluded it could not safely go ahead. Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker said the postponement was the “right decision with restrictions still in place for the foreseeable future”. “We concluded this was the most prudent approach after careful consideration of the state government’s coronavirus roadmap and to ensure the health and safety of all Victorians,” he said. The decision could cost the shire up to $3 million in lost fees. Foreshore camp grounds run by volunteer management committees at Dromana, Capel Sound and White Cliffs-Camerons Bight, are not affected by the shire’s decision and their websites indicate they will be open 19 December to 25 April. Steve Taylor
YOU’RE MORE SUITED THAN YOU MIGHT THINK NOW RECRUITING FOR OVER 3000 POLICE POLICE CAREERS Frankston Times
10 November 2020
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