NEWS DESK
Mobile trailer hits the streets A MOBILE kitchen trailer to help feed homeless and disadvantaged people in the Frankston area has been built thanks to the generosity of several corporate, government and sporting club supporters. The Life-Gate charity unveiled the trailer last Wednesday (6 June) at the Frankston Library forecourt. Chisholm TAFE students helped prepare food at the new trailer’s first outing. Karingal Hub shopping centre stepped in with a $8000 donation to rescue the trailer project in March after a majority of Frankston councillors decided not to accept a request for council funding (“Mobile kitchen help gets knocked back”, The Times 19/2/18). “My wife Ulli and I founded Life-Gate 26 years ago because we saw the needs in our city,” Reverend Angel Roldan said. “The needs are still there, they are even greater than then. “Life-Gate has been operating a food-van for now 26 years. This trailer is an answer to prayer, because now our street outreach team will be able to be more effective in helping the needy with all the accessories installed. While we offer food to the needy, it is a means to get to know the needs of individuals who can, then, come to our centre for counselling, training, referrals to rehabilitation centres, and referrals to other organisations.” Federal Liberal Dunkley MP Chris Crewther facilitated a $11,000 federal government grant, South East Water and Bayside Shopping Centre pitched in $5000 each, Mt Eliza marking business Creative Artroom contributed $2000 and $3500 was handed over by individual donors via an online GoFundMe campaign. St Kilda Football Club invited Life-Gate to be the AFL club’s charity partner at its season launch to help make up the $36,000 total needed to build the trailer. Neil Walker Helping hands: Chisholm TAFE students helped dish up food for the needy at the first outing for Life-Gate’s new mobile kitchen trailer. Picture: Yanni
Crossing fund reservations expressed Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au GROWING discontent over the removal of vegetation and “moonscaped” land around Seaford’s RF Miles Reserve as part of the Seaford Road level crossing removal has seen Frankston councillors demand clarity from the state government on how a $10 million community fund will be spent. A 7-1 majority of councillors at the latest 4 June public council meeting voted for council to contact Victorian Transport Minister Jacinta Allen and Carrum Labor MP Sonya Kilkenny “outlining council’s deep concerns
with regards to the lack of transparency and probity” around state “prioritisation of the $10 million funds set aside for projects associated with the rail works in Seaford”. North-West Ward councillor Kris Bolam introduced the motion as “urgent business” at the council meeting. “When the Seaford Road LXRA works were undertaken a commitment was given by Sonya Kilkenny to have a special fund, a slush fund, of $10 million that would be for the benefit of Seaford residents,” Cr Bolam said at the meeting. He expressed concern that the LXRA wanted to use most of the money for associated level crossing removal works instead of contribut-
ing money to community and sporting clubs such as the 1st Seaford Scouts Group who need new premises. Fellow North-West Ward councillor Glenn Aitken expressed alarm at the removal of several banksia trees near RF Miles Reserve. He described the area as “moonscaped” and said he had seen no evidence in plans that land would be revegetated. “The people of Seaford want that area revegetated,” Cr Aitken said. “They don’t want a series of hard surface trails.” Ms Kilkenny said a community reference group will help decide later in the year how the $10 million will be spent.
“Many level crossing projects have included additional scope items to enhance the precinct around the crossing. And across Melbourne, local councils have been very supportive of this approach. “As part of removing the congested and dangerous level crossing at Seaford Road, the Andrews Government is spending $10 million to upgrade the local area, including RF Miles Reserve which is being occupied while the government is removing the crossing. “The government will fully consult with the community, including users of RF Miles Reserve such as the Seaford Football and Netball club, on the best way to spend this funding.
“Every level crossing project across Melbourne has included a community reference group, including at Seaford and Carrum.” The mayor Cr Colin Hampton, a Labor Party member, was the sole councillor to vote against pressing the state government for clarity on the $10 million fund. He said he had already written to Ms Kilkenny to ask for confirmation of planned community funding. He questioned raising the matter as “urgent business” at the latest council meeting. “I think this is not helping the case with Sonya. Give the lady a chance to answer the questions I’ve asked her,” he said.
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Frankston Times
11 June 2018
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