Police patrol
with Brodie Cowburn
Tributes paid to fallen officers POLICE officers in Frankston stood outside their station last week to remember the life of a police officer killed while on duty on EastLink. Constable Josh Prestney was laid to rest on 4 May. His funeral was the last of the four police officers killed in the horror smash. A Cranbourne truck driver was
charged with four counts of culpable driving after the fatal crash, which occurred on 22 April. Flowers and cards have also been left at the Frankston Police Station by members of the community. “We would like to thank the community for their overwhelming support during what has been an
extremely difficult time for Victoria Police,” a police statement read.
FRANKSTON police members paid tribute to four officers killed on duty last month. Picture: Supplied
Legal assistance is still available THE Peninsula Community Legal Centre will continue to offer legal assistance to people during the coronavirus crisis. The PCLC is a not-for-profit based in Frankston which offers free legal services to those who need it. Although the doors to the centre are shut during the ongoing pandemic, the centre is continuing to offer services over the phone. The centre offers advice and assistance in the areas of family law, family violence, tenancy, fines and general law, debt, crime, and employment. While the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, the centre will provide duty lawyer services remotely at the Federal Circuit Court in Dandenong and the Magistrates’ Court at Frankston and Moorabbin. The centre’s social worker is also still available to help with non-legal needs. Phone appointments can be made by calling 9783 3600. Phone lines are open 9-5 Monday to Friday.
Donors helping in tough times FOOD and internet connectivity have emerged as the main areas of need as Mornington Peninsula residents battle their way through COVID-19. The struggle for some has been made easier by donations from philanthropists and prompt assistance from the Mornington Peninsula
Foundation, which has provided mobile phones, internet access and devices to students and people experiencing homelessness. Donations made through the foundation exceed $150,000. CEO Stephanie Exton said the foundation and its partners were grateful to trusts and foundations, individuals and families who have “quickly and proactively contributed funds”. “Special thanks go to the Ross Trust which quickly stepped forward with direct support,” she said. Money has gone to community support and information centres at Hastings, Rosebud and Mornington, which have remained open as essential emergency relief services. Ms Exton said the philanthropy had encouraged new ways of thinking about food and ways in which struggling cafes and restaurants could link with community food agencies. It also led to underutilised staff at Somers Residential School Camp cooking 350 meals a week for families in need.
Shoes on us: Bata BATA Shoes in Mornington is offering a free pair of $50 work shoes to aged care and health care workers during May. The company’s graphic design and marketing manager Brad Rayson said the offer was influenced by the valuable role these workers are playing during the current COVID-19 pandemic. “The sign went up [outside the factory] today and we are starting to get lots of calls,” he said, Thursday 7 May. “To take advantage of the offer workers can come in and flash their employer ID.” Bata makes only PVC gumboots at its Oakbank Road site. Other plants overseas have switched their operations to making face masks.
Agent wants help for landlords, tenants Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au PROPERTY manager Nichols Crowder is lobbying Frankston and Mornington Peninsula councils to help landlords and tenants by deferring property rates and dropping marketing levies. Director Michael Crowder says councils, banks, utilities, insurers and governments “should be waiving or freezing payments – interest free – in line with the mandatory code-ofconduct”. “In this way the costs a [landlord] saves can be passed on directly to their tenants.” Mr Crowder wrote to the councils asking them to waive the marketing and promotional fund levy for commercial businesses. Mornington Peninsula Shire had not responded by Friday 1 May, but Frankston Council refused to remove the 25 per cent levy on the basis that “businesses can afford it and it is tax deductible”. If Frankston dropped the levy it would mean the council would have to take the “unpalatable” decision to increase residential rates. “We are not advocating for an increase in residential rates at all. We believe they are too much as it is. We want the council to reduce [them],” Mr Crowder said. “We would like both councils to defer the balance of [their] 2019-20 rates in line with the banks with no interest charged and we want a commitment rates will not be increased in 2020-21.” Mr Crowder said COVID-19 had made it a “very difficult time both for landlords and tenants”. “None of us knew [the pandemic]
MICHAEL Crowder says he wants Frankston and Mornington Peninsula councils to help landlords and tenants.
was coming, we couldn’t prepare for it, we can’t control it and we have no idea how long it’s going to last,” he said. The “emotional and financial impact it is having on our clients, tenants, staff and family is unprecedented”. Problems were exacerbated for agents “trying to get our heads around all the various state and federal business support packages”, Mr Crowder said. These ranged from business support funds, tax relief packages, the JobKeeper program, cash flow assistance packages and now the federal government’s mandatory code-of-
conduct for commercial tenants. “In the first few weeks [of the pandemic] it was changing by the hour. It was very difficult to keep up. Then we would get constant updates from owners, their accountants, solicitors, the REIV. As with any legislation they all had a different opinion.” The mandatory code which came into effect on 3 April has given agents a set of good faith leasing principals applying to landlords and tenants. Once legislated, tenants registered for JobKeeper can apply for rental assistance, but under strict rules relating to breaches of lease and turnover.
“Ultimately, tenants need to demonstrate to an owner (or their agent) how much their business has been affected by COVID-19 and that means providing financials,” Mr Crowder said. “It must be sufficient and accurate so an owner can make an informed decision. “Once we have such information, agreements will be reached around rent payable, rent waivers and rent deferrals. In most cases variations to extend leases will be entered into to protect both parties. “If agreements cannot be reached the Victorian small business commis-
sioner will be the final arbitrator.” Mr Crowder said while new rules stated tenants cannot be evicted for six months, they must continue paying rent. “As the Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: ‘Leases entered into are still legally binding’,” he said. “The big issue for agents is that we are the middle men, we are not financial advisors and it’s very difficult keeping both landlords and tenants happy. There’s no winners or losers here but tenants and landlords must work together and share the pain.” Mr Crowder said landlords had to cope with mortgages, rates, taxes, and maintenance fees which cannot be waived – only deferred. “Some of our clients are having to forego 75 per cent of [their property’s] rental for six months, which is never to be paid back, while the balance is amortised and paid back over a minimum of two years,” he said. Managing these issues are real estate agents whose staff are “on the front line”. “There is a misconception that property managers have no concern for tenants or that they have no feelings,” he said. “Quite the contrary, our staff are wonderful, kind, loyal, hardworking people. Mums and dads with children. “We have a difficult job. Most of our clients and tenants are great and understand this situation is not of our making while others are angry and abusive. You sometimes see the worst in people when their backs are to the wall.” He said his staff were “dealing with about 300 emails and 200 phone calls a day. We would just ask for everyone to be kind, patient and understanding. We will get through this together.” Frankston Times
12 May 2020
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