NEWS DESK
Calls for homelessness action Liz Bell liz@baysidenews.com.au WELFARE services say it is “time to act” on homelessness, with the Peninsula Voice adding its views with a report titled “Working together on the homelessness crisis on the Mornington Peninsula”. Peninsula Voice president Peter Orton said the community had “watched the growing homelessness crisis on
the Mornington Peninsula damage lives”. “It’s a complex issue, so it’s vital that our community understands the drivers behind this crisis and how broadly it impacts us, so we can work together on local solutions,” he said. Orton said that Peninsula Voice had held three events aimed at taking a “deeper dive” into the factors contributing to a lack of affordable housing. He said members of the community, leaders in the social housing and com-
munity care sector, local government representatives and those with lived experience, worked together to unpack the key issues. “These include the impact of the short-term rental market, the rapid increase in property values, the impact of planning policies and the political landscape required to make meaningful and long-term change,” he said. Orton said the final event in May drew together community leaders and those working in the sector to
develop some “big ideas” to drive sustainable change. CEO of Mornington Community Support Service Ben Smith said welfare groups had identified some “innovative” approaches working elsewhere and work being done locally by charities, churches, volunteers and its three community support centres. Smith said he was aware of the stress on those working in the sector. “There’s some incredibly passion-
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ate, hardworking volunteers and staff going above and beyond to help the most vulnerable in our community, but we’re exhausted and underresourced, so more support is urgently needed,” he said. “Since Peninsula Voice held the first event on homelessness in 2022, this issue has received wide media coverage and political comment. Now it’s time to act - to use all the options available to us, and end homelessness on the Mornington Peninsula”.
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Teens charged over alleged abduction TWO teenagers have been charged in relation to an alleged armed robbery. The alleged armed robbery and attack took place in Glen Huntly on Monday 4 September, a little after 3.30pm. A 14-year-old boy was allegedly confronted by people in a Volkswagen, then forced inside. The car was driven down Neerim Road. The victim ended up outside the car near the Grange Road intersection with “significant injuries”, a Victoria Police statement read. He was still in hospital in a serious condition on 10 September. A 14-year-old Frankston South was arrested in Frankston on 7 September. He was charged with armed robbery, robbery, conduct endangering life, intentionally cause serious injury, theft of motor vehicle, theft, possess controlled weapon, commit indictable offence on bail, and other offences. A 15-year-old Cranbourne boy was arrested in Mentone on 9 September and charged with multiple counts of armed robbery, robbery, conduct endangering life, intentionally causing serious injury, theft of motor vehicle, and theft. The two teenagers were remanded to appear at Childrens’ Court at a later date. Police are still investigating the alleged attack. Anyone with information can contact 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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Frankston Times
12 September 2023
Cop charged with on-duty assault A POLICE officer has been charged with assault in relation to an on-duty incident in Frankston. The alleged assault occurred in Frankston this January. In a statement, Victoria Police confirmed that the police officer was on-duty. The 47-year-old man, a senior constable, was charged with unlawful assault. He is scheduled to face court at a later date.