NEWS DESK
Report reveals expenditure
Gnomad: The chrome gnome has been removed from its Peninsula Link home and has hit the road. Picture: Gary Sissons
Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au FRANKSTON Council’s draft annual report has been released, revealing expenditure for the 2018/2019 financial year. The report features a detailed financial rundown of where ratepayer’s money has been going this year. Council posted a surplus of $15.7 million at the end of the 18/19 financial year, about half of the $30.7 million surplus posted the year before. The report stated that the “variation is mainly due to the minimal increase in rates capped at 2.25 per cent being much lower than the operational cost increases during the year such as the cost of mate-
Chrome gnome trucked off Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au THE infamous chrome gnome statue is on the move. Officially titled Reflective Lullaby, the giant nine metre tall gnome structure was installed next to the Peninsula Link exit at Cranbourne Road in July of 2015. The gnome is the work of New Zealand based artist Gregor Kregar. The large gnome replaced the popular Tree of Life sculpture. It has divided opinion since its installation, drawing
critics and vandals across its four year lifespan. In August last year, it was confirmed that the towering stainless steel gnome behemoth was set to depart. On 10 October, the sculpture was removed by crane. The colossal gnome will be succeeded at the site by the sculpture Love Flower from artists John Meade and Emily Karanikolopolous. The sculptures at the Peninsula Link exit are looked after by the Southern Way McClelland Commission, a public-private partnership between Langwarrin’s McClelland Sculpture
rial and waste disposal escalating at a higher rate. It is expected that the trend of reducing surpluses will continue in the future.” Councillors had their annual allowance raised by $600 each on 1 December up to $30,827, while the mayor had his pay rise from $96,534 to $98,465. Expenses from councillors dropped significantly from the previous financial year. Councillors were reimbursed just over $20,000 for their expenses in the last financial year, down from the $56,327 reimbursed the year prior. The report also noted an over 10 per cent increase in decisions made by council behind closed doors. The full report can be read at frankston.vic.gov.au
Picture: Gary Sissons
Park and Gallery and Peninsula Link owners Southern Way. Southern Way donates funding for the sculptures (“Gnome on its way out”, The Times, 27/8/19). Despite being initially unpopular, social media posts confirming the gnome’s exit drew many comments mourning his departure. Although he will no longer call the Peninsula Link home, it is not the end of the road. It is understood that the gnome is now set to make his way to McClelland Gallery. The chrome gnome is dead, long live the chrome gnome.
Frankston Times
15 October 2019
PAGE 3