NEWS DESK
Trains back up and running
LOCAL environmentalist Pat Bentley has passed away aged 90. Ms Bentley was an active member of many community organisations, including the Frankston Environmental Friends Network, Frankston Beach Association, Foreshore Advisory Committee, Downs Estate Community Project Committee, War Memorial Advisory Committee, and the Kananook Creek Association. The mayor Sandra Mayer said “like so many in our community, I was saddened to hear that passionate local environmentalist, Pat Bentley, has passed away.” “Pat was loved by all who knew her and her work towards improving the environment was respected within and beyond the walls of our city,” she said. “Pat moved to Frankston in 1959, ran coffee shops in the CBD and at Karingal Hub in the seventies and eighties and was actively engaged with council, regularly attending our meetings and making submissions. “We will miss Pat dearly and I would like to offer my sincere condolences to her family and many friends within our community. I’m sure they will continue to carry on her legacy of protecting and improving the local environment for future generations.”
TRAINS have returned to the Frankston line after nearly two months of replacement buses. Buses have replaced trains between Moorabbin and Mordialloc stations since 23 May. An uninterrupted train service resumed one week ahead of schedule on 20 July, with works on the underground rail trenches now complete. Trains are also stopping at the new Mentone Station since the restart of regular service. Works on the station have been completed two weeks ahead of their scheduled completion date. Cheltenham Station is on track to open on 16 August. Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson said “wrapping up works early and getting people moving on the Frankston line will reduce disruption for the locals in our community who need to travel for essential reasons.” “Our local community will now get home safer and sooner with the removal of these dangerous level crossings at Mentone and Cheltenham, with thanks to our hard working construction workers who helped deliver this once in a generation project ahead of schedule.” Three level crossings at Park, Charman, and Balcombe roads in Cheltenham and Mentone have been removed as part of this batch of works. At Mentone, twelve beams weighing 30 tonnes each have been put in place. This batch of works has seen over 6800 tonnes of steel and 15000 cubic metres of concrete used. Brodie Cowburn
Environment advocate passes away
The Frankston line running through the new Mentone Station. Picture: Supplied
PAT Bentley. Picture: Supplied
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Frankston Times 21 July 2020
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