NEWS DESK
Candidates on the ballot
AN interpretation of a revamped Nepean Highway precinct in Frankston. Picture: Supplied
Plan to transform Nepean Highway FRANKSTON Council is calling on the state and federal governments to fund major changes to the Nepean Highway. Council is advocating for a $37 million upgrade to the Nepean Highway thoroughfare. It hopes to see the construction of wider footpaths, the addition of more trees and street furniture, accommodations for outdoor dining, and the creation of better connections from the city centre across Nepean Boulevard to Frankston’s foreshore and Kananook Creek. The plan also includes lower speed limits and the addition of more cycling lanes. Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy says that making Nepean Highway a “pedestrian friendly beachside boulevard be-fitting of the lifestyle destination that is Frankston” is a key part of council’s vision for the area. “Frankston’s city centre is ripe for revitalisation and long-term strategic planning work is already underway to reimagine our city centre, making it more pedestrian friendly and encouraging people to linger in the city,” he said.
“The Nepean Boulevard is an important opportunity for Frankston. It’s our shopfront window with a coastline catchment of 800,000 people annually and we need to put our best foot forward. We’re appealing to candidates in the upcoming federal and state elections for their support for this important city shaping project. The iconic avenue of fig trees, the Clock Tower, the legendary intersection of Davey Street and Nepean Highway with its live music venues and eateries all deserve to be highlighted and celebrated. “Council has already begun work with the Victorian Government Department of Transport and the Frankston Revitalisation Board to deliver immediate revitalisation works along Nepean Highway including expanded outdoor dining, 19 new parklets and decorative median tree lighting. We’ve seen how successful these small-scale interventions can be. It’s now time to take it to the next level and make the highway a destination in itself to boost the local economy and support recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Peninsula Link Freeway overnight closures at Lathams Road As part of the Lathams Road Upgrade, we’re building a new bridge over Peninsula Link to provide an additional lane in each direction over the freeway. While we install the beams for the new bridge, there will be road disruptions and detours will be in place.
Lathams Road between Frankston Gardens Drive and Stephenson Road
Outbound lanes closed
8pm–5am 2 May
City-bound lanes closed
8pm–5am 1 May
Bridge closed
8pm–5am 2 May
Bridge closed
MORE COVID-19 restrictions were lifted last weekend. Last week the state government moved to remove more restrictions in response to growing rates of vaccination. As of 11.59pm on 22 April people entering venues will no longer have to show their vaccination status or check in. The mask mandate in primary school, early childhood, hospitality, and retail sectors has been removed. Masks are still required on public transport, at airports, and in health and aged care settings. Close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case no longer have to quarantine, but must wear a mask indoors and record five negative rapid tests over a seven day period. Positive COVID-19 cases still have to quarantine for a week. Visitor restrictions in hospitals have also been removed. Symptom-free international travellers are not required to test for COVID-19, and people who have had COVID-19 are now exempt from testing or quarantine for 12 weeks. Existing vaccine mandates at workplaces remain. Victorian health minister Martin Foley said that the changes were “sensible” because nearly 70 per cent of adults in the state have received a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. “The vaccinated economy kept Victorians safe and businesses open during an unpredictable time when we saw our highest case numbers ever – but now is the right time to set it aside and focus on the highest risk settings,” he said. “Many things that are very effective in driving down transmission will remain strongly recommended. That will keep us protected during winter and help us respond to emerging risks.”
Labor’s five point plan: Nurses on site 24/7 Give carers more time to care Support a pay rise for workers Require better food for residents More transparency in the system
Weather conditions may affect our progress. Please plan your journey and allow extra travel time.
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Find out if you’re affected at bigbuild.vic.gov.au
Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au
Aged Care
Road disruptions: closed lanes and bridge 8pm–5am 1 May
Vaccine and mask restrictions ease
Peta Murphy MP & Labor will fix
Sunday 1 May to Monday 2 May 2022
Peninsula Link Freeway between Eastlink and Frankston Dandenong Road
THE roll call of candidates at the Saturday 21 May federal election has been finalised. There are 10 candidates seeking election in Flinders, which covers most of the peninsula and has been held by retiring Liberal MP Greg Hunt for the past two decades. In neighbouring Dunkley, held by Labor’s Peta Murphy since 2019, there are nine candidates. Murphy defeated Liberal Chris Crewther, who held the seat for one term following a record term by former Liberal minister, Bruce Billson. In November. Crewther will stand for the state seat of Mornington. he won a preselection battle against long term sitting Liberal, David Morris. There are two independent candidates in Flinders and one in Dunkley. In Dunkley, Murphy is second on the ballot with independent Darren Bergwerf drawing top spot. Dunkley candidates: • Darren Bergwerf, independent • Peta Murphy, Labor Party • Damian Willis, Liberal Democratic Party • Elizabeth Johnston, Animal Justice Party • Liam O’Brien, The Greens • Sharn Coombes, Liberal Party • Scott Middlebrook, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation • Kathryn Woods, Australian Federation Party • Adrian Kane Irvine, United Australia Party Flinders candidates as they appear on the ballot paper: • Alex Van Der End, United Australia Party • Cindi Marr, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation • Christen Abraham, Liberal Democratic Party • Zoe McKenzie, Liberal Party • Jefferson Earl, Australian Federation Party • Colin Lane, The Greens • Sarah Russell, independent • Surbhi Snowball, Labor Party • Despi O’Connor, independent • Pamela Engelander, Animal Justice Party
PetaMurphyDunkley @petamurphylabordunkley petamurphy.net Authorised by Peta Murphy, Australian Labor Party, 37 Playne St, Frankston VIC.
Frankston Times
26 April 2022
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