Deputy mayor kicked out after fiery kinder debate Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au THE deputy mayor was kicked out of the room by the mayor during a debate about the future of Long Street Reserve at last week’s Frankston Council meeting. In October last year, Frankston councillors unanimously voted behind closed doors to make Long Street Reserve in Langwarrin their preferred site for a new kindergarten. The public revelation of those plans sparked backlash - a petition with 1751 signatures opposing the proposal has been handed to council. Consultation is now underway, with residents being offered a say on two different designs for the site. At a public meeting on Monday, 20 February, the matter came before Frankston Council again. By the end of the debate the mayor Nathan Conroy had booted deputy mayor Liam Hughes from the chamber. The public gallery featured many residents who oppose the kinder plans. They vocally disrupted councillors on multiple occasions. Hughes was removed from the room after interrupting the mayor to call the debate “ridiculous”. Hughes had publicly declared his intention to move an alternate motion to cease consultation and consider different options, but he did not get the opportunity. A separate alternate motion was moved by councillor Sue Baker before Hughes moved his - its approval meant that Hughes could not debate his proposal. Sue Baker’s alternate motion in-
DEPUTY mayor Liam Hughes (left) was kicked out of the room by mayor Nathan Conroy (right) during a debate on the future of Long Street Reserve (inset). Pictures: Supplied
creased the scope of the report councillors will receive on the kinder plan after community engagement closes. The alternate motion read that the report will include “both comments on the design options and the range of other feedback generated not related to design.” The report will also detail future amenity improvements to the reserve. “Having gone out with a narrow community engagement, we have actually heard a lot more feedback about the
whole issue,” Baker said. “There are a lot of ‘why’ questions, and I think it’s only right and proper that we listen to those and we hear those and we respond to those as part of this consultation process.” Ultimately, the remaining councillors in the room voted in favour of Baker’s alternate. The approved motion also authorises the release of more information on the project, and ensures that councillors will receive a report on the engage-
ment findings no later than June. Hughes urged councillors to reject Baker’s alternate and consider his instead. “What I was going to present tonight (...) is the answer that all the residents have been asking for. This answer is supported by a 1751 signature petition, that’s the consultation you need,” he said. Hughes, who did not oppose nominating Long Street Reserve as the preferred site for a new kindergarten when the
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confidential vote was taken last year, said “that reserve is the most beautiful little reserve I’ve ever been to.” Hughes was contacted for comment The matter will come back before council before any construction proceeds. To make a submission on the plans visit engage.frankston.vic.gov.au/earlyyears-infrastructure/new-kindergartenlangwarrin. Consultation closes 26 March.
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10 - 13 MARCH 2023 Friday 10th - Sunday 12th
10am - 5pm
Monday 13th
10am - 4pm
Mornington Racecourse 320 Racecourse Road, Mornington @thegreatoutdoorand4x4expo
Caravans & Campers - Motorhomes - Boats Fishing Gear - 4x4 - Metal Detectors - Travel & Adventure Food & Wine - Camping Gear - Demos
Drop in and learn about your bigger, better Frankston Hospital Construction of the Frankston Hospital redevelopment is well underway and we’re inviting the local community to learn more about this exciting project. Come and meet the team at a community information session to see the designs and find out more about what the redeveloped hospital will deliver for Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula. Functions by the Bay –Frankston Football Club, Corner Plowman Place & Young Street, Frankston Wednesday 1 March 2023 , 5-7pm; Saturday 4 March 2023, 10am-1pm For more information, visit vhba.vic.gov.au/frankston-hospital-events or scan the QR code.
Frankston Times
SCAN ME
28 February 2023
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