EENY Meeny Cafe coowner Robert Wright. Picture: Supplied
Hospitality business boosts considered A TOTAL of $500,000 has been made available to hospitality businesses in Frankston through a state government economic recovery project. The package aims to help businesses recover from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Frankston Council CEO Phil Cantillon said council is also currently considering more ways to help businesses get back on their feet after the lockdown comes to an end. “We are committed to working with traders to help identify locations for enhanced outdoor dining options. Parks, footpaths, courtyards, and pub-
lic spaces are all potential places that are being considered to host outdoor events or dining,” he said. Council’s director communities Dr Gillian Kay said “we are determined to do everything we can to support hospitality businesses to reactivate following the easing of stage four restrictions on 26 October. Locals can’t wait to get back to their favourite eatery and neither can we. That’s why our officers are working with local businesses to ensure they have the ability to trade once the current restrictions are eased. We will be working with businesses to discuss the provision of
additional outdoor space where practical.” Frankston’s Eeny Meeny Café coowner Robert Wright said that he is “excited” about the prospect of reopening. “Our customers are like part of our family. We’ve been in business for eight years and we have a connected and committed community of customers. We’re looking forward to reconnecting with our loyal customers,’ he said. To find out more about the Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package visit business.vic.gov.au.
Candidates confirmed THE upcoming election to decide the next Frankston Council will be contested by 35 people. Nominations to be a candidate closed 22 September. The 35 candidates are competing for nine spots on council, split across three wards. Incumbent councillors Colin Hampton, Glenn Aitken, Kris Bolam, Michael O’Reilly, and Steve Toms will stand for council again. Crs Lillian O’Connor, Brian Cunial, Quinn McCormack, and mayor Sandra Mayer have not nominated for the 2020 elections. The full list of candidates is: • North-East Ward Parker Kapp, David Asker, Henryk Kay. Jay Johnstone, Geoffrey Justin Harbeck, Suzette Tayler, Richard Rendell, Prasad Philip, Nathan Conroy, Shane Osborne, Karan Kent, Colin Hampton, and Rupinder Singh • North-West Ward Justin Turner, Jocelyn Torres, Alan Middleton, Steven Hughes, Glenn Aitken, Sue Baker, Stan Doric , Gabriel Norris, Banson Wong, Jeff Shelley, Kris Bolam, and Michael O’Reilly • South Ward Brad Hill, Claire Harvey, Stephen McDonald, Darrel Taylor, Evalyn Clow, Peter Malone, Liam Hughes, Carmen Griffiths, Steve Toms, and Jerome Hughes
Better future for train station relic signalled
Frankston railway station signal box. The signal box was built in 1922 and is owned by Vic Track. Frankston councillor Glenn Aitken says that “we’ve actually been told it’s one of the very few operational signal boxes left in Victoria”. Although still in operation, council hopes to take steps to preserve and prevent the further deterioration of the signal box. At their 21 September meeting, councillors voted to make “representation to Vic Track and the Department of Transport highlighting the importance of the preservation of the Frankston Signal Box”. Cr Aitken said “there doesn’t appear to have been much maintenance done for a very long time, and that’s a key issue. The building will become more and more deteriorated, then it will be too late.” “It’s really important to hold and secure whatever history we’ve got left. That’s why this building, being one of the last vestiges of old Frankston is so important,” he said. “It was there when there was flapper fashion and the Charleston was being danced in dance halls in Frankston, and it’s still here today in the 21st century.” In 2016 the 1920s era signal box at Ringwood Station was removed, relocated and recommissioned as a café and historical site. Cr. Aitken said “I think both of those would be very viable. It could be a combination of a cafe and a historic site for the preservation and display of items relating to Frankston’s history”. With the precedent set by the Ringwood signal box, council is looking for a similar outcome for the Frankston signal box.
FRANKSTON Council wants to aid in the preservation of the historical
Frankston Times
Claudia Skubel
29 September 2020
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