Council accepts Eel Race Road closure Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au CALLS from Frankston Council to stop a level crossing removal project at Eel Race Road have gone quiet. Council unanimously voted in 2017 to write to the state government to “formally oppose the closure of Eel Race Road on a number of grounds including the increase of congestion, particularly on Railway Parade (Seaford), Armstrongs Road (Seaford) and Station St (Seaford)”. The successful motion stated that “the process has once again failed Frankston residents in that no consultation and no justification was evident in arriving at this decision.” Level crossing removal works at Carrum Station are now underway, and despite Frankston Council’s efforts, Eel Race Road is set to close after work at Carrum Station is completed. Councillors were asked to reaffirm their support of keeping the road open at the 29 January meeting, but support had been lost. Cr Glenn Aitken moved that council should rewrite to the state government asking to keep the road open. “It is incumbent of councillors to be consistent and stand by the words that have been uttered in this chamber,” he said. “I can’t see anything that should sway council from its previous case.” Cr Aitken did not receive the required support from his colleagues to keep pushing the issue. Cr Lillian o’Connor said she was “opposed” to reaffirming her support. She said “interfering with state government projects” was unnecessary, as works had begun and there was “no turning back now.” “What’s really important to me is the safety of pedestrians and cars,” she said. Cr Colin Hampton said the state government
project was approved by residents when Labor MP Sonya Kilkenny was returned to office. “We as councillors should listen to what the community has to say. I for one will listen to the majority.” Cr Quinn McCormack said the re-election of Sonya Kilkenny was not solely down to the Eel Race Road redevelopment. The motion was lost 2-6, With only Crs McCormack and Aitken voting in favour. Cr Steve Toms was absent from the meeting. The motion was supported by a public submission from Michael Telleson, who has been a vocal advocate against shutting the road and stood as an independent candidate in the seat of Carrum.
No home for school THE University of the Third Age Frankston is appealing for help to find a new home. The U3A University has been operating out of John Paul College for the last decade, but its lease runs out at the end of 2020. “We have a long and proud history of supporting our older citizens by keeping them involved in both physical and mental activities on a wide range of subjects, all managed and operated by volunteers,” Ian Payne of U3A said “These subjects are as wide ranging as Art, Mah Jong, Rambling, Singing, Digitial Literacy, Wellbeing, History and Current Affairs. We have over 600 members and offer 80 classes a week. “We need help to find a new home. We’ve been a part of the Frankston community for over 30 years and are now looking for new facilities to continue to operate and grow into the future. For the past 10 years, we have had wonderful premises on the campus of John Paul College in McMahons Road. Unfortunately the lease on our present premises comes to an end in 2020. “We would welcome the opportunity to discuss with anyone who has classroom facilities or administration office space that we could lease for a reasonable price.” U3A can be contacted by phoning secretary Bethy Birch at 0455 048 855
CARRUM
Call for members Get involved in your local level crossing removal project We are looking for community members to form a new Stakeholder Liaison Group for our Carrum project as major works kick off in your area. Whether you're a local resident, business operator or community group member, we need your local knowledge and insight to help us understand how our works are affecting the community, to achieve the best outcome for Carrum.
To register your interest, visit your.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/carrum Nominations close 5pm Thursday 14 February 2019.
Nominations close soon LXR1888
NEWS DESK
contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au 1800 105 105 levelcrossings.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
Frankston Times
5 February 2019
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