NEWS DESK
Business chamber ‘goes bust’ shock
New deputy elected FRANKSTON has a new deputy mayor. North-East Ward councillor Michael O’Reilly was elected to the role at council’s latest public council meeting on 2 July. A split 5-3 vote of councillors saw Cr O’Reilly, first elected to council in 2012, become deputy mayor in predecessor Cr Lillian O’Connor’s absence on approved personal leave “for several months”. Crs Kris Bolam, Brian Cunial, Sandra Mayer, O’Reilly and the mayor Cr Colin Hampton voted for Cr O’Reilly to be deputy mayor. South Ward councillor Steve Toms, deputy mayor last year, also put his hand up for the deputy mayorship last week. Crs Glenn Aitken, Quinn McCormack and Toms voted for Cr Toms. “As a key marginal seat, Frankston City has an opportunity to make all sides of politics take notice of issues and projects which are important to our whole community ahead of the state election,” Cr O’Reilly said in a statement after the meeting. The deputy mayor role does not see the incumbent receive any additional remuneration on top of an annual $29,630 allowance plus expenses. The mayor of the day is paid $94,641 over a 12-month term. The deputy mayor is expected to attend functions and meetings the mayor is unable to attend and to chair public council meetings in the mayor’s absence. Cr Hampton thanked Cr O’Reilly for accepting the role. Neil Walker
Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au THE members of a major business chamber group in Frankston will vote later this month on putting the organisation into voluntary administration. The Frankston Business Network (FBN), also known as the Greater Frankston Business Chamber, wrote to its members on Thursday (5 July) to advise a special meeting vote will be held on Thursday 26 July. “While no commitment has been made at this stage, Frankston City Council has indicated they may explore options for supporting a business entity in lieu of FBN in 2019,” FBN president Kath Ferry said in an email to members. The business chamber representing many businesses throughout the Frankston region was first established in 1955. Frankston mayor Cr Colin Hampton said council is aware of the FBN’s plight. “Members of council recently met with representatives of the Frankston Business Network who provided an update about their current financial situation, including the possibility that they may go into voluntary insolvency,” he said in a statement. “We are disappointed with this outcome and recognise the need for a business network. Council sup-
New role: Cr Michael O’Reilly now also deputy mayor. Picture: Supplied
ports small business through a number of channels, including the facilitation of small business workshops and small business grants program.” The mayor said any decision on financial support for a business chamber will need to be agreed by councillors. Ms Ferry was contacted for comment but did not respond before publication deadline. The FBN email sent to members stated staff would end employment with the chamber on Wednesday 11 July “and all scheduled events and networking activities will be cancelled”.
Flushed away
TOILETS past their use-by date are being replaced across the Frankston area as part of council’s Public Toilet Action Plan. Frankston mayor Cr Colin Hampton said some old bluestone toilet blocks no longer suit the needs of visitors. “The new accessible toilet facilities will complement the natural coastal area with a smaller environmental footprint and will meet the needs of all users,” he said. “While there has been some talk of the bluestone facilities being of heritage value and we appreciate their enduring appearance along the foreshore, there are no such planning controls or heritage overlays in place.” See frankston.vic.gov.au/NotificationofWorks
Axed boulevard trees ‘unhealthy’ Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au FRANKSTON Council has come under fire over the sudden axing of trees on Cranbourne-Frankston Road. Readers have contacted The Times expressing alarm about “a desolate bomb site” left in the wake of trees being removed on CranbourneFrankston Road between Fletcher Road and Moorooduc Highway. Council says more than 150 trees will replace the previous trees as part of a boulevard planting project and the mayor Cr Colin Hampton said an arborist report found many of the axed trees were “in poor health and no long-
er providing adequate amenity”. “Two species of trees have been selected for planting, including the iconic native Norfolk Island Pine along the central median to complement our city centre pines, including Frankston City’s favourite century-old Christmas Tree located outside the Civic Centre,” Cr Hampton said in a statement. “Stunning Crepe Myrtles which produce a gorgeous white flower in summer will also be planted along nature strips. These grow to a reasonably low height, well below power line level and will add continuity to the white flowering Ti-tree and Melaleuca further up Cranbourne-Frankston Road.” The mayor said VicRoads, who
owns the land, supports the boulevard works, expected to be finished this month. “This section of CranbourneFrankston Road is a major city gateway, and the new boulevard trees will provide a warm welcome to visitors and become an asset the community can be proud of.” Council advised the next stage of the works will see planting between Moorooduc Highway and McClelland Drive. Councillors last month slammed the state government’s Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) for the removal of vegetation around Seaford’s RF Miles Reserve as part of the Seaford Road level crossing removal.
Desolation row: Some Frankston residents are alarmed at the axing of trees on Cranbourne-Frankston Road. Picture: Gary Sissons
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Frankston Times
9 July 2018
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