Free parking for COVID recovery ADVOCACY group Committee for Greater Frankston has called for free two-hour parking to be offered at Bayside Shopping Centre. The committee’s president Rod Evenden said parking costs at the centre have been “bleeding the retail soul out of Frankston for many years.” “Shoppers have warmly received Karingal Hub shopping centre’s $160 million redevelopment with its ample and free undercover car parking, with many describing it as brilliant. The new Karingal Hub development leaves Bayside and the CBD blatantly uncompetitive,” he said. “Two hours of free parking CBDwide would encourage shoppers to return to our city and restore the con-
KATIE and Leith enjoying a game of chess at Carrum Downs library. Picture: Supplied
Late night library sessions scheduled CARRUM Downs Library is completing an unlikely transformation into a late night hangout spot. The library will now open until 10pm on Thursday nights. The Libraries After Dark program welcomes visitors to enjoy a number of different activities. The program runs at many libraries statewide through funding from the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. Frankston councillor David Asker
said the initiative aims to “offer an alternative to gaming venues and online gambling.” “Between 2018 and 2019, $559 was lost at the poker machines per adult in Frankston City, which is higher than the Victorian average of $538. Frankston City residents lost more than $62 million during this period. These losses have far reaching consequences for our community, beyond their financial impacts,”
he said. “Libraries After Dark was initially launched in 2018 and I’m very excited we’re adding Carrum Downs library to the program, providing a safe space for our residents to explore the library, enjoy a cuppa and the activities we’ll have on offer. If you’re not sure what to do with yourself on a Thursday night, why not visit Carrum Downs library.”
fidence of Bayside traders cautious about renewing their leases. Bayside staff need affordable all-day parking, and shoppers expect two hours free like at other places they visit. And Vicinity Group will greatly benefit if traders are again willing to sign Frankston leases. “Bayside shoppers’ and workers’ parking has been treated as a corporate ATM for too long. Too much money has been creamed off through parking for our city to thrive. Pricing is clearly out of whack with all other shopping precincts in Victoria.” In July last year, Frankston Council began offering free two-hour parking in Playne Street, Cranbourne Road, Young Street East, the Mechanics Hall, and the Frankston Arts Centre.
Junior footy funding boost THE Karingal Junior Football Club has received $20,000 in taxpayer funding to install new coaches boxes. The grant was handed out through the Dunkley Stronger Communities program. Dunkley MP Peta Murphy said “the new coaches boxes will provide ideal weather protection for players and officials on the bottom oval at Ballam Park. I know that this will make a real difference, especially on Sunday mornings.” “Karingal Junior Football Club is a fantastic local sporting club. I’m very proud to support our community with this funding.”
KARINGAL junior footballers Montana (left) and Kiara (right) with Dunkley MP Peta Murphy. Picture: Supplied
EVERY TEST HELPS US KEEP CATCHING UP WITH MATES Every test keeps us on top of this virus. And keeps us doing the things we love. So even if your symptoms are mild, or you’ve been tested before, every test helps.
For testing locations visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
Frankston Times
9 February 2021
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