NEWS DESK
Prime Minister’s whistlestop Neil Walker neil@mpnews.com.au FRANKSTON train station was a honeypot for politicians on both sides of the political spectrum last Monday (19 February). The Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull turned up at the station about half an hour after Victorian Transport Minister Jacinta Allan dropped by to announce the awarding of a tender as part of the Labor state government’s $63 million station precinct redevelopment project. Mr Turnbull, accompanied by Dunkley Liberal MP Chris Crewther, travelled to the station flanked by a prime ministerial security detail. Most people walking past on the streets of Frankston seemed nonplussed by Mr Turnbull’s declaration that he was there to an-nounce “a business case for the electrification of the Frankston line to Baxter”. His 15-minute visit to central Frankston followed an hour or so at Mornington business, Bata Shoes. “He was in town to look at Bata Shoes and local manufacturing and talk about the need for growth in manufacturing,” Mr Crewther said after the visit. “He was at Frankston train station to talk about the Baxter electrification project and our support for that. We’ve signed off on that project already, so we’re waiting on the state government to tender it out.” The federal government committed $4 million towards a business case study to make the case for the electrification of the rail line to Baxter.
On front foot: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had a brief respite from being asked questions about the Liberal Party’s inability to give Nationals Party coalition colleague Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce the boot after a tumultuous fortnight in Canberra. The political capital has been rocked by revelations of taxpayer-funded jobs last year for a previously undeclared female partner of the deputy. Picture: Gary Sissons
“We’re calling on the state government to cost it out because we want it costed out before the state election,” Mr Crewther said. “If we don’t get it scoped before the state election there’s going to be no funding committed by the state opposition or the state government.” Ms Allan announced a construction partnership between KBR and John Holland to redevelop Frankston train station based on designs by Genton
Architecture. “This new station will be bigger and better than before,” she said in a statement. “It will be a community centre Frankston can be proud of.” Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke, also at the station with the state transport minister last Monday, took to social media after the Prime Minister’s visit to note Mr Turnbull made no federal funding announcements while in
Frankston and "urging" the state govern-ment to partly fund major projects. “State Labor govt invests $200 plus million in Frankston without any matching investment from the PM and Federal Libs who are still 'urging' .... Thanks for nothing Turnbull,” Mr Edbrooke tweeted. The station will be closed from midyear while the rebuild is underway and replacement buses will shuttle commuters.
Peninsula cleans up CLEAN Up Australia Day is on Sunday 4 March. Last year 42 cleanup sites were registered across the Mornington Peninsula and about 40 cubic metres of waste was collected. Those wanting to join in this year can register a site or join a cleanup site online. Each registered site will be provided with a Clean Up Australia Day Kit, including registration papers, posters, bags, one sharp container, warning sign and litter report. Volunteers will need to provide their own gloves as well as sunscreen, suitable clothing and footwear. Schools and businesses can get involved in Business Clean Up Australia Day on Tuesday 27 February and Schools Clean up Australia Day on Friday 2 March. To register a site this year visit cleanupaustraliaday.org.au or call 1800 282 329. Clean-up Australia Day sites are at: Mt Martha: foreshore and creek, cliffs and rock, Birdrock Beach. Red Hill: 1st Red Hill Scout Hall, 91 Arthurs Seat Rd. Mornington: Advance VCAL, Fishermans Beach, Bungower Road, Fossil Beach, Mills Beach, Scout Beach, Mothers Beach, McDonald’s car park. Capel Sound: foreshore, Tootgarook, Chinamans Creek. Blairgowrie: Dimmicks Bushland. Dromana: foreshore, Dromana College. Rosebud: shire offices, foreshore, Sea Scouts SS Coleman. Point Leo: foreshore. Tootgarook: foreshore. Tuerong: Devilbend Reservoir. Hastings: foreshore, McDonald’s car park, Warrinigne Park.
SATURDAY 3RD MARCH 2 COURSE DINNER & SHOW $65 MEMBERS $75 VISITORS
Phone: 5950 0800 www.rosebudcountryclub.com.au Southern Peninsula News
20 February 2018
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