Media coverage: May 2019

Election Coverage

Campaign coming to a close
Frankston Times, Brodie Cowburn, 14 May 2019
An interview with Dunkley candidates Chris Crewther (Lib) and Peta Murphy (ALP) before election day

Station park upgrades
Christian Tatman, Frankston Leader, 13 May 2019

IMPROVED commuter parking at Frankston City railway stations is on track.
The Federal Government will commit $38.5 million to upgrades for Frankston, Kananook and Seaford.

Dunkley federal Liberal MP Chris Crewther said this would enable Frankston to get 600 new spaces, including 100 short-term parking spots, and Seaford and Kananook to get 100 new spaces each. “These … will take cars off the road and help our locals get home quicker to spend more time with their families,” he said. Mr Crewther said the funding was budgeted rather than an election pledge.

Mayor Michael O’Reilly was rapt with the decision. “The council will work quickly following … the federal election to work on delivering this vital project as a priority,” he said.

The issues to decide your vote
Sunday Herald Sun News page 33 Sunday May 12 (Subscriber only, extract above)

C4GF letter in reply
Dear Editor,
The Frankston rail extension is vital infrastructure project that will radically transform public transport in our region, driving job creation, getting cars off roads, freeing up crowded car parks and connecting Frankston Hospital and Monash University’s Peninsula campus.
On “The issues to decide your vote” pinboard (Sunday Herald Sun, May 12 Page 33) it was inaccurately reported that the Coalition has promised this public transport upgrade when in fact the project, and its funding, has bipartisan federal support. The Federal Liberal Government secured $225 million of Commonwealth funding for the project in last year’s budget. If elected, the Federal Labor Party has pledged to back that commitment.
However, the extension of the Frankston train line – and the benefits it will bring – is not guaranteed. Extending the train line requires both federal and state government funding.
Whilst a preliminary cost-benefit study is currently underway, the Victorian Labor government has yet to commit to the project. If the Victorian State government does not back the project, it cannot go ahead.

Regards
Ginevra Hosking
CEO Committee for Greater Frankston

Dunkley electorate 2019 pub test

Sunday Herald Sun News page 24 Sunday April 14 (Subscriber only, extract above)

Frankston CBD

Traders fear for safety.
Out-of-control kids a city centre ‘nightmare’
Christian Tatman, Frankston Leader, May 8 2019

Feral youths and children as young as 12 are wreaking havoc in central Frankston and driving away shoppers, according to fed-up traders. Business operators claim frequent drinking, fighting and swearing in the streets is getting out of control.

“They are a nightmare — they’re just lawless,” store owner Natalie Waterworth said. “They have the attitude that authorities will give them a slap on the wrist and tell them to go home.” Ms Waterworth said some viewed being placed in a police van as a “badge of honour”. She said the youths’ behaviour was frightening. Traders said authorities had put the issue in the “too-hard basket”. “People feel intimidated by them — the swearing, drinking and carrying on,” a trader, who didn’t want to be named, said. “These kids need somewhere to go and guidance.”

Frankston Traders’ Association president John Billing said it was essential traders, staff and shoppers felt safe. “Many of these youths need guidance, support and help to find their calling in life,” he said.

Frankston councillor Steve Toms recently convened a meeting between traders and council officials to discuss the problem. “We are seeing an attitude from young people who don’t have anything better to do with their time than hang around Frankston and create mayhem and havoc,” he said. “It’s unacceptable and not what our city centre should be about.”

The traders said more police patrols, particularly in the Station St Mall area, were desperately needed. Senior Sergeant Warren Francis-Pester, of Frankston Police, said officers were working with the council and businesses. “We task people to work there — we are working with the council and traders to ensure public order exists there,” he said. Sen-Sgt Francis-Pester said officers regularly patrolled the area, which is close to the train station.

Traders, the council and other bodies are due to meet in mid June to again discuss the issue and plan action to address it

Security hidden in trees.
Frankston’s CCTV cameras blocked from keeping you safe
Christian Tatman, Frankston Leader, May 13 2019

FOURTEEN CCTV cameras monitoring Frankston’s city centre have been blocked by trees.
The revelation comes after store owners last week said feral youths and children as young as 12 were wreaking havoc in the CBD, driving away shoppers.

Frankston Traders’ Association president John Billing said business operators were concerned about the reduced security vision. Traders reported the security cameras’ limited vision to Frankston Council officials in a closed meeting, but it’s unknown how long they have been obscured. Mr Billing said it was essential traders, staff and shoppers felt safe.

Council chief executive Dennis Hovenden promised urgent action. “The council has identified that 14 of the more than 100 CCTV cameras across the municipality were minimally obstructed by minor vegetation growth,” he said. “Council takes the safety of residents extremely seriously and regularly audits the city’s CCTV network to ensure that all cameras are effectively monitoring their surveillance zones.”

Councillor Steve Toms said local people had spoken about the need to feel safe in the city centre. “If the cameras are capturing the true behaviour that occurs in the streets it would make it easier to ultimately deal with the problem,” he said. Frankston CBD traders are fed-up with youths and pre-teens swearing, drinking and fighting in the area, and said the anti social behaviour was a nightmare.

In response to the traders speaking up, worker Anne Madder wrote on Facebook: “I work on Wells St and regularly have to call the police to various situations making me feel unsafe and putting the public at risk.”i

Relocation of Frankston tennis club

• 

• 

•