RPP News Wrap - 21st Sept to 25th Sept
The stories shaping Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula this week, spanning public safety, politics, council services, health and local sport.
🚨Police Crime and Community Safety
Alleged Pursuit Ends in Fiery Seaford Crash
A 25-year-old Frankston North woman has been charged after an alleged police pursuit and fiery crash in Seaford.
Police say an Audi with cloned plates was driven erratically about 3am Friday and allegedly tried to ram a police vehicle.
The car struck a pole and caught fire, while two male passengers were released pending further inquiries.
Charges include dangerous driving, endangering police, failing to stop and unlicensed driving, with the investigation continuing.
Police Investigate Fatal Frankston South Hit Run
An 83-year-old Frankston South woman died after being struck near Highland Drive about 5.30am on Tuesday.
Police initially sought a dark-coloured SUV seen leaving Frankston-Flinders Road in a westerly direction.
A 55-year-old local man later contacted police and was arrested in Seaford about five hours after the collision.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are seeking witnesses and anyone with relevant dashcam or CCTV footage.
Reservists Bolster Frankston and Rosebud Police
Frankston and Rosebud are among 48 Victorian police stations receiving reservists to help return serving officers to frontline duties.
A further 75 former officers were deployed this week, taking the number in the new support roles to 175.
They staff counters, handle back-office duties and assist investigations, freeing police for patrols and calls for service.
Victoria Police says the initiative has returned more than 1,500 shifts to frontline policing, with deployments continuing to October 11.
Extra Police Patrol Frankston Hotspots
Frankston is receiving additional frontline police for three months under a program called Days of Activation.
Extra officers are on duty between 3pm and 6pm, in addition to normal policing across the city.
Foot and mobile patrols are concentrating on Karingal Hub, Frankston Railway Station and Bayside Shopping Centre.
Police say the highly visible operation will target crime and antisocial behaviour during the busy afternoon and evening period.
Crime Rate Falls but Family Violence Assaults Rise
Victoria's recorded crime rate fell 3.8 per cent in the year to June 2026, although offending remains above 2023 levels.
Serious and violent crime fell 4.1 per cent, while retail theft increased by 2.7 per cent.
Serious family violence assaults rose by nearly 16 per cent over the same period.
Police Minister and Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke welcomed the figures and promised further law-and-order initiatives.
🏛️Politics and the State Election
Edbrooke Weighs Tougher Knife Sale Rules
Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke is confronting a major early test after becoming Victoria's Police Minister in August.
He left open tougher restrictions on kitchen-knife sales to minors after an 18-year-old woman was stabbed at Deer Park.
Edbrooke described the attack as disgraceful and urged authorities to come down hard on those responsible.
The government will examine interstate practices and consider whether further action involving retailers is needed.
McKenzie Proposes Fuel Price Shield
Federal Member for Flinders Zoe McKenzie says motorists need protection against excessive fuel prices.
She says a future Coalition government would introduce a measure aimed at providing that protection.
McKenzie has given the proposal the name fuel price shield.
The policy would be intended to shield motorists from excessive or sharply rising fuel costs.
One Nation Completes Local Candidate Line Up
Former Liberal and Libertarian candidate Peter Angelico is One Nation's candidate for Hastings at the November state election.
He faces Labor's Paul Mercurio and Liberal Fran Scheiffler, with Mercurio holding the seat by 1.35 percentage points.
Ashli Beards is standing in Mornington, while Darren Hercus will again contest Nepean against Liberal Anthony Marsh.
In Frankston, One Nation's Paul Stafford will challenge Labor MP and Police Minister Paul Edbrooke.
Peninsula Voters Invited to Election Forums
Mornington Peninsula voters can question state election candidates at three free Shout Out forums during October.
The Nepean forum is at Rosebud Country Club on October 14, followed by Mornington at Alexandra Park Pavilion on October 19.
The Hastings forum will be held at Sanctuary Inn on October 29, with each event beginning at 6.30pm.
Registration is required and questions must be submitted in advance on roads, health, housing and other local priorities.
Final Week to Vote in Briars Ward By Election
Briars Ward voters have until 6pm on Friday October 2 to vote in the Mornington Peninsula Shire by-election.
The two candidates are solicitor Sue Ellison-Whyte and human resources and strategy specialist Christine Leahy.
Ballots must be posted before the local mail collection or delivered to 1/16 Dutton Street, Rosebud, by the deadline.
Anyone still without a ballot pack should contact the Victorian Electoral Commission on 131 832.
🏠 Councils Services and Local Streets
Frankston Sports Policy Review Faces Deferral
Deputy Mayor Cherie Wanat has backed deferring Frankston Council's sports policy review ahead of the state election.
She told council the work has become a substantial brief requiring further attention from officers.
The review also includes the proposed incorporation of rugby into the city's wider sport and recreation policy.
Council officers are continuing to finalise the review before it returns for further consideration.
Frankston Seeks Election Help to Improve City Gateways
Frankston Council has added a clean-up of the city's gateways to its requests ahead of the November state election.
The proposal forms part of the council's $20 million Frankston First advocacy campaign.
Councillor Nathan Butler says Frankston is enjoying a boom and its entrances should reflect the city's new energy.
Council is seeking support for the gateway improvements from candidates and parties contesting the election.
Trader Concerns Prompt Wider Frankston Response
A Frankston trader has told council that drug use, human waste and other hazards persist around her city-centre business.
Existing responses include protective service officers, rapid-response patrols, street cleaning, outreach and intervention services around Young Street.
Councillor Nathan Butler supports a whole-of-community program giving traders practical help and confidence that their concerns are heard.
Council officers are examining further options, with their report expected to return in November.
Meals on Wheels Withdrawal Back Under Review
Mornington Peninsula Shire will reconsider withdrawing from Meals on Wheels, Community Transport and Group Social Support.
Council voted in June to leave the services next July, citing new federal compliance, governance and legal responsibilities.
The federal program funding the services has since been extended until 2029, prompting councillors to review the decision.
Options include retaining all three services, keeping Meals on Wheels alone or proceeding with withdrawal; services continue meanwhile.
Six Peninsula Ovals Need Major Turf Repairs
Six Mornington Peninsula sports grounds require major repairs after a contractor applied the wrong herbicide earlier this year.
Affected venues include RJ Rowley Reserve, Olympic Park, David MacFarlane Reserve and Emil Madsen Reserve.
The Shire is working with clubs and the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association to arrange alternative venues.
Significant turf remediation is required to restore competition-standard surfaces, with the works timetable still being finalised.
🦟Health Ageing and Water Safety
Frankston Performs Public Health Shoulder Surgery First
Australia's first robot-assisted shoulder replacement in a public health facility has been performed at Frankston Surgical Centre.
Dr Simon Lau says the technology lets teams plan and execute procedures within a degree of a millimetre.
Robot-assisted hip and knee replacements have been offered at the centre for the past four years.
Shoulder procedures account for about 10 to 15 per cent of all joint replacements performed in Australia.
Concern Raised Over Reported Rosebud Hospital Parking Fees
Labor's Sarah Race has raised concerns about a reported proposal to introduce paid parking at Rosebud Hospital.
She says charges would add to the burden on hospital visitors and staff.
Race also fears a phone-based payment system could be difficult for older people and push vehicles into nearby streets.
For now, the hospital continues to advertise free hourly parking.
More Than 90 Events Planned for Seniors Festival
More than 90 events will be held across the Mornington Peninsula during the October Seniors Festival.
The program includes free and low-cost exercise, health, film, concert, gardening, technology and volunteering activities.
Ten multicultural short films exploring belonging and resilience will screen at Rosebud Cinema on October 17.
Other highlights include Get Active Week, seniors exercise parks, a Safety Beach employment forum and a Bee Gees tribute concert.
Peninsula Remains Victoria's Drowning Hotspot
The Mornington Peninsula's almost 200 kilometres of coastline remains one of Victoria's highest-risk areas for drowning.
Life Saving Victoria ranked it first among municipalities for fatal drownings over a decade, with beaches the main location.
National figures show one-year-olds accounted for almost two-thirds of drowning deaths among children under five last year.
Former Olympic coach Laurie Lawrence says lessons can begin at three to six months and should continue as children grow.
🏉Local Sport and Community
Boland Returns Under Lights for Victoria
Frankston Peninsula fast bowler Scott Boland is returning for Victoria in the Dean Jones Trophy.
The day-night clash against New South Wales will be his first match of the season.
It will also be Junction Oval's first game played under lights.
Glenn Maxwell also returns, with play starting at 2pm on Grand Final Eve.
Dromana Celebrates Five Point Premiership Win
Dromana has been dressed in black and yellow after the Tigers' five-point grand final victory over Rosebud.
Club vice-president Paul Wilson described the days after the win as a fantastic week for the club.
Players and officials planned to take the flag and cups to local sponsors for photographs.
Wilson says the celebration is also a chance to thank the committee, supporters, sponsors and wider community.
Peninsula Cricket Farewells Brian McCue
Tributes are flowing for Peninsula cricket stalwart Brian McCue, who has died aged 76.
Known as Cuey, he won 10 Provincial premierships, six Country Week championships and collected more than 600 wickets.
He founded RPP's cricket show in 1987 and was named in the first 50 years team of Mornington Peninsula cricket.
Neil Williams and the Bendigo Bank Cricket Show are dedicating a special program to McCue's life and contribution.
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