Frankston police have arrested 79 people and recovered about $1 million worth of stolen vehicles during a major crackdown on cloned and stolen numberplates across Melbourne’s south-east.
Police are investigating after offenders allegedly used footpath pavers to smash the windows of 11 businesses along Ocean Beach Road in Sorrento. The attack has also renewed concerns about loose and uneven pavers along the shopping strip.
Roccella Lido remains on track for an August opening as new hospitality proposals, returning attractions and further investment reshape the Frankston waterfront.
Police arrested a 22-year-old man during an investigation into alleged damage at Hastings Police Station after a motorcycle reportedly crossed the front lawn twice in three days.
Mornington Peninsula Shire plans to acquire land in McCrae for landslip mitigation works, but has not revealed the property, purchase price or funding arrangements. STPL News has asked the Shire for further details.
Frankston councillor and former mayor Kris Bolam has been recognised overseas for his work in local government transparency, public administration and community-focused reform.
The South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance has called for a Senate inquiry into the Building Cooperative Workplaces Bill, warning the proposed legislation could disadvantage small and medium-sized businesses competing for Commonwealth-funded contracts.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has adopted its 2026/27 Budget after revising several measures in response to community feedback. The changes include lower waste charges, increased road funding and changes to the FOGO rollout.
Victorian Labor has reportedly deprioritised Hastings despite the electorate's razor-thin margin. Community survey results and a growing three-way contest place Paul Mercurio under increasing pressure ahead of November's state election.
South east manufacturers have warned Victoria’s proposed work-from-home laws could create confusion, workplace tension and job risks for businesses that rely on skilled, on-site labour.
A 17-year-old from the Mornington Peninsula area has been charged after an alleged stolen-car run involving a BMW, a Kia and a Dog Squad arrest in Richmond.
South east manufacturers have used SEMMA’s energy forum to call for gas exploration in Victoria and renewed debate on nuclear power, arguing stable and affordable energy remains critical to local manufacturing jobs.
Frankston City Council has frozen new external partnerships and memberships while it develops a Strategic Partnerships Framework to tighten oversight of external organisations seeking council support, funding or advocacy backing.
Parks Victoria has confirmed Flinders Pier’s historic timber inner section will not be fully rebuilt after new safety findings expanded the scope of restoration works. Save Flinders Pier campaign chair Charles Reis OAM has questioned the reduced rebuild and raised concerns over heritage obligations.
A rumoured political snub is circulating on the Mornington Peninsula after new Mayor Stephen Batty did not attend Anthony Marsh’s maiden speech in State Parliament. Marsh, the new Liberal Member for Nepean and former Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor, delivered his…
Bayside Health Peninsula and Monash University have opened six research simulation facilities across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula to help older Australians and people with disability live more independently at home. Researchers will use the facilities to test how technology,…
Cr Stephen Batty has been elected Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor after councillors broke a two-week deadlock following repeated tied votes.
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors return tonight to try again to elect a mayor after the previous vote split 5-5, leaving Cr Paul Pingiaro as Acting Mayor.
Mornington Peninsula Shire will stop delivering Commonwealth-funded aged care services from 2027, with Meals on Wheels, Dial a Bus and social support services to move to specialist providers. The change comes in one of Victoria’s older communities, leaving residents and families waiting for key details on future providers and costs.
Two Bayside Health Peninsula leaders have been recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for their work across community health, disability support, mental health care and psychiatry.
Seven new social homes are underway in Hastings for women on the priority housing list, but Mornington Peninsula Shire figures show local housing demand still far outweighs supply.
Frankston City Mayor Cr Sue Baker and CEO Tennille Bradley will take part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout as council calls for $2.5 million in State Government funding to expand local homelessness outreach.
Mick Gatto has been released without charge after being arrested and interviewed by Taskforce Hawk detectives at Mount Martha during an investigation into alleged financial offences.
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Frankston City Council will investigate a trader and community support training program after local businesses raised concerns about anti-social behaviour, staff safety and business confidence.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has failed to elect a new mayor after councillors split 5-5 in two consecutive votes, leaving Cr Paul Pingiaro as Acting Mayor until councillors try again on 16 June.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has started random kerbside bin audits after recycling contamination added $1 million to waste fees, with household bins checked for wrong items left out for collection.
Frankston City Council has dropped a proposed rate hike for long-term vacant shops in the city centre after most respondents opposed the plan. Council had considered a new differential rate set at 300 per cent of the general rate for…
The Salvation Army says vulnerable Australians are skipping meals, eating expired food and struggling with power and medical costs, as homelessness pressures continue across the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston.
Somerville Business Group members gathered at the Somerville Eagles Corporate Box for a Christmas in May event, with local business owners, community representatives and special guests attending as Somerville hosted Karingal.
RedBridge director Kos Samaras says new modelling points to “the end of the Menzies project”, with One Nation projected to overtake the Coalition if an election were held now.
The Mornington Peninsula has received three honours at the 2026 Keep Australia Beautiful National Tidy Towns Awards, recognising local projects in reef restoration, conservation and youth environmental education.
Tracee Hutchison, Nepean by-election, Nepean state election, November 2026 state election, community independent, Mornington Peninsula politics, Anthony Marsh, Victorian Electoral Commission
TLC Healthcare has put forward a $250 million public-private partnership proposal for Rosebud Hospital, reigniting debate over how the southern peninsula hospital should be rebuilt.
Newly elected Liberal MP Anthony Marsh alleged Safety Beach retiree Joe Lenzo harassed him with repeated emails, mocking language and the nickname “Marshy” during Marsh’s time as mayor. Marsh later withdrew the case after winning Nepean. No final order was made.
Frankston Business Chamber has welcomed a three-year funding commitment from Frankston City Council, with support to reduce each year as the organisation works toward financial independence by 2028.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has been forced to scale back the Emil Madsen upgrade after councillors ignored officer concerns in February and backed a larger option that exceeded available funding, reigniting debate over sporting infrastructure priorities across the shire.
The 2026 federal budget offers tax relief, housing reform and health spending, but NDIS cuts, rising debt in dollar terms and increasing yearly tax collections leave serious concerns for households, carers and small businesses across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.
Frankston City Council’s 2026/2027 Budget has passed after Cr Nathan Butler says he was not afforded the opportunity to move an alternate motion aimed at exploring targeted cost-of-living relief for residents. The meeting also saw Cr Kris Bolam move a failed motion of dissent against Mayor Baker.
One Nation’s Farrer breakthrough has added weight to warning signs already visible in Nepean, where the party topped several booths and exposed pressure on the Liberal primary vote. With Hastings held by Labor on a narrow margin, November’s Victorian state election could be far more volatile than expected.
Peninsula Aero Club has handed over $43,000 raised through the Tyabb Airshow to five local organisations, supporting mental health, emergency services and youth sport.
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors will be asked to scale back the Emil Madsen Western Pavilion project, less than three months after the Marsh-led bloc of six backed a larger option that officers now say has a significant funding gap.
Local not-for-profit groups in Somerville, Tyabb and Mornington can apply for Peninsula Quarries Victoria’s 2026 community grants program, with $5,000 available for community projects and initiatives.
Seventeen volunteers braved wet and windy weather to remove four trailer loads of rubbish from areas around Somerville Railway Station as part of a Clean Up Australia event organised by Somerville Business Group.
Independent Tracee Hutchison has confirmed she will contest Nepean again at November’s Victorian state election, following Saturday’s by-election result. Anthony Marsh’s win also means Briars Ward residents will vote in a council by-election, with ratepayers expected to meet an estimated cost of about $200,000.
Mornington Peninsula Shire ratepayers are facing an expected $200,000 Briars Ward by-election bill after Anthony Marsh’s Nepean win leaves a council vacancy and ends his time as mayor.
The Liberal Party is projected to retain Nepean, but provisional results show a weakened primary vote, a strong One Nation result and a sizeable independent vote for Tracee Hutchison.
Greens candidate Dr Sianan Healy has urged Nepean voters to back action on housing, climate and cost-of-living pressures, while questions remain over the detail behind the party’s local pitch.
Libertarian candidate Peter Angelico says the proposed Rosebud hospital should be funded without new taxes, arguing the Suburban Rail Loop should be cancelled to redirect infrastructure spending.
STPL News observed a calmer atmosphere at Rosebud pre-poll on Wednesday, 29 April, following the previous day’s reports, footage and photos showing confrontational scenes outside the early voting centre.
Liberal campaign workers have been accused of harassing volunteers, voters and One Nation candidate Darren Hercus at Rosebud pre-poll, with STPL News supplied videos, photographs and audio showing repeated confrontations.
