Two teenagers have been charged after police allege a stolen car was used in knife-point robberies targeting young people at bus stops in Frankston and Cranbourne.
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.
Three teens, including a 14-year-old boy, have been charged after police linked alleged aggravated home invasions in Frankston to a wider investigation involving a stolen vehicle, weapons charges and an alleged police evasion in Hastings.
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.
Frankston Business Chamber has welcomed Frankston City Council’s move to review trader support, de-escalation training and clearer referral pathways for local businesses.
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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.
Safety Beach resident Joe Lenzo argues the Mornington Peninsula Shire should focus more on clear communication and practical waste education if it wants to reduce recycling and FOGO bin contamination.
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.
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.
Pearcedale Prime Group and The General Cafe have raised $3,309 for Cancer Council through a local Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea event supported by residents, businesses and community market stallholders.
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.
An 18-year-old Mornington P-plater has had his licence suspended and vehicle impounded after allegedly returning a .174 blood alcohol reading during a police intercept.
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.
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.
A Mornington man has been remanded after police allegedly found eight firearms, ammunition, cannabis, drugs and weapons during a search warrant linked to an anonymous Crime Stoppers tip-off.
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.
Frankston City Council says its adopted 2026/2027 Budget will deliver cost-of-living relief, reduce waste charges for most households and fund an $83.6 million Capital Works Program.
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.
The latest edition of the Somerville Times will be in distribution from Monday 11 May 2026, with free copies available across the usual collection points in Somerville, Tyabb, Hastings, Baxter, Langwarrin and surrounding areas.
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.
Somerville overcame a 47-point first-quarter deficit to defeat traditional rivals Pearcedale in the Round 4 MPNFL Postcode Derby at Pearcedale.
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.
STPL News spoke with Nepean by-election candidates on election day, with candidates from Independent, Greens, Libertarian and One Nation campaigns taking part. Liberal candidate Anthony Marsh declined the opportunity.
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.
Frankston’s Australia’s Most Accessible Beach program will return next summer after strong demand during its first season at Frankston Foreshore.
Greens candidate Dr Sianan Healy has used the final days of the Nepean by-election campaign to call for a two-year rent freeze and stronger protections for renters.
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.
South Side Festival will return to Frankston from 8 to 17 May, with 10 days of arts, culture, neon installations, comedy, sustainability events and workshops planned across the city.
Players and supporters from Somerville and Bonbeach Football Netball Clubs paused before play at Somerville Recreation Reserve for an ANZAC Day commemoration, including a guard of honour and the Ode of Remembrance.
Liberal candidate Anthony Marsh is facing fresh signs of unrest in Nepean, with long-time Liberal supporters, public comments and a former party member’s full-page advertisement raising questions about his candidacy.
Fresh anti-One Nation material is circulating in Nepean through letterbox flyers, authorised video and text messages, adding to concerns about an increasingly negative Liberal campaign centred on Rosebud Hospital ahead of the by-election.
Liberal candidate Anthony Marsh has withdrawn from a sold-out Nepean candidates forum after attendee questions were circulated, with organisers telling STPL News his team pulled out about an hour after receiving direct questions for the candidate.
Early voting opens Wed for the Nepean District by-election, with voters able to cast their ballot before election day on Saturday 2 May. Here is where to vote, the full list of candidates, postal voting deadlines and election day voting centre details.
Liberal Nepean candidate Anthony Marsh is facing fresh scrutiny after Victoria’s transport department began reviewing a complaint over a campaign pothole stunt, adding to earlier questions over road funding claims, Liberal unrest, political independence and the state-appointed monitors at Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
Pauline Hanson’s appearance alongside Darren Hercus in Rosebud drew a packed crowd and added visible momentum to One Nation’s push in the Nepean by-election.
Pauline Hanson has appeared beside Nepean candidate Darren Hercus at a sold out One Nation event, with more updates expected later tonight.
Mornington Peninsula Shire is attempting to quell backlash over a proposed $570 waste charge, arguing the public cleaning component is not a new fee despite sharp concern from residents.
Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke has joined Victoria’s cabinet in a reshuffle of the Allan government, with former mayor Kris Bolam welcoming the promotion as a significant moment for the city.
Peter Angelico has accused Anthony Marsh of “blatant hypocrisy” over roads messaging in the Nepean by-election, using both a campaign video and an STPL News interview to challenge Marsh’s credibility, honesty and handling of the issue.
