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PENINSULA-FRANKSTON-GREATER DANDENONG CASEY-CARDINIA EDITION
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MORNINGTON PENINSULA • SOUTHERN PENINSULA • WESTERN PORT • FRANKSTON • CASEY • CARDINIA • DANDENONG Local and Independent. Not associated with any other publication in this area.
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
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LOCALS CHARGED AFTER $14 MIL. COCAINE BUST
● Cocaine. File Image.
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■ Detectives from the Major Drug Squad have charged two men - one from Noble Park, the other from Hampton Park - and seized 40kg of cocaine which was located inside a vehicle being driven back from the NSW border. A vehicle was intercepted by police on the Hume Hwy in Kalkallo at 6.20am on Tuesday morning (Sep. 16). A search of the vehicle uncovered 40kg of a substance believed to be cocaine inside the vehicle. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $14m. The two men in the car, a 19-year-old from Noble Park and a 20-year-old from Hampton Park, were both charged with traffick large commercial quantity of cocaine and possess large commercial quantity of cocaine. They were remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. Police will allege those involved were utilising vehicles to transport illicit drugs interstate on behalf of the wider syndicate. Detective Inspector Jamie Walker, Major Drug Squad, said: “Illicit drugs are destructive to so many individuals and the communities around them.”
225-KMH RIDER NABBED AT CLYDE RD OFF-RAMP
■ A motorcyclist has lost his wheels for a month after being caught travelling at more than double the speed limit in Glen Waverley. Nunawading Highway Patrol members were conducting laser speed checks on the Monash Fwy when they heard the roaring of a rapidly approaching motorbike just after 3am. The officers say that they could barely believe their eyes when their laser clocked the rider at the alleged speed of 225-kmh. They caught up with the Honda when he exited the freeway and stopped at a set of lights at the Clyde Rd off-ramp. The 22-year-old rider could provide police with no reason as to why he was in such a hurry. Not only was he travelling at dangerously high speeds, he was wearing only a tracksuit which would provide zero protection if he came off his bike. The Narre Warren South man’s motorcycle was impounded at a cost of $1120.50 and he can expect to be charged on summons with speed dangerous.
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Erosion worry at Mt Martha
● Steve Dimopoulos, Minister
■ Mornington MLA Chris Crewther has quizzed State Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos about erosion concerns, especially at Mount Martha North. “Will the Minister outline plans to address severe coastal erosion in my electorate and across the Mornington Peninsula, particularly at locations like Mount Martha Beach North?” said Mr Crewther. “This once iconic beach is vanishing, with the footings of many beach boxes now underwater, as shown on The Age’s front page. “Experts warn it could be unrecognisable or gone entirely by 2040 without urgent action. “Erosion has been accelerated by human intervention, including the 2008 Labor Government’s dredging of the heads, rock placement, climate change and storms. “Mount Martha North is a textbook example of how interrupting natural sand movement worsens erosion. “Current changes and rock walls built to protect cliffs on the Esplanade have narrowed the foreshore and stripped sand offshore. Government reports confirm this. “This is not just about beach boxes; it is about safety, amenity and the environment. “That is why I established the coastal erosion working group. I yet again call on the government and the minister to urgently invest in solutions,” Mr Crewther said.
Hospital to open on October 6 ● Photo: Victoria Police
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■ Local MLA Pauline Richards says Cranbourne Community Hospital will open on Monday, October 6.’ “Whether it is ophthalmology, dental or dialysis, there are so many ways that we are going to be able to serve our community, and of course I am going to take the opportunity to thank Monash Health for the work that they have done to bring this amazing hospital to fruition,” Ms Richards said. “So the clock is ticking, and I can tell you, with a bit of a drum roll, that October 6 is when the patients will be walking in the door, and we will have a great celebration on October 11. “These are exciting times for the community. This is a beautiful hospital. The Premier has already visited. She has seen firsthand the amazing facilities that we have in this new hospital.”