MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has secured state government funding to install outdoor library lockers across the peninsula and is asking residents to help shape how and where they will be used. The lockers will allow library members to collect reserved items and return borrowed materials 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without needing to visit a branch during staffed hours. Each locker includes a return chute for easy drop-off and is secure, weather-protected and remotely managed by library staff. The service works in a similar way to Australia Post parcel lockers. Staff load a reserved item into an assigned…
Browsing: Mornington Peninsula
THE Mornington Peninsula has taken home three major honours at the 2026 Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Towns Awards, cementing the region’s reputation as a national leader in community-driven environmental action. Held in Launceston on 17 May, the ceremony saw the peninsula recognised in the Circular Economy and Waste Reduction category and the Dame Phyllis Frost Local Hero Award, while also earning a Highly Commended in the Young Legends Award. The Circular Economy and Waste Reduction win went to Shell Savers, a grassroots initiative that collects shellfish waste from local restaurants and hospitality businesses, cleans it using volunteers and transforms it…
A MORNINGTON Peninsula organisation and teenage twin brothers have taken home awards at the 2025 Victorian Sport Awards, presented by the Victorian government and Vicsport on 13 May at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Among 19 awards covering athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and administrators, local winners were Mornington Life Saving Club, and sailing brothers from Sorrento. Sixteen-year-old twins, Henri and Miles Levenspiel, took out Young Team of the Year for a standout 2025 season of sailing (Twins ride high sailing into sports awards, The News 22/4/25). The pair claimed first junior at the Australian 9er National Championships, were crowned Victorian 29er…
CFA VOLUNTEERS from six Mornington Peninsula brigades joined a candling operation at Arthurs Seat on 14 May as part of an ongoing statewide push to reduce bushfire risk ahead of the next fire season. Members from Main Ridge, Red Hill, Flinders, Mt Martha, Rye and Balnarring Fire Brigades took part in the hazard reduction burn along Pindara Rd, working alongside Mornington Peninsula Shire to reduce fire risk around Arthurs Seat and neighbouring residences and businesses. CFA planned burn operations officer, Graeme Briggs, and CFA commander, Nick Bryant, said the operation demonstrated the value of collaboration between CFA and local government.…
AMBULANCE response times on the Mornington Peninsula have improved by more than one minute for urgent callouts in the last year. Ambulance Victoria released its response time data for 1 January to 31 March 2026 last week. The average “Code 1” response time on the Mornington Peninsula was 14 minutes and 48 seconds, a healthy improvement on the 15 minute and 56 second average during the same period of 2025. The average during the final quarter of 2025 was 15:04. During the first quarter of 2026, 66.8 percent of ambulances responded to Code 1 callouts on the Mornington Peninsula within…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire have unanimously backed a proposal for stronger regional cooperation on environmental and planning protection for Melbourne’s green wedge councils. At the 12 May council meeting, councillors voted in favour of establishing a new regional advocacy alliance aimed at giving councils a stronger voice on environmental and planning issues. The “Green Wedge Councils Planning Alliance” would see Melbourne’s 17 green wedge councils come together for coordinated advocacy and information. The motion, moved by Cr David Gill and seconded by Cr Max Patton, also included the release of a progress report on the shire’s Green Wedge Management Plan 2019.…
COMMUNITY advocates say animals continue to suffer at a Moorooduc Hwy property in Mt Eliza, more than 12 months after peaceful protests began outside the site. The RSPCA, accompanied by police, returned to the property on 11 May and seized an injured horse and a dog – the second seizure operation at the address since September last year, when 35 horses were removed (RSPCA seizes 35 horses in major operation at Mt Eliza property, The News 9/10/25). An RSPCA Victoria spokesperson confirmed the September seizure of 35 horses was part of an active investigation that remains ongoing, and that no…
A P-plater has had his license suspended and vehicle impounded after allegedly blowing nearly three and a half times the limit of a fully licensed driver in Mornington overnight. Officers performed a routine intercept on the Holden Commodore utility on Roberston Drive about 12.55am. The 18-year-old driver was spoken to by officers before he returned a positive preliminary breath test. The probationary P1 license holder was transported back to a police station where he returned an alleged evidentiary reading of .174. His vehicle was impounded for a period of 28 days at a cost of $1275 and his license was…
A PUSH to transform suburban nature strips into greener community spaces has been backed by Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors. Cr David Gill brought forward the notice of motion seeking a report on “progress with local street community partnerships to help enable the greening of nature strips by residents in line with climate change initiative policies of council”. The motion drew on research from the University of Melbourne which showed nature strips make up close to 40 per cent of green public space in urban neighbourhoods and around seven per cent of residential land mass. Multiple councils are allowing residents to…
PLANS for a 250-home residential estate in Dromana have cleared a major federal environmental hurdle despite ongoing concerns over the destruction of endangered swamp skink habitat. The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has approved the proposed subdivision and development of land at 170 Boundary Rd and 62 Collins Rd under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This approval allows for the removal of 17.09 hectares of habitat used by the endangered swamp skink. The approval is subject to conditions, including environmental offsets at an approved site in Loch Sport. This decision comes after…
Independent candidate in the May 2 Nepean by-election, Tracee Hutchison, has announced she will not be contesting the November 2026 state election. After the by-election, Hutchison announced she would re-contest in November. Her decision to now not run came after reassessing her capacity to mount another campaign so quickly off the back of the May 2 by-election. Hutchison ended up third in the first preference battle with 8533 votes (21.05% of the primary vote), with One Nation’s Darren Hercus (9941votes: 24.52%) and Liberal Anthony Marsh (15682 votes: 38.68%) polling higher. Hutchison moved into second place in the two-candiate-prefered race, after…
CONCERNS about the growing spread of illegal and excessive signage across the peninsula have prompted councillors to begin a review of the shire’s signage policy. Following a unanimous vote in favour of Cr David Gill’s motion at the 12 April council meeting, a detailed report on signage on the peninsula is expected by September 2026. Residents have raised ongoing complaints about the increasing number of real estate signs, advertising boards, and promotional billboards across the region. During debate, councillors discussed how signage has become a growing source of frustration for many residents who believe the visual clutter is affecting the…
VICTORIA’S largest co-operative housing provider says areas like the Mornington Peninsula are no longer immune from Australia’s worsening housing affordability crisis. Liz Thomas, managing director of Common Equity Housing Limited, visited Rosebud on 14 May to meet with local housing co-operatives and promote co-op housing as a long-term solution for renters struggling to secure affordable accommodation. Thomas said regional areas that were once considered more affordable than metropolitan centres are now facing many of the same pressures. “I think that lack of supply is impacting regional areas now in the way it’s generally been limited to metro areas,” said Thomas.…
TLC Healthcare has unveiled plans for a $250m integrated healthcare precinct at the Rosebud Hospital site. The proposal was announced this week and would see the existing public hospital rebuilt as part of a large public-private partnership incorporating a new public hospital, private day surgery, aged care, childcare, staff accommodation, allied health services and community facilities. TLC chief executive officer and managing director Lou Pascuzzi said the organisation was prepared to commit “circa $250m” to the project if an amicable agreement could be reached with the Victorian government. “Our vision for Rosebud is fundamentally humanistic, not politically mechanistic,” said Pascuzzi.…
THE Victorian Electoral Commission has officially declared Anthony Marsh the elected member for Nepean. The final two-party preferred results after the distribution of preferences were Marsh with 25642 votes (63.24%) and independent Tracee Hutchison with 14903 votes (36.76%). The result puts an end to the long-running saga after the previous Member for Nepean, Sam Groth, resigned in February sparking the by-election. The result saw the Liberal’s share of the primary vote slip significantly from to 48.11% of the vote in the 2022 state election to 38.68% in the by-election; a drop of 3932 votes. On the other hand, due to…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will host two family-friendly events this month for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). Observed globally on 17 May, IDAHOBIT highlights both progress made and the work still ahead toward equality for LGBTIQA+ people. A family storytime will be held on Saturday 16 May at 11am at Mornington Library. The session will feature stories about kindness, belonging and being proud of who you are, and is aimed at young children and their families. Bookings are not required. The shire will raise the Pride flag at Mornington Police Station on Monday 18 May at…
An anonymous tip-off to Crime Stoppers has led police to an alleged cannabis crop and a cache of unregistered firearms at a home in Mornington. Following enquiries, detectives from the Mornington Peninsula Divisional Response Unit executed a search warrant at the property about 10am on Wednesday. A search of the home uncovered eight firearms, including five handguns and ammunition, as well as 2kg of cannabis, mature plants and drugs of dependence, knuckledusters, knives and a machete. A 49-year-old man was arrested at the scene and charged with 21 offences, including: The Mornington man appeared in Frankston Magistrates’ Court today, where…
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has today (14 May) confirmed the resignation of mayor Cr Anthony Marsh following his successful election to the Victorian Parliament as the Member for Nepean. Chief Executive Officer Mark Stoermer said Council had formally received Cr Marsh’s resignation and would now commence the required processes under the Local Government Act. “Council now has one month to conduct an election for a new Mayor and I will write to the Minister for Local Government advising of the resignation and the need to conduct a by-election for the Briars Ward,” said Stoermer. Deputy Mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro will…
Mornington Park Primary School is among 31 Victorian government schools that will share in $294.8m for upgrade and modernisation works. The school will receive $331,000 for its upgrade and modernisation works, with the project due for completion by 31 March 2028. “As a small community school, we are delighted to receive this funding to support important upgrades across our facilities,” said Mornington Park Primary School principal Kathleen Lord. “These improvements will help us create an environment that is welcoming, inclusive and safe, while also enhancing the overall appearance of our school for students, staff and the wider community.” The broader…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s priority list for missing footpaths reveals both the scale of demand across the region and the costs of delivering pedestrian infrastructure. The rankings are part of the Pedestrian Access Strategy 2024-2034 and assess gaps in the pedestrian network using an evaluation matrix that weighs up safety, connectivity, and community need as well as environmental and construction constraints. The current highest ranked project is Nepean Hwy in Dromana, followed by Boundary Rd, also in Dromana. Rounding out the top three is Bruce Rd in Mount Martha. The top priorities show the strong focus on high-traffic roads and areas…
COMMUNITY groups across Somerville, Tyabb, and Mornington are being invited to apply for funding through the Peninsula Quarries Victoria 2026 community grants program, which has officially opened.A total of $5000 is available to support local not-for-profit organisations delivering projects and initiatives that provide community benefit. The program is delivered by the Peninsula Quarries Community Engagement Group which was established in 2018 to help strengthen bonds between the company and the community.Peninsula Quarries Victoria is a key supplier to the development and civil infrastructure industry across the peninsula and southeast region. It supports projects such as road construction, residential and commercial…
TWO Mornington Peninsula homelessness services have welcomed a $500,000 Liberal Party election pledge but say ongoing operational funding remains the more urgent need. Liberal Candidate for Nepean Anthony Marsh announced on 30 April that an elected Liberal and Nationals government would provide $250,000 to Fusion Mornington Peninsula and $250,000 to Southern Peninsula Community Support (SPCS). The funding is contingent on the Liberal-Nationals Coalition winning government at November’s state election. Marsh, the former Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor, won the Nepean seat at the 2 May by-election triggered by the February resignation of former member Sam Groth. “This investment is about more…
THE Victorian Government’s 2026/27 budget includes a notable investment towards renewable energy but limited support for infrastructure and development across the peninsula. The budget, which was delivered on 5 May by Treasurer Jaclyn Symes, outlines key funding priorities for Victoria. Among them is a commitment to progressing activities for the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal at the Port of Hastings. The budget has allocated $124.5m towards the terminal, which includes progressing the Environmental Effects Statement. The terminal is expected to play a key role in Victoria’s transition to renewable energy and will facilitate and enable offshore wind development, particularly in Gippsland.…
MORNINGTON Peninsula social worker Georgia Hocking accepted Victoria’s top motherhood award at Melbourne Town Hall on Friday morning (8 May), two days before Mother’s Day. Lord mayor Nick Reece presented the 2026 YMCA Victorian Mother of the Year award, which comes with $10,000 in grant funding from YMCA Open Doors. Hocking was chosen from more than 500 nominations; the highest number in the award’s history. Hocking said the ceremony had brought together finalists and past winners from across Victoria.“It was just such a celebration of mothers and people doing work in the community,” she said. The 35-year-old grew up on…
YOUNG people on the southern Mornington Peninsula now have easier access to free mental health support, with Headspace relocating to the Tounnin Wominjeka Youth Hub in Rosebud. Headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation and provides services for those aged 12 to 25, including mental health support and assistance with employment, education, and drug and alcohol concerns. Andrew Joseph, from Mornington Peninsula Shire Youth and Family Services, said the hub had been built with youth in mind. “We’ve got amazing workers here that can just have those conversations to make you feel really supported” said Joseph. Headspace Clinical Team…
AS a General Practitioner, Floyd Gomes is accustomed to treating people’s ailments. In particular, the founder of the Atticus Health group of GP clinics and aged care medical services has taken a keen interest in the health and well-being of our aged population. “It has been a slow realisation for me,” said Gomes. “Patients would present to me with conditions, or situations that I could treat, but were also readily preventable in the first place, except that our system isn’t set up correctly to address that.” Gomes gives the example of an elderly patient that presented with serious burns from…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has raised concerns with the Victorian government over recent changes to planning permit rules. The shire is concerned how the changes will affect residents who received approvals under previous regulations. The adjustments were introduced under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and establish standard timeframes requiring developments to begin within three years and be completed within five. The new changes also apply to any permits that were originally issued without a commencement deadline. A shire spokesperson confirmed acting mayor Paul Pingiaro has written to the Victorian Planning Minister regarding the council’s concerns. “The acting mayor has written…
A SMALL group of Dorevitch Pathology workers walked off the job outside Rosebud Hospital on Thursday, 30 April, joining colleagues at sites across Victoria in protected industrial action over a long-running pay dispute. Known as phlebotomists, they are the healthcare workers trained to draw blood from patients for pathology testing – the samples GPs, hospitals, oncology units and specialists rely on for diagnosis and treatment. Capel Sound phlebotomist Antoinette Anderson said the three-hour stoppage from 9am to 12pm drew supportive honks from passing motorists, with doctors, nurses, ambulance officers and police all acknowledging the workers as they passed. Some doctors…
AUSTRALIAN environmentalist Bob Brown has joined community opposition to the proposed luge at Arthurs Seat, backing a campaign to stop the development. Brown met with members of the community group “Save Our Seat” over the weekend of 25 April, where he described the project as “madness” and urged residents to keep fighting. “They trade on us getting sad about the loss of the environment,” Brown said. “Don’t get depressed, don’t get angry, get active. That’s what saves nature, that’s what will save Arthurs Seat.” Members of the community have been advocating against the development since it was announced. Save Our…