DESPITE heading to Canberra together last week, there were no happy memories being made between Frankston mayor Cr Kris Bolam, Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh, and Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula CEO Josh Sinclair.
The mood couldn’t have been frostier between Bolam and the other two, with Bolam criticizing the trip in the lead up before being temporarily uninvited. He ultimately travelled to Canberra with the support of Dunkley MP Jodie Belyea (Canberra trip sparks conflict, The News 26/8/25).
After returning from Canberra, Marsh made critical comments about a planned overseas trip by the Frankston mayor. Bolam quickly struck back, telling The News:
“In recent months, there has been a great deal occurring at the Mornington Peninsula Shire that I could have chosen to comment on. However, I have consistently maintained the view that each municipality is entitled to manage its own affairs without outside interference.
“If Anthony prefers to draw attention to the workings of another council in order to deflect from the difficulties within his own, that is a decision for him.”
Bolam has flagged the potential withdrawal of Frankston City from the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula, telling The News:
“The city council may choose to reassess its financial support for organisations funded by ratepayers at any stage.”
Frankston Council’s annual budget, which included a three-year commitment worth $45,000 to the advocacy group, was unanimously approved by Frankston councillors just two months ago.
Sinclair, speaking on behalf of the committee, told The News:
“I continue to receive strong support and endorsement from Frankston City Council as an organisation, including the council group.
“Frankston City’s re-commitment to the work we do underscores the importance of regional collaboration and industry and local government working closely together.”
The relationship between the three men soured over the fallout from Mornington Peninsula Shire declining to join a Bolam-promoted advocacy group that would have seen Frankston City, City of Kingston, and Mornington Peninsula Shire work together on issues of common value.
In emails seen by The News, Bolam took umbrage at Marsh’s reluctance to participate. He wrote that “the ‘special relationship’ between Frankston and Mornington is pretty much finished”.
A follow-up email to Marsh from Bolam stated that he would not be attending the Canberra trip saying, “I’m sure you and Josh will be fine without Frankston”.
When Sinclair signalled it would be in the best interest of the Canberra trip for Bolam not to come, Marsh responded, in an email seen by The News:
“I’ve managed to bite my tongue so far, but it’s time to call this for what it is.
“Mayor Bolam’s recent public statements have not only undermined the integrity of this advocacy trip but also sought to discredit the committee and the Mornington Peninsula Shire.
“A reasonable observer can only conclude that mayor Bolam has sought to sabotage this trip over recent weeks. This appears to be nothing more than a punitive move, serving no one’s interests but his own, and has caused damage to the constructive relationship we have worked hard to build across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.”
Bolam’s ire then turned towards Sinclair after the committee CEO emailed all Frankston councillors, including Bolam, to encourage them to nominate a councillor to attend the Canberra trip, writing:
“I look forward to hearing who will be joining this delegation.”
Bolam responded:
“Josh – highly inappropriate to do this after I explained to you very specifically that Frankston won’t be sending a political delegate.”
One of the proposed resolutions Bolam suggested in “The Nepean Partnership” was the possibility of Frankston City changing its long-held stance against the Port of Hastings proposal and instead joining Mornington Peninsula Shire in advocacy for the development.
Bolam has since stated:
“Given the lack of collaboration from the Mornington Peninsula Shire, it makes no sense to change this position at this point. Furthermore, the recent findings by the federal government on the pronounced environmental implications if the Port was approved does not give council confidence in the project. Therefore, we remain firmly opposed to unlocking heritage-protected land for industrial use or pursuing the Port of Hastings project.”
Marsh said:
“Kris’s backflip on the committee makes little sense, beyond some form of retaliation against their efforts to secure a meaningful advocacy trip.
“Additionally, it’s unclear what Kris is referring to in relation to heritage land and the Port of Hastings. He was more than happy to dangle the carrot of Frankston’s support if I signed his unilaterally drafted Nepean agreement, so his comments are quite baffling.
“Josh and I remain committed to a respectful and cooperative relationship with Frankston City’s councillors, officers, and executive team, and I hope we can refocus on constructive collaboration in the months ahead.”
Bolam stated the attention of Frankston City would now be on the formalisation of the Nepean Partnership with the City of Kingston, “which represents an important step forward for our regional interests”.
“In regard to the Committee for Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula, council will take a considered approach and determine the future of our membership in the coming weeks,” he said.
First published in the Mornington News – 2 September 2025
