MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has secured funding for new solar panels at the Pelican Park Recreation centre in Hastings.
The shire is matching the Australian Government’s investment of $1.5m after an agreement to formalise the project was signed in May.
Designs have now begun and construction is expected to begin in the 2027-28 financial year.
Cr Michael Stephens, who has been highly supportive of the electrification works, said he is excited the energy efficiency program for Pelican Park Pool has succeeded.
“The project remains an important capital upgrade that will benefit Hastings and the broader Western Port region,” said Stephens.
The recreation centre was closed for most of 2025 while a full revitalisation took place to help accommodate the energy upgrades. The works will require a short-term pool closure, with centre users to be notified in advance regarding dates.
The funding comes after the shire was denied an electrification grant back in April, although they remained hopeful a new application would be approved (Pelican Park misses out on electrification grant, The News 10/04/26).
Acting mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro said he is thrilled the shire was successful in securing the grant this time around.
“Council is committed to upgrading facilities to include solar and more efficient pool heating to reduce our operating costs and make the facility more efficient and reliable,” said Pingiaro.
“This project will pay for itself in just over six years and supports council’s long-term energy saving goals.”
The project has been made possible under the federal government’s Community Energy Upgrades Fund (CEFU). The CEFU provides matched funding of up to $2.5m for electrification upgrades to help lower energy bills for government-owned or operated facilities.
First published in the Mornington News – 9 June 2026
