MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has voted to seek approval to reallocate remaining Emil Madsen Reserve upgrade funding after the Australian government rejected a deadline extension.
The decision relates to the $15m Priority Community Infrastructure program upgrade of Emil Madsen Reserve, which has already delivered upgrades including the Eastern Pavilion.
In May, council submitted a request to use an estimated $5m underspend, combined with $6.6m in council contributions, to construct the Western Pavilion. The request also sought to extend the project timeframe to October 2028.
The federal government has rejected the bid and said all works must be completed by 30 June 2027.
At the 29 June council meeting, councillors unanimously voted to submit a request to redirect the funds into other upgrades which can be completed by June 2027.
Cr Bruce Ranken, who moved the motion, said the decision required council to change directions after the extension was refused.
“Our request to extend the delivery time frame was not supported by the funding body,” said Ranken.
“That was a disappointing outcome, and I wanted to really acknowledge the work that went into making the case, but we still do not sit in the place of disappointment, we adapt.”
Under the revised request, proposed works may include lighting upgrades, “Oval 2” reconstruction, upgraded spectator areas, behind goal netting, and site access improvements.
“Every dollar that was committed to this precinct should stay in this precinct,” said Ranken.
“Rather than returning these funds, we’re seeking approval to redirect them towards other priority projects already identified in the precinct’s masterplan.”
Ranken highlighted the importance of the reserve and its impact on the community.
“It’s the kind of place that quietly holds the community together,” said Ranken.
Ranken said the Western Pavilion is in need of an upgrade and council will continue to advocate for funds to be allocated towards the project.
“It is a shovel ready project – the design work is done,” said Ranken.
“The existing Western Pavilion has reached the end of its life and no longer meets the standards of our community and clubs and their members.”
Cr Paul Pingiaro agreed and said the Western Pavilion remains the highest priority for sporting pavilion redevelopment for the shire.
“We’ve done all we can and now we move into a state election with detailed plans and designs for a pavilion,” said Pingiaro.
“The club will be ready to go; the council’s ready to go with $6.6m on the table and now we have to advocate to the state to hopefully get this up.”
He said council is looking for a partner to help deliver the Western Pavilion project.
“So, anyone that wants to partner with us as a council… we are ready to deliver,” said Pingiaro.
Cr David Gill raised concerns over the amount of funding being allocated to the one area and reserve.
“This whole funding episode seems to be focused on one area, when we could have had funding for a much wider area in the community,” said Gill.
Ranken highlighted the high usage of the reserve as the reason for the large investment.
“I’m sure that if there were other sporting precincts down at Flinders or anywhere on the on the peninsula that had the same usage as this particular precinct, that council would be supporting spending to those sorts of precincts,” said Ranken.
“But this is one of the highest usage areas and there’s thousands and thousands of people there every weekend.”
Council officers will now submit a revised request to the federal government to secure approval for the redirection of funds. If approved, all federal funds will need to be used by 30 June 2027.
First published in the Mornington News – 14 July 2026
