MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is seeking community feedback on its draft Arts, Culture, and Events Plan, which has been placed on public exhibition for six weeks.
The plan outlines the shire’s ten-year investment and support approach to the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, public art, the creative sector, festivals and events, and cultural heritage.
The draft will be available online for public consultation and feedback until 19 August.
Mayor Cr Stephen Batty said the draft plan reflects the community’s interest in the future of arts and culture.
“The plan reflects on what makes our peninsula’s creative community distinctive and sets the direction for the next decade,” said Batty.
“I invite the community to read the draft and share their thoughts before submissions close.”
The draft was developed after community consultation, which received 4,356 engagements and responses.
Cr David Gill, who is a member of the shire’s Arts and Culture Advisory Panel, said the plan recognises the advantages of a thriving arts culture and the scope of creativity across the peninsula.
“We heard from artists, musicians, performers, writers, event organisers and community groups right across the shire, and this draft plan reflects that diversity,” said Gill.
“It backs our creative people in the shire’s cultural future, and we now welcome further community feedback.”
Gill said it is possible for the arts industry to bring economic value to the peninsula as a whole.
“That means attracting audiences, that means bringing tourists; it’s a huge opportunity,” said Gill.
“We want nobody left behind; we want theatre, we want dance, we want a broad range of music, and we want to have as many cultural experiences as we can on the peninsula for our community.”
At the 7 July council meeting, Cr Max Patton said the community has told council what they want, and now it is important to test whether the draft plan meets those standards.
“In the plan, its first promise to residents is an energised and inspired community,” said Patton.
“The six weeks ahead for me ask one question: does what is written here inspire the people that it’s written for?”
He said community consultation showed a desire for more live music, investment in the creative arts sector, better venues and creative spaces, First Nations culture and heritage, and simpler planning processes.
The draft plan includes ten-year strategic direction and a four-year action plan.
“Part of what makes this consultation matter is that this community has already shown us it will organise and speak up when it believes we have got an arts decision wrong,” said Patton.
“This consultation is the opportunity to bring those voices into this plan before it’s adopted.”
Patton and Cr Michael Stephens emphasised the success of the recent Peninsula LIVE events and said they set an example of what the future of the arts and culture scene on the peninsula could look like.
“I’d love to see more small-scale music events across the peninsula that showcase local bands and musicians to local audiences,” said Stephens.
“The plan doesn’t include a dedicated live music fund, and that’s something I think could be worth exploring as a way to help grow our local music scene.”
Stephens said council’s most important role should be empowering the arts and culture sector.
“By building local arts community capacity, we can foster a vibrant, sustainable arts and music scene that benefits our community, local businesses, and showcases incredible creative talent that exists here on the Mornington Peninsula,” said Stephens.
Council will consider community feedback from the six-week period before adopting the finalised document.
The plan is now open for community review online at mornpen.vic.gov.au/artscultureevents.
First published in the Mornington News – 21 July 2026
