MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s Draft Bathing Box Policy has been placed on public exhibition for a period of six weeks.
The policy outlines framework for managing bathing boxes on shire managed land and is set to replace the existing policy which was adopted in 2000.
At the 7 July council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to place the policy on public exhibition from 13 July to 25 August.
Cr Kate Roper said the current lack of formal agreement creates a range of legal, operational and governance risks for council.
“This draft bathing box policy is to replace the policy adopted in 2000, which is now outdated and not fit for purpose,” said Roper.
“It sets out clear responsibilities for owners, council, and state, so we look forward to community input on this draft policy on our well-loved bathing boxes.”
The shire currently manages 819 of 1300 boatsheds and bathing boxes on the peninsula in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Energy, and Climate Action (DEECA).
Peter Clarke, Mornington Peninsula Beach Box Association (MPBBA) president, said the new policy is only a positive for bathing boxes in the area the shire manages.
The policy will not apply to licensees of beach boxes in Dromana, Capel Sound, Point King, Tyrone, and Blairgowrie, as they are managed by other committees.
Clarke said the MPBBA was consulted and provided feedback to the shire during the development of the new policy, however only some of their advice was included in the current draft.
“It’s a good basis on which to start the public consultation,” said Clarke.
“We are requesting additional changes to council’s draft policy and proposed licence agreements as part of the consultation.”
Clarke noted the shire’s 6.5 per cent transfer fee payable by the purchaser of the beach box.
“Council spends very little money supporting beach box owners or the beach environment for beach boxes given the millions of dollars it raises annually, which continues to be disappointing, and the policy does not deal with this inequity,” said Clarke.
“So, our view would be for the millions of dollars that they take annually, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done with coastal erosion.”
Clarke said the MPBBA encourages members to read what is proposed, make their submissions via the consultative process, and keep the MPBBA advised of their submissions.
Cr Bruce Ranken said the policy currently governing the beach boxes is not reflective of the current legislation contemporary coastal management practises or the expectations the community rightly holds today.
“There’s been genuine engagement already with DEECA, who have confirmed that the draft is satisfactory from their perspective, and with the MPBBA who have raised thorough points around coastal protection, revenue reinvestment, and vegetation management as well,” said Ranken.
He said the bathing boxes carry historical and cultural weight for the community, and the policy should be updated accordingly.
“The bathing boxes are more than just storage sheds; they’re one of our most recognisable and cherished features on the foreshore,” said Ranken.
Bathing box owners, residents, and the local community are encouraged to have their say via the shire’s website at shape.mornpen.vic.gov.au/bathing-box-policy.
First published in the Mornington News – 21 July 2026
