MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has launched their “Shout Out for the Peninsula” advocacy campaign in the lead up to the 2025 federal election. The campaign consists of a list of “investment–ready projects” that the shire will advocate for, the reintroduction of the “pledge tracker” to monitor funding pledges made during the campaign, and a community election forum.
The cornerstone of the shire’s campaign is a ten page document containing a list of investment–ready projects. The 125 projects in the document have a total value of approximately $300m. Items range widely in size and complexity, with big ticket items including a “Somerville to Tyabb Recycled Water Scheme” ($50m), “Peninsula Trails” ($21m), “Narambi Reserve Masterplan” ($16m), “Emil Madsen Reserve Masterplan” ($15m), “Beleura Cliff Path Rectification” ($5 -$10m), and “Trumans Rd Reserve Pavilion” ($9m). The list of projects has been shared with all the nominated candidates with the shire inviting them to meet to discuss how they can support them.
“In the lead-up to the federal election, we are highlighting some of our key projects that require federal funding and support,” said shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh. “At council, we have a unique insight into the needs and priorities of our community – and a responsibility to do what we can to achieve local investment from other levels of government. “We believe productive, bipartisan collaboration is essential for achieving the best outcomes for our community.” Marsh told The News there wasn’t an expectation that every project would be taken up but that the list offered options for projects that candidates may wish to adopt as election priorities during their campaigning.
The shire have also announced the reintroduction of their “pledge tracker” that will monitor funding pledges made by candidates during the campaign. The tracker came in for criticism last federal election as being “blatantly unfair”. Financial pledges can only be made by candidates from the two major parties. The “pledges” are a commitment by the candidate’s party to fund the projects in the federal budget and are only deliverable if their party wins government (Shire accused of being off track with pledges, The News 17/5/22). The tracker currently lists Liberal Zoe McKenzie, Labor candidate Sarah Race and independent candidate Ben Smith.
The shire have also announced they will be holding a community election forum enabling residents to hear directly from candidates running for Flinders. “This forum will provide an open, respectful, and balanced platform for federal candidates to present their vision and priorities for the Mornington Peninsula, address key community concerns and respond to moderated and audience-submitted questions,” said Marsh. “So far we’ve had an RSVP from all three of the nominated candidates: current Member for Flinders Zoe McKenzie, Labor candidate Sarah Race, and independent Ben Smith. The forum will be open for all nominated candidates to attend.”
The forum will be held at Rosebud Country Club (207 Boneo Rd, Rosebud) on 20 March from 6.15pm. It will also be livestreamed via the shire’s Facebook and YouTube channels for those unable to attend.
The “pledge tracker” can be viewed at mornpen.vic.gov.au/shoutout
First published in the Mornington News – 18 February 2025
