HASTINGS Tennis Club has secured $100,000 in state government funding to upgrade its facilities, including refurbishing its four existing courts and reinstating two courts previously lost to a council dog park. The works are expected to significantly improve playing conditions and increase capacity at the community-based club. Club president Stuart McCulloch said the funding marked a major step forward after years of advocacy to improve aging infrastructure and reclaim lost court space. He said works had begun and were expected to be completed by spring 2026. The club is currently upgrading the surface of the existing four courts including new…
Author: Brendan Rees
CRIB Point residents are rallying to protect two mature gum trees at the entrance their housing estate, now under threat from proposed road and infrastructure upgrades. The two trees at the corner of Cooma and Disney streets face removal as part of planned roads, drainage, and other infrastructure upgrades for properties rezoned from industrial to residential in 2019. However, Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors voted unanimously in support of a motion at their 16 December to explore alternative road designs to preserve the two trees, while also approving a planning scheme amendment to update the development contributions plan (DCP) for the…
A DILAPIDATED footpath that has posed a safety risk for senior pedestrians crossing a heritage railway in Mornington is set to be repaired early next year following community advocacy. Mornington Peninsula Shire has confirmed it will undertake repairs to the damaged footpath on Bungower Rd, which runs along the Mornington Tourist Railway. The footpath has caused difficulties for older residents, particularly those using walkers and mobility scooters with many unable to safely access the nearby Peninsula Homemaker Centre. The issue came to attention after Mornington MP Chris Crewther advocated on behalf of senior residents concerned about navigating the hazardous crossing.…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have rejected a proposal for a 32.5-metre telecommunications tower in Fingal, declaring it would unacceptably and adversely impact the area’s amenity. The decision was made at the council’s 16 December meeting, despite a recommendation from council officers to approve the facility at 36 Foam Rd in Fingal, close to the rear boundary of The Dunes Golf Links golf course. The application attracted 38 objections which cited concerns of visual impacts, negative health impacts, poor proposed location, lack of a need for a facility, proximity to residents and the overall height. The facility was to be co-funded…
THE final works for stage one of the Rye Township Plan have been completed, delivering a fully upgraded Rye Foreshore Park and Promenade for residents and visitors to enjoy. Construction began in May with the upgrades including a linked promenade to the northern end of Napier St, a refurbished central walkway, an upgraded western car park, and a brand-new foreshore park replacing the former eastern car park. There are also two new plaza areas at either end of the promenade, new seating and furniture, landscaping, an extension of the Pauline Powell boardwalk, and renewed grass open spaces. Stage one was…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will prepare a report exploring whether council rates and charges should be waived for 12 McCrae properties impacted by the January landslide that forced residents to evacuate their homes. The decision was made at the council’s 16 December meeting after Cr Max Patton led a motion asking that the council considered waiving the 2025–26 financial year council rates and charges for the 12 properties that were subject to emergency orders following the 14 January landslide. A report will be considered alongside council’s mid-year budget reforecast at its 17 March meeting. Emergency Orders were placed over 19 properties…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have moved to ease residents’ concerns after conceding “errors” in an interim erosion management overlay (EMO) had prompted widespread community confusion and angst. The shire has mapped wide-spread landslide-risk areas across the peninsula after councillors approved on 17 November to advance an interim erosion management overlay – a planning control aimed at managing development on land most prone to landslides despite property owners believing they face no such risk. The measure followed an urgent directive from state Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, requiring council to prepare an amendment to the Mornington Peninsula planning scheme to introduce the…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh has called on the state government to step in as the number of people sleeping rough at foreshore camping grounds is creating an “immediate challenge” ahead of the peak holiday season. Marsh said the situation has become increasingly difficult as paid campers expect access to booked sites, while people experiencing homelessness had few local alternatives when asked to move on. “The situation presents a significant and immediate challenge,” the mayor said in a letter to Housing and Building Minister Harriet Shing, seen by The News. The mayor said council was facing a complex…
AFTER a devastating fire destroyed its Moorooduc offices, a disability support service is breathing a sigh of relief as it prepares to move into a new purpose-built headquarters in Somerville. The move comes after the June blaze at the Coolstores facility on Moorooduc Hwy forced staff to work remotely for months, disrupting operations but not dampening the organisation’s commitment to supporting people with disabilities across the Mornington Peninsula. The new Somerville Central location is currently an empty shell but will soon be transformed into a modern, purpose-built home for the organisation, marking a fresh start after the unexpected loss of…
AN extensive council review of differential rates and service charges could see ratepayers face $41 extra in waste fees per year, while around 2500 retirement village homes are proposed to receive $181 average reductions next year. The Mornington Peninsula Shire is reviewing its rating strategy as part of preparations for the 2026-27 budget “to make sure the system stays up to date and reflects how properties are used across the shire”. A “Ratings Strategy Review Options Paper” was released this month outlining several proposed changes with community consultation now open until 15 February. Under the differential rating, council can shift…
COUNCIL has signed off on a new Community Disaster Resilience Plan, aiming to lift preparedness and strengthen how the community responds to future emergencies. The plan, adopted alongside a Year One Action Plan at the council’s 2 December meeting, follows community consultation held in April, May and September and sets out a whole-of-community approach to building resilience. Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said the plan recognised the crucial role council played during crises. “Local government is often the first and most consistent point of contact in times of crisis. This plan reflects our commitment to working alongside our community, preparing for,…
DROMANA Pier has been completely gutted, leaving only wooden piles in the water, as construction of a new, modern pier officially gets underway. The 180-metre pier, originally built in the 1860s and reconstructed in the 1950s, has been closed to the public since October to allow for demolition of the old structure and the start of rebuilding. Parks Victoria is overseeing the project having assigned Duratec Limited to undertake the works, following community input. The rebuild aims to create an accessible visitor experience while preserving the pier’s iconic coastal charm. The new pier will feature solid timber decking, replacing the…
A PENINSULA road-safety blitz during schoolies celebrations has led to multiple charges, including teens caught with an imitation firearm, as police target risky driving across coastal towns. The major operation across Rosebud, Rye, and Sorrento from 27 November to 7 December saw police conduct 2500 breath tests, catching 14 drivers and seven suspended or disqualified motorists. Officers impounded ten vehicles, issued seven infringement notices and intercepted 110 cars. Police also made 474 checks on licenced venues. Among those charged were several teenagers including four males aged 17 and 18 with the vehicle’s owner allegedly being found in possession of an…
RESIDENTS across the peninsula have been left outraged and baffled after newly proposed mandatory planning rules suddenly labelled thousands of properties as “highly susceptible” to landslides, despite many believing they face no such risk. The Mornington Peninsula Shire has mapped wide-spread landslide-risk areas across the peninsula after councillors approved on 17 November to advance an interim erosion management overlay – a planning control aimed at managing development on land most prone to landslides. The move followed an urgent directive from state Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to prepare an amendment to the Mornington Peninsula planning scheme that would form the new…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have backed a proposal for the development of two factory buildings at Yaringa Boat Harbour in Somerville, as part of a larger boat manufacturing project, which will ultimately need state approval. The planning application involves Hart Marine, a boat manufacturing company which plans to move from Mornington to the harbour marina, which it bought in 2018 with the intention to expand its operations. Hart Marine, which has been based in Mornington for 45 years and built boats for Victoria Police as well as pilot boats around the globe, met with shire staff last year before making…
A PETITION has called on the Mornington Peninsula Shire to extend dust-suppression on unsealed roads near St John’s Anglican Church in Flinders, citing parking and heavier traffic on church event days. The petition, signed by 12 residents, was presented at the shire’s 2 December meeting, with a request that the dust-suppression treatment be extended to cross over Stokes St to the end of Barker St. Council responded, noting that unsealed roads must meet strict criteria to be included in the shire-funded dust suppression program. This included considering “significant average traffic volumes,” “proximity or access to Mornington Peninsula Shire community facilities,”…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have backed a climate resilience framework just months after scrapping a climate emergency declaration and climate action plan. The decision was made at the council’s 2 December meeting which will see the proposed framework, subject to community input, to centre on “practical, place-based, costed and measurable outcomes” that address climate adaptation, hazard mitigation, biodiversity protection, and long-term sustainability of local infrastructure. Councillors supported the new framework for the climate resilience plan in an 8-2 vote. The plan will now replace the climate emergency declaration after deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro successfully tabled a motion at the…
A BID to revoke the council’s new planning matters policy has failed in a tied vote after concerns were raised about its last-minute release and lacking proper scrutiny. The policy, which sets out a framework for “consistent, lawful, efficient, transparent and best practice approach” to decision making in both statutory and strategic planning matters, was endorsed by Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors in an 8-3 vote at their 5 November public meeting. The council had previously been without a policy for about four years, and it will now replace the now discontinued planning services committee and its terms of reference. However,…
THE Mornington Peninsula Shire’s efforts to relocate an over-abundant wallaby population at The Briars Wildlife Sanctuary are progressing slower than anticipated with early trapping having captured fewer animals. The update follows the shire’s 16 September decision to move the wallabies into a secure holding area as part of a staged Macropod Management Plan, which has seen supplementary feeding undertaken twice weekly “where necessary,” a council statement said. Overall, 120 wallabies will be relocated from the Mt Martha sanctuary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the population. Increased rainfall has stimulated high breeding rates with drier conditions this year having conversely…
AROUND 200 motorcyclists are set to make their festive run from Frankston Pier to Rosebud Secondary College for the 24th annual Southern Peninsula Food For All toy appeal. The 6 December event will see a convoy, often featuring bikes decked out in tinsel, soft toys and the occasional Santa suit, join the much-loved tradition on the peninsula. Riders donate toys and festive goodies, all of which go directly to families struggling during the holiday season. Food for All volunteers say the toy run provided a significant boost to their annual appeal, helping ensure no child on the southern peninsula goes…
A MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire decision to cut all in-house youth workers from its three youth hubs has left families unsettled amid concerns over communication and major service changes. Staff are set to finish on 19 December at three youth hubs in Rosebud, Mornington and Hastings and will be replaced with external providers who will take over from term two next year. The News understands a casual workforce will operate the Tounnin Wominjeka Southern Peninsula Youth Hub in Rosebud, along with the hubs in Hastings and Mornington, across the Christmas period and term one. Councillors voted at their 2 September meeting…
THE historic Flinders Pier is set to be revitalised, with construction now under way to restore the iconic structure. Ports and Freight Minister Melissa Horne announced that Bridgewater Marine has been appointed as the lead contractor for the project, part of the Labor Government’s $18m investment in restoring Victoria’s heritage piers. “Once complete, access will be restored to the inner section of the pier, to preserve this piece of infrastructure that is important to Victorians in the Mornington Peninsula,” Horne said. The full 327-metre length of the historic pier remains open to the public, but the old part of the…
A MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire proposal to install road safety barriers along a stretch of road in Main Ridge has triggered a strong resident push back, with calls for clearer data and proper consultation. The shire has identified a section of Main Creek Rd between Old Main Creek Rd and Macpherson Lane as a dangerous site for motorcyclists due to roadside hazards including unprotected curves and poor signage. It is therefore seeking funding from the state government’s Motorcycle Safety Levy Program to go ahead with the roadside barrier project, which is estimated to be between $500,000 and $600,000. However, residents are…
THE inaugural Mornington Peninsula Bird Festival at Coolart Homestead and Wetlands in Somers has been hailed a success, drawing more than 250 visitors. The 22–23 November event included guided walks, presentations, workshops and activities focussed on diverse birdlife of the region, offering visitors of all ages a chance to connect with nature in meaningful and exciting ways. Hosted by Friends of Coolart in partnership with BirdLife Australia and supported by a Mornington Peninsula Shire community grant, the festival brought bird enthusiasts from across the region and beyond. Among the organisers was Penny Gillespie who said guests travelled from South Australia,…
THE state government has rejected a Mornington Peninsula Shire application to mechanically rake beaches in areas with an endangered native plant, forcing a shake-up as planned works are scrapped in favour of hand cleaning. The decision comes after councillors voted in May to reinstate mechanical raking on accessible beaches, covering about 80 percent of the beaches on Port Phillip Bay while hand-cleaning would continue at beaches unreachable by tractor. But in a letter to the shire responding to its application to remove native vegetation as part of a mechanical beach cleaning program at Ranelagh Beach in Mt Eliza, Safety Beach,…
THE Rotary Club of Mt Martha is bringing back its beloved Christmas fruit cakes and puddings, just in time for the holiday season. Locals who have enjoyed these treats in previous years know just how delicious they are. This festive project is organised by Rotary Darwin South, part of District 9560 in the Northern Territory, with all profits donated to The Rotary Foundation. Rotary Mount Martha will receive a small portion from each cake sold, which will go directly into the club’s account to help fund local projects. The cakes are available in a reusable tin for $22 or in…
HASTINGS State Emergency Service (SES) joined the Mornington Tourist Railway on 17 November for a large-scale emergency training exercise. The drill took place on Bungower Rd and involved a simulated emergency stop with 30 volunteers acting as passengers with varied injuries. About 30 SES members from the Hastings unit attended, along with four members from Cranbourne SES who brought their mass casualty tent. Four additional SES members from the state region were also present. Hastings SES section leader Hobley Silvana said the drill simulated an abrupt train stop during a busy tourist period using the historic carriages which date back…
ACCESS to Blairgowrie beach has been restored with the Sevilles carpark staircase rebuilt and reopened ahead of summer. The upgrade, announced by Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos, follows the completion of works led by the Whitecliffs to Camerons Bight Foreshore Reserve Committee of Management. The renewal was supported by $50,000 from the state government’s coastal public access and risk grants program. The previous staircase was closed earlier in the year due to safety concerns. The rebuilt structure, off Point Nepean Rd and opposite The Loop, now created a more reliable link to the beach, restoring an important access point for the…
ROSEBUD Hospital will soon receive a new tilt table, thanks to a generous donation from the McCrae Lions Club. Valued at over $8000, the tilt table is a specialised examination table that gradually moves patients from a horizontal to an almost standing position, safely secured with straps. The equipment is primarily used to diagnose causes of fainting or light-headedness by monitoring changes in blood pressure and heart rate as patients are raised to a standing position. Lions Club president Salvatore Giambruno said the donation reflected the club’s ongoing commitment to supporting local community health initiatives. “Rosebud Hospital is a key…
SOMERS residents are pushing for a 30kph speed limit on the town’s unsealed roads, citing a lack of kerbs, footpaths, or road markings as a serious safety hazard for pedestrians. The Somers Residents Association (SRA) lodged a formal submission with the Mornington Peninsula Shire last month calling for the change across all 17 unsealed roads in the community including main roads like Alexandra Ave and Stanmore Ave. “Given the total absence of kerbs, footpaths, separated and protected bike lanes and road lines, the speed limit on unsealed roads in Somers should be managed to minimise the risk of fatal and…