MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has announced it will be lifting its annual investment in road renewal funding to $5.3m. Coupled with the $2.2m from the federal government’s “Roads to Recovery” program the yearly investment on road renewal on the peninsula will now be $7.5m.
The shire manages more than 1360km of sealed roads, with their dilapidated state causing roads to be a regular feature in the shire’s customer satisfaction surveys. Residents have gone as far collecting petitions demanding action (Petition to fill potholes, The News 21/2/23) and have raised concerns that the current state of the roads is endangering motorists (Urgent safety calls grow for Boneo Rd, The News 3/12/24).
“In response to this feedback, council is about to embark on an ambitious resealing and rehabilitation program covering 159,700 square metres across 35 shire managed roads,” said Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh. “This year’s program includes more patching, to ensure that what’s under the surface is in good condition too.”
The shire told The News they have also introduced a range of new measures to further improve the road network including:
– Simplification of response times for potholes and other road defects as part of a new maintenance contract
– Enhanced road maintenance activities including road patching to cover multiple potholes.
Renewal works are expected to be completed in stages throughout the year.
“We continue to advocate to the state government for the maintenance and renewal of state managed freeways and arterial roads including Boneo Road and Frankston-Flinders Road,” said Marsh.
“Council also welcomes the $14m investment from the federal government’s “Roads to Recovery Program” to help support our local efforts. “The RTR provides funding to councils across Australia to support the construction and maintenance of local roads. Between 2024-2029, Mornington Peninsula Shire has been allocated $14,164,875.”
Over the next three years, the RTR program will see; a roundabout installed at the Truemans Road and Broadway intersection in Capel Sound; road rehabilitation of Mount Eliza Way; road pavement, drainage and safety improvements on Eramosa Road East, Somerville between Lower Somerville Road and Western Port Highway; and road pavement, drainage and safety improvements on Bungower Road between Tyabb-Tooradin Road and Westernport Highway, Somerville.
“Managing our extensive network of roads is a significant challenge, but it’s also one of council’s highest priorities,” said Marsh. “Our community has been clear –better roads matter. That’s why we’ve boosted our annual investment ensuring we can deliver safer, smoother roads for residents and visitors alike.”
First published in the Mornington News – 18 March 2025
