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…
Author: Brendan Rees
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…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is imploring the state government to halt its fast-tracked planning reforms, warning the proposed changes could shut communities out of critical decisions about development in their own neighbourhoods. The planning amendment, the Better Decisions Made Faster Bill 2025, was introduced to parliament on 28 October and is now being debated with the aim of updating the Planning and Environment Act 1987. According to the state government, this would create a “modern, fit-for-purpose planning system for Victoria” that would also accelerate housing delivery. Councils across the state including the shire argue they were not consulted on reforms that…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have voted to advance an interim erosion management overlay, a planning control aimed at managing development on land most prone to landslides. The decision was made during the shire’s unscheduled public meeting on 17 November following an urgent directive from state Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to prepare an amendment to the Mornington Peninsula planning scheme that would form the new control. The measure was a key recommendation of the board of inquiry into the McCrae landslide in January that saw a house slide down the escarpment, which was found later to have been caused by a…
MORNINGTON’S Paris Lightfoot has completed an extraordinary 24-hour endurance challenge at Dallas Brooks Reserve, running, rowing and skiing the equivalent of 180km to raise awareness for men’s mental health. The 28-year-old Movember Ambassador took on what she called the “Mo-Athlon” on Saturday 8 November, involving 60km of running, 60km on the rowing machine and 60km on the Ski Erg trainer, in memory of her father, who she sadly lost to suicide three years ago. “The challenge was 24-hours with the 60km challenges recognising the 60 men across the globe we lose to suicide every hour,” Paris said. The event formed…
THE Martha Cove Community Garden has unveiled a brand-new greenhouse, marking an exciting milestone for the thriving group. The official opening on 7 November was attended by Gary Andersen from Somerville-based greenhouse supplier Winter Gardenz, Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Patrick Binyon, along with Martha Cove Community Garden president Ron Morgan and committee members David U’ren and Jen Pope. Located on Pickings Rd, Safety Beach, the community garden was established seven years ago and now boasts 140 members – half of whom are social members. The garden has been developed over the years with many donating equipment to carry out work…
OBITUARYDr Douglas Johnson26 July 1938 – 5 November 2025 DOUG Johnson was born on 26 July, 1938, to Gavin and Maude. He grew up in Albert Park with his brother Wal and sister Clare. The family later moved to Middle Park where Doug kept a boat in the garage and would wheel it across Beaconsfield Parade to the beach. Over the years he graduated from a Mirror Dinghy to a Gwen 12, a Laser, and finally a windsurfer — always happy when he was active. Doug attended Scotch College from Year 7 to 12, following in his father’s and grandfather’s…
A NEW reef restoration project off Mornington that is creating vital habitat for fish and marine life in Port Phillip Bay has received a $98,000 grant. Fish habitat charity OzFish Unlimited was announced as a recipient of the funding last week as part of the latest round of the state government’s Fish Habitat Improvement Fund, which has delivered $670,000 across four projects statewide. “These grants will deliver more fish habitat, which means more shelter and food for iconic recreational species like Murray cod and snapper,” Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling said. The Mornington project, located about 300 metres into…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has received two community petitions calling for road safety and traffic management changes in Mount Martha and Mornington. A petition signed by 25 residents has called for the installation of traffic calming treatments, such as speed humps, along Spray St and Foam St in Mornington. Following an initial study into the request, the shire found on average that 85 per cent of vehicles in both streets travelled below the 50kph speed limit, and there was no recorded crash history on either street. Based on this data, council advised that traffic calming work was not “currently warranted or…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have backed a formal submission on the environmental assessment for the proposed Port of Hastings renewable energy terminal, urging stronger safeguards for Western Port. The Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal (VRET), proposed by the Port of Hastings Corporation, a state government-owned entity, would act as a dedicated assembly port in Western Port to support the construction of Victoria’s first offshore wind farms along the Victorian coast. The project proposes a landside development and new land reclamation of about 16.5 hectares in area. A draft Environment Effects Statement (EES) on scoping requirements was released for community comment late…