A CONTENTIOUS citizens’ panel aimed at helping shape the peninsula’s future at a cost of $150,000 to ratepayers has been given the flick by Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors.The panel, established in 2022, has seen 150 members participate in “gaining valuable insights into the many challenges facing council” as well as developing a community vision to 2040. Through the forums panellists provided councillors with “a rich data source to assist them with their decision-making” as part of “deliberative consultation” as stated in the Local Government Act. Last year the budget allocated to the 2024 panel was $140,000 with each panellist receiving…