CONSTRUCTION has begun on ten new homes in Mornington, which will provide safe and secure housing for women and children experiencing housing stress and insecurity. YWCA and Mornington Peninsula Shire are delivering the project together, with Homes Victoria funding the housing and development component under the state government’s Social Housing Growth Fund. Mayor Cr Stephen Batty said the homes represent a tangible commitment to dignity, security, and opportunity for vulnerable community members. “Our region has some of the highest rates of homelessness in Victoria. We have the highest number of people over the age of 55 sleeping rough in the…
Browsing: Mornington
Emergency services have responded to a fire at Benton Square Shopping Centre in Mornington early this morning. The centre will remain closed while authorities undertake safety assessments and investigations. More information to come as it becomes available.
MORNINGTON residents have raised concerns over the location of a proposed telecommunications tower. The proposed tower is funded by the state government as part of its Connecting Victoria Mobile Program, which exempts it from VCAT review rights and public notice. The suggested location for the 900 MHz tower is 900 Moorooduc Hwy, Mornington, as coverage for Optus has been identified as deficient in the area. Tim Hannaford, who lives on a neighbouring property, noticed surveyors at the property on 17 September. Hannaford said he contacted the owner of the property, who said he believed it was a good spot for…
MORNINGTON MP Chris Crewther has announced an elected Liberal government will provide $8m towards the rebuild and upgrade of Narambi Reserve in Mornington Park, delivering the next stages of the long-awaited Narambi Reserve Master Plan. Crewther said he had been fighting alongside local sporting clubs, schools, families and the community to “secure the investment needed to complete the major upgrade of this important sporting, schooling and community precinct”. “Narambi Reserve is at the heart of Mornington Park’s sporting and schooling community. It is where thousands of local children, families, volunteers and sporting participants come together every year,” said Crewther. “I…
LABOR has announced its candidate for the upcoming state election in the seat of Mornington. Mt Martha mother of two and grandmother of a “very much-loved grandchild”, Kerry Macdonald is a longstanding member of the Labor Party, and president of the Mornington Branch. “I’m a very proud member of the Labor Party because of the commitment the party has to social reform, and what we stand for: workers and their rights, a robust social safety net, universal access to health care and education, fairness, equity, and social justice,” said Macdonald. “And for me, personally, one of the things I’m very…
MORNINGTON MP Chris Crewther has announced an elected Liberal/Nationals government will fund $1.5m towards an upgrade of outdoor facilities at Mount Martha Primary School, delivering a new covered all-weather shelter, upgraded courts and refurbishment of the school’s synthetic oval. Crewther said he had been fighting for investment in the school’s facilities after visiting Mount Martha Primary School in August and meeting with school leadership, students, school council representatives, Mount Martha Basketball Club and Mount Martha Netball Club. “Mount Martha Primary School is an important part of our local community, and its outdoor facilities are used every day by students as…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council have determined which position they will take into a hearing with VCAT, which will decide whether the proposed plans for redevelopment of 1158 Nepean Highway, Mornington are appropriate. All but one of the shire’s councillors have voted to have the Bata site redeveloped into a restricted retail premise. Due to no decision on the matter being made in due time, the issue will now go before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The planned proposal is for the use and redevelopment of 11 restricted retail premises, including the development of signage, reduction in the number of…
The Matthew Flinders statue in Mornington Park has been stolen with police investigating the crime. The bronze statue, which was lopped at the ankles, was first noticed missing on Tuesday 6 October. A statement released by Victorian Police spokesperson Kathryn Muffett says: “Police are investigating the theft and criminal damage of a statue from a park in Mornington.” “It is understood unknown offenders stole part of the monument of Matthew Flinders on Schnapper Point Drive.” “Officers are investigating when the statue was stolen.” Mornington Peninsula Shire deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro says the council condemns vandalism and theft of any…
CONSTRUCTION works to improve safety along Wilsons Road, Mornington, will begin next month. Based on community feedback and technical investigations, the following works will be undertaken: Ward councillor Paul Pingiaro said that the upgrades will help people keep to the speed limit and make travelling safer. “Wilsons Road is a popular shortcut, but it’s also a residential street with a vibrant little shopping strip, kids riding bikes, people walking their dogs, and families and sporting groups using the local oval,” said Pingiaro. “These are sensible improvements that will help slow down speeding drivers and make it safer for people to…
A RESIDENT has expressed concerns over a growing pile of rubbish on Nepean Hwy in Mornington. The rubbish pile is on the corner of Nepean Hwy and Oakbank Rd, opposite Eagle St. Alistair Cuming, who lives off Nepean Hwy, said the pile has been continuously increasing in size over the past six months. “All the big roadworks are happening, and there’s a bus stop on the road, and it’s just becoming a regular dumping ground for people to dump rubbish,” said Cuming. Cuming said he contacted Mornington Peninsula Shire three months ago. “We told council about it three months ago,…
WITH less than 70 days until the state election, candidates have begun campaigning for the seat of Mornington. There are currently four candidates that have indicated they will contest the poll, with Labor planning to contest, but not having announced a candidate yet. Incumbent Liberal Chris Crewther won the seat in 2022 with only a 0.7% margin, just 590 votes, against independent candidate Kate Lardner in the two-candidate-preferred race. Crewther was well ahead on first preferences in the 2022 poll with 17,910 votes (42.58%) with Lardner coming is second with 9432 votes (22.42%) and Labor’s Georgia Fowler coming in third…
Mornington Peninsula businesswoman Melissa Goffin has been endorsed by Independents for Mornington Peninsula to be their candidate for the seat of Mornington in the upcoming state election. “Melissa was selected following a rigorous application and selection process by a five-member panel appointed by the I4MP committee earlier this year,” said an email to I4MP members this afternoon. “We were looking for someone with the experience, independence, energy and community commitment to represent Mornington at the November state election, someone who lives in the electorate — and we believe we have found exactly that person.” Goffin is the founder and owner…
ONE Nation has announced lawyer Ashli Beards as their Mornington electorate candidate for the November state election. Beards, who has been a member of One Nation since December 2025, was selected from “quite a few” potential candidates according to One Nation’s campaign coordinator for the Eastern Region, Harry Mulry. “For me, becoming involved with One Nation was a very organic experience,” said Beards. “I had become fed up with the majors and the mismanagement of the state. I was sick of seeing what was happening day to day and thought the community needed a real advocate.” Before being pre-selected, Beards…
With only 100 days until the state election, things are off to a slow start in the three electorates on the Mornington Peninsula, with only a handful of candidates expressing their intention to challenge. In Nepean, incumbent Anthony Marsh heads into his second election campaign in six months with a handy 13.24% margin, after his by-election win in May. There will be at least one familiar face on the hustings, with his by-election opponent Darren Hercus contesting the seat again for One Nation. Hercus told The News “I am both honoured and humbled to have been re-endorsed by One Nation…
MORNINGTON has been ranked the fourth-best destination in Victoria for shopping small, according to a new national survey of more than 4,000 Australians. The AMEX Shop Small Destination Index placed Mornington behind only South Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat, ahead of Fitzroy, Richmond, Brunswick, Bendigo, Camberwell and South Yarra, which rounded out the top 10. The Mornington Business Collective (MBC) committee member, and Farrells Bookshop owner, Kate Horton, said the town’s accessibility and variety were key to its appeal. “I think it’s a good, easy driving distance from Melbourne and even Greater Melbourne,” said Horton. “You can park for free, then…
TEN volunteers planted 29 trees across parks between the Esplanade and Barkly Street on National Tree Day (Sunday 26 July), continuing the Greenway project linking Mornington’s foreshore to the hinterland, via Mornington Station. It’s the second stage of planting, following 24 trees planted between Vale and Elizabeth streets, behind The Bays Hospital last winter (Rotary’s green vision springs to life,The News 14/8/25). The Greenway is part of a concept the Rotary Club of Mornington presented to council several years ago to create a green corridor connecting the foreshore to the hinterland. It aligns with council’s Urban Forest Strategy and the…
A man has been taken to hospital with critical injuries following an assault in Mornington this afternoon. Emergency services were called following reports a man had been found seriously injured outside a property in Cooba Court about 3.40pm. The 41-year-old man was treated by ambulance paramedics and taken to hospital with life threatening injuries. Responding police cordoned off the area and arrested a 35-year-old man shortly after. He will be interviewed in relation to the incident. It is believed the two men are known to one another. Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding what occurred.…
A GROUP of Mornington swimmers will be participating in Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day Dip to help raise funds for cancer research. The Mornington Bay Belles meet at Fisherman’s Beach every day at 7am for a swim or dip followed by a coffee. This will be their third consecutive year taking place in the Cancer Council fundraiser. On 9 August, the group will hold a special community dip at Mornington Pier at 10am. Locals are encouraged to come along and support them and the cause. Daffodil Day is held annually by Cancer Council and is one of Australia’s largest cancer fundraising…
MAIN Street in Mornington will be getting its Christmas glow-up again, with group The 4 Cs calling for more volunteers to help decorate every one of its 76 trees. In 2025, Mornington resident Pam hoped she might find enough people to dress four trees along the strip, after several people commented that Main Street had lost its Christmas spirit. “We decorated 38 trees last year,” said Pam. More than 40 volunteers had jumped on board by December, each claiming a tree. “Some people knitted, some people crocheted, some people did sewing, or a combination of everything, and decorated their own…
Two teenage boys have been charged over a spate of alleged robberies across a three day-period in the Mornington Peninsula. It will be alleged the pair threatened a 15-year-old boy with a knife on Main Street, Mornington on 7 July, where they made demands for his shoes before forcing him to transfer cash electronically. The next day, they allegedly robbed two 14-year-old boys at the intersection of Main Street and the Nepean Highway, taking off with the victims’ puffer jacket, shoes and necklace. Two days later, on 10 July, a 14-year-old boy was allegedly threatened by one of the teens…
The new seven-day route will connect Hastings and Mornington, improving access to jobs, schools, retirement villages, shops and local services.The route will also improve public transport coverage along the western section of High Street in Hastings and connect with Frankston-bound buses at Mornington town centre.“The community has asked for a cross-peninsula bus service for decades. I listened, I advocated, and I am so proud that we are delivering this service, thanks to the Allan Labor government,” said Hastings MP Paul Mercurio.“It will enable you to head to work, school or appointments on both sides of the peninsula, making it easier…
TO maintain safe access to the boat ramp and jetties, sand dredging will commence at Mornington’s Schnapper Point on 13 July, while the Victorian Government’s boat ramp upgrade continues.Mornington Peninsula Shire has appointed a contractor to complete the dredging works, with Parks Victoria issuing the relevant work permits.The dredging will complement the larger boat ramp upgrades, adjusting sand levels to allow boats and watercraft to safely access boating infrastructure. First published in the Mornington News – 7 July 2026
THE poor state of Mornington Junior Football Club’s facilities at Narambi Recreation Reserve in Mornington were raised in state parliament last Wednesday (3 June) with a group of players watching on from the public gallery. Despite a masterplan being prepared by the Mornington Peninsula Shire for the club’s home ground in 2019, the junior football club is making do with clubrooms that are no longer fit for purpose, and a tiny transportable with two plastic porta-loos, and no running water, at the other oval where the girls teams play (MP and junior club call for urgent action on facilities, The…
A P-plater has had his license suspended and vehicle impounded after allegedly blowing nearly three and a half times the limit of a fully licensed driver in Mornington overnight. Officers performed a routine intercept on the Holden Commodore utility on Roberston Drive about 12.55am. The 18-year-old driver was spoken to by officers before he returned a positive preliminary breath test. The probationary P1 license holder was transported back to a police station where he returned an alleged evidentiary reading of .174. His vehicle was impounded for a period of 28 days at a cost of $1275 and his license was…
An anonymous tip-off to Crime Stoppers has led police to an alleged cannabis crop and a cache of unregistered firearms at a home in Mornington. Following enquiries, detectives from the Mornington Peninsula Divisional Response Unit executed a search warrant at the property about 10am on Wednesday. A search of the home uncovered eight firearms, including five handguns and ammunition, as well as 2kg of cannabis, mature plants and drugs of dependence, knuckledusters, knives and a machete. A 49-year-old man was arrested at the scene and charged with 21 offences, including: The Mornington man appeared in Frankston Magistrates’ Court today, where…
Mornington Park Primary School is among 31 Victorian government schools that will share in $294.8m for upgrade and modernisation works. The school will receive $331,000 for its upgrade and modernisation works, with the project due for completion by 31 March 2028. “As a small community school, we are delighted to receive this funding to support important upgrades across our facilities,” said Mornington Park Primary School principal Kathleen Lord. “These improvements will help us create an environment that is welcoming, inclusive and safe, while also enhancing the overall appearance of our school for students, staff and the wider community.” The broader…
THE private developer responsible for roadworks on Nepean Hwy in Mornington has issued a statement apologising for the significant disruptions caused, while Padua College has called for an “immediate review of the current traffic arrangements” after further traffic restrictions were introduced last week, impacting their 2000 students and 300 staff. In a letter seen by The News, the developer of the factory complex next to Bata Shoes, Neue Space, said they “sincely apologise for the disruption and frustration” experienced by the community and recognised the “real and tangible impact on people’s daily lives”. The works, which involve construction of a…
THE Mornington Courthouse Visitor Centre (Visitor Centre) marked a significant milestone, celebrating 25 years of operation under Northern Mornington Peninsula Tourism (NMPT), with a special anniversary event held at the historic Courthouse building in Main Street, Mornington. The celebration brought together a wonderful mix of current and past volunteers, NMPT members, tourism industry representatives, and local dignitaries to recognise the Visitor Centre’s longstanding contribution to the region. The distinguished guests in attendance were Chris Crewther MP, Member for Mornington, and Mornington Peninsula Shire Councillors Cam Williams, Andrea Allen, and Stephen Batty, who joined in acknowledging the importance of the Visitor…
A NEW public art project tracing more than a century of live music on the Mornington Peninsula will be on display at the StoryWall at Mornington Shire Office from 1 May to 6 August. Peninsula LIVE: Stories from the Mornington Peninsula is a vinyl collage by commissioned local artist Jessie Willow Tucker, created from community-submitted gig posters, tickets, photographs and personal archives. The work transforms music ephemera into a visual tribute to the region’s grassroots gig culture. “This work is a celebration of local live music. The style is inspired by an illustrated Beatles lyrics book I loved as a…
SHOWCASING its sustainability credentials, St Macartan’s Parish Primary School has been named a finalist in the School Volunteer of the Year category of the 2026 c. David Whillas, a resident of a local retirement village, has contributed more than 120 volunteer hours to Macartan Primary School’s garden since 2025. David has streamlined the school’s compost system, improving collection processes, reducing food waste and minimising contamination. As a result, the gardens are now the healthiest they have ever been. The school has eliminated the need for store-bought fertilisers, producing high quality compost onsite for use across the gardens. David is now…