A large and vocal crowd from the Mornington Peninsula’s creative arts community filled the public gallery at last night’s council meeting, protesting against controversial funding changes that were ultimately pushed through by the Shire.
Held at the Rosebud Council Chambers following a last-minute relocation from Flinders, the meeting ran for approximately five hours, including multiple adjournments. The change in venue—cited as a matter of “comfort and accessibility”—was seen by many as a strategic move to reduce the number of protestors who could attend.
Artists and supporters held signs, banners and posters—some depicting Mayor Marsh wearing a red “MAGA” hat, referencing the politics of Donald Trump. The symbolism highlighted concerns that Marsh and Deputy Mayor Paul Pingiaro have adopted an increasingly authoritarian tone in recent months.
Inside the chamber, tensions remained high. Mayor Marsh issued several warnings to members of the public gallery and adjourned the meeting twice due to interjections. At times visibly annoyed, Marsh later appeared to relax as the gallery gradually emptied in the later stages of the evening.
The protest was sparked by the council’s shift to a competitive grant-based model for community and arts funding, replacing long-standing recurring allocations. Arts organisations say the new approach threatens the survival of grassroots programs and represents a lack of respect for their long-standing contributions to the Peninsula.
The funding previously allocated to the arts has not been removed from the budget, but reassigned to a newly created pool for “community safety and crime prevention” projects. The scope and detail of these projects remain undefined, with decisions to be made at a later stage. Critics have labelled the move vague and unaccountable.
The broader 2025/26 draft budget includes a $5 million reduction in staff costs—expected to result in redundancies—and cuts to a number of community support services.
Mechanical Beach Cleaning to Return
Another contentious decision was the council’s move to scrap its hand beach cleaning program and return to mechanical raking. The initiative, originally introduced in response to environmental concerns, has long divided opinion among councillors and beachgoers alike.
The vote saw the majority bloc endorse a return to mechanical cleaning, citing efficiency and cost. The remaining four councillors opposed the change, supporting the continuation of hand-cleaning efforts. Cr Max Patton abstained from the vote, declaring a conflict of interest.
