Short answer: No.
The 72 per cent figure refers to an increase in the Shire’s road maintenance budget line, but the decision that appears to have driven that increase was made before Anthony Marsh became mayor.
This includes a new road maintenance contract and $8.4 million dollars in federal funding.
A review of council procurement records and budget information shows the higher spending follows a road maintenance contract awarded in December 2023, before the current council term.
Where the 72% figure comes from
Mornington Peninsula Shire communications about the 2025–26 budget state that road maintenance funding increased to about $13.1 million, described as a 72 per cent increase on the previous year.
The previous road maintenance allocation was about $7.6 million, which produces the 72 per cent increase referenced by the Shire.
The figure relates specifically to the road maintenance category, not the Shire’s entire roads budget.
Council clarifies funding breakdown
During the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council meeting on 16 December 2025. council was asked to clarify the basis of the 72 per cent road funding increase.
The question asked council to confirm the baseline year, how much of the increase was council funded versus federal road grants, and how much reflected the new road maintenance contract rather than new policy decisions.
Responding at the meeting, acting chief executive Davey Smith confirmed the figure refers to the change between the 2024–25 road maintenance budget of $7.6 million and the 2025–26 allocation of $13.1 million.
Smith told the meeting that council-funded spending increased by about 10 per cent across the two years, while federal funding allocated to road renewal projects increased from $0 to $8.4 million.
This indicates most of the increase reflects federal funding allocated to road projects rather than a comparable increase in council-funded road spending.
Transcript from MPSC Council meeting 16/12/2026
- (0:00) “The following question is asked. Council claim road funding increased by 72%. The budget shows $7.6 million to $13.1 million.”
- (0:09) “One, can Council clarify the baseline year, how much of this increase is Council funded versus federal road grants, and how much reflects new road contract rather than new policy decisions?”
- (0:19) “Council advises that the 72% increase represents the $7.6 million budget in 2024-25 compared to the $13.1 million in 2025-26.”
- (0:29) “In the adopted budget. Of this, the Council funding increased by 10% across the two years, and the federal funding allocation to road renewal projects went from $0 to $8.4 million.”
The decision behind the increase
Procurement records show the Shire awarded Tender 2635 – Community Asset Maintenance Services (Roads Corridor) to Fulton Hogan Industries Pty Ltd on 12 December 2023.
The contract covers maintenance of the Shire’s road network and began operating from July 2024.
Victorian local government elections were held in October 2024, and Anthony Marsh was appointed mayor in November 2024.
This means the contract decision that increased maintenance spending was made before the current council term and before Marsh became mayor.
Why the increase appears in later budgets
Although the contract was awarded in 2023, the financial impact appears in later budgets because:
- council service contracts typically begin at the start of a financial year
- the new maintenance model began 1 July 2024
- the full impact appears in subsequent budget allocations.
As a result, the higher maintenance costs appear in the 2025–26 budget figures referenced by the Shire.
During the 16 December Council Meeting, the the question was asked and answered by acting CEO Davey Smith.
Other funding sources for road works
Councils also receive external funding for roads from the Commonwealth government.
Mornington Peninsula Shire receives funding through programs including:
- Financial Assistance Grants – Local Roads component
- Roads to Recovery funding
These are federal grants distributed to councils and contribute to the funding used for road works.
Fact check conclusion
The 72 per cent increase referenced in council communications appears to be mathematically accurate for the road maintenance budget line.
However, records show the decision that appears to have driven the increase was the award of a new road maintenance contract in December 2023, before the current council term and before Anthony Marsh became mayor.
In practical terms, road maintenance spending increased, but the decision that created that increase predates Marsh’s mayoralty.
The fact check by STPL finds that Anthony Marsh lied about Council road maintenance. There are lies, lies and damn lies. And so the lies begin. And so early in the campaign.