Mornington Peninsula Shire staff are bracing for sweeping job cuts, with up to 30 positions reportedly set to be made redundant under a cost-cutting plan backed by Mayor Anthony Marsh.
The looming restructure follows months of budget strain after the Shire adopted its 2025–26 budget in June, which included $12 million in cuts to services and programs. Insiders told STPL News that staff were informed this week that several roles across multiple departments are under review, with some positions expected to be scrapped altogether.
Senior leadership rumours
Alongside the anticipated redundancies, unconfirmed rumours are circulating that senior executives could also be affected. Sources within the organisation have suggested that Chief Financial Officer Bülent Oz and senior leader Rebecca (Bec) Levy may be among those whose positions are under review.
At this stage, these reports remain unverified and the Shire has not confirmed whether either Oz or Levy have been made redundant. Both have played prominent roles within the organisation — Oz as Chief Financial Officer and former interim CEO with a diverse finance background, and Levy as a destination manager overseeing community engagement, events, and conservation programs.
The speculation has fuelled uncertainty among staff, many of whom fear that no role is secure under the current restructure. “The atmosphere is like a morgue,” one insider told STPL News, describing the mood inside the organisation this week.
Community confidence already slipping
The rumours come as community confidence in the Shire is already sliding. The Council’s latest Annual Community Satisfaction Survey shows overall performance fell to 6.3 out of 10, down from last year’s “good” rating to a “solid” level of satisfaction.
The independent survey, conducted across 1,600 residents, found the Shire’s satisfaction score was 8% below the metropolitan Melbourne average and also lagging behind other interface councils. Governance and leadership were rated at 6.3 — again 8% below the metro average — while customer service satisfaction fell to 6.7, more than 10% lower than other comparable councils.
The biggest concern raised by residents was local roads, with satisfaction in maintenance and repair sliding to 5.3 out of 10, rated “very poor” and well below both metro and interface council averages.
Questions over staff performance and service delivery
Critics argue that the Mayor is “swinging the axe” without proper consultation, pointing to staff morale already at breaking point after recent funding withdrawals. With overall customer service and governance confidence already low, community advocates say cutting more staff will only make things worse.
Community groups, including the Dolphin Research Institute and local arts organisations, have already voiced concerns over Council’s approach to financial management, while unions are preparing to challenge the move, citing potential breaches in consultation obligations and workplace agreements.
Council has not publicly detailed which departments or roles will be impacted by the cuts.
The latest development marks one of the most significant workforce shake-ups at the Shire in years. With satisfaction scores falling and services already under scrutiny, questions are now being asked about whether slashing staff will improve performance — or deepen community dissatisfaction.
they are taking us for mugs. And we let them. we are getting what we voted for.
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