Notorious Six Turn Their Backs on Homelessness Crisis

A motion to declare a homelessness emergency on the Mornington Peninsula has been blocked by a powerful bloc of six councillors, drawing fierce criticism from advocates who say they are turning their backs on the most vulnerable.

The motion, moved by Cr Max Patton, would have cost the Shire no additional funding then what has already been committed. Its aim was to shine a spotlight on the scale of the crisis, demand urgent action from state and federal governments, and commit Council to reporting progress toward Functional Zero, the benchmark for ending rough sleeping.

Despite the urgency — including the deaths of three people sleeping rough in the past 12 months — the motion was voted down 6–4. Voting against were Mayor Anthony Marsh and councillors Cam Williams, Paul Pingiaro, Andrea Allen, David Rankin, and Stephen Batty. Supporting the motion were Cr Max Patton, Patrick Binyon, David Gill, and Michael Stephens. Cr Kate Roper was an apology.

Read: Homelessness on the Mornington Peninsula’s Sharp Rise

The Human Toll

The Mornington Peninsula has the highest number and proportion of rough sleepers across Victoria’s Project Zero partnership. At least 110 people are sleeping rough each night, including 75 on foreshore reserves.

Cr Patton said the situation was nothing short of a humanitarian failure:

“We are judged as a community by how we treat our most vulnerable. Ending rough sleeping is achievable, but only if we have the funding and resources to get there.”

The Debate

Those in favour argued that the motion was about advocacy, not cost. It sought to push ministers to invest in crisis accommodation, public and community housing, and assertive outreach.

But the bloc of six councillors argued a declaration would have little effect. Cr Cam Williams said:

“I like the intention of this motion, but words like ‘project zero’ are aspirational. Some people don’t want the housing we provide, and declaring zero homelessness while spending money repeatedly without clear outcomes might not achieve what’s intended.”

Deputy Mayor Paul Pingiaro acknowledged the scale of the crisis but dismissed the value of an emergency declaration:

“Declarations don’t put food on the table. They don’t unlock toilets, showers, or housing. Real change comes from practical investment from the State and Federal governments.”

Cr Patton rebutted, stressing the motion would not direct new council funds:

“This is a humanitarian crisis, and it’s time to take it seriously. We need ministers to start noticing those who are sleeping rough and prioritise resources here.”

A Bloc Led by Marsh

The defeat highlighted the growing divide on council. Critics say the bloc of six — led by Mayor Marsh, the only experienced councillor in the group — is locking Council into deadlock and hostility toward those outside their camp.

With Marsh at the helm, the five first-term councillors — Williams, Pingiaro, Allen, Rankin, and Batty — have repeatedly voted in unison, drawing comparisons to a camp leader steering newcomers into mischief. For opponents, the message is clear: on critical issues like homelessness, the bloc would rather toe the line than confront the scale of the crisis.

What It Means for the Peninsula

Had the motion passed, Council would have committed to monthly reporting, prioritising the Triple A Housing Plan, and formally lobbying ministers for urgent intervention — including a ministerial visit to Rosebud, investment in crisis accommodation, and recognition of the Peninsula as a priority region for homelessness support.

Instead, the Peninsula’s homelessness emergency remains without a formal council platform, leaving responsibility to overstretched community services and charities while the number of rough sleepers continues to grow.