Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors have voted to scale back the Emil Madsen Western Pavilion upgrade, less than three months after backing a larger option that officers later said still had a significant funding gap.
The 12 May decision moves the project from the previously endorsed Option 3 to Option 2, following further cost planning and discussions with tenant clubs.
The motion was carried 7-3.
For: Cr Paul Pingiaro, Cr Max Patton, Cr Patrick Binyon, Cr Stephen Batty, Cr Bruce Ranken, Cr Andrea Allen and Cr Cam Williams voted in favour.
Against: Cr Kate Roper, Cr Michael Stephens and Cr David Gill voted against.
Cr Roper later told STPL News she had provided council with an alternative motion the previous week seeking to return the project to Option 1, the original officer recommendation.
She said she became aware shortly before the meeting that she could not move the alternative motion. Council instead proceeded with the officer recommendation for Option 2.
Cr Roper left the meeting after the vote and later told STPL News she left feeling “very disappointed”.
Option 3 Dropped
The meeting heard the updated report followed council’s February endorsement of the expanded Option 3 redesign.
The chair introduced the item by saying further cost planning and discussions with tenant clubs had found a significant funding gap remained, with officers now recommending council proceed with plans based on Option 2.
Cr Batty moved the officer recommendation and Cr Ranken seconded it.
Speaking in support, Cr Batty said Option 2 was now the responsible path forward, despite his earlier support for Option 3.
“I originally supported option three in Emil Madsen’s plans. In an ideal world, it remains the best option for players and the broader community. However, we are no longer operating in an ideal world,” Cr Batty said, according to the transcript.
Cr Batty said rising costs, financial pressure and the need for realistic leadership meant Option 2 should proceed.
Roper Says Clubs Did Not Deliver Extra Money
Cr Roper opposed the motion and said council may have already moved the project toward construction if it had chosen Option 1 earlier.
She told the meeting there had been “too many voices” and “constant tinkering”, and said the project had already blown out in cost.
Cr Roper also said clubs had promised but “did not come up with the extra money required”.
She said the decision was bigger than one project and was a test of whether council would consider the needs of the whole shire while operating in a budget deficit.
Council officers clarified the design over expenditure would not require additional council funding. Instead, the project would draw the money from the existing grant funding pool.
Equity Concerns Raised
The debate again turned to whether sporting facilities are being funded fairly across the Mornington Peninsula.
Cr Binyon referred to officer advice from the February meeting that identified high-priority pavilion projects requiring major upgrades due to age and asset renewal.
He said the top three listed were Rosebud Soccer, Cricket and Athletics, Somerville Soccer, and Hastings Junior Football Club.
He also referred to other facilities using dry hire buildings, portables or lacking permanent amenities, including Main Ridge Cricket, Boneo Cricket, Sorrento Netball, Tyabb Junior Football Club and Mount Martha Junior Football Club.
Cr Gill also opposed the motion, arguing the issue was about equitable and consistent provision of sporting facilities across the shire.
He said some clubs lacked change rooms, female toilets and the ability to field teams, while Emil Madsen continued to attract major resources.
Cr Stephens raised concerns about financial risk, precedent and the possibility that ratepayers could end up covering any shortfall if promised community contributions did not fully materialise.
Somerville Claim Rejected
Cr Williams spoke in support of investment in sporting facilities, saying upgrades were long-term investments and that many facilities across the peninsula were ageing.
During his remarks, Cr Williams referred to Somerville and claimed it had received $5.5 million in federal funding.
The chair immediately interjected, saying:
“Councillor Williams, no.”
Cr Batty later referred to Somerville Recreation Reserve in his closing remarks, saying council was entering a “similar situation” with master planning. He said master plans allow projects to sit ready when federal, state or council grant opportunities become available.
Option 2 Now Progresses
Cr Ranken spoke in support of the recommendation, saying Option 2 provided a feasible and deliverable pathway within confirmed funding and allowed detailed design and value management to continue.
He said it was disappointing Option 3 could not progress, but argued the recommendation struck the right balance between ambition and financial responsibility.
The vote means council will now proceed with the revised Option 2 pathway, rather than the larger Option 3 endorsed in February or the lower-cost Option 1 proposed by Cr Roper.
The decision now leaves council attempting to rescue a project it allowed to grow beyond its funding envelope. For clubs still waiting on basic toilets, change rooms and usable facilities, the Emil Madsen debate has become a test of whether sporting infrastructure is being planned fairly across the whole shire, or whether council is playing favourites.
