Officers recommend scaling back pavilion plan less than three months after larger Batty-backed option was approved
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors will be asked to scale back the Emil Madsen Western Pavilion project, less than three months after the Marsh-led “bloc of six” ignored officer advice and backed a larger, higher-cost redevelopment option.
At the 17 February 2026 council meeting, shire officers recommended councillors progress detailed design of the original concept design, known as Option 1, for the Western Pavilion at Emil Madsen Reserve.
Instead, Cr Stephen Batty moved an alternative motion to progress Option 3, a larger pavilion design. The motion was seconded by Cr Bruce Ranken and stated that no additional council funding would be committed beyond previous decisions.
The motion was carried by Cr Cam Williams, Cr Paul Pingiaro, Cr Andrea Allen, Cr Bruce Ranken, Cr Stephen Batty and then-mayor Cr Anthony Marsh, the same six-councillor grouping STPL News has previously described as the Marsh-led bloc of six.
Cr David Gill, Cr Michael Stephens, Cr Patrick Binyon, Cr Max Patton and Cr Kate Roper voted against.
The matter now returns to council on Tuesday, 12 May, with officers recommending the project be scaled back to a design based on Option 2, after further investigations found the previously endorsed Option 3 still has a significant funding gap.
What Officers Recommended
The original officer recommendation was Option 1, a design based on two AFL-sized change rooms and two netball-sized change rooms.
The latest April 2026 cost plan lists Option 1 at $11.48 million, excluding car park, netball courts and landscaping.
Those excluded works are listed separately at $2.77 million, taking the broader Option 1 project figure to about $14.25 million.
What The Bloc Backed
The Marsh bloc-backed Option 3 is now listed at $15.19 million, excluding car park, netball courts and landscaping.
Once the excluded $2.77 million is added, the broader Option 3 package rises to about $17.96 million.
What The Options Now Cost
The current April 2026 cost plan lists the three options as follows:
Option 1, the original officer recommendation:
Current cost plan: $11.48 million
Car park, netball courts and landscaping: $2.77 million
Approximate total: $14.25 million
Option 2, now recommended by officers:
Current cost plan: $14.02 million
Car park, netball courts and landscaping: $2.77 million
Approximate total: $16.79 million
Option 3, backed by the bloc in February:
Current cost plan: $15.19 million
Car park, netball courts and landscaping: $2.77 million
Approximate total: $17.96 million
On those figures, the bloc-backed Option 3 is about $3.71 million higher than the current Option 1 figure when both are compared on the same basis.
Bigger Plan, Bigger Risk
The 12 May agenda makes clear the February shift was not a minor design change.
Option 1 was the original concept design. Option 2 expands the netball change rooms and social space. Option 3 adds further AFL and netball change rooms, while also further expanding the social space, kitchen and servery.
The agenda says updated quantity surveying and cost planning identified critical constraints, including construction cost escalation beyond the adopted funding envelope, a continuing funding gap after club funding was confirmed, and further grant funding risks.
During the February debate, Cr Batty was adamant the clubs would come up with the money needed to support the larger option.
The 12 May report now says officers have worked with tenant clubs on confirmation of funding, but Option 3 still has a significant funding gap. Officers are recommending Option 2 as the most feasible pathway, with tenant clubs having confirmed support for that direction.
Design Costs Also Increase
The change in scope has also created an immediate design contract issue.
Council is being asked to approve a contract over expenditure of $174,200 plus $17,420 GST to finalise the detailed design contract for Option 2.
If council proceeded with Option 3, the design contract over expenditure would rise to $180,180 plus $18,018 GST.
The report says the additional design cost will be managed within council’s current grant agreement, with no net impact on the 2025-26 capital works budget.
Federal Funding And Planning Risk
The project is tied to the Federal Government’s Priority Community Infrastructure Program grant, with milestone dates attached.
The agenda lists several risks, including possible loss of federal funding if a viable variation is not agreed to, cost escalation from delay or uncontrolled scope, reputational risk if the project does not advance after multiple council decisions, and construction risk within an active sporting precinct.
The project may also require a planning permit because the redevelopment is expected to exceed the $10 million threshold for council-delivered projects. The agenda says that process could take two to four months and would need to be factored into delivery timing and funding arrangements.
Western Port Clubs Still Fighting For Basics
The funding debate comes as clubs on the Western Port side of the municipality continue to raise concerns about basic sporting infrastructure.
Somerville Recreation Reserve is home to Somerville Football Netball Club, Somerville Cricket Club, Somerville Netball Club, Somerville Tennis Club, Somerville Bowls Club and Somerville Scout Group, according to the shire’s own reserve listing. The reserve includes netball courts, tennis courts, public toilets, pavilions, an oval, playgrounds and a Scout hall.
A recent public Facebook post by former Somerville Football Netball Club president Andy Palmer raised concerns about toilet access at Somerville Recreation Reserve, claiming there is only one cubicle toilet servicing more than 80 girls, with players and children expected to walk to the tennis courts to use other toilets.
The shire has also acknowledged broader infrastructure pressure at Somerville Recreation Reserve. A draft master plan includes 29 recommendations, including a two-storey pavilion, upgrades to sporting facilities, expanded car parking, sealed walking paths and improved toilet facilities.
David Simmons, a Somerville resident, former president of the Tyabb Football Club and board member of the Somerville Cricket Club, said the contrast was difficult to ignore.
“I think this shows how communities on the Western Port side of the Mornington Peninsula, including Somerville, Tyabb and Hastings, are left fighting over crumbs. The Emil Madsen Reserve upgrade is now pushing almost $18 million, while at the same time we have local players making do with a single portaloo for a dressing room.”
The Comparison Is Hard To Ignore
The issue before council is not whether Emil Madsen Reserve needs improved facilities. The shire report identifies genuine sporting need at the site.
The issue is whether councillors applied proper discipline before backing a larger, more expensive option that officers now say still cannot be delivered within the available funding envelope.
While Western Port clubs are publicly raising concerns about basic toilets, change rooms and long-awaited reserve upgrades, councillors are being asked to correct course on a pavilion project that moved from an officer-supported $11.48 million option to a bloc-backed option now sitting at about $17.96 million when associated works are included.
In February, the Marsh-led bloc backed Cr Batty’s push for Option 3 while committing no additional council funding.
Less than three months later, the project is back before council with a funding gap, higher design costs, added delivery risks and an officer recommendation to scale the plan back.
