Residents across the Mornington Peninsula have another chance to shape the Shire’s transport future after earlier feedback raised concerns about poor bus links, missing footpaths, cycling gaps, unsafe crossings and congestion.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has opened feedback on its draft Integrated Transport Strategy, a long-term plan to guide transport planning, investment and advocacy across the Peninsula.
The strategy follows consultation in late 2024, when the Shire received more than 800 pieces of feedback. That included 386 surveys, 294 map pins and more than 380 face-to-face conversations.
The message was clear.
Residents want better public transport, safer crossings, improved footpaths, stronger cycling links and more accessible ways to move between towns.
Transport Gaps Remain A Daily Problem
The Shire says residents raised concerns about limited public transport, poor footpath and cycling infrastructure, unsafe crossings and intersections, school and holiday congestion, and a lack of accessible transport options.
Those problems affect daily life across the Peninsula.
Poor transport can limit access to work, education, medical appointments, shops and community services.
Families often spend more time in traffic and rely heavily on cars to get children to school, sport, work and training.
For older residents and people with disability, missing footpaths and unsafe crossings can make short local trips difficult or unsafe.
Car Reliance Still Dominates
The Shire’s own advocacy material says 82 per cent of the Mornington Peninsula does not have adequate public transport.
It also says 58 per cent of residents travel to work by car, less than 1 per cent use public transport to get to work, and 2.6 per cent walk or ride.
Those figures show the scale of the challenge.
The Peninsula cannot seriously tackle congestion, access and local transport pressure while many residents have no realistic alternative to driving.
Council Wants Feedback
Councillors voted unanimously at the 9 June council meeting to put the Draft Integrated Transport Strategy out for public feedback.
Consultation runs from 23 June to 18 August.
The Shire says the strategy focuses on better connections between communities, safer travel, reduced congestion, support for local businesses, and better planning for future growth.
Cr Max Patton, who moved the motion, said the Peninsula’s spread-out development pattern makes efficient and accessible transport more difficult.
Cr Patrick Binyon also highlighted the needs of older residents and people who rely on safe crossings and accessible footpaths.
The Real Test Is Delivery
The strategy gives residents another chance to say what is not working.
The bigger test comes after consultation closes.
Many of the Mornington Peninsula’s transport problems have existed for years. Residents already know the issues. Buses do not run often enough. Footpaths stop short. Crossings feel unsafe. Traffic builds at peak times. Some towns remain poorly connected.
A strategy can identify the problems, but it will not fix them without funded projects, clear priorities and stronger pressure on State and Federal Government.
Residents can provide feedback on the draft Integrated Transport Strategy through Mornington Peninsula Shire before consultation closes on 18 August.
How to Support Independent Local News
STPL News covers the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston with independent reporting, community news and public interest coverage.
You can support the work in three ways: join the free daily e-news, make a one-off contribution, or become a financial member.
Your support helps keep local public-interest reporting available to the community.
