Marsh Under Department Review As Roadworks Scrutiny Deepens Around Nepean Campaign

Liberal Nepean candidate Anthony Marsh is now facing scrutiny on multiple fronts, with the ABC reporting Victoria’s transport department is investigating a complaint over a campaign pothole stunt in Dromana and that Marsh was also referred to the department over a separate White Hill Road image.

The latest development piles further pressure on a candidacy already dogged by questions over road funding claims, internal Liberal unrest, Marsh’s earlier claims of political independence and the appointment of state monitors to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.

Department Review Pushes Pothole Stunt Beyond Campaign Optics

The ABC reported the complaint relates to a video in which Marsh and Opposition Leader Jess Wilson filled a pothole in Dromana to highlight the condition of local roads. According to the broadcaster, the complaint questioned the safety and integrity of the works, while the Department of Transport and Planning told the complainant the matter had been escalated to its management team for review and coordination.

That moves the issue beyond a political stunt and into a formal departmental process in the middle of a live by-election campaign. The ABC reported early voting opens on Wednesday ahead of polling day on 2 May.

White Hill Road Had Already Raised Safety And Authorisation Questions

The Dromana pothole stunt was not the first roads-related controversy to shadow Marsh’s campaign. Earlier STPL News reporting examined an image showing Marsh appearing to mark a pothole on White Hill Road, described as a state-managed arterial road with an 80 to 90 km/h speed limit, without visible hi-vis gear or traffic control.

STPL News had already escalated the matter by writing to Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne seeking comment on whether the conduct shown raised concerns about apparent unauthorised works, road safety, and the lack of visible traffic management or protective equipment at the scene

The ABC’s report confirms Marsh has been referred to the department over that White Hill Road photo stunt also.

Road Funding Claim Was Already Under Pressure

The renewed scrutiny also throws fresh light on claims made in Wilson’s pothole video that Marsh increased road funding by 72 per cent. STPL News previously reported that the 72 per cent figure referred to an increase in the Shire’s road maintenance budget line from about $7.6 million to $13.1 million, but that the increase was largely driven by a road maintenance contract awarded in December 2023, before Marsh became mayor, and by $8.4 million in federal funding.

According to that reporting, council-funded spending increased by about 10 per cent across the two years, not 72 per cent. The ABC has also reported Libertarian candidate Peter Angelico challenged Marsh’s claim on the basis that the uplift was majority federal funding.

Marsh’s Earlier Independence Claims Now Sit In Sharper Focus

Questions around Marsh’s candidacy were already building before the transport department matter emerged. In STPL News’ 2024 council election survey, Marsh described himself as a “genuine independent”. The same STPL report said Marsh’s written statements elsewhere included that he would not accept donations from political parties, developers or unions, and that councillors were not affiliated with a political party and refused to join one while serving.

Those statements now sit in obvious tension with his later move into Liberal preselection. The ABC has separately reported Marsh was not a Liberal member until he was preselected, with the party waiving its own rules to allow him to run.

Preselection Was Already Dividing Liberal Ranks

STPL News previously reported that Marsh had been granted special dispensation to apply for preselection despite not meeting a reported two-year minimum membership requirement. It also reported the decision was made at state executive level, was not unanimous, and that the candidate would be chosen by panel process rather than a full vote of the local membership.

STPL News also reported internal concern from senior Liberal sources before the roadworks issue became a state-wide story. One source said Marsh was “too risky” and “carries too much baggage”, while the ABC has now separately reported local rank-and-file Liberals were angry about being shut out of the process and concerned about his council record.

State Monitors Remain Over The Council Marsh Is Seeking To Leave Behind

The broader backdrop is that Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is already under formal state monitor oversight. The Local Government Victoria monitors page states Prue Digby and Rebecca McKenzie were appointed as municipal monitors for 12 months from 19 January 2026 until 18 January 2027 to advise, assist and support the council to improve its governance processes and practices.

The official terms of reference state the monitors are to watch the council’s ability to provide good governance, including councillors’ performance of their statutory roles, councillor relationships, councillor and staff relationships, meeting procedures, decision-making processes, CEO appointment and performance arrangements, and whether any councillor is creating a serious risk to health and safety or preventing the council from performing its functions.

Marsh is already on leave from council duties while contesting the by-election. The Shire’s chief executive said on 25 February that Marsh would not perform council duties or attend meetings between then and the by-election on 2 May, with Deputy Mayor Paul Pingiaro acting as mayor in the meantime. If Marsh wins Nepean, he will not be returning to a council that remains under state monitor oversight until January next year.

No Public Finding Has Been Announced, But The Pressure Is Now Real

At this stage, no public finding of wrongdoing has been announced by the transport department. But the matter has plainly moved beyond campaign theatre. What began as a social media pothole stunt is now the subject of a formal departmental process, landing on top of a campaign that was already under pressure over a disputed road funding claim, a contentious preselection and Marsh’s own written record.

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