Portsea has topped Australia’s taxable income table, but the latest ATO figures sit beside deep housing pressure across the Mornington Peninsula, where Council continues to warn of homelessness, rental stress and a shortage of social housing.
Mornington Peninsula residents 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.
Recycling mistakes are costing Mornington Peninsula ratepayers money, prompting calls for Peninsula Wide to provide more practical information on waste, recycling and council services.
Mornington Peninsula Shire will stop delivering Commonwealth-funded aged care services from 2027, with Meals on Wheels, Dial a Bus and social support services to move to specialist providers. The change comes in one of Victoria’s older communities, leaving residents and families waiting for key details on future providers and costs.
Seven new social homes are underway in Hastings for women on the priority housing list, but Mornington Peninsula Shire figures show local housing demand still far outweighs supply.
Safety Beach resident Joe Lenzo argues the Mornington Peninsula Shire should focus more on clear communication and practical waste education if it wants to reduce recycling and FOGO bin contamination.
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors will meet tomorrow night to elect a new mayor following Anthony Marsh’s resignation, with the current 10-member chamber leaving open the possibility of a deadlocked vote.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has started random kerbside bin audits after recycling contamination added $1 million to waste fees, with household bins checked for wrong items left out for collection.
Mornington Peninsula residents are being asked to help shape a new 10-year strategy for local playgrounds and outdoor exercise spaces, with consultation open until 21 June.
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 backed a larger option that officers now say has a significant funding gap.
Seventeen volunteers braved wet and windy weather to remove four trailer loads of rubbish from areas around Somerville Railway Station as part of a Clean Up Australia event organised by Somerville Business Group.
Mornington Peninsula Shire ratepayers are facing an expected $200,000 Briars Ward by-election bill after Anthony Marsh’s Nepean win leaves a council vacancy and ends his time as mayor.
The Liberal Party is projected to retain Nepean, but provisional results show a weakened primary vote, a strong One Nation result and a sizeable independent vote for Tracee Hutchison.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has doubled down on its waste charge messaging, insisting there is no new charge to ratepayers despite draft budget figures showing a proposed combined annual waste bill of $570 for properties with kerbside collection.
Liberal candidate Anthony Marsh has withdrawn from a sold-out Nepean candidates forum after attendee questions were circulated, with organisers telling STPL News his team pulled out about an hour after receiving direct questions for the candidate.
Mornington Peninsula Shire is attempting to quell backlash over a proposed $570 waste charge, arguing the public cleaning component is not a new fee despite sharp concern from residents.
Peter Angelico has accused Anthony Marsh of “blatant hypocrisy” over roads messaging in the Nepean by-election, using both a campaign video and an STPL News interview to challenge Marsh’s credibility, honesty and handling of the issue.
Anthony Marsh is facing fresh scrutiny after appearing to mark a pothole on White Hill Road, a state-managed 80 km/h arterial road, without visible hi-vis gear or traffic control. STPL News has contacted Roads Minister Melissa Horne for comment.
Mornington Peninsula Shire and South East Water say some McCrae residents have reached agreement through mediation, but the public update leaves major questions unanswered over the scope of works, timelines and when displaced residents may return home.
A local resident says uneven access to services, transport and community facilities across the Mornington Peninsula is leaving some suburbs isolated, particularly older residents and people living with disability.
The northern section of the Somerville to Baxter Trail is now open, but the full link remains incomplete as work continues on a key crossing near Frankston-Flinders Road.
Anthony Marsh campaign signs appear to be on council land in Rosebud, raising questions over compliance and double standards in the Nepean by-election.
The Nepean by-election campaign has been thrown into fresh controversy after leaked text messages revealed Liberal candidate Anthony Marsh privately backed a Labor candidate during the 2022 Victorian state election.
The Nepean by-election is set for 2 May after Sam Groth’s resignation. Labor is not running, One Nation has named Darren Hercus, and a Roy Morgan poll shows One Nation leading in Victoria. Anthony Marsh’s past statements and a verified how-to-vote card have added scrutiny as the May by-election and November state election approaches.
Latest edition of the Somerville Times by STPL News.
Anthony Marsh has been confirmed as the Liberal Party’s candidate for Nepean, after weeks of reporting on his preselection bid and internal division within local party ranks.
Mornington Peninsula Shire is under renewed scrutiny after the rollout of EMO7 highlighted years of delay in updating landslide risk controls, despite having mapping data since 2012.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has issued a reminder about battery disposal after a recycling truck caught fire in Mount Martha, highlighting the risks of hazardous waste in household bins.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has announced the recipients of its 2026 Australia Day Awards, recognising local residents and community groups for contributions to community life across the Peninsula.
DEECA has blocked mechanical beach raking on several Mornington Peninsula beaches, leaving only 6 km of the Shire’s 31 km cleaning program eligible for raking. A further 9 km are inaccessible to machinery and another 9 km contain protected vegetation that must be hand-cleaned. The decision raises questions over cost, erosion impacts and the councillor vote that reinstated raking nearly 12 months ago.
Frankston has been named Victoria’s Tidy City for 2025, with multiple environmental and community awards recognising local programs, volunteer partnerships and sustainability initiatives across the city.
Crib Point Pool is set for a vibrant makeover as Mornington Peninsula Shire invites locals to help design a new mural marking the pool’s 50th anniversary. Residents can vote on themes and contribute ideas before artists are selected later this year.
After years of frustration and broken promises, Somerville’s long-awaited Recreation Reserve Master Plan Draft is open foe feedback — with locals, clubs and past players welcoming the Shire’s move to upgrade one of the town’s most overworked community hubs.
Frankston and Mornington Peninsula councillors will soon decide who leads their councils — not through a public vote, but an internal one. We’re asking readers who they’d elect if given the choice.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is spending close to half a million dollars each year on memberships with advocacy and industry groups but often fails to participate.
Mornington Peninsula Shire is progressing plans to expand the Morce Avenue car park in Sorrento following strong community feedback on proposed design options.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has introduced a new Wash Against Waste trailer to help local event organisers cut down on single-use plastics and make community events more sustainable across the region.
Mornington Peninsula Shire is seeking community feedback on two proposed routes for a new shared path linking Dromana and Safety Beach, aimed at improving safety, access and connectivity for pedestrians, cyclists and mobility users across the Peninsula. Submissions close 24 November 2025.
The McCrae Landslide Inquiry has found failures by South East Water and the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, concluding that a burst water main and years of poor leadership combined to cause the disaster that displaced families in January 2025.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has announced a major restructure of its youth services, shifting to a partnership model with external providers. While the Shire says the changes will expand opportunities for young people, families and advocates are questioning the stability of services and pointing to recent disruption at Shed 11 in Hastings.
The Notorious Six councillors have blocked a motion to declare a homelessness emergency on the Mornington Peninsula. The proposal, which would have cost the Shire no funds, aimed to push state and federal governments to act as the region records Victoria’s highest rates of rough sleeping and three deaths in the past year.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has been forced into a backflip, reinstating Council votes on interstate travel after public backlash shut down a $2K expense loophole.
Mornington Peninsula Shire is moving to scrap Council approval for expenses over $2,000 and interstate travel, leaving decisions to the CEO’s pen. Critics warn the change strips away transparency and accountability.
Mornington Peninsula mayor Anthony Marsh’s attack on Frankston Council has backfired, with mayor Kris Bolam labelling the comments a deflection. The row has exposed Marsh to claims of hypocrisy over his own travel while highlighting Frankston’s progress under Bolam’s leadership.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has adopted its Council Plan 2025–2029 and Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025–2029, following extensive community consultation with more than 3,500 residents. The plans set Council’s strategic direction and focus on creating a healthier, more inclusive Peninsula.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council staff are reportedly on edge after being told job cuts are coming. Affected teams will be revealed in September. The Shire has not publicly commented.
More than 150 residents packed Flinders Civic Hall calling for the Mornington Peninsula Shire to reinstate arts and climate funding. The Mayor, CEO and councillors attended the meeting organised by Save Our Arts MP and the Peninsula Climate Alliance. A motion was passed demanding the return of the Climate Emergency Declaration and support for sole trader creatives.
Homelessness is rising fast on the Mornington Peninsula, with more than 80 people now sleeping rough — up 45% since June. Council says local services are at breaking point and is calling on the Victorian Government to urgently invest in crisis housing and long-term solutions.
Emil Madsen Reserve in Mount Eliza has been closed due to contaminated water, disrupting local sporting and community events over the weekend. South East Water is currently investigating.
Mount Martha Public Golf Course, funded by Mornington Peninsula Shire ratepayers, has introduced golf simulators and night golf events. Council is now exploring new commercial uses to reduce operating losses and improve long-term sustainability.
