Somerville customer service point among four to close
Mornington Peninsula Shire has voted to close four customer service points, including Somerville, and trial longer hours at Hastings. The decision does not close Somerville Library.
Tag Mornington Peninsula Shire
Four Rough Sleepers Die on Mornington Peninsula in Six Weeks
Four rough sleepers have died on the Mornington Peninsula in six weeks, while a new report reveals 11 deaths since December 2024 and ongoing housing shortages.
Mount Martha Retirement Village Backed 8–1 Despite 61 Objections
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors have voted 8–1 to support changes to the Martha's Point retirement village despite 61 objections from residents.
Christine Leahy Takes Office As Briars Ward Councillor
Christine Leahy has been sworn in as Briars Ward councillor after securing 64.17 per cent of the vote. She will serve until October 2028.
Mornington Peninsula Aged Care To Continue After Council Reversal
Mornington Peninsula Shire has reversed its planned aged-care exit, confirming Meals on Wheels, community transport and group social support will continue beyond June 2027.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Concedes Parking Enforcement Is ‘Not Working’
Mornington Peninsula Shire has conceded its parking enforcement approach is not working following mounting complaints from residents fined on narrow streets and around school pick-up areas.
$2.8 Million Eramosa Road East Upgrade To Begin In Somerville
A $2.8 million upgrade of Eramosa Road East in Somerville will begin this September. The affected section will close to through traffic, with resident access maintained and completion expected before Christmas, weather permitting.
Cockatoo Damage Prompts Turf Replacement Plan At Truemans Road Recreation Reserve
Mornington Peninsula Shire is planning a major turf replacement at Truemans Road Recreation Reserve in Tootgarook after cockatoos caused extensive damage to the soccer pitches and cricket oval.
Marsh Takes Aim At Monitors He Once Called ‘Well Regarded’
Anthony Marsh has taken aim at Mornington Peninsula’s municipal monitors, marking a sharp reversal from his public support when they were appointed.
Mornington Peninsula Poultry Industry Warned Of Devastating Bird Flu Losses
Mornington Peninsula poultry farms face heightened biosecurity concerns after experts warned H5 bird flu could cause devastating commercial losses.
Community Renews Call To Complete Flinders Pier Restoration
About 150 people gathered at Flinders Pier to renew calls for the heritage-listed timber structure to be fully restored, as the community and State Government remain divided over what the funded project was intended to deliver.
Mornington Peninsula Landslide Overlay Could Drop 27,000 Properties
Mornington Peninsula Shire wants about 27,000 properties removed from interim landslide planning controls. However, the existing EMO7 will remain in force until Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny approves the proposed amendment.
Mornington Peninsula Rough Sleeping Surges 32 Per Cent as Mayor Warns Figure May Be Higher
Mornington Peninsula rough sleeping has surged by 32 per cent, with at least 168 people recorded and Mayor Stephen Batty warning the true figure may be higher.
Record Homelessness Levels Should “Shock Australia Into Action”, Salvos Say, As Peninsula Pressure Continues
The Salvation Army says record homelessness levels should "shock Australia into action" as Homelessness Week begins, with the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston among the regions worst affected by rough sleeping in Victoria.
Mayoral Charity Golf Day to tackle Mornington Peninsula homelessness
Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Stephen Batty is rallying golfers, businesses and residents to support The Mayoral Charity Golf Day, raising funds to combat homelessness across the region.
No Clear Contenders Emerge Ahead of Briars Ward By-Election
The Briars Ward by-election remains wide open, with no candidates publicly declaring their intention to replace former councillor Anthony Marsh.
Pavers Used to Smash Eleven Sorrento Shops in Overnight Attack
Police are investigating after offenders allegedly used footpath pavers to smash the windows of 11 businesses along Ocean Beach Road in Sorrento. The attack has also renewed concerns about loose and uneven pavers along the shopping strip.
Ratepayers Could Fund McCrae Land Purchase as Shire Plans Landslip Works
Mornington Peninsula Shire plans to acquire land in McCrae for landslip mitigation works, but has not revealed the property, purchase price or funding arrangements. STPL News has asked the Shire for further details.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Rethinks Budget Following Community Criticism
Mornington Peninsula Shire has adopted its 2026/27 Budget after revising several measures in response to community feedback. The changes include lower waste charges, increased road funding and changes to the FOGO rollout.
Portsea Tops Australia’s Taxable Income Table As Mornington Peninsula Housing Crisis Deepens
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.
Poor Buses, Missing Footpaths And Congestion: Peninsula Residents Asked To Shape Transport Future
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.
The Recycling Mistakes Costing Ratepayers Money
Recycling mistakes are costing Mornington Peninsula ratepayers money, prompting calls for Peninsula Wide to provide more practical information on waste, recycling and council services.
Shire To Pull The Pin On Aged Care 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 Homes In Hastings As Mornington Peninsula Housing Crisis Outpaces Supply
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.
If The Shire Wants Cleaner Bins, It Needs Clearer Communication
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 To Elect New Mayor Tomorrow
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.
The Shire May Be Going Through Your Bin As Audits Get Underway
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.
Residents Asked To Help Shape Future Of Mornington Peninsula Playgrounds
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.
Emil Madsen Upgrade Nears $18m After Bloc Ignored Officer Advice
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.
Four Trailer Loads Removed In Somerville Clean-Up
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.
Marsh Win Leaves Ratepayers Facing $200,000 Briars Ward By-Election Bill
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.
Liberals Projected To Hold Nepean Despite Weakened Vote
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.
Council Doubles Down On Waste Charge Defence While Advertising Another Senior Communications Role
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.
Anthony Marsh Avoids Scrutiny In Last-Minute Withdrawal From Sold-Out Candidates Forum
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.
Council Attempts To ‘Set The Record Straight’ Over $570 Waste Charge
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 Accuses Anthony Marsh Of ‘Blatant Hypocrisy’ Over Roads
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.
Pothole Post Sees Marsh Dig Himself Into Another Hole
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.
McCrae Mediation Ends With Partial Deals But No Public Timetable
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.
Letter to the Editor: MPSC Residents Deserve Fairer Access to Services
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.
Somerville To Baxter Trail Opens In Part As Road Crossing Holds Up Full Link
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.
Liberal Party Accused Of Double Standards As Anthony Marsh Signs Appear On Council Land In Rosebud
Anthony Marsh campaign signs appear to be on council land in Rosebud, raising questions over compliance and double standards in the Nepean by-election.
Nepean race rocked as leaked texts reveal Anthony Marsh backed Labor
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.
Nepean By-election: Liberals go all-in on Anthony Marsh as One Nation moves in
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.
Print & Digital Copies of Somerville Times 031 are Out Now
Latest edition of the Somerville Times by STPL News.
Mayor Anthony Marsh Selected as Liberal Candidate for Nepean By-election
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.
Council’s Long Delay on Landslide Risk Exposed by EMO7 Rollout
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.
Battery Disposal Reminder Issued Following Mount Martha Recycling Truck Fire
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 Announces 2026 Australia Day Award Recipients
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.
Council’s Beach Raking Plan Collapses After DEECA Refusal, Raising Questions Over Costs and Decision-Making
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 named Victoria’s Tidy City as council picks up series of awards
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.
