Councillors Elect Stephen Batty As Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor
Cr Stephen Batty has been elected Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor after councillors broke a two-week deadlock following repeated tied votes.
Tag Paul Pingiaro
Mornington Peninsula Mayor Vote Returns Tonight After 5-5 Stalemate
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors return tonight to try again to elect a mayor after the previous vote split 5-5, leaving Cr Paul Pingiaro as Acting Mayor.
Mayor Vote Ends In Stalemate As Mornington Peninsula Shire Splits 5-5
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has failed to elect a new mayor after councillors split 5-5 in two consecutive votes, leaving Cr Paul Pingiaro as Acting Mayor until councillors try again on 16 June.
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.
Bloc Votes Down Bid to Tighten Council Campaign Donations
Deputy Mayor Paul Pingiaro appeared uncomfortable as he opposed Cr David Gill’s donation transparency motion, saying it “doesn’t really seem fair” and could have “real unintended consequences”.
‘Balancing the Budget Is Not the Goal’ — Mayor Softens Fiscal Rhetoric as Council Approves 10-Year Plans
Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Anthony Marsh says balancing the budget is not the goal, signalling a shift from the fiscal crisis narrative as Council adopts its 10-year Financial and Asset Plans.
Gill Claps Back at Mayor’s “Keyboard Warrior” Post, Labelling it a “Fabrication” as Council Moves to Save Wallabies
Councillor David Gill has clapped back at Mayor Anthony Marsh’s “keyboard warrior” Facebook post, labelling it a “fabrication” during fiery debate over The Briars wallaby crisis. Although the vote to protect the animals was unanimous, the urgent meeting exposed sharp divisions — and revealed ulterior intentions from the Mayor and the notorious bloc of six.
Holding Marsh to His Own Standard: Does His Record Stack Up?
Mornington Peninsula Mayor Anthony Marsh has been the Shire’s most expensive and least performing councillor during the 2020–2024 term. With high allowances, costly trips and few resident requests lodged, his record raises questions of value for ratepayers — especially in light of his criticism of Frankston’s mayor and claims about spending not passing the pub test.
Community Win: Capel Sound Saves Its Parkland
Capel Sound has secured a major victory, with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council voting unanimously to keep 11a Allambi Avenue as public parkland in the draft Open Space Strategy.
Paul Pingiaro Backs Amended Budget Amid Community Backlash
Deputy Mayor Paul Pingiaro voted for the 2025–26 budget as amended, acknowledging room for improvement amid backlash over arts and environment cuts.
Arts Community Mobilises Ahead of Council Funding Decision
Arts organisations across the Mornington Peninsula are preparing a coordinated response to proposed council funding changes, fearing the move could jeopardise the viability of the region’s creative sector.
Tensions Flare at Mornington Shire Council Meeting as Divisions Deepen
A fiery Mornington Peninsula Shire Council meeting exposed deep divisions between councillors, raising concerns over ethics, representation, and governance across the peninsula.
RPP FM Interview: Deputy Mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro
Deputy Mayor Paul Pingiaro speaks with RPP FM about his motion to end the Mornington Peninsula Shire's Emergency Climate Plan, calling it a move towards fiscal responsibility—not climate denial.
Council Votes to Overhaul Climate Emergency Plan Amid Heated Debate
Last night, Mornington Peninsula Shire voted to disassemble its climate emergency plan, prompting public debate and mixed community reactions. Deputy Mayor Paul Pingiaro defended the motion as fiscally responsible, not climate denial.
Council’s 3% Rate Hike Misses the Mark with Residents
Mornington Shire's 3% rate increase has faced backlash from residents, particularly in lower-income areas like Hastings, who argue the burden of recovery from the McCrae landslide unfairly falls on them. Deputy Mayor Pingiaro cited financial pressures and a lack of state support, but many feel betrayed after promises of a rate freeze during the election.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council Votes for Maximum 3% Rate Rise
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has voted to apply the full 3% rate cap for 2025–26, despite several councillors having campaigned for a rate freeze just five months ago.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Adjusts Budget Amid McCrae Landslip Costs
The Mornington Peninsula Shire has restructured its budget to absorb the costs of the McCrae landslip, allocating $1.2 million for emergency management and removing the last COVID-19 business assistance package.
Council Stands Firm Amid Criticism Over Beach Cleaning Decision
Former Mornington Peninsula Citizen of the Year Josie Jones criticizes council's handling of beach cleaning trials, raising concerns about governance, evidence-based decision-making, and vested interests.
New Mayors and Deputy Mayors Elected in Mornington Peninsula and Frankston
New Mayors and Deputy Mayors Elected in Mornington Peninsula and Frankston
