HASTINGS — The liquidation and closure of the Hastings Club has reignited concerns about long-standing underinvestment on the Western Port side of the Mornington Peninsula.
In an interview with RPP FM, Hastings Club board member Kevin Miles criticised the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, stating that insufficient support contributed to the club’s closure.
“Our junior football club has containers that they play in, train in. Our women’s netballers have no proper change rooms – they just have a container as well. Before they actually got that container, they had to get changed in public toilets,” Mr Miles told RPP FM.
“So there’s been no investment in infrastructure in Hastings for sport for, well probably since the Hastings Shire still existed, which is 30-odd years ago.”
The Hastings Club, a not-for-profit with a history spanning more than 60 years, closed its doors this week following a formal liquidation process.
Mr Miles said that a $200,000 cash injection would have kept the club operating and believes that assistance from council at that level was a reasonable expectation.
The dual coverage from STPL News and RPP FM has drawn attention to broader concerns about unequal distribution of infrastructure and services across the shire, with Western Port communities claiming they miss out compared to southern and bayside towns.
As of the time of reporting, the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has made no comment or statement.
2 Responses
Due to the neglect by mornington peninsula shire I think that it would be a good idea to petition the state government to reboot the shire of Hastings at least things might ger done.
2017 renovation of Hastings seniors hub debacle. Also not available for use for several years as it has building issues. Another area of our community neglected.
Across the board neglect and general apathy to our Community by Shire and State government bodies .