The Mornington Peninsula is often spoken about as a unified region—but for many residents of the Western Port side, recent council decisions have sharpened the divide between the Shire’s inland communities and its more affluent coastal neighbours along Port Phillip Bay.
The contrasting treatment of the Hastings Club and Mount Martha Public Golf Course has reignited concerns that Western Port towns are being systematically overlooked in favour of the more privileged and tourism-focused Port Phillip side.
Hastings Club: A Community Asset, Now Closed
In late 2024, the Hastings Club was forced to shut down due to a water leak. Repair works, initially promised before Christmas, were delayed repeatedly—first to January, then March, and finally early April. With the club unable to generate income and no external funding made available, its members were left with no option but to vote for voluntary liquidation.
The club, originally built by local volunteers between 1967 and 1974 without a cent of government assistance, has stood for decades as a hub for sport and social life in Hastings. Members say just $200,000–$300,000 in funding could have saved the venue. Despite this, no financial lifeline was provided.
Adding to the frustration, the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council took over the building in 2017, estimated to be worth $5 million, without compensating the club or reinvesting in its maintenance.
Mount Martha Golf Course: Years of Loss, Ongoing Support
On the other side of the Peninsula, the Mount Martha Public Golf Course has been operating at a significant financial loss—over $1.4 million across five years, according to council reports. Despite this, the Shire has continued to support the facility, most recently initiating an expressions of interest process to explore future uses and partnerships that could revitalise the site.
No such efforts were extended to the Hastings Club, even though it served as a year-round base for football, netball, cricket and multiple community groups.
The Bigger Picture: Two Sides, Uneven Support
The differing outcomes for these two community facilities are emblematic of what many in the Western Port region describe as long-standing neglect:
- Hastings sporting clubs have been forced to rely on shipping containers as change rooms, while Port Phillip clubs access upgraded, purpose-built facilities.
- Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club, also on the Port Phillip side, secured $4.5 million in State and local funding within a month of requesting assistance—despite being in comparatively good condition.
- The Hastings Club, in contrast, received no help—even after decades of operating as a self-funded, community-built venue.
These examples have amplified local frustration and added weight to claims that Western Port is consistently under-prioritised when it comes to infrastructure investment, facility maintenance, and public services.
A Growing Divide
While the Mornington Peninsula Shire spans both sides of the bay, many Western Port residents say the benefits of council decision-making are not being felt equally. Hastings, Somerville, Bittern, Tyabb and Crib Point are among the towns often cited as being left behind in favour of Port Phillip’s higher-profile suburbs and tourism assets.
The closure of the Hastings Club has deepened this sentiment. It wasn’t just a building—it was a reflection of the communities hard work, and self-reliance. That it closed over an unresolved maintenance issue—despite its modest funding needs—has left many asking what more could have been done.
Where to From Here?
As the Shire considers to shift more of its operations into Hastings, there is hope that this may trigger a more balanced focus on infrastructure and community needs across the region. But for now, the disparity between how facilities are treated on either side of the Peninsula remains a point of contention.
The Hastings Club and Mount Martha Golf Course are just two case studies.
7 Responses
Great article – I live on the Mornington side of the Peninsula and had no idea Hastings area was treated this way – very interested in council response to this
Thanks John. The more I look into it, the clearer it is that the Western Port is clearly neglected. – JS
Please keep this reporting up. Sunlight is the best disinfectant to poor management by the MPSC.
The Senior Citizens Club the other example. The State Government needs to investigate the MPSC over:
1. The Hastings Club and decisions made on maintenance delays
2. The Senior Citizens Club Hastings. Decisions made, money wasted and what went wrong?
3. The funding mix between Western Port and Mornington side of the Peninsula 4. The MPSC resourse effort to maintenance projects to both regions and
5. Any conscious or unconscious bias towards both regions by Councillors and the MPSC.
I used to work at the golf course and as a maintenance contractor for Mpsc and my daughter worked at the Hastings club until it closed and I can attest from all sides that the process to get just basic maintenance is a nightmare and there is no rhyme or reason to how it gets approved and what happened to the Hastings club would never happen on the port Phillip side but partly because they yell and scream more and the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
So many people have worked selflessly to maintain the Hastings Club over decades. Ok, a lot of money and lives were wasted through poker machines. Football is celebrated in the High Street with the magnificent Coleman statue and should be honoured by restoring the club with its excellent bistro with more sporting facilities. If council amalgamates its offices at Hastings, the focus may be shifted evenly in the future. Meanwhile, the building urgently needs repairs – as does the Senior Citizens Centre, the Hastings Hall and someone pointed out recently, the Hastings Railway Station (not council’s problem of course). We also need a roundabout at the Graydens Rd railway intersection before anyone else is injured or killed. Could also mention potholes in unmade roads not far from the Club. Hastings is home to an important port and fishing centre. Residents pay rates as do those on the other side. Respect that please!
Yay!
Thank you for bringing this issue up.
I’ve lived in Hastings for over 10 years and the difference between the west and east of the peninsula is staggering and heartbreaking.
My son plays for Hastings Junior footy club and it’s just embarrasing to have shipping containers, mud and sludge when we have home games.
The Hastings Club always supported us, unlike the Mornington Peninsula Council.
Hastings and the Western port side of the council is always last on the list and has been for years dating back to when I worked at MPSC between 2007 – 2017. It’s ingrained in the council and culture.