Advocacy

The Nepean by-election is coming up. Get involved. Let candidates know what's important to you.

Our Shire delivers more than 100 community services, but when it comes to tackling bigger issues and projects, we need the support of Victorian and Commonwealth governments. Now is the time to get support for projects in the Nepean electorate.

The Shire's advocacy priorities for Nepean include a variety of asks, which will deliver significant benefits for the Mornington Peninsula.

Economic context

Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is home to more than 171,000 people across an area of 723 sq km. Our municipality is a unique environment made up of 70 per cent Green Wedge and has 10 per cent of Victoria’s coastline (192kms). Our municipality supports over 62,000 jobs, with an annual economic output of over $23 billion. Our Gross Regional Product is close to $8.7 billion – led by construction, retail, education and training.

Located just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne, we have a state-significant tourism industry, attracting 8 million visitors a year. The region has a distinguished agricultural history with many food and wine producers recognised as industry leaders on the world stage.

The Peninsula, often perceived as a millionaire’s playground, has a higher proportion of people on low incomes than greater Melbourne. We have some of the most disadvantaged communities in Australia. Yet, there is so much opportunity for our region to thrive and become a significant contributor to the broader Victorian and national economy.

Advocacy highlights

Nepean by-election 2026

Ahead of the Nepean by-election on 2 May 2026, we have written to candidates and will be highlighting Shire advocacy priorities and projects that require funding or policy changes.

Dear Premier

For too long, the Mornington Peninsula Shire has been overlooked and underfunded by the state government.

Continuing to push our agenda

Our CEO and Mayor met with Federal and Shadow Ministers to advocate for the region, highlighting ongoing challenges and opportunities for investment locally.

Advocating for housing and homelessness

In December 2024,the Shire supported the Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN) to host a meeting with Harriet Shing, Victorian Minister for Housing, to progress our advocacy for homelessness, family violence and the urgent need for crisis accommodation on the Mornington Peninsula.

Shire takes advocacy to Canberra

In mid-2024, Council on behalf of the Peninsula community attended meetings with federal decision-makers in Canberra, bringing attention to our most important advocacy priorities.

Visiting parliament house

We took some of our key projects to our state parliamentarians in 2023. We raised awareness with Victorian Ministers and their staff of the disadvantages out community faces and some of the issues we'd like addressed.

Our advocacy focus areas 2025-26

Road Maintenance

Our community continues to raise the declining condition of roads on the Mornington Peninsula as their number one concern. The most problematic roads, highlighted by our community, include many main arterial roads managed by the Victorian Government.

Port of Hastings surplus land

We need clarity on the timing of a Victorian government decision regarding the boundaries of the Port of Hastings and release of surplus land. This would enable planning for industry, housing and conservation.

Homelessness

Our municipality receives little funding for homelessness services, despite having the highest number of people sleeping rough in Victoria – greater even than Melbourne City Council.

Housing

Just 3.5 per cent of local rental properties and only 2.4 per cent of houses sold are affordable to low-income households. More than a third of private rental households are suffering housing stress. Our health, tourism and hospitality sectors are struggling to attract workers, due to a lack of affordable housing.

Save Rosebud Hospital

We are seeking $400 million investment in Rosebud Hospital to keep it open. Frankston is too far. Our community needs to be able to access an up-to-date hospital with modern facilities.

Coastal Management

The Mornington Peninsula Shire has 192km of coastline, of which Council manages 64km. We are experiencing climate impacts, including erosion and sea level rise and need adequate government funding to better manage our coastlines and build resilience.

Green Wedge Management and Protection

The Mornington Peninsula’s natural environment is fundamental to our identity and economy. Our Green Wedge includes world-class highly productive agricultural areas. An integral part of Melbourne’s food bowl, the Green Wedge produces large volumes of high-quality fruit and vegetables year-round.

Jet ski safety

Council calls on the Victorian government to introduce stronger measures to address community concerns regarding personal watercraft (PWC) and threats posed to the safety of our residents, visitors and marine life.

Public Transport

An incredible 82 percent of the Peninsula is not serviced by adequate public transport. There is strong community support for electrification of the rail line from Frankston to Stony Point. Our bus services need to be reviewed and to better connect people to activity centres.

Download: Community Advocacy Information Brochure(PDF, 1MB)
Download: Advocacy Strategy(PDF, 2MB)

Ongoing projects

We will pursue our priorities with Members of Parliament, Ministers, council alliances such as the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA) and other representatives of the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments.

Please help our campaign by contacting your local political candidates to express your support for any or all of the projects below.