Victorian Parliament invited to unlock the Peninsula’s potential

Published on 01 August 2023

Mornington Peninsula will be the focus of political attention this week when Council hosts a showcase event at Parliament House.

The purpose of the event is to shine the spotlight on important community priorities and bust some of the myths about the Peninsula.

We have invited all Members of Parliament and their staff to attend a three-day exhibition outlining significant economic, social, environmental and cultural opportunities for the Peninsula and the broader Victorian community.

A range of projects will be featured in a series of display hubs, designed to attract attention and State Government investment. Projects include:

• the potential to unlock surplus Port of Hastings land to reinvigorate Western Port and encourage investment in housing and new economic development opportunities
• gaining access to high-quality recycled water to grow and secure the future of our food-producing sector
• a Performing Arts Centre in Hastings to service the Peninsula and the South-East Melbourne region.

These three projects together would unlock significant economic and wellbeing benefits for our community and Victoria for a relatively modest investment.

We also aim to bust some myths about the Peninsula being a playground for the wealthy by highlighting the significant levels of disadvantage, including unacceptably high rates of homelessness, the lack of crisis accommodation and limited public transport options to and from Melbourne and across the Peninsula.

Most people would be surprised to learn the Peninsula is the fourth worst municipality for rough sleeping in Victoria and we have five of the most disadvantaged communities in Australia.

Mornington Peninsula is a unique area with a mix of urban, rural and regional characteristics. This mix creates distinct and complex challenges. We want to highlight opportunities for government investment that would unlock significant economic and wellbeing benefits for our community and the state.

By going to Parliament House, we are taking our community’s message directly to the decision-makers and ensuring we are heard above 78 other councils across Victoria. Our residents have made it clear they want us to advocate strongly on their behalf to the state and federal governments for a better deal for the Peninsula.

More information on our advocacy.

Quotes attributable to Mayor, Cr Steve Holland:

These opportunities have enormous potential, so we’re taking our message directly to the decision-makers in the halls of Parliament House.

Over our three-day showcase we are hoping to talk to as many sitting members as possible about the benefits of the projects not only for our local community, but for all Victorians.

Food security for our state can be supported through our water recycling initiative and the whole of South-East Melbourne will benefit from a local performing arts centre

The Western Port side of the Mornington Peninsula needs additional land released to support a range of potential uses, including housing, agriculture, conservation, and innovative industrial precincts to support the renewable energy transition.

We also plan to bust some myths about the Peninsula while we’re there. We have 170,000 residents and our region is a microcosm of Victoria as a whole. There’s a saying that if the decision-makers won’t come to you, you go to the decision makers. We’re taking our community’s messages to Parliament House.

I encourage all our elected representatives to join us for what will be an insightful and entertaining showcase.