Shaped by you: Council adopts 2025–26 Budget

Published on 19 June 2025

Mornington Peninsula Shire has adopted its largest-ever Budget – a record $326.3 million shaped by more than 3,600 community voices in our most extensive budget engagement to date.

The 2025–26 Budget is a community-building blueprint that delivers on the priorities residents told us matter most: safer roads, better local facilities, the natural environment, coastal infrastructure, and strong local services.

With 3,676 submissions guiding our direction, this Budget puts the community first. It strengthens neighbourhoods, supports families, protects the environment, and creates vibrant, accessible places for everyone – now and into the future. It also includes $500,000 for community safety and crime prevention, helping people feel safer where they live and work.

Delivering on Community Priorities

Roads were the number one priority during budget consultation, and Council has responded with $13.1 million for road maintenance – a 72 per cent increase on last year. This investment will deliver safer, better-connected streets across the Peninsula.

Other key themes included protecting the Green Wedge, enhancing coastal infrastructure, improving environmental resilience, upgrading stormwater systems, and increasing support for families and young people. This Budget delivers across each of these areas.

$50.7 Million Capital Works Program

The 2025–26 Capital Works Program totals $50.7 million, combining Council funds, external grants, and community contributions. Major projects span sport and recreation, open space, transport, safety, and infrastructure renewal.

Key projects include:

$8.375M – Emil Madsen Reserve Pavilion (soccer/netball)
$2.45M – Peninsula Trail: Baxter to Somerville
$1.287M – Netball courts in Sorrento
$1M – Rye Skate Park renewal
$890K – Dromana Bowls Club subsidence rectification
$900K – Canadian Bay car park
$750K+ – Township footpath upgrades
$500K – Community Safety and Crime Prevention
$407K – Birdrock Beach Access restoration
$297K – Beleura Cliff Path drainage and access works
$300K – Foreshore Camping amenity upgrades
$30K – Safer Speed Limits
$26K – Wildlife Warning Digital Signs
$55K – Pedestrian safety at Flinders foreshore

Protecting What We Love

With more than $5 million invested in climate and environmental initiatives, this Budget reinforces Council’s leadership on sustainability, storm preparedness and coastal protection.
Environmental and coastal projects include:

$2.4M – Coastal infrastructure upgrades
$2.1M – Drainage and stormwater improvements
$350K – Foreshore fire and water resilience
$100K/year – Biolinks Support Grants (4-year program)
$50K/year – Biosphere Funding
$70K – Pelican Park energy efficiency improvements
Yawa Aquatic Centre – upgrades to enhance sustainability and public use

This Budget delivers for today – and lays the foundation for a more resilient, liveable Peninsula for generations to come.

Stronger Communities and Local Support

With more than $4 million in grants, sponsorships and subsidies, the Budget supports community connection, wellbeing, safety, and inclusion at the local level.
Programs include:

$1M – Local Area Community Capital Grants
$99K - Senior Citizens Subsidy
$30K - Transport Assist Subsidy
$71.5K - Local Essential Safety Services Subsidy (Legal Aid and Food Relief)
$115K - Community Led Safety Subsidies (Emergency Services, Lifeguards, Road Safety)
$565K – Cohesive Community Grants (Placemaking, Support, Events)
$150K – Commemorative Events including Australia Day, ANZAC Day and Survival Day
$1.09M - Community Houses and Community Support Centres

A Boost for Tourism: Visitor Economy Partnership

A standout feature of this year’s Budget is the launch of the Visitor Economy Partnership (VEP) – a $200,000 initiative co-funded with the State Government.
The VEP will:

Unlock access to major state and federal tourism funding
Support local events, businesses, and tourism growth
Promote the Peninsula’s identity and regional jobs
Build on early success, including the $2 million already secured for The Briars redevelopment

For more information and to view the full 2025–26 Budget, visit: mornpen.vic.gov.au/budget

Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Anthony Marsh:

“This is a community-building Budget that truly reflects what our community told us matters most – safer roads, support for families and young people, better local facilities, care for our natural environment, and strong, inclusive neighbourhoods.”

“The launch of our new Visitor Economy Partnership is especially exciting. It opens the door to new funding, regional jobs, and vibrant local events that showcase everything we love about the Peninsula.”

“Thank you to everyone who had their say. This is an exciting Budget – shaped by your voice and our highest-ever community engagement – and it delivers real, meaningful outcomes across the Peninsula.”

“I also want to thank my fellow councillors and our dedicated Council staff for their tireless work in shaping a Budget that delivers for our community".