Mount Martha Village Parking and Footpath, Watson Road

Project typeOpen Spaces and Reserves
Project value$124,999 (Design)

The current scope of the project is for further investigation and design work around Watson Road, Mount Martha Village. The further investigation will also include review of the vegetation and cultural heritage values of the area to the north of the existing unsealed carpark. The Shire's concept designs show that expanding the unsealed carpark in this area would create a more desirable carpark layout that would increase the capacity and improve the efficiency of the carpark.

In addition, although Mornington Peninsula Shire is Committee of Management for the unsealed carpark, it is owned by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), so any changes to this carpark would require DELWP approval which will also be investigated during this stage of the project.

The potential scope of the project if it proceeds to construction (subject to the further investigation specified in this Project Proposal) would be:

Reconfigure the median traffic island on Watson Road to potentially create additional parking, better define turning movements, improve the streetscape/ create landscaping opportunities.

Install a short length of footpath on the north side of Watson Road for improved connectivity.
Improve the layout of the unsealed carpark at the corner of Watson Road and the Esplanade.
Install pedestrian crossings and raised platforms on Watson Road to improve walkability, pedestrian connectivity, and pedestrian safety.

The standard CHMP results meeting has been completed, and the project has now progressed to a complex assessment phase. The next results meeting is expected to take place in November 2025. The preliminary arborist report has been received, and the design process is continuing, informed by the findings and recommendations outlined in the report.

Project Update

Community consultation was held between August and October 2025 to give residents and visitors to the area the opportunity to review the plans and provide feedback. The feedback received was considered and the plans modified to incorporate feedback before they were presented to Council and adopted at the February 2026 Council Meeting. The main change was removal of the proposed parking from one of the centre islands so that the mature trees could be maintained.

Following this detailed designs have been completed. Link to plans below:

Mt Martha Watson Rd & Pedestrian Crossing - Detail Design.pdf(PDF, 15MB)

The project has been split into three stages for construction. The proposed stages are:

Stage 1 – Upgrade the unsealed carpark
Stage 2 – construction of the centre island works
Stage 3 – construction of the footpath

A budget bid was submitted for Stage 1 works for consideration in Shire’s 26/27 Budget however it was unsuccessful in obtaining funding. We will continue to seek funding for construction through future Shire’s budgets and external grants.

Updated: July 2026