A safe and happy summer for all

Published on 16 December 2024

New Year’s Eve 

As we get closer to the end of the year, residents and visitors are looking forward to celebrating New Year’s Eve and spending summer here on the Mornington Peninsula. 
   
Like previous years, we are working with local Police to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable New Year’s Eve celebration. This includes the usual alcohol ban in public places on New Year’s Eve and the closure of Rye Pier foreshore carpark. 
 
At Victoria Police’s request, lighting towers will be installed at Rye Foreshore, The Cutting Portsea, Sorrento Front Beach and Rosebud Pier.  
 
The speed limit between Sorrento and Portsea will be reduced from 60kmh to 40kmh from 6pm New Years Eve until 6am on New Years Day.  

The Esplanade between Point Nepean Road and the Ferry Port Roundabout will be closed from 8pm New Years Eve and will reopen on the advice of Victoria Police when the crowds have dispersed after midnight. Residents and accommodation guests will still be permitted to access their properties as needed.  
 
Our beach clean teams will do an early morning clean on 1 January along Portsea, Sorrento and Rye. 
 
With extra noise and activity as the new year ticks over, sometimes pets can get scared and run away. We have rostered on extra rangers to help distressed pets and families on New Year’s Eve. If your pet gets lost, please call 1300 850 600. 

Fireworks can only be conducted by a licenced pyrotechnician. Illegal and antisocial behaviour should be reported to the police. In an emergency, call 000. 

Staying safe all summer long 

Mornington Peninsula gets busy this time of year. Please keep an eye out for children while driving on our busy roads and hold hands while crossing the roads. Never leave children and pets in cars! 

Not all our beaches are patrolled. Always take care around water. 

Prepare for hot days and heat waves. Go to mornpen.vic.gov.au/heatwave to learn how to stay safe and look after others in the heat.  

To stay in the know about weather events and emergencies, we recommend you download the Vic Emergency app to your smart phone or device. 

Weekly recycling collection and Christmas tree disposal 

Weekly recycling collection returns Monday 23 December, and runs until 31 January. Remember to keep your recycling loose – no bags please! Rinse out food containers before you pop them in the recycling bin! Most Christmas wrapping can’t be recycled, so put wrapping paper in your general waste bin.  

Real Christmas trees can be disposed of for a low fee of $8 at Mornington, Rye and Tyabb recovery centres as well as Flinders hopper from 2-31 January.