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Published on 16 July 2026
The Shire is seeking community feedback on its draft submission to the Commonwealth Government on the preferred future use of HMAS Cerberus land in Crib Point, which the Commonwealth Government is proposing to partially divest. Council resolved at last week's meeting to seek community input over a 6-week period from 14 July to 25 August. After considering feedback received, Council will endorse a final version of the submission later this year to send to the Commonwealth Government. The Shire’s draft submission advocates for the land to be used primarily for conservation purposes with limited supporting recreation and tourism uses that protect and enhance ecological values. It recognises some already cleared land and foreshore areas could accommodate sensitively integrated recreation, ecotourism or aquaculture in support of the Peninsula’s tourism economy. This position is consistent with Council’s well-established planning policies, recognising that the site is located outside the Urban Growth Boundary, and forms part of the internationally significant Western Port Ramsar site - comprising large areas of remnant native bushland and is subject to bushfire, flooding and erosion hazards. In addition, the Shire’s draft submission calls for at least five per cent of the divestment proceeds to be used to deliver more social housing stock, within the Urban Growth Boundary, to help address the critical shortage of housing for our most vulnerable residents. The Australian Department of Finance is leading the divestment process and is seeking community feedback on preferred future land uses. No timeframe has yet been set to provide feedback. About 1,164 hectares of the site is proposed to be sold, including the existing golf course and surrounding vacant land. The main base will be retained for Defence purposes, including Defence Housing Australia homes, service residences, childcare centre, military cemetery, training range and facilities, and access roads. Mayor Stephen Batty said the community’s input into the future of the HMAS Cerberus land marked for sale or transfer was important. “The draft submission recognises the highly significant ecological values of this major parcel of land and advocates for the land to be primarily reserved for conservation with limited and sensitively incorporated recreation, tourism and aquaculture uses,” Cr Batty said. “It advocates that five per cent of the divestment proceeds be used to deliver increased social housing stock in appropriate locations within Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Urban Growth Boundary. "This divestment process is not being run by the Shire, so we strongly encourage our community to have a say on our submission and to also share their views directly with the Commonwealth Government.” Feedback on the Shire’s draft submission can be provided by filling out our online survey at: Council's Submission (draft)- HMAS Cerberus Partial Divestment | Shape Our Future Feedback about the proposed divestment can be provided directly to the Commonwealth Government:
All other information about the HMAS Cerberus divestment can be found online at: www.defence.gov.au/about/locations-property/delivering-future-estate/hmas-cerberus.