Community Report July to September 2025
Mayor's Message
Welcome to our first quarterly Community Report for the 2025-26 financial year. These reports provide a snapshot of the projects and services we’ve delivered over the past quarter, measured against the priorities in our Council Plan. We now have a new Council Plan, built around the themes of Place, People, Prosperity and Performance. You will see these new themes reflected in the structure of this report.
With a high reliance on cars to get around the Peninsula, feedback about our roads features strongly in our customer surveys. I’m pleased to report this quarter we have begun an ambitious, $7.5 million resealing and rehabilitation program covering 35 Shire-managed local roads. This includes more patching to ensure that what’s under the surface is in good condition too.
Road safety has also been a major theme this quarter, with traffic management and safety improvements installed at both Somerville and Rye.
Still on the subject of roads, Council will lobby hard for increased investment in local state-owned roads ahead of next year’s Victorian state election. Among the other priorities we will campaign for are an upgrade to Rosebud Hospital, solutions for our housing and homelessness crisis and better support to look after our coasts.
In August, CEO Mark Stoermer announced a major organisational restructure in response to a Council-mandated $10 million reduction in staff costs and service efficiencies. I’d like to thank Mark for leading a thorough review process throughout this quarter. The new organisation structure is now in place and will position the organisation to improve the way we serve our community, while remaining financially sustainable into the future.
I’d like to finish by flagging an upcoming change to our youth services. In September, Council opted to partner with a range of external providers to deliver a more diverse and better targeted mix of youth services. The Shire will retain strong leadership in this space, ensuring young people have ongoing involvement in the planning, design and evaluation of the services provided to them.
Under the new model, our three youth hubs at Rosebud, Mornington and Hastings will become busier than ever, offering a base for existing providers and other services not currently available on the Mornington Peninsula. I look forward to the new service model being in place from Term 2 next year.
Anthony Marsh
Mayor, Mornington Peninsula Shire
Documents
Download: Community Report - July to September 2025(PDF, 4MB)
Download: Quarterly Finance Report - July to September 2025(PDF, 654KB)
Download: Quarterly Finance Report - 2025-2026 Q1(XLSX, 333KB)
Our Engagement
Fast Facts – How You Engaged With Us
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26,910 Calls taken, 50% resolved at first contact
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4,150 customers attended one of our service centres
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1,861 correspondence received, 100% responded to within 10 business days
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26,204 service requests received (includes Snap Send Solve requests), 81% of enquiries resolved on time
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4,150 webchats
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1.24M web pages viewed
Major Engagements – Have your say
Positive Aging Communication
The Positive Aging Communication consultation sought feedback to improve connection with older residents in the Mornington Peninsula. The project was a response to feedback from older community members and the Peninsula Advisory Committee for Elders who noted that some residents were unaware of the Shire’s events, programs and services. The aim was to make information easier to understand, and more accessible, delivered in formats that suit different preferences. As part of this work, the Shire is also reviewing current communication methods, including print newsletters, digital platforms, and community outreach to ensure they remain effective and offer good value for money.
Road Management Plan
The Shire manages over 1,700 kilometres of local roads and recently invited the community to help shape its approach to road management through feedback on the draft Road Management Plan. The plan outlines how Council maintains and inspects local roads, footpaths and related infrastructure, sets minimum service standards and maintenance to keep roads safe and reliable for all users. Community feedback was sought on key priorities and improvements to ensure maintenance activities reflects local needs. Following this consultation, the Road Management Plan was formally adopted by Council on 14 October 2025.
David MacFarlan Playground 2
Earlier this year, community feedback helped shaped the concept design for the David MacFarlan Playground. This second round of consultation aimed to ensure the concept plan reflects community priorities. Residents asked for slides and balancing features, and accessibility features to be included. Safety and visibility concerns were addressed with protective screening within a layout that maintains clear sightlines. Approval and community support will enable the next phase where the Shire will proceed to detailed planning to make the project ‘shovel ready’ and apply for funding through the Council’s Capital Works Program and/or external grants.
Council Plan Update
Capital Works Projects
Quarterly Finance Report
The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s financial position continues to remain sound during our 1 st quarterly financial report, covering 1 July – 30 September 2025. Within the quarter, our draft long-term financial plan was open to community feedback. The long-term financial plan plays an important part in shaping our future, in delivering our community vision and protecting our ratepayers and services. A key outcome is that Mornington Peninsula Shire remains financially sustainable whilst delivering essential services and the construction and maintenance of our community infrastructure and assets. We thank
the community for their feedback and are awaiting council adoption of the long-term financial plan on 30 of October 2025. Our external annual audit and 2024-2025 accounts has been completed and pending council approval, will be available on our website shortly.
Key highlights
- Operating Income: $253.8M year-to-date, we are aligned with the Approved Forecast and 3% higher than the same period last year. Rates and charges contributed 93.1% of total income.
- Net Operating Income: Currently at $184.4M, aligned with approved forecast.
- Capital Works Spend: At $12.1M year-to-date, this is $0.9M higher than the Approved Forecast. To date, we spent 20.2% of capital works against our FY26 planned expenditure budget of $60M.
- Loan repayments: $0.6M, reducing the principal balance to $29.7M as scheduled.
- Cash and Financial Assets: Our cash and financial assets as of 30 September 2025 stand at $128.8M. This amount is driven by prior year capital works carry forwards and collection of the first rate instalment. There is $40.6M invested in term deposits, $77.6M held in at call accounts, and $10.4M held in Trust. The
Shire reviews its treasury position monthly to optimize interest on cash assets.
In summary, we are tracking on-par to Approved Forecast. We are committed to sustaining our strong financial performance, ensuring solid reserves and cash flows. Our focus continues to be on delivering optimal financial outcomes for our community. Thank you for your continued support and trust in our endeavours.
Finance Highlights
Measured Financial Performance compared to Approved Forecast
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Our Net Operating position of $184.4M is in line with approved forecast $184.3M
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$0.6M in loan repayments year to date has reduced total borrowings to $29.7M
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Year to date spend on capital works is $12.1M, representing 20.2% of FY26 planned capital works expenditure
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Spend in Materials and Services – Contracts of $27.5M is less than forecast by $1M
The overall Financial Performance has continued to remain stable. The key indicators contributing to this assessment include:
- Net Operating position
- Materials and services spend is below forecast budget
- Spend on Capital Works Projects is in line with forecast budget
- Loan repayments reducing loan balance to $29.7M
- Liquidity Ratio 332% indicates Council’s controlled position to meet its short term liabilities
Project Performance
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202 funded capital works projects and programs
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39 funded operating projects
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20.2% Capital works expenditure against adopted budget
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5.1% Operating project expenditure against adopted budget
Key activities impacting the financial performance include:
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Capital Works Projects – FY26 Planned expenditure on Capital Works Projects is $60M – year to date spend represents 20.2%
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Total capital works program (including carry forwards) equates to $101M
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Operating Projects – FY26 Forecasted spend on Operating projects is $6.2M year to date spend is $0.3M, 5.1% of forecast spend
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Grants, Subsidies and Sponsorships &ndash Full year forecast is $4M with $1.3M paid YTD
