Place – Strategic Direction 1

Performance Measures

check_circle 171 bushland working bees supported (Annual target – 500)

check_circle 860 trees planted (Annual target – 2,000)

check_circle 1,000km of beaches cleaned (Quarterly target – 1,000km)

check_circle 12,670 drainage pits inspected with 786 cleaned (Quarterly target – 6,000 inspections)

check_circle 8,125 tonnes of kerbside waste diverted from landfill (Target – increase)

Annual Actions

1.1.1.1 Deliver the Biodiversity Conservation Plan

  On Track

Biodiversity Month was celebrated throughout September. The latest actions implemented from the plan include:

• A communications campaign to raise awareness of and celebrate local biodiversity, and to promote the activities the Shire will be doing as part of biodiversity month.
• The Shire participated in Biodiversity Month Bioblitz, a competition between LGAs for recording species on the iNaturalist App. This year, the Shire took first place with over 6,000 observations, which included over 4,000 species observations from 363 participants.
• The Shire hosted eight biodiversity walk and talks in a selection of bushland reserves. The walks provided an opportunity for residents to hear more about biodiversity in their local areas. There were fifty-nine participants.
• The Shire hosted the Koala Forum to raise awareness for Koalas and Koala habitat protection. The Forum was an online event with guest speakers including ecologists, scientists and special interest groups, shire staff and councillors. There were fifty participants.

We started preparing for the annual Friends Group working bee program. The program will support working bees for 171 Friends Groups, which includes 644 volunteers.

We also started preparing and securing dates for the 2025-26 Nature Stewards program, which will be held over 10 weeks. This will be the fourth round of the popular course. The Shire’s Natural Systems team are working on the communication plan and finalising the course content.

1.1.1.2 Deliver the Biolinks Support Grants Program

  On Track

To ensure that applications are streamlined and formatted to capture data to meet the grant objectives, the Shire’s Natural Systems team and the Community Grants team started reviewing all supporting documentation.

Social media post advertisements encouraged eligible applicants to apply for projects that protect threatened species, link Biolinks in the landscape and focus on community engagement.

The Biolinks Support Grants (BSG) Program opened on 7 July and closed on 17 September 2025. A total of eighteen applications were received by the closing date, which is the largest number of applications submitted for BSG funding. Assessments are now underway.

1.1.1.3 Plan and deliver the first year of the Urban Forest Tree Planting program

  Monitor

The Shire is working through the recruitment process to engage an Urban Forest Arborist. Tree planting is planned for the autumn and winter of 2026 to ensure their successful establishment.

1.1.2.1 Develop Stages 5-7 (Part B)  of 'Our Coast Our Future' Coastal Strategy

  Off Track

Part B of ‘Our Coast Our Future' was introduced to Executive in July with Council briefed twice, which has delayed community consultation on this second stage. Due to the scheduling of the next available briefings, further Council Briefings on the Strategy and the outcomes from the community consultation are set for 21 October and 11 November.

1.1.3.1 Develop the Open Space Strategy

  On Track

The draft Open Space Strategy and draft Open Space Contributions Report were placed on public exhibition for six weeks from 25 August to 3 October 2025. Council will be briefed on 11 November on the feedback received prior to the reports being updated and the adoption of the Strategy in December 2025.

1.1.4.1 Advocate to State Government regarding reforms to Green Wedge Planning Policy

  On Track

At its meeting on 23 September 2025, Council approved Green Wedge protection as a Tier 2 advocacy priority for 2025-26. In July 2025, the State Government tabled its Response to the Inquiry Report on Securing the Victorian Food Supply, indicating that it supports 29 of the 33 Inquiry Committee's recommendations. Many of the recommendations align with the State Government's Planning for Melbourne's Green Wedges and Agricultural Land Action Plan (2024). We submitted to the Inquiry in April 2024.

The State Government also released the Ministerial Direction on the Preparation and Content of Green Wedge Management Plans. The Shire adopted our Green Wedge Management Plan in 2019.

1.1.5.1 Develop an updated Landslide Susceptibility Assessment

  Off Track

A specialist geotechnical engineering consultant has been engaged and is reviewing the 2012 landslide susceptibility work. The initial review should be completed by December 2025 and will inform an Interim Erosion Management Overlay (EMO). Additional work will be needed to inform a permanent EMO.

Recruitment for two specialist roles to oversee the development of landslide susceptibility has started. Council will be briefed on 14 October about the proposed approach to introducing the EMO controls, based on updated landslide susceptibility work.

1.1.5.2 Plan and deliver renewable energy and asset efficiency projects on Shire facilities

  On Track

Following Council’s resolution on 22 April 2025, the development of the Climate Resilient Plan Framework is underway and is scheduled to be presented to Council on 2 December 2025. Also in development is the draft Energy Resilience Strategy, which will be guided by the Climate Resilience Plan Framework.

The construction phase of the Major Roads Streetlight Upgrade Project has been successfully completed. Approximately 3,600 municipal streetlights were upgraded to energy-efficient LED's. The project is expected to generate annual cost savings of from approximately $525,000, resulting in a projected payback period of four years. Over a 20-year lifecycle, the initiative is anticipated to deliver cumulative net savings of approximately $9.9 million.

Other work includes:

• Procuring operational services for the Building Management System (BMS) for the Yawa Optimisation Project. This project aims to establish an energy performance baseline and investigate opportunities to enhance efficiency and extend asset lifespan.
• Awaiting the outcome of our submission to the Federal Government's Community Energy Upgrade Fund. If successful, the grant will subsidise the electrification of Pelican Park Aquatic Centre, which will deliver significant operational savings.
• Delivering efficiency upgrades to 20 amenity blocks as part of our Foreshore Camping Heat Pump Upgrade program. This has reduced operating costs and improved system reliability.
• Drafting the business case for Stage 1 of the Battery and Solar for Council Facilities Project to support a submission in the upcoming budget bid cycle.
• Constructing new facilities with solar PV, batteries and energy-efficient appliances and systems. This includes the Mornington Community Animal Shelter and Emil Madsen Eastern Pavilion, with other buildings in design stages.

1.1.6.1 Utilise flood mapping to mitigate and adapt to flood risk

  On Track

Draft reports and deliverables of the flood mapping have been provided to Melbourne Water (from consultant Water for Good) and external auditors for their final review. Melbourne Water has outlined the process for engaging with the community for model verification, which is expected to start in 2026.

1.1.7.1 Prepare for the rollout of the State's Recycling Victoria's mandated four-bin household waste and recycling system

  Off Track

Our Kerbside Transition Plan is being finalised in preparation for submission to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. We are still awaiting the release of the kerbside standards from the State Government. Which is delaying preparations.

1.1.7.2 Finalise the Rye landfill closure subject to the Environment Protection Authority's approvals and post-closure requirements

  On Track

The Environment Protection Authority has granted approval to extend the Rye Landfill, enabling an improved final design of the landfill cap. Planning for a new cap and the landfill’s closure in 2026 is currently underway.

Performance Measures

check_circle 75 days, on average, for planning applications (Target <90 days)
67% of planning applications decided within required timeframes

check_circle 161,247m² of roads resurfaced and/or rehabilitated (Annual target – 200,000m2)

Annual Actions

1.2.1.1 Finalise the residential height planning controls review

  On Track

Both the Background Report (Literature Review) and the Shire-wide Landscape Character Assessment Report have been completed in the last quarter.

Data from the Landscape Character Assessment will be integrated with the Victorian Government's Vic3D platform in the next quarter. Detailed site testing, modelling and analysis will then be undertaken to inform recommended changes to height controls.

1.2.1.2 Deliver planning scheme amendments across Mornington Peninsula in support of population growth and maintaining neighbourhood character

  On Track

We continue to liaise with the State Government to try and progress the assessment and approval of Amendment C219morn, noting that significant recent planning reforms (namely the new Single Dwelling Code and Townhouse and Low-Rise Code) will likely impact the amendment. Amendment C219morn (Housing on the Peninsula) was adopted by Council in August 2024 and submitted to the Minister for Planning for approval in September 2024.

We are also still awaiting approval from the Minister for Planning to publicly exhibit Amendment C302morn (Heritage Review Area 4 & Stage 5, including permanent Heritage Overlays and Sorrento Incorporated Document Review).

An independent Planning Panel report on Amendment C295morn (Creswell Street Crib Point Development Contributions Plan Review) was delivered to Council in late August 2025, with Council scheduled to consider the Panel’s report in December 2025.

Council adopted Amendment C286morn (Ocean Beach Road Sorrento Built Form Controls) on 23 September 2025.

Upcoming activity includes a public hearing in October from the Independent Planning Panel on Amendment C247morn (Woodbyne Crescent, Mornington North). The Panel will deliver their report to Council in November 2025.

1.2.2.1 Deliver the Community Facilities Infrastructure Strategy through development of Community Infrastructure Action Plans

  On Track

The local area action plans for Western Port are almost complete, with assessments of all 94 facilities conducted.

A Community Facilities Delivery and Management Model Framework, which will guide the recommendations, have been developed. We are currently undertaking engagement/consultation on recommendations. The draft Framework will be presented to Council in early 2026.

1.2.2.2 Review the Public Amenity Strategy

  On Track

The review of our Public Amenity Strategy is progressing with a significant amount of work completed, which includes audits of all facilities, the development of a prioritisation matrix and consideration of key data and information.

A draft Public Amenity Strategy, incorporating existing information and background research, is in development and will be presented to Council for approval to place on public exhibition in early 2026.

1.2.2.3 Develop the Property Strategy

  Monitor

A review of the previous draft Property Strategy has been completed to aid planning for the new started. The development of the Property Strategy has been rescheduled to commence in January 2026.

1.2.2.4 Develop the Long Term Capital Works Plan

  On Track

We started planning for and incorporating a 4-year and 10-year financial planning outlook for capital budget submissions, which will start in November 2025.

We also undertook priority Councillor sessions to outline the process and inputs as part of the Long Term Capital Works Program and facilitated recurring program sessions. This will help us understand the planning and necessary information required for a 10-year outlook.

1.2.3.1 Develop the Integrated Transport Strategy

  On Track

The draft Integrated Transport Strategy is progressing and nearing completion. A series of workshops with internal stakeholders was held with recommendations informing the draft. Council is expected to be briefed on the draft Strategy by December 2025.

1.2.3.2 Review the Towards Zero Road Safety Strategy

  On Track

The draft scope for the Strategy has been finalised with work due to commence in Q2. A workshop to discuss options to improve road safety on the Mornington Peninsula, as part of its review of the Towards Zero Road Safety Strategy and its associated action plans, is scheduled for 11 November 2025.

1.2.4.1 Deliver the annual Road Rehabilitation and Resurfacing Programs

  On Track

The Mornington Peninsula community can look forward to smoother, safer journeys, with the Shire’s annual Road Resurfacing and Rehabilitation Program (RRRP) now underway. As part of the scheduled program of works, these programs will be delivered throughout the 2025-26 year with some works, including Uralla Road, Mount Martha, already underway or completed. Upcoming works include:

• Wooralla Drive, Mount Eliza
• Canadian Bay Road, Mount Eliza
• Old White Hill Road, Dromana
• Point Leo Road, Point Leo
• Verdon Street, Dromana
• Heales Street, Dromana
• Coryule Street, Shoreham

1.2.4.2 Review the Road Management Plan

  On Track

The draft Amended Road Management Plan 2025 and the accompanying Road Management Plan Review Report were placed on public exhibition for six weeks, from 18 June to 30 July 2025, to invite community feedback.

Following the conclusion of the exhibition period, all public submissions were compiled and presented to Council on 9 September 2025. After reviewing the feedback, Council resolved to progress the amended plan to a future Council meeting for formal consideration and adoption.

The Road Management Plan is scheduled to be presented to Council on 14 October 2025 for adoption.

1.2.5.1 Deliver the Peninsula Trail Masterplan

  On Track

The Peninsula Trail project has made significant progress this quarter, particularly in the areas of branding, wayfinding, and design planning. A draft Branding Strategy has been developed in collaboration with local marketing agency Oraco, incorporating the MPS logo and aligning with the corporate Style Guide. Extensive engagement, including workshops with the Bunurong Land Council, Parks Victoria, community stakeholders, and internal experts, has informed the Strategy and identified five brand pillars: Country & Culture, Diversity & Discovery, Inclusivity & Connection, Healthy Living & Wellbeing, and Sustainability & Care. These pillars will guide functional wayfinding, interpretive storytelling, and engagement campaigns.

Draft concepts are being refined in time for the new visual identity to first appear on signage for the nearly completed Somerville to Baxter link.

Planning progress continues on the Mornington to Moorooduc (M2M) section, with JCA engaged to kick off concept design work. The biodiversity assessment for the trail is also underway.

Officers are advancing other key actions from the Implementation Framework in the Peninsula Trail Strategic Plan, focusing on priority missing links to ensure they are funding-ready for delivery.

Looking ahead to the 2025-26 financial year, priorities include finalising the Branding Strategy in time for the Somerville to Baxter completion, progressing M2M actions into detailed design, and beginning detailed design for the next highest priority links. Additional focus will be on completing an existing trail audit to inform prioritisation, continuing community engagement, and collaborating with the Advocacy team to support funding opportunities.