Performance Measures
check_circle 50 preventative health and wellbeing initiatives delivered
cancel 2 Equity impact assessments undertaken on Shire projects and/or services (Quarterly target – 4)
check_circle 1,602 new youth participated in Shire provided programs
do_not_disturb_on 3,104 new compliance investigations received
1,897 compliance investigations closed
Annual Actions
2.1.1.1 Deliver the Public Health and Wellbeing Plan
On Track
Significant progress has been made in promoting safety, inclusion and wellbeing through the implementation of the Public Health and Wellbeing Plan across the Mornington Peninsula. Between 25 November and the 10 December, we successfully delivered the 16 Days of Activism campaign, with six impactful events held across the Shire. Highlights included a community march at Hastings Foreshore, a Youth Theatre Project, and respectful relationships sessions for men and secondary school boys, reinforcing the Shire’s commitment to preventing gender-based violence.
Capacity-building initiatives were also prioritised. Elder Abuse training was delivered to 25 frontline staff on 4 December, enhancing skills to recognise and respond to abuse. Additionally, Ageism training was provided to staff working directly with older residents, supporting inclusive service delivery.
Community engagement remained strong through intergenerational programs and community-led events, such as the Blue Christmas event for families impacted by suicide and our ongoing All Abilities golf days. The Shire also advanced diversity and inclusion by partnering with First Nations, multicultural, disability and LGBTQIA+ communities to deliver programs and advocacy initiatives.
Other notable achievements include:
- Maternal and Child Health outreach, delivering 54 Key Ages and Stages consultations to improve early childhood health access.
- Breastfeeding support, with 85 lactation consultations provided.
- Progress on Make a Move Your Way campaign, promoting active living with over 46,700 online impressions.
- Implementation of smoke-free signage, with 128 signs installed at beaches and 40 at sporting reserves.
2.1.2.1 Deliver the We All Belong Strategy
On Track
The Shire continued delivery of inclusive programs and initiatives to support priority populations and key life stages across the Mornington Peninsula. Highlights delivered include:
- Engaging young people, older people and diverse communities through inclusive arts, culture, recreation and community programs.
- Supporting community connection through youth activities, intergenerational programs, neighbourhood houses and All Abilities Golf.
- Strengthening multicultural engagement through the Multicultural Community Network and planning for the Multicultural Storytelling Project and Harmony Week.
- Increasing visibility and support for LGBTIQA+ communities through regional collaboration, Pride flag displays and inclusion training.
- Improving recreation access through ongoing beach matting, all abilities equipment and accessible recreation initiatives such as the Hansa C Crane Hoist at Hastings Floating Pontoon.
- Progressing the Accessible Events Guide to embed inclusive practice across Council activities.
- Introducing Easy English versions of the Council plan and Public Health and Wellbeing Plan.
- Supporting children and families through maternal and child health services, supported playgroups and grandparent groups.
- Engaging young people through youth hubs, leadership programs and creative initiatives.
- Supporting older people through the Seniors Festival, age-friendly programs and Ageism Awareness training.
2.1.2.2 Deliver the Gender quality Strategy
On Track
Implementation of the Year 6 Action Plan from our Gender Equality Strategy began with the organisation of community events for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
We submitted our Gender Equality Workforce Audit submission on 1 December 2025 and completed an Equity Impact Assessment for the Dromana Shared Path Project. We also started planning for International Women's Day and conducted an Equity Impact Assessment on the Arts, Culture and Events Plan.
Other activities include a local walk against violence in Hastings, supporting a Youth Theatre Project, holding an Author Talk at Mornington Library and training front-line staff to recognise elder abuse.
2.1.3.1 Implement the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
On Track
Highlights delivered in support of the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan include:
- Delivering the Junior Ranger program in collaboration with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation. This program has now completed its first year of supporting over 90 First Nations primary and secondary students. An additional two years of funding to continue engaging with First Nations youth on the Peninsula was successfully secured.
- Coordinating the successful recruitment of a First Nations Trainee within the Shire’s Traineeship Program.
- Collaborating with Willum Warrain and First Nations ally groups, Walking Together and Southern Peninsula Allies for First Nations Justice to deliver 3 First Nations Seniors Festival events during October. All three events were attended with over 60 First Nations people and allies alike.
- The Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery's exhibition ‘Unfolding: First Nations works on paper’ is a result of the cultural and curatorial guidance of First Nations artist-curator Jenna Mayilema Lee. Jenna reviewed the collection and guided the Gallery in selecting the appropriate works and themes to meaningfully express the artist's story through art. The Gallery also commissioned 16 other First Nations artists to write about each other's work, create in-exhibition engagement touchpoints, deliver floor talks, in-conversations and engage with the gallery to create a purposeful, meaningful and engaging outcome for the whole community.
2.1.4.1 Develop the Local Water Safety Plan
Monitor
The draft Local Water Safety Plan was completed and went live on our SHAPE page for community consultation and feedback on December 8, 2025. The consultation period will close on January 30, 2026.
Signage was installed at Mills Beach, Gunnamatta and 16th Beach as part of the research project. A real estate board-sized water safety message was also installed on Peninsula Link (southbound), with further signage being arranged.
2.1.5.1 Implement the Triple A Housing Plan
On Track
The Mornington Peninsula has the highest proportion of people experiencing sleeping rough under the Functional Zero program, including those in Melbourne's CBD. We remain committed to advocating for and providing homelessness services in the Shire.
We are partnering with WPI and YWCA to develop women’s housing on four parcels of land in Hastings and Mornington. Both projects have been successfully funded through State Government funding, with construction in Hastings to start in 2026.
A working group has commenced to oversee the Rosebud Women's Housing project. Housing Choices Australia and Good Shepherd will partner with the Shire to apply for Federal Government funding to progress this project in early 2026.
The Triple A Housing Advisory Committee meet quarterly and provides advice to the Shire on current issues, local challenges and potential opportunities. Priorities for the upcoming year have been identified with the committee to continue working on these in 2026, in accordance with the Triple A Housing Plan.
2.1.6.1 Develop the Community Disaster Resilience Plan
Completed
Council adopted the Community Disaster Resilience Plan and Year 1 Action Plan at the 2 December 2025 Council meeting.
2.1.6.2 Emergency Relief Hub Energy Resilience Upgrade
Monitor
The project to upgrade the Emergency Relief Energy Hub is nearly back on track, with the working group established and meeting in December. The Terms of Reference have been adopted, the suitability criteria have been distributed for feedback and meetings have been scheduled throughout June 2026.