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Wednesday 22 July 2026
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A SURVEY commissioned by advocacy group Greater South East Melbourne has shown that 67 per cent of respondents rank cost of living as their main concern and 45% of residents in southeast Melbourne have accessed some form of financial support in the past 12 months. Chair of GSEM, Simon McKeon (pictured on right) visited Southern Peninsula Community Support last week and met with Miranda Gillespie and Jeremey Maxwell who briefed McKeon on the scope of the problem and the work they are doing to assist struggling residents. See ‘Survey says two-thirds worried about cost of living’ - Page 6 Picture: Cameron McCullough
New bathing box policy placed on public exhibition Raia Flinos raia@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s Draft Bathing Box Policy has been placed on public exhibition for a period of six weeks. The policy outlines framework for managing bathing boxes on shire managed land and is set to replace the existing policy which was adopted in 2000.
At the 7 July council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to place the policy on public exhibition from 13 July to 25 August. Cr Kate Roper said the current lack of formal agreement creates a range of legal, operational and governance risks for council. “This draft bathing box policy is to replace the policy adopted in 2000, which is now outdated and not fit for purpose,” said Roper.
“It sets out clear responsibilities for owners, council, and state, so we look forward to community input on this draft policy on our well-loved bathing boxes.” The shire currently manages 819 of 1300 boatsheds and bathing boxes on the peninsula in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Energy, and Climate Action (DEECA). Peter Clarke, Mornington Peninsula Beach Box Association (MPBBA)
president, said the new policy is only a positive for bathing boxes in the area the shire manages. The policy will not apply to licensees of beach boxes in Dromana, Capel Sound, Point King, Tyrone, and Blairgowrie, as they are managed by other committees. Clarke said the MPBBA was consulted and provided feedback to the shire during the development of the new policy, however only some
of their advice was included in the current draft. “It’s a good basis on which to start the public consultation,” said Clarke. “We are requesting additional changes to council’s draft policy and proposed licence agreements as part of the consultation.” Clarke noted the shire’s 6.5 per cent transfer fee payable by the purchaser of the beach box. Continued Page 6