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Questions over shire’s ‘promised’ $50,000
PUBLIC hearings into Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s proposed 2020/21 budget has exposed a clash of expectations between the shire and a business lobby group.
Included in the Committee for Mornington Peninsula’s detailed submission was its gratitude for the shire’s “$50,000 commitment” towards a study into whether the shire should be seen as a region or remain in the Melbourne metropolitan area.
However, the money was not included in the draft budget and has left councillors wondering how the committee could have thought they were its “partners” in such an investigation.
Cr Steve Holland said he had “not been privy” to conversations that led to the committee believing the shire would pay $50,000 towards the study. “I believe they were with the CEO [John Baker.”
Business group wants more spending to cope with growth
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is not allocating enough resources to cope with demand for services from population growth, according to the lobby group Committee for Mornington Peninsula.
The group’s assessment of the council’s proposed 2021-22 budget acknowledges that the shire’s our community, our connectivity, our prosperity and our wellbeing strategy is “synergetic with [our] strategic objectives in addressing disadvantage, improving accessibility, land for livelihoods and lifelong learning”.
The committee welcomed the council’s $10 million COVID-19 recovery package, particularly $2.2 million to fast track capital works for infrastructure and community connections; $2 million for business support, community recovery, events, youth and social services, and $125,000 to expedite rezoning for a Mornington Peninsula Technology Park.
Changes at the top for lobby group
A WOMAN with a “wealth of experience in trade, investment, tourism and systems of government, and an authentic passion for the Mornington Peninsula as a local resident” has replaced former federal Liberal cabinet minister Bruce Billson on the Committee for Mornington Peninsula.
Zoe McKenzie, who joins the management committee, is principal of Trade and Investment Advisory, a company which advises clients on market expansion into Australia or on current or future free trade agreements.
The Committee for Mornington Peninsula describes itself as an “independent, member-based organisation committed to leading and influencing long-term outcomes and contributing to our strategic objectives for the broader Mornington Peninsula”.
Council candidate wins seat on second count
SUSAN Bissinger is the replacement councillor for Hugh Fraser in Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Nepean Ward.
Ms Bissinger’s appointment follows Tuesday’s (13 April) recount of votes cast in the November 2020 election.
Ms Bissinger, pictured, told
The News that she was “looking forward to getting things done, or at least having a go at getting them done”.
After being sworn in at this Tuesday’s (20 April) council meeting and with several meetings to go before council is scheduled to adopt the 2021/22 budget Ms Bissinger will have several opportunities to make known her preferences on council spending.