Drafts of the 2025 Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Council  Plan and Health & Wellbeing Plan are open for public review until next Wednesday 2 July.

We urge you to have your say on the Council website here: Our Peninsula, Our Future | Shape Our Future

And please sign our Petition to reinstate Council’s 2019 Climate Emergency declaration and Plan  https://www.change.org/p/save-our-mp-climate-emergency-plan

Our trusted Councillors have urged us to use this public comments opportunity to bring the Council’s attention to the widespread anger and disapproval about recent controversial decisions, including the narrow vote to dump the Council’s 2020 Climate Emergency Response Plan 

Even if you do not have time to do an in-depth review, it is vital that you let them know that Climate Change is an issue you are concerned about and that you expect your Council to act on.

It’s our chance to let the Council know that Climate Change Preparedness and Resilience are vital to our Health and Wellbeing.

If we do not tell them, they assume we do not think it is important.

The more comments the Council receives— the greater consideration they must give the matter.

We urge you to have your say.
For details read Save Westernport’s latest Newsletter,

And view our new website here.

After the removal of the Climate Emergency Plan (CEP) there is now very little focus on Climate Change in their strategic plans, other than managing the effects and issues caused by a heating climate, as they arise. Clearly this is unacceptable, with climate change constituting a very real public health risk and the Council has a duty of care to protect residents from foreseeable dangers and threats.

Helpful information is also available in the latest Repower Newsletter which contains further details about the Council’s Plan and Public Health Plan, together with suggestions about how you can have your say.

It’s noted that the Council’s draft Plans, which are now open for public comment…

  • Do not include an assessment of expected climate impacts on the Peninsula
  • Make no attempt at, nor even mention emissions reduction
  • Included climate items do not refer to any overall climate change and emissions strategy
  • The strong theme is about responding to events when they happen, rather than on preparations to halt, or at least reduce the impacts from those events before they happen

Without a climate plan and overarching strategy all listed items are ad hoc and ineffective, without appropriate context or priority.

The direct health and wellbeing impacts of climate change are predicted to include deaths, injuries, and ill health due to increases in respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, mental illness, allergies, injuries, poisoning, dehydration and malnutrition.

In addition, climate change is expected to indirectly impact the social determinants of health, including socio-economic status, education, housing, transport, food security, and social connections. Resilience to climate change is interconnected with other social factors including income, housing security and through individual factors such as age, gender, disability, and cultural background.

There are numerous co-benefits to addressing the health and wellbeing impacts climate change such as improved mental health, reduced deaths from extreme heat, and reduced cardiovascular and respiratory disease.

Without a dedicated plan in place our Council has left the Shire vulnerable to the impacts of Climate Change, including recognised increases in coastal inundation and sea level rise.
In a Shire with over 200km of coastline, does this breach the Council’s Duty of Care?

Make sure you have your say here

Thankyou, from the Save Westernport Steering Committee.