Mornington Peninsula councillors redirect cash for climate action into Australia Day, Anzac Day events
Climate action grants have been cut in favour of community services and a new fund for Australia Day and Anzac Day on the Mornington Peninsula.
South East
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Handouts for climate action and the performing arts have been scrapped on the Mornington Peninsula as the local council moves to pump funds into Australia Day and Anzac Day events, community services and infrastructure.
Mornington Peninsula councillors also voted to slash $101m proposed employee costs by $5m and finding $5m in “service planning efficiencies” when they considered part of the draft budget on Tuesday night.
The changes to the council’s draft budget, proposed by deputy mayor Paul Pingiaro, ditched $160,000 in climate grants previously used to pay for appliances for residents and schools.
Funding to volunteer group Repower, which helps locals switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy, was also removed from the draft budget.
Also cut was $350,000 from the performing arts, ending grants for individual creative pursuits such as bankrolling albums for local musos.
Despite the cuts, the council still allocated close to $3.3m to its community investment funding program including a new, $150,000 commemorative events subsidy to support Australia Day, Anzac Day and Survival Day.
Mr Pingiaro said the changes would deliver funding where it was most needed and produce results ratepayers “can see, touch and be proud of”.
He said the performing arts grants being cut related to funds to individuals including at least $53,000 to four musicians to record albums.
However, creatives would still be supported through funding to festivals and events.
Up to $250,000 would be invested in local area community capital infrastructure grants, $100,000 would be allocated to biolink support grants and a further $50,000 set aside for the biosphere.
Road safety, emergency services and lifeguards would be boosted by $115,000 in community led safety subsidies and tourism centres across the region would share in $80,000.
Mayor Anthony Marsh said the climate actions grants were being given to schools for projects including education at one and building a petition at another.
Heritage grants were also removed after it was revealed they were being used for work on private residences.
“We’ve got shire owned (heritage) buildings falling apart, that we’re not funding, yet we’re giving ($5000) to an individual in Portsea to paint a concrete block $5,000 to and funds to an individual in Merricks North to repair broken arches,” Mr Marsh said.
The change in direction for the budget followed last month’s decision to ditch the council’s climate emergency declaration after spending $11.7m on climate related initiatives in three years, including $4.15m on wages.
Mr Marsh said the decision would help the council deliver results residents could see and benefit from.
“This is not about stepping away from climate responsibility. It is about stepping forward with a clearer focus,” he said.
“This decision strengthens our approach by ensuring all future proposals are transparent, well-considered and deliver clear public value.”
In future all climate-related proposals would be subject to individual council reports or itemised budget bids, with “clear measures of effectiveness”.