Mornington Peninsula Shire to consider $120k idea to swap welcome emails for welcome packs
Locals have had their say on a plan to lavish Mornington Peninsula newcomers with welcome packs. And some are calling for a surprising inclusion.
South East
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A bag of gravel is the top item locals want included in a welcome pack for Mornington Peninsula newcomers.
The council will on Tuesday consider spending $120,000 on sending welcome packs to the 500 residents moving to the local government area every month.
A Leader poll asked existing residents how they felt about the plan and what they would like to see included.
More than half (59 per cent) of the 170 respondents said the packs weren’t needed and that new residents could find all they needed to know on the council website.
A surprising 22 per cent (37 votes) wanted a bag of gravel included in the pack “to fill all the potholes” on the Mornington Peninsula.
One Leader reader went further, suggesting the council give newcomers their own pothole.
The state of local roads has become a hot topic on social media with hundreds taking to community pages to complain about damaged tyres and wheels as a result of potholes.
Other readers suggested the $120,000 could be better spent.
“Who thought up this crackpot idea? We have families down here lining up for free food!” a woman posted.
The council is expected to discuss the welcome packs at a meeting on Tuesday from 5.30pm at Hastings Community Hub, 1973 Frankston-Flinders Road.
The meeting is open to the public and will also be live streamed.
$120k to roll out red carpet for new residents
Up to $120,000 could be spent welcoming new residents to the Mornington Peninsula.
The local council, which currently sends an email to newcomers, will consider the initiative at a meeting on Tuesday night.
The packs were expected to include “useful information” and would cost up to $20 per pack to print and post, plus officers time.
Up to 500 people move to the region every month, taking the cost of the proposal to up to $120,000.
Exactly what might be included in the packs was yet to finalised.
Real estate agent Sam Danckert said the idea was “terrific”.
“Sharing more local knowledge with new residents is a great idea. Anything to increase the value of living on the Mornington Peninsula has value,” he said.
The Mount Martha based business already provides their own welcome pack for new residents and offers a concierge service to link locals to a “curated list of trusted trades and professionals”.
Locals looking for the right person for their jobs can consult the concierge at no cost or obligation.
Mr Danckert said more information about schools would be useful for families.
“I think it can be overwhelming for families moving here when it comes to finding the right school for their children,” he said.
The council will consider the idea at a meeting open to the public at Hastings and live streamed from 5.30pm on Tuesday.