FLINDERS — After a wave of public outcry over the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s decision to axe key Arts and Environment grants, community groups are calling residents to action at a public meeting on Saturday 2 August at Flinders Civic Hall.
Hosted by broadcaster and creative producer Tracee Hutchison, the event — organised by Save Our Arts MP and Save Our Climate Plan MP — aims to regroup, inform, and strategise ahead of Council’s upcoming mid-financial year budget review, where some decisions could still be reversed.
“After such strong public response to these budget cuts at the Council meetings in June, it’s important to ensure our community is kept informed on how these funding decisions are impacting local creatives and environmental groups — and work on maintaining constructive conversations with Councillors,” Ms Hutchison said.
The one-hour community meeting will hear directly from affected creatives, environmental leaders and climate action groups, many of whom say the cuts have halted critical work across the Peninsula — from wildlife conservation to public art programs.
The meeting follows widespread concern across the region after the Shire’s 2025/26 budget slashed funding for both Arts and Climate Action, despite extensive community submissions and impassioned protests.
Two grassroots movements quickly emerged:
- Save Our Arts MP, representing the creative sector, and
- Save Our Climate Plan MP, which has now evolved into the Peninsula Climate Alliance.
The newly formed alliance includes:
- Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network
- Save Westernport
- Victorian Farmers Federation (Peninsula Branch)
- Flinders Zero Carbon Community
- Repower Mornington Peninsula
- Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation Group
- Nepean Conservation Group
More groups are expected to join in coming weeks.
“The arts and climate communities have forged a collegiate and collaborative response,” said Ms Hutchison.
“We share a deep connection to the environment that inspires creative practice and sustains our region. These cuts threaten more than budgets — they undermine the values and efforts of those working to protect what makes the Mornington Peninsula special.”
With frustration mounting and uncertainty looming, the organisers are urging residents to show up and stay engaged.
Event Details:
- Flinders Civic Hall, Saturday 2 August, 3pm–4pm
- Register here
The noisy minority trying to push their agenda when they don’t represent the majority.