Mornington Peninsula, Vic — Mornington Peninsula Shire Council (MPSC) has unveiled a new direction for its Youth Services, shifting from direct delivery to a partnership model with external providers. The changes, approved at the council meeting on 2 September, are pitched as offering “a more targeted and flexible mix of services” that meet young people’s needs at different times and places.
Under the plan, the Shire will retain oversight of youth policy, planning and coordination, while agencies are expected to deliver many of the programs from youth hubs in Rosebud, Mornington and Hastings. Mayor Anthony Marsh said the model was designed to “future-proof youth services” and increase access for young people unable to reach existing hubs. Council emphasised that feedback from over 400 young people and more than 5,000 stakeholders shaped the decision, and promised that “there will be no immediate change for families or community partners” during the transition.
Despite that assurance, families of young people attending Shed 11 in Hastings received a text message on 5 September advising that the service would not be operating that day. While the reason for the closure was not made clear, its timing has heightened community concern about the reliability of youth services during the transition.
Critics argue that outsourcing service delivery risks fragmenting support and creating confusion for families already navigating complex systems. Council’s recent history of organisational realignment and staff redundancies has also fuelled concern about the stability of youth services, with some questioning whether cost-cutting will overshadow continuity.
Although consultation figures were high, questions remain over whether young people will be directly involved in co-designing services or whether their input will be limited. Others are seeking clarity on the accountability of external providers if they withdraw or shift direction, and whether council will retain sufficient control to ensure services remain consistent.
The Shire insists the restructure will expand opportunities for young people to connect and belong. Whether the new framework delivers on that promise will depend on how carefully the transition is managed, how transparently outcomes are reported, and how much influence young people have in shaping what comes next.
