Claims published by MP News this week suggesting the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has “stepped in to save the Hastings Club” have been rejected by local councillor Kate Roper, who says the article is confusing.
In a story titled “Shire steps in to save the Hastings Club” (published 8 May 2025), MP News reported that the Shire would invest in and support the Hastings Club, which recently ceased trading after more than five decades of community service. However, STPL News has confirmed that the Council will not be supporting the Hastings Club itself, but rather intends to repurpose the building to accommodate other community groups and clubs.
Cr Kate Roper told STPL News the Council has no plans to reinstate the Hastings Club as an organisation.
“The Shire has decided to invest in the building—not the club,” Cr Roper said.
She said she has contacted MP News. “I’ve emailed the publisher to advise that the story needed clarifying.”
The clarification from Cr Roper aligns with earlier reporting by STPL News, which revealed growing public backlash over the Club’s closure and raised questions about the Shire’s role and responsibility in its demise. That article can be read here:
Backlash grows over Hastings Club closure as council faces criticism
The Hastings Club, which had operated since the 1970s, was a fixture of the Western Port sporting and community scene. With a strong membership base and deep roots in local football, netball, cricket and other sports, its closure has sparked concern among long-time members and the wider Hastings community.
Community members have expressed frustration at what they see as a loss of local heritage and identity, with some questioning why the Council did not step in sooner to support the club’s operations before revoking its lease and reclaiming the land.
