Thursday, 20 November 2025

 Sam GROTH (Nepean) (09:39): I just want to address the proposed redevelopment at Arthurs Seat and to emphasise the importance of genuine, transparent community consultation in determining its future. Arthurs Seat, as many in here would know, is one of the Mornington Peninsula’s most iconic landmarks. It is a place of natural beauty and deep, personal connection for generations of locals and visitors alike. Any proposal for change at that site must therefore be approached with care, balance and respect. In recent years communities across Nepean and the wider peninsula have repeatedly expressed concern that major decisions are being made without their voices meaningfully shaping the final outcome. Whether on planning, transport, environmental management or coastal infrastructure, we have seen consultation treated as a procedural check box rather than an authentic partnership. Residents contribute thoughtfully, only to discover that the government’s preferred position has already been settled. The Arthurs Seat redevelopment deserves better and so do locals. This project has the potential to enhance visitor facilities and support local jobs, but only if it is informed by those who know the region best. Locals want clarity on the scale of the project, environmental impacts, traffic management and long-term stewardship of the site. Above all, they want a process that listens before it decides. I call on the Labor government to commit to genuine, open and ongoing consultation, so that any redevelopment reflects the community’s vision for Arthurs Seat, not just a predetermined outcome.