Merry Christmas... What a year 2025 was!!!

Thank you to all our members, all our supporters and the business community for all your support in 2025.

Today marked the end of a very busy year in Somerville for our “Santa comes to Somerville” committee. I would like to thank Bronwyn, Jenna and Amanda for their tireless work over the last six months.

The day started out under grey skies, but as time went on and Somerville parents and kids came out to play, it was fantastic to see all the kids happy to see Santa and the Elves in what was a great day across the three shopping precincts of Somerville.

Judges 1st Prize

Congrats to all the businesses that participated in the Christmas Window Wonderland Competition, the competition was fierce and all made fantastic efforts to show true Christmas spirit. Congratulations to the winners of all the hampers and to the lucky voter we hope you enjoy your Christmas that little bit more.

From a Somerville Business Group perspective, it has been an outstanding year with the following-:

·       Increased membership of the Group across all parts of the Somerville business community.

·       Increased Social Media coverage across our Facebook posts, some reaching as high as 20 000 views. Special mention to Jenna.

·       Increased participation in all parts of “Santa comes to Somerville” with our best ever attended event, nearly 70 000 views on the Facebook page and increased entrants in the Christmas Window Wonderland competition.

·       At our recent Annual General Meeting all positions were filled and meetings during the year have been well attended.

From a Mornington Peninsula Shire Council perspective there has been some big changes in the town over the last year-:

·       Baxter to Somerville Path – nearing completion, with the underground tunnel at Sailor’s Bend adding to the safety of the project.

·       Speed limits reduced and speed humps installed making Somerville a safer place for pedestrians, mobility scooter riders and Mums with prams.

·       Tree planting along Jones Road and Frankston-Flinders Road

·       The Masterplan for Somerville Recreation Reserve nearing completion.

From a State Government perspective, we held a meeting with Paul Mercurio and his staff in September in relation to the level of repairs to State Government assets including-:

·       Our major arterial Vic Roads roads need to be continually checked for potholes

·       The dilapidated state of Somerville Railway station and surrounding areas full of rubbish

·       With gentle pushes from Paul’s office and loud social media outcry the broken TV’s and general rubbish were removed around the railway station area.

·       Further to this one member was able to get the Southwestern Car Park graded

·       Ongoing calls for the Roundabout to be replaced

·       Ongoing calls for the Police Station to be opened to the public, to which there was some very interesting social media commentary that the building is fit to be re-opened once properly commissioned.

From a Federal Government perspective, we are meeting with Zoe McKenzie in February 2026 and we will be discussing-:

·       Communications in Somerville – mobile reception has not improved.

·       Somerville Recreation Reserve – ongoing funding required.

·       Mornington Peninsula – metro vs regional.

·       It is good to see that the Somerville Urgent Care Clinic has opened in Somerville, with Zoe advocating strongly that the clinic remain in Somerville, despite some doubt in the initial round of Health Department consultation.

Without noticing, the amount of Commercial and Industrial land has increased in Somerville over the last year-:

·       Speedwell Street – Stage 2 with 50 factories completed in March and June 2025

·       Speedwell Street - Stage 3 with 28 factories to be completed June 2026

·       Technology Park in Bungower Road - Amendment C243morn continues through the Planning process

·       Somerville Central – has advertised retail office and showroom for lease along Graf Road

What this does mean is that there is more room for businesses to invest in Somerville. As a Group we need to make sure that Federal, State and Local Governments provide the infrastructure to support all our businesses whilst collecting Company Tax, Payroll Tax, Land Tax, Rates, all the locals who pay Income Tax, GST and Motor Vehicle Registration & Petrol Excise & other types of levies and taxes and the need to reinvest these taxes by government to make Somerville a better place to shop, work, invest and play.

We have seen an influx of new shops opening in Somerville, which for the Somerville community means wider choices. We noticed today that nearly all the shops on the Eramosa Road East side of town are full, with the old Ritchies store being renovated and Vinnies and a Wellness Centre are going in there. Somerville Plaza has one shop available for rent and Somerville Plaza has all shops fully let, with the Tea shop going in next to Target in the last week.

It is great to see so many people willing to have a go at small business in Somerville.

Once again, to all our members, to all our supporters, the business community and the Somerville community, Somerville Business Group wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

Merry Christmas

Happy New Year