Despite 40 distinct townships, spread across 800 square km, Flinders is classified as "metropolitan Melbourne" - cutting us off from vital funding. Ben will fight to reclassify the peninsula to unlock millions for roads, public transport, and essential services. It's time we got the support our community deserves.

Flinders suffers from a bizarre bureaucratic roadblock: despite being 70% Green Wedge and having more in common with regional areas than city suburbs, we're classified as "metropolitan Melbourne" - cutting us off from vital infrastructure funding.

"It just doesn't make sense," says Ben Smith. "We have 40 distinct townships spread across 800 square kilometers, limited public transport, and significant agricultural areas. Yet because we're classified as 'metropolitan,' we miss out on funding programs that similar coastal and rural communities across Australia can access."

The impact of this misclassification is felt right across the peninsula. Our roads carry heavy tourist traffic but can't access regional roads funding. Public transport solutions can't access regional connectivity funding. We miss out on grants to address mobile black spots and internet speeds. Local farmers and food producers miss out on regional development grants.

"When I talk to local businesses and community groups, they're frustrated," says Ben. "We face many of the same challenges as regional areas - distance from services, seasonal tourism pressures, agricultural needs - but we're locked out of the funding to address them."