No gain in Roper Gulf ‘partnership’
I seethe when I read that our dedicated councillors have decided to form a partnership with the Roper Gulf Regional Council (“Partnership ‘opportunities’ assured” The News 27/2/23). What earthly good will this do for the ratepayers of Mornington Peninsula? There is nothing we have in common with this area at all.
It is touted as some kind of business partnership that will generate revenue for us ratepayers down here.
I challenge the logic behind this proposition and would assert that it will generate absolutely nothing at all for us, financially or practically.
As I read it, this proposal seems to be another brainstorm of Cr Anthony Marsh who, it appears to me, on his past track record seems to be dedicated to providing himself with a lifestyle at ratepayers’ expense.
No doubt he will be comforted by the claim that all this is done with council approval. If that is so, then the supporting councillors could best be described as sheep and we ratepayers as lambs to the slaughter.
Extravagant brain fades by councillors tossing ratepayer money around like a man with four arms to fund their own personal hobby horses have to stop, and the place to start is right here with this ridiculous and unjustifiable proposal to create junkets for councillors and their spouses or partners.
Barry James Rumpf, McCrae
Close airfield
As a resident of Tyabb for 36 years, I have now changed my stance completely in relation to Tyabb Airfield, following the most recent, seriously flawed VCAT decision, compounding decades-long dysfunctional planning decisions.
Tyabb Airfield must be closed now, as it has never been appropriately sited, being within one kilometre of our township, surrounded by four schools in its immediate vicinity.
This situation is absurd and poses an unmitigated environmental disaster to our Tyabb community.
Low flying, noisy aircraft are barely clearing treetops on my semi-rural property, as they are now permitted to fly in all directions, with my property being around 80 metres higher than the airstrips.
I feel increasingly unsafe with the incessant aerial traffic directly overhead, with just one example offered here – three planes criss- crossed directly over my courtyard/swimming pool witnessed by visiting friends in November 2022.
This unacceptable activity occurs at all hours day and night, rudely waking me, leaving me stressed and sleep deprived.
It sounds like a warzone.
A living nightmare.
Signs were installed on my farm gate on 21 February 2023 and on the shed roof.
Aldona Martin, Tyabb
Seasonal change
Can someone explain why in Australia the seasons change miraculously on the first day of the month? We have just officially entered autumn on the 1 March when the sun is still on its journey to the Equator and won’t arrive there until 21 March when, in most other parts of the world, the seasons change – to autumn in the Southern Hemisphere and the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
The sun keeps going north and arrives at the Tropic of Cancer on 21 June (not 1 June) – the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of winter in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere.
Why do the dates in Australia have to be different to the rest of the world?
Marian Hurd, Mount Eliza
Voice explained
I will try to explain the referendum on the Voice to Parliament so that even [Liberal leader] Peter Dutton can understand it.
The referendum on the Voice is about recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people as the First Nations of Australia, and providing a structural change to our constitution that gives them a body to speak to parliament and government in order to improve decisions, policies and laws that affect them. Nothing more, nothing less. It is not prescriptive.
To be added to the constitution: 1. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. 2. Which may make representations to parliament and the executive government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples. 3. Parliament shall have power to make laws with respect to the composition, functions, powers and procedures of the Voice.
The draft referendum question is: “Do you support an alteration to the constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?”
You might notice in point 3 that the parliament will determine how it will operate and the rules. If “Dr No” Peter Dutton, who reflexively opposes any government initiative on every front, were reasonable he would have a say in how it operates and how.
He could then try to put in legislation such as: members of the Voice can only speak when spoken to and the penalty for speaking out of turn is 50 lashes with cat-o-nine tails or that elected members cannot be considered if they have more than 1/16 Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander bloodline.
Those opposing keep spreading misinformation on what the vote is. Unless parliament agrees, the Voice will have no power except to advise and no power to stop any legislation.
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
Guilt Misappropriated
So now we’re heaping the guilt for 18th century colonialism on modern day kindergarten children (“Nitpicking over voice” Letters 28/2/23). I doubt that the “little preschooler” who apologised to an Aboriginal gerontocrat for taking his land actually took any land from anybody.
Further, I would respectfully suggest to your correspondent that if she includes herself in the “we” who did so, perhaps she should consider giving her share back.
Albert Riley, Mornington
Reserve wrong site
As a Langwarrin resident who opposes the destruction of a substantial amount of green space on Long Street Reserve to build a kinder and community centre, I would like to state that I do not oppose building a new kinder – just not on Long Street Reserve.
There were five or six people continually showing disrespect to Frankston councillors at the Monday 20 February public meeting. Not all of them were members of Save Long Street Reserve.
The majority of members were “shushing”, quietly requesting vocal people to “be quite”.
The mayor Cr Nathan Conroy had the authority to evict those people who were disrupting the meeting but chose not to exercise this right. He did, however, state he would evict the “greens” (yes, we were wearing something green to demonstrate our unity). Why, when the majority of people were being respectful and trying to quieten the few disrupters should they be penalised?
Rosanne Stone, Langwarrin
Electric answer
Melbourne’s and Victoria’s infrastructure and public transport have failed to keep pace with our increasing population. Mismanagement of resources and resistance to. parliamentary inquiry recommendations mean cost effective solutions to our traffic woes are sidelined in favour of big budget campaigns and projects by VicRoads and TAC.
The latest version of a motorcycle safety committee at VicRoads, the Motorcycle Community Engagement Panel (MCEP) has been silent on traffic congestion.
Single-occupant cars comprise some 70 per cent of traffic. Most are five or more seat vehicles that are parked longer than they are driven.
Road authorities should offer real alternatives to car commuting and incentives to make the change.
One initiative would be to promote Australian made, road registered, electric motorcycles and scooters. Entry level motorcycles can’t be compared to toy vehicles. Riders must be trained and licensed. Machines must be identifiable. They can’t go on footpaths. A 150 plus kilometres range for commuting and a good payload for shopping works in urban areas. Parking is easy. New road bike price and running costs are a fraction of car costs. Two bonus points.
Motorcycling in Victoria is safer than it has ever been. Australian made bikes keep skills, jobs and profits here.
As traffic congestion gets worse and living gets more expensive, government, the RACV and the motorcycle industry should promote entry level motorcycles, especially locally made machines, to reduce the pain of gridlocked streets and rising living costs.
Damien Codognotto OAM, The Motorcycle Riders Association Australia
Letters – 300 words maximum and including full name, address and contact number – can be sent to The News, PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or emailed to: team@mpnews.com.au
First published in the Mornington News – 7 March 2023
