Trust: easily lost, hard to regain
The relocation of the Harry Potter Experience to a less sensitive location at The Briars will come as a great relief to those who pressured Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to reconsider its decision.
A new ecological report for this community forest (dog walking park) will be published on the shire website soon. This new location is 500 metres from the nearest point of the wildlife sanctuary and, we are told, will have minimal effect on the fauna and flora.
CEO John Baker acknowledged that the community backlash definitely influenced this decision to change the venue. Cr Despi O’Connor moved the recommendation then went on to make excuses as to why the councillors were the “heroes” in this debacle. I’m not sure if all the councillors get it, even now.
Looking forward to the commitment by the mayor Cr Simon Brooks that there will be a review of the process undertaken by the council to locate [the performance] at The Briars in the first place. Maybe that review will make the council realise that trust, easily lost and hard to regain, is the first casualty of lack of transparency and consultation.
The Greens Mornington Peninsula played an active role with Save Our Briars and other community groups to engage in robust discussions with all stakeholders and with all levels of government. A great relief to all.
Julie Gunn, Dromana
Thanks for Gill
I would like to thank Cr David Gill for standing firm in the protection of The Briars’ wildlife and not following the non-disclosure and secrecy demands raised for the Harry Potter project.
It is not the first time that Cr Gill has stood up for the Mornington Peninsula’s needs. On many occasions before has he shown, often on his own or with a small number of fellow councillors, that his attitude as a councillor is to work and lobby for the better of the peninsula and its ratepayers, rather than like others who are driven by party politics or matters of self-esteem.
Norbert Wichmann, Mornington
Dunkley’s choice
The groundswell of folk willing to protect the wildlife within The Briars sanctuary was uplifting evidence of how much people on the Mornington Peninsula care about the environment.
Given recent wild weather and power outages, amid a cost-of-living crisis, the upcoming Dunkley by-election offers an interesting choice for voters. On climate and energy, the coalition is increasingly pushing for nuclear, which modelling from the CSIRO says is five times more expensive to build than firmed renewables and, according to many experts including former Chief Scientist Alan Finkel, wouldn’t be online until the 2040s.
Labor, meanwhile, is pushing ahead with its plan for 82 per cent renewables by 2030.
If we care about addressing climate change and protecting our environment in a way that doesn’t further add to cost-of-living pressures, it’s worth thinking through these and other policy options prior to ballot day.
Amy Hiller, Kew
Climate chaos
We’re fast approaching third world status when an admittedly strong weather condition can knock our power and communication systems out and put 500,000 people in peril.
In the meantime, our climate change denying NLP members of parliament are still clinging to their mantra of, “It costs too much to do anything meaningful about our CO2 emissions”.
It’s starting to become clear to all and sundry that doing nothing is going to be a lot more expensive for us all.
Civilisation is only skin deep and if we keep having disasters like a few days ago more frequently, society will be in great danger of drifting into chaos.
Rupert Steiner, Balnarring
Voicing strategies
It was heartening to read that the community group Peninsula Voice is providing a forum for residents to discuss and combat climate change (Facing up to climate change, The News 6/2/24). The Climate Change Empowerment Handbook of the Australian Psychological Society lists eight strategies making the acronym ACTIVATE. The third strategy is “Talk about climate change and break the collective silence”, while the fourth strategy is “Inspire positive visions”.
It’s clear from Peter Orton’s report that the forum to be held on Thursday 29 February at the Peninsula Community Theatre includes both these key strategies. The group’s events page at peninsulavoice.org.au/our-events is well worth a visit.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn
Change is needed
The current global warming is different from previous ones. (Climate ‘normal’, Letters 13/2/24)
Our planet’s average temperature has, as your correspondent wrote, risen 1.48°C in just over 170 years, since 1850. But since 1970 the rate averages 1.7°C a century – and it is speeding up.
In the past, changes were typically much, much slower; in the previous 7000 years to now, for example, the temperature was declining at a rate of 0.01C a century.
The current rapid changes are too fast for species, including us and our systems, to seamlessly adapt. Current rates of species extinction are reckoned to be at least 1000 times the so-called background rate.
Of course, if we don’t want to, we don’t have to believe any of these documented findings.
Hopefully, science and logic will have us question how we can ask the planet to keep absorbing ever increasing volumes of greenhouse gas pollution from our sometimes wasteful, frequently fossil-fuel dependent lifestyles, and not expect consequences.
To keep the climate the way we like it, we need to change.
Lesley Walker, Northcote
Unwanted added extra
What a Sunday I had. I went to church, and they passed around the plate. They said 15 per cent surcharge extra. We have staff to pay on a Sunday.
Then I went to the supermarket to get milk and bread. The girl at the checkout said 15 per cent surcharge extra. We want to get paid. It is Sunday.
I decided to go to the movies. The box office person said they wanted 15 per cent surcharge on my ticket because it was Sunday and there were wages to pay.
As I was leaving the cinema I fell and broke my leg. I called the ambulance. They said 15 per cent surcharge extra. It is Sunday.
At the hospital they said it is Sunday, so we need 15 per cent surcharge extra because of Sunday wages.
Lucky I didn’t go to a restaurant because they would have charged me 15 per cent surcharge because it was Sunday.
Judi Loughridge, Rosebud
Promises easy to make
The Liberals claim that they will provide money for the electrification of the Frankston-Baxter line. Voters should be wary of this promise. The Liberals are in no position to actually deliver this money as they are in opposition and will be so for the remainder of this term and probably the next.
Promises are always easy from opposition.
Secondly the coalition’s ability to deliver is also dubious, who can forget the “station car parks” debacle in their last term of government.
Ross Hudson, Mount Martha
Age old questions
OMG. 2024 already, so quick. It sneaks up on you. And with it a frightening thought: This coming March I reach 88 years.
Those last 20 years slipped by almost unnoticed. One minute I was an actor, the next nothing?
The Chinese say it’s double good fortune, but I’m not Chinese. Whichever way I look at it, as in my future, I’m an octogenarian, so at best small mercies. Little or no subtext to fall back on. The cupboard is empty.
Of the world, even the Yanks are in trouble, a Donald Trump presidency on the cards, we live in hope of Anthony Albanese updating his courage and dispensing with the dangerous Peter Dutton in 2025, do something about Julian Assange and watch, hoping the Russians, the Chinese, and those in the Middle East forget us and sort out their fights among themselves.
Meantime, another AFL football season awaits, those small mercies, assuming I last another season.
The old joke of walking into a room, stopping, and asking yourself “Why did I come in here?” uppermost. Google doesn’t answer that one.
Cliff Ellen, Rye
Building too high
I have lived in Frankston for 25 years and am appalled by the proposal to undermine the most beautiful natural assets of the bay by building a wall of up to 16 storey dwellings close to the foreshore.
[Frankston mayor and the Liberal Party’s Dunkley candidate] Nathan Conroy reiterates he supports those struggling with the cost of living. However, these million dollar apartments which he supports wholeheartedly are not affordable for strugglers, so I am doubtful he really cares about the community.
Avril Bradley, Frankston
Politics as usual
Frankston councillor Liam Hughes was appointed acting mayor while overseas. It appears that he did not nominate for the position and he had leave from council.
There are councillors who have been mayor in the past who could take over the responsibilities of mayor until either Hughes or the Liberal candidate for Dunkley Cr Nathan Conroy returns as mayor or resigns.
What is occurring is politics and it seems the reason the council is angry and wants Cr Hughes’ resignation and return from overseas is so that it can get the money the Commonwealth promised to build the Frankston to Baxter rail extension, not build it.
The money for the unexplained projects which the council are after cannot be given to Frankston Council as it is unconstitutional for the Commonwealth to give local government money, even though there is an unconstitutional Commonwealth ministry and minister for local government which cost taxpayers millions of dollars every year.
What is happening here is politics to remove Hughes as the councillors removed his father from council.
If they are so concerned then they should appoint one of the councillors to meet with the [Dunkley by-election] candidates to lobby for the money.
Prime Minister [Anthony] Albanese has promised $1 billion dollars towards the building of the extension to the Frankston Hospital only.
So that leaves the mayor of Frankston, Nathan Conroy, the Liberal candidate who no doubt will give the “world” with promises of unconstitutional revenue.
Russell, Morse, Karingal
Record of debt
The voters of Dunkley simply can’t afford the “debt and deficit” culture of Jodie Belyea and [Prime Minister] Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party.
Australia’s net debt in 2024 is forecast at $491 billion, or 18.4 per cent of GDP.
That’s a massive debt that our grandkids will be left to pay off. In effect money that would have been better spent on new hospitals, more schools, better roads, modern trains and improved services and care for our ageing senior citizens.
Since Albanese’s Labor came to power we’ve had 11 consecutive cash rate hikes (from 0.1 per cent to 4.35 per cent) and the quarterly inflation figure of around 5.3 per cent. in December 2023. In March 2023, the inflation figure climbed to seven per cent. That figure was the highest it has been since Labor’s Paul Keating, 30 years ago.
The cost of living has seen household expenses rise 11.2 per cent ( December 2022) with electricity prices forecast to rise 50 per cent by 2024 and mortgage rates for the average owner occupier paying a variable rate of 6.54 per cent in 2024.
In 2019 there was Labor’s retiree tax targeting almost million retirees, investors and pensioners. Those Australians had spent their lives working, saving and contributing to superannuation, for most, a compulsory savings scheme, designed to enable them to live out their retirement years free of the need of a government pension.
Send Labor the message that forcing up fuel, electricity and gas prices, increasing taxes, ongoing teacher shortages, inadequate rail services, high crime rates, the rising cost of living and inflation won’t be tolerated.
On or before 2 March, vote one for Nathan Conroy of the Liberal Party.
Thomas Quinn (Liberal, Victoria), Moe
Heart of the matter
Heart Research Australia is dedicated to reshaping how Australians approach cardiovascular wellbeing without causing financial strain. Beyond our collective effort to raise funds for life-saving research, our goal this year is to shed light on the financial and health implications associated with heart disease, affecting individuals regardless of their financial circumstances.
Heart disease touches the lives of two in three Australians and stands as the leading cause of death. Prioritising heart health is an investment in both personal wellbeing and financial stability. In the midst of escalating living expenses, allocating resources for health might seem like a luxury. However, overlooking heart health can result in severe financial consequences, impacting wages, work capacity, career advancement, and long-term financial stability.
Knowledge plays a pivotal role in fostering a healthier heart, with eight out of 10 cases of premature heart disease and stroke preventable through healthy lifestyle choices. From heart-healthy, budget friendly diets to accessible exercise options and stress management techniques, there are numerous practical and cost-effective strategies.
We invite all Australians to explore our free online Heart Hub, offering a wealth of expert advice on cultivating heart-healthy habits.
Research is a lifeline, emphasising Heart Research Australia’s steadfast support for world class researchers. This is why we encourage all Australians to wear red this February and, if possible, extend a helping hand by contributing to fund vital research against heart disease.
For more information on RedFeb, heart health tips, and to contribute to this critical cause, visit heartresearch.com.au.
Nicci Dent, CEO Heart Research Australia
Signs of having personal problems
On our typical Sunday walk we see street signs ripped out of the ground.
I do feel sorry for the poor souls that have nothing better to do on a Saturday night, however I do seem to recall reading of an international study that showed there was a direct correlation between disrespect for public property and a low IQ, together with sexual inadequacy.
I guess they just don’t get it.
John Power, Mornington
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 – 20 February 2024
