Helping hands
I am 92-years-old, disabled, and living alone in Rosebud with no family I can call on in times of need. I thought it was terrible when the bush rats moved into my garden, but then came the wind! On 1 September, the howling gale brought a huge ivy covered pine tree down into my back garden. It lay across the roof of my shed, my clothesline and back window. I rang the SES and they were helpful, removing it from my back window, chopped it up, but then had to go to another job, as they were flat out. I was horrified at the mess, so I made a cuppa and got my knitting out and got knitting trauma teddies to the hospital. One hour of knitting is equal to three hours of meditation. And I needed it!
Homehelp had come out and bought me a copy of the Southern Peninsula News. Reading the paper, I thought I would ring the editor Cameron McCullough. He listened to my story, and me explaining I didn’t know where to turn, as I didn’t have family, and he said “leave it to me. I will make some calls”.
I soon got a phone call from Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Antonella Celi (who, I am happy to hear, is standing for re-election). She told me she had got the ball rolling. Someone from the council came to take a look and said if I could get it onto the nature strip they could pick it up. I said “phooey! I’m 92!”.
I came home from the doctors on Tuesday 10 September to find 15 men with wheelbarrows and arms full of bushes and wood, putting them on the nature strip. It was men from the Point Nepean Men’s Shed that had come to my rescue!
Between Cameron at the paper who started the ball rolling, Antonella Celi and staff at Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, and the men from Point Nepean Men’s Shed, I was overwhelmed by the kindness shown to me.
I’m very grateful. Thank you and God bless you all.
Adorée Spry, Rosebud
Democracy missing in consolidating shire offices
The Shire may have asked for expressions of interest from commercial developers for a centralised shire office – but I cannot find anywhere where residents were asked what they thought about this proposal? Months ago I noticed a small ad asking for EOIs from developers. Things seem to have moved very swiftly behind the scenes according to the fait accompli decision outlined in your paper (Shortlist of two for new shire HQ, The News 3/9/24). Are we going down the same path as the pilot parking debacle – shouldn’t the shire have asked “we the people” what we thought first? A basic feature of democracy?
I am appalled to read in your article that the location of this consolidated office (Rosebud or preferably Mornington) was driven by what was seen as the best commercial option by the developer partner presumably for their additional revenue from units and shops, as well as what suits shire staff and councillors post covid. These should be the last considerations.
I would have thought nearby access and convenience for residents was the primary consideration – but that does not even score a mention. And the shire will be renting or buying the centralised premises from the developer? Rather than our current council buildings where we currently pay zero rent?
Councils are not corporate commercial enterprises and councillors are not there to be ‘would be if they could be’ entrepreneurs or venture capitalists. Councils are a level of government, employing public servants, with elected representatives answerable to and supposed to be working first and foremost in the interests of providing service to their residents.
I am pleased to see at least some of the councillors, in recent debate on another matter, expressed concern for “actually responding to the will of the community.”
I hope we get more of those councillors in the forthcoming elections.
Esther Gleixner, Flinders
A sad loss
At 88 one suddenly has an epiphany, dating back to the truth of a very young Henry Thoreau: “Let us settle ourselves, and work and wedge our feet downward through the mud and slush of opinion, and prejudice, and tradition, and delusion, and appearance, that alluvion which covers the globe, through country, church and state, through poetry and philosophy and religion, till we come to a hard bottom and rocks in place, which we can call REALITY, and say, this is, and no mistake.”
No more Keith Platt. OMG.
Cliff Ellen, Rye
Echoing sentiment
I would like to add my name to thank Keith for his fearless journalism….wish him a happy long retirement after a job well done!
Denise Hassett, Mt Martha
Pathway forward
The recent article regarding the Mornington Shire Council requesting state government financing to progress reinstatement design for the damaged sections of the Beleura Cliff Path (Shire advocates for cliff path funds, The News 10/7/24) indicates to me the exorbitant costs the council charges for works.
The Shire is requesting $500,000 from the state government for engineering design, planning considerations, cultural heritage impacts, as well as a detailed cost estimate of the repair to reinstate damaged sections of the path that has been there for over 100 years. To put that cost into perspective, that amount of money could employ five staff on a salary of $100,000pa for a full year. I hate to think what the actual cost to do the work will be!
It is no wonder all levels of government; local, state and federal, are not able to adequately fund essential services if this amount of funding is required to do basic planning work on a project.
Let’s hope this restoration work on the path can be completed before too long so we can enjoy walks along the clifftop.
John Hardham, Mount Martha
Birdrock action needed
I am writing to voice my concern over the continued closure of the stairs leading to our local beach, which have been inaccessible for over 700 days due to needed repairs. This prolonged closure stands in stark contrast to the goals outlined in the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Council Plan, which promises a healthy natural environment, vibrant townships, and a flourishing community.
Firstly, the Council Plan emphasises the importance of creating vibrant and unique townships that are balanced with a protected natural environment. By leaving these stairs unrepaired, the council is failing to protect both our natural surroundings and our community’s access to them. Safe and well-maintained access points are crucial to preserving the delicate coastal ecosystem while ensuring that residents can enjoy the natural beauty of our area now and into the future.
Secondly, the plan calls for a robust, innovative, and diverse economy. Beaches are key assets to our townships, attracting both residents and visitors, which in turn supports businesses and contributes to a strong, diverse economy. The ongoing closure of these stairs limits access to this vital resource, potentially reducing the number of visitors and negatively impacting businesses that rely on day-trippers.
Finally, the plan highlights the importance of fostering a flourishing, healthy, and connected community. Access to the beach is essential for the physical and mental health of our residents, providing a space for exercise, relaxation, and social connection. By keeping these stairs closed, the council is hindering our community’s ability to stay active, healthy, and connected.
I urge the council to prioritise the repair and reopening of the beach stairs, aligning their actions with the vision they have set out for our community. It is time to take immediate action to ensure that our environment is protected, our economy is supported, and our community can thrive.
Becca Smith, Mt Martha
Independents?
Politics is the home of lies and disinformation and the con job being perpetrated by so called Teal independents is one of them. Here on the Mornington Peninsula we see flyers and news stories about the right thinking souls who are “woking’ towards an independent Teal candidate for the upcoming Federal Election. The so called 14F who say they are not a political party. Supported by funding from Simon Holmes a’ Court whose business interests benefit from the so called independents he supports.
The reality is these people are Teal lefties whose preferences go to Labor and who support the Labor Party/Greens in spirit and action. The Labor Party, the Greens and alleged independents have implemented policies that contribute directly and unnecessarily to the financial struggle facing Australian’s. Their left wing agenda’s take no account of outcomes and the welfare of ordinary citizens.
These are not independents in the mould of Don Chipp and the early Democrats who said their roll was “to keep the bastards honest”. The so called “Teal” independents have shown us their true colours by continually voting for the Government. Do we really want another one on the Mornington Peninsula masquerading as an Independent?
Many of the voters in Flinders who elected Zoe McKenzie, to Federal Parliament with an increased majority will recognise a con job for what it is.
Ken Anderson, Mt Martha
Koala plight
Sue Glenn is right to be concerned about the loss of koala habitat (The forest from the trees, Letters 3/9/24) but singling out wind farms is simplistic.
The koala was added to the threatened species list in 2012 and the recent report by ABC Science covering the period 2012-2024 reveals that when it comes to clearing koala habitat, renewables (6,825 ha) are second to mining (16,856 ha), with Qld dominating losses. However, if the 173 known future renewables and mining projects investigated proceed, an estimated further habitat loss of 13,888 ha from renewables and 11,736 ha from mining would occur.
But as the report notes, these numbers are dwarfed by koala habitat losses from land clearing for agriculture, particularly grazing, some illegal, plus losses from bushfires, totalling millions of hectares altogether.
The impact of humans on wildlife comes from many directions. So what can we do?
The goal of Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation to create a koala wildlife corridor connecting existing koala habitat and food trees on the Peninsula is a fine local example. Voting for federal candidates in 2025 who support stronger national environment laws is another.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn
Where to our rates go?
Like every householder on the Mornington Peninsula, we recently received our annual rate notice from the council, accompanying the rates notice was a A3- 6 colour printed broucher claiming to explain the residents could read where their money was being spent. Typical of this hype, the information offered is only part of the total story of where our rates money is allocated and spent.
The budget for 24/25 is projected to be $295.6 mil, $202.5m is allocated to six operating services with $98.4 mil of the estimated costs shown, leaving $104.1mil unexplained, one would think/ hope this amount has at least more than two or three services allocated to it.
A further $35.1mil is allocated to seven capital works which total $21.3mil of the estimated costs, leaving $13.8m unexplained, again one hopes it covers more than two projects.
The total budget is $295.6 mil, only (40%) $119.7mil is detailed for thirteen projects, shouldn’t the major proportion of the balance i.e. $175.9 mil (60%) of the budget have detail of major expenditure items within this figure, or do we guess it might be salaries?
Bruce White, Safety Beach
Thank you Red Hill
Food For All would like to express our sincere thanks and put on public record the amazing efforts of the Red Hill Consolidated School community in their recent Food Drive. Their community donated over 1,000 food items for our food supplies including pasta, canned fruit, jam, biscuits, tinned vegetables and pasta sauces.
Our motto, since our charity began in 1991, has been ‘Local people caring for local people’ and the generosity shown by the entire Red Hill Consolidated School community brings that to life perfectly.
From all the volunteers who run Food For All – thank you.
Christine Barnes, Secretary – Food For All
Why the advertising?
I always look forward to receiving your paper, I find it interesting and informative.
It’s disappointing that you now find it necessary to hide junk mail inside, the latest edition had two catalogues added.
Perhaps I should add “no newspapers” to my “no junk mail” sign.
Trevor Moore, Mt Martha
Editor’s note: Trevor, thanks for being a loyal reader. MPNG is nearly entirely funded by our wonderful advertisers. They allow us to fight for the citizens of the Mornington Penisula every single day. With no advertising there would be no newspapers. We feel the inconvenience is a small price to pay.
