Council ‘insight’ falls short
A quote from Mornington Peninsula Shire Council “At council, we have a unique insight into the needs and priorities of our people” (“Shire ‘shouts’ for money” The News 4/10/22). Apparently, that insight does not include home care, as the council recently cancelled its contribution to home care, thereby saving a lot of money. Apparently the insight also excludes climate change, as the same council recently cancelled its purchases of carbon credits.
So where has all the saved money gone? Apparently not into the problem of homelessness, as the same council seems to think that the state government should give it more money before it addresses that problem.
So, we are left wondering where all the savings have gone.
Dr Lee Seldon, Somers
Service unchanged
There is a saying that “you can’t complain about the service if there isn’t any.” The survey proves this about Mornington Peninsula Shire (“Shire hits ‘all time’ low in satisfaction” The News 4/10/22).
As a ratepayer for nearly 40 years the service standard I feel has not changed. When our road flooded repeatedly it was an effort for the crew to arrive and erect signs, so they left the sign with us to place, alleviating the task. In their favour we are now getting one side of our road swept a couple of times a month.
As for ringing the shire offices and expecting to speak to someone. After the shuffling of the phone call to several people because that person is unavailable or on leave, little or no satisfaction is gained. I could go on.
Judi Loughridge, Rosebud
‘Thank you’ shire
Thank you to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council deciding to not allow land in Allambi Avenue, Capel Sound to be developed (“Social housing site rejected” The News 13/9/22).
The Capel Sound community came together to ensure this piece of open space can be preserved as parkland. It is the only piece of open space on this side of Capel Sound and residents value it for recreation and the peace of being in nature – so important for our mental health.
The community would welcome affordable housing in the way that is now internationally recognised as best practice – that is to incorporate into the community in small pockets – not to have a separate housing development where disadvantage becomes entrenched.
The other sites that were identified by the council in Rosebud, Mornington and Hastings would follow this best practice – smaller blocks already within the community.
If the peninsula is to accommodate another 40,000 people by 2036, as the state government has forecast, then affordable housing can be incorporated into future housing developments.
Bettyanne Foster, Capel Sound
Sensible outcome
Common sense has finally prevailed following on from the recent VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) findings in favour of Tyabb airfield and all the ancillary businesses based at the airfield (“Aero club given clear air to operate” The News 11/10/22). All permits that govern the operation of the airfield are legal and mean that all activities that have been carried out since the 1960s can operate as they always have done.
A bit of background to this sorry saga: There was a group of anti-airfield people who were very keen to shut down or undermine the activities under the mistaken belief that the correct permits and regulations were not being followed but, as we now know, everything that impacts the airfield is legal.
One of the main activities the airfield conducts is the Tyabb air show two years. I have been a long time volunteer at the air show and am proud to be associated with a fantastic asset, not only to Tyabb but to the Mornington Peninsula.
The proceeds from the air shows always go to some local charities that need the money to serve those in the community in need of such services. Curtailing operations at the airfield would have serious consequences in finding other funding.
The action by the anti-airfield lobby has been an expensive exercise in terms of money and time, both of which could have been better directed to plenty of other projects that require fixing in our community, like large numbers of dangerous potholes.
So, let’s all get together and really support a great community asset.
Graeme Woodhart, Somerville
Views ‘misrepresented’
The article on Tyabb Airfield/Airport grossly distorted the truth about local residents, the SANITY campaign and myself (“Aero club given clear air to operate” The News 11/10/22).
The article states, “Some anti-airport residents are not so pleased with the VCAT decision” and, in the next paragraph, mentions my name and the Sensible Aircraft Noise In (and around) Tyabb campaign (SANITY). The inference being that I and the vast majority of local residents are anti-airport – including 929 who wrote to the Victorian planning minister requesting better protections from aircraft noise, 19 joint objectors in the VCAT case, and 300 who signed a statement to VCAT in support of that case.
I am not anti-airport. Less than one per cent of Tyabb residents want the airfield relocated.
However, there are thousands of residents (Tyabb, Hastings and Somerville) who want no increases, or want significant reductions, in aircraft noise levels compared with 2018. Of 827 adult Tyabb residents surveyed that year, 90 per cent wanted tighter conditions on aircraft noise.
My press release to The News on 7 October said, “thousands of residents in Tyabb, Hastings and Somerville, are extremely disappointed at this VCAT decision”. This appears to have been twisted and turned into the innocuous quote above. In addition, I stated “The SANITY view is that given the small distance between the airfield and the residents, and the more than 1600 students at the four Tyabb schools, strict limits on aircraft noise need to be in place with appropriate exemptions for historical aircraft and the air show.” None of these words appeared in the article; presumably because they paint a truth contrary to The News’s preferred, and in my opinion offensive, characterisation of local residents.
I feel residents of Tyabb and surrounds have been badly let down by their local paper the The News should publish a correction and issue an apology.
Brewis Atkinson, Tyabb
‘Hollow’ promise
I read with interest that the Victorian Liberal Party expects the much anticipated Baxter rail duplication and electrification to cost $971m, which they will fund (“Promise to pay for Baxter extension” The News 11/10/22). How is it that the cost has decreased from the estimated $1.5 billion in 2020, when building and construction costs have sky rocketed?
If they are relying on the balance from federal Labor, we have Buckley’s of this ever being built.
Time we elected local candidates who work with both sides of politics and the community to understand what can be realistically achieved, such as improving our bus network, rather than hollow promises they know will not fly.
Greg Banks, Moorooduc
Govern for all, not some
It appears Victoria’s Labor government has given up on governing Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula judging by a new report comparing government grants and infrastructure spending in our region with Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.
Bluntly, our region continues to be ripped off by government and is being shockingly neglected.
The two regions have comparable economies and are similar distances from Melbourne, although we have 40,000 more people than Greater Geelong – 310,000 to 270,000.
We don’t for a moment begrudge Geelong’s funds, but the comparison shows how our region has been overlooked for public transport infrastructure spending by successive state governments.
The report, Frankston & Mornington Peninsula Benchmarking Analysis, shows Geelong/Bellarine has $6.2 billion ($22,823 a person) worth of infrastructure projects in the pipeline compared to just $0.72 billion ($2317 a person) for Frankston/Mornington Peninsula.
That’s the grim outlook for our region – and in the past decade, successive state budgets have provided Frankston region with just 40 per cent of Geelong’s infrastructure spending on transport, schools, hospitals and “community and justice”.
We’re asking the state Labor government for a fair share of funds, including for two vital, transformative projects – extending Frankston’s train line to Baxter, and revitalising Nepean Highway through Frankston CBD.
The rail extension will create a backbone for the region’s future public transport network; connect 200,000 residents east of Frankston CBD and on the peninsula; encourage people out of cars and off congested roads; enable a 2000-space park and ride at Langwarrin for peninsula commuters; free up scarce Frankston CBD affordable parking currently used by train commuters; and connect private and public assets such as Monash’s Peninsula campus and Frankston Hospital to Melbourne’s electric train network.
You can read the report and two others that show government neglect of Frankston and Mornington Peninsula on our website: ourfairshare.org.au
Rod Evenden, chair, Committee for Greater Frankston
Independent backing
There is a distinct chance of a [state] election outcome which results in a minority government. This would make a local, independent member for Mornington very influential. How good would this be for our community after so many years of neglect.
Andrea Wittick, Mount Eliza
Candidate conversation
I wish I was old enough to vote. I have to wait another eight years before I can have a say.
I really hope that adult voters think of us kids and vote for good, honest people that care about the environment and giving us a good future. I also hope in the future people will be more accepting of different people and their cultures.
I liked talking about the things I care about with [independent Mornington candidate] Dr Kate Lardner at her youth night last week. It’s good that she listens to us and cares.
Lucy Ciulli, Mt Martha
Promises, promises
Here we go again, lots of promises but very likely light on delivery. Why is [Nepean candidate] Sam Groth and his Liberal Party backers yet again focusing on Portsea beach restoration/replenishment as a major part of it’s environment policy? (“Libs to ‘solve’ Portsea’s erosion problem” The News 4/10/22). Again, the focus seems to be at that end of the peninsula, where these new political aspirants are parachuted in and live in their holiday homes and claim local status and their concerns for local issues when they truly haven’t spent time down here on the peninsula.
If you look at the number of permanent residents that live up the Portsea end of the peninsula you’ll find it has one of the lowest permanent occupancy rates on the peninsula. But I bet it has the highest rate of political donors.
Try delivering for the whole peninsula not the few and, while you’re at it, spend less money on signs that end up probably in landfill and show us voters respect. After all, if you get elected you do work for us.
Murray Whitelaw, Mount Martha
Disillusioned no more
Although I now reside in the Hastings electorate and will be supporting [Liberal candidate] Briony Hutton at this [state] election, I am writing of my positive experience meeting and speaking to her fellow candidate Chris Crewther in Main Street, Mornington.
I have been a very disillusioned “blue” voter for some time, but I see these new candidates come with a deep sense of purpose (“Liberals full of promise, all quiet on Labor front” The News 11/10/22).
Despite what I have read in The News, there is also nothing wrong with candidates living their values. Especially regards the abortion question.
We are a Christian nation and should encourage our representatives to hold fast to their values.
I was a strong supporter of [former Frankston MP] Geoff Shaw and was pleased to read that he is returning to politics (“Surprise is a Shaw thing” The News 4/10/22). The “pro-choice” agenda is a question of morality and must be revisited.
I believe Chris and Briony will do that, and I wish Geoff, Briony and Chris all the best on their mission. We know they will be true to their word. And at the risk of offending the grouchy readers even further: God bless.
Janice Anderson, Somerville
Crewther best for job
Chris Crewther was MP for Frankston when I was living there. I had several issues and, being a senior person, needed help (“Election coming” Letters 20/9/22). Mr Crewther was there, he was quick to offer help.
Mornington has many senior residents and would be fortunate to have Mr Crewther as our member, he walks the talk and is not all about money. We do not need any more Greens or independents.
Bernice Van Rooyen, Mornington
Road kill
Shame on the driver in the white ute/truck with mountain bikes on the back who ploughed at full speed through a family of ducks crossing Pt Leo Road on Wednesday 13 October around 4.20 pm, squishing and killing one duckling outright and leaving another one to die in agony from its injuries.
Pt Leo Road is a wildlife corridor with koalas, kangaroos, birds and other fauna.
Please drive cautiously down Pt Leo Road and also along Byrnes Road, Shoreham where there is a family of ducks living on the verge just in from the Frankston-Flinders-Shoreham roads intersection and at least two other families in the grass along the way to the post office.
Name and address supplied
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 – 18 October 2022
