‘No’ to social housing ‘sad indictment on community’
I note with some interest that Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is listing affordable housing as one of it’s priorities (“Shire ‘shouts’ for money” The News 4/10/22).
People may be aware that both the state and federal governments have committed billions to building additional housing. However, to do that they need to work with councils and the organisations to find suitable land and develop partnerships to build. The problem we have here is that the council has crab-walked away from options for affordable housing to be built on council owned land that have been identified. The biggest one was at Capel Sound where council gave in to a local campaign to stop affordable housing being built (“Social housing site rejected” The News 13/9/22). The saddest thing was that the council had not even identified what type of affordable housing it would be or who would be the targeted population to occupy it.
It is the reality that even those on median incomes like nurses, childcare workers, hospitality workers are now unable to afford rental properties on the peninsula. While one answer is to encourage those who have houses that are unoccupied for a significant part of the year to make their properties available for rental, the other is to build more housing.
However, it appears that on the peninsula no-one wants affordable housing in their neighbourhood and the council is unable to convince them otherwise. That is a sad indictment on our community.
Marg D’Arcy, Rye
Far from funny
Surely they are kidding? Mornington Peninsula Shire “shout out” campaign to secure promises of money in the lead up to the November state election (“Shire ‘shouts’ for money” The News 4/10/22). More grist for the mill on the “worst ever” satisfactory survey (“Shire hits ‘all time’ low in satisfaction” The News 4/10/22). Right wing political nonsense from our born to rule councillors, not forgetting the dumping of our cleaning people, our handyman services and the ridiculous expenditure on the coloured brochure in our letter boxes.
If it wasn’t so outrageous it could be funny but, alas, far from it. Vultures come to mind. Breathing slowly from the diaphragm. “They may look like idiots and talk like idiots, but don’t let that fool you. They really are idiots,” Groucho Marx.
Cliff Ellen, Rye
Boneseed fire risk
I am extremely concerned about the fire risk of the highly flammable South African noxious weed called boneseed. This yellow flowering weed is growing all along Arthur’s Seat Road which winds up from the bottom to the top of Arthurs Seat as well as at the lookout areas. VicRoads is responsible for any foliage growing within two metres of the roadside.
The Department of Agriculture states that “boneseed is well adapted to fire, responding more rapidly than native species and responding to even low intensity fire”.
The risk to human life caused by a bushfire if this highly flammable weed catches on fire during the fire seasons of spring, summer and autumn is one that needs to be mitigated by VicRoads urgently.
As we are aware there are huge numbers of visitors to the tourist attractions of the Eagle Chairlift, the Enchanted Maze and Seawinds Gardens over most weekends and holidays, therefore the risk to these tourists becoming trapped by a bushfire at the top of Arthurs Seat is alarming.
VicRoads is shunning its responsibility to tourists using this road if does nothing to eradicate this weed which has almost completely infested the roadside.
There appears to be no past or future plan to remove the Boneseed by VicRoads.
I have written to VicRoads about this issue, but I have received no response.
Mary Waterman, Arthurs Seat
Running at loss
There is much debate about public transport on the Mornington Peninsula (“Push for improved public transport” The News 27/9/22).
I wonder how the [east-west] bus service is even financially viable, since few people seem to pay any longer.
Tina Bennett, Tyabb
Driver responsibility
Both the first full speed hump and the smaller ones close to the intersection of Myers and Hendersons roads, Bittern that have 20kmh speed signs on them do not cause any problems if the driver slows to the suggested speed or below (“Bumpy ride for wheelchairs” Letters 4/10/22).
If the driver of a vehicle has a wheelchair patient on board then it is their responsibility to drive to the conditions and at such a speed they don’t throw their passenger around.
If they cannot do that then they should hand their license in.
Brian Fox, Bittern
Job for an MP
The Liberal National Party gives money to wealthy developers but only “fights” for funding for projects affecting their electorate. Perhaps [Flinders MP] Zoe McKenzie should ask [her predecessor] Greg Hunt just where in the office did he put the phantom $70 million for the Jetty Road, Rosebud overpass. That could then be one less item she’ll have to fight for.
Good luck with the electrification of the Frankston to Baxter rail line. The internal road system is a shire responsibility, only the major roads are maintained by VicRoads, a state responsibility.
The LNP have held this seat since way back when Bob Chynoweth held it for Labor, so they have had all those years to improve telecommunications.
It will be interesting to see how Zoe performs in her first term. It would be better if she rolled up her sleeves and got stuck into those issues instead of issuing pretty glossy pamphlets.
John Cain, McCrae
Still no care
Mornington Peninsula Shire has done it again. So many people still have not had any In home support since our illustrious councillors voted to ditch us. We were referred to as “scaremongering activists” by one councillor, when we raised it.
There has been no response or acknowledgement of the damage caused by their decision, from the CEO or councillors.
To add insult to injury the shire has now asked for nominations for the Delys Sergeant Age Friendly Award, to recognise the contributions older people make to our communities.
Without support, many of us are less able to do what we formerly did. What a joke.
Barb Rimington, Balnarring
A private matter
One cannot help but sympathise with the residents of Martha Cove having to contend with hordes of fishermen who regularly invade the area. I have seen them myself passing in our boat and often get abuse for proceeding through their lines.
However, I do not think that this is a problem that should be shunted solely to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
Martha Cove is private property and the residents have it within their power to engage whatever security measures are needed to enforce compliance with the body corporate rules at their own expense.
If there is non-compliance with planning permit conditions, then the council has a role to ensure that these conditions are observed.
The photo shows a large number of residents lined up against four fishermen (“Petition to tackle fishing ‘problem’ at marina” The News 27/9/22). Apart from looking and tut-tutting, what did they do?
The police will not respond to calls from residents in these circumstances, so the alternative is for council to request police support to enforce planning permit conditions. If there is wide-spread defecation and physical threats with knives occurring complaints could be made to the police for this and indecent exposure.
A more effective approach would be to engage security people or patrol the canal on a jet ski to scatter the fish. I don’t know what the legal status of the breakwater is, but if they are to be confined to that area at least the residents will get some substantial relief. Excess bag limits can also be policed by Fisheries officers. Constant harassment is an effective tool.
Barry James Rumpf, McCrae
Simplistic diagnosis
When we consider just how Queen Elizabeth II was when she died recently, there seems to be three factors.
Firstly, she had recently lost her husband, the love of her life. Secondly, she caught COVID, who knows what effect that had on her health? Thirdly, she was 96 and no doubt had some health issues as a result of reaching that age.
However, what have the doctors put on her death certificate? She died of “old age”.
I thought no one was supposed to die of “old age” nor of a “broken heart” for that matter. What they actually die of is the medical problems that come with advanced age or with the real misery of suffering a broken heart. To say a person dies of “old age” is just too simplistic.
Mary Lane, Mornington
Successfull grocery grab
Mornington Lions Club recently participated in the Lions Cord Blood Foundation Grocery Grab 2022.
Money raised will be divided between the foundation and the local Mornington Lions Club which will donate to those in need in the community.
The foundation supplies funding for the ongoing research of cord blood collected from the umbilical cords of newborns. The stem cells, when processed from the cord blood, help children in their fight against leukaemia.
The lucky Grocery Grab winners winners were Mason ($400 Woolworths voucher donated by the Lions Cord Blood Foundation), Christine and Bob ($100 and $50 Bunnings vouchers donated by Mornington Lions), and Lena and Sue ($50 Woolworths vouchers donated by Woolworths Bentons Square).
Mornington Lions Club president Aileen Shaw extended thanks to the generous community for supporting this cause and the much appreciated co-operation of Bentons Square management in providing the venue for this fundraising event.
Patricia Forsyth, Mornington Lions Club
Birds make a mess
If Mornington. Peninsula Shire Council wishes to clean up some excrement, I suggest a visit to Main Street, Mornington, particularly at the bus stop outside The Village shopping centre (“Costly outcome for not cleaning up dog poo” The News 4/10/22). Birds roost in the very pleasant tree that grows there, and they do what creatures do before bed or maybe when they wake up.
Instead of some of the half-baked projects the council happily spends our money on, perhaps it could ensure the pavement on Main Street is subject to regular cleaning, and I don’t mean quarterly.
There are several trees lining Main Street, and the problem is common to them all. Not pleasant for a tourist town.
Jack Wheeler, Mornington
Questions not asked
Frankston Council claims its recent satisfaction survey is a good guide to the public’s perception as to how it is performing.
It should be noted only 800 people were surveyed, which is less than half a percent of the population, and one must question as to whether the responders were handpicked. Was the survey taken before or after it was made public about two councillors spending $30,000 of ratepayers money on legal costs?
If the council wants an honest appraisal then it should be far more transparent on these matters. I realise it has met its legal obligations, but why not be proactive instead of defensive.
I hope it does not hide behind the excuse of cost as one could be done entirely on line on a voluntary basis.
John Roberts, Frankston
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 – 11 October 2022
