More bins are the answer to annual rubbish ‘gripe’
The article about rubbish reflects the annual gripe that appears every year for about six weeks (“Tourists told to ‘clean up’” The News 10/1/23). One of Mornington Peninsula Shire Councils titled “experts” rattles on about educating the masses, bla,bla,bla when blind Freddie knows that the solution which the council refuses to address is more bins.
They pay lip service to the problem by trying to shut us up, explaining that they have increased the number of bins and frequency of emptying.
It is still not enough and, rather than address the problem seriously, the precious people on council prefer to concentrate on irrelevancies such as the arts and Aboriginal rights.
Frankly, the average ratepayer couldn’t give two hoots about performing and other forms of art at the expense of providing essential services.
Complaints about jetski misbehavior is a police matter; not a council matter. The rubbish problem is assisted daily by the voluntary acts of early morning dog walkers. Where is the high cost beach cleaning machine when you need it?
The real problem is off beach areas where more bins are needed, and you only reach enough when the amount of overflow litter is eliminated.
Council moans that its ability to raise revenue from tourists is limited. True, but as tourism benefits only the business community then why not raise more rate revenue from these venues?
Barry Rumpf, McCrae
Decision not divine
The decision for Ryman Healthcare in VCAT over the holiday period is a blow to the protection of the Mornington Peninsula’s green wedge and environment. There is nothing divine about the decision as suggested by making a quotation to the Bible without the correct reference (“Age with dignity” Letters 10/1/23).
I regard Ryman as a bully that applied to the Mornington Peninsula Shire twice and VCAT twice until it got the decision it wanted at the costs of ratepayers. This is not divine intervention and we as a community should not celebrate this decision but, again, be very concerned at the influence big money has and is willing to use to get its way.
Craig Thomson, Rye
Change is forever
There was a very pertinent remark made in support of the gross (over)development of the Moondah Mansion in Mount Eliza by Ryman Healthcare (“Age with dignity” Letters 10/1/23): ”Many in their twilight years can now look forward to ageing with dignity within the landscape they love, with the care and safety they need.” But that’s one of the biggest issues; sadly the landscape will be forever changed by this development, and not in a positive way, and certainly not loved and respected in the way it currently is by local residents.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council does not support the development of this retirement village, no one I know supports this development – it is certainly not what the majority of Mornington Peninsula residents want.
We want to protect our green wedge.
Perhaps a retirement village in the Patterson Lakes marina would be more suitable.
Kylie Bierman, Mornington
Ryman ‘white elephant’
It’s all very well submitting pro-Ryman Healthcare letters from a Patterson Lakes address, but you have no idea, or of superannuation invested in the coastal neighbourhood classified Kunyung Road, Mount Eliza properties that will be significantly impacted upon by such suburban commercial development by a New Zealand-based company based on a profit making model (“Age with dignity” Letters 10/1/23).
I see absolute cant and codswallop classifying this absentee, pro-developer propagandised support for the rape of an historical part for our village and attack upon the safety and security of hundreds of primary school children and their parents, not forgetting the negative impact upon the rateable land values of many retirees along that road.
The only saving grace is that Ryman Healthcare has missed the boat to pack its now uneconomically much downsized religious-centred retirement dogbox dumping hotel because it is obvious that meantime, other developers have surged ahead and built an oversupply of similar encampments.
Early purchasers buying into 60-70 Kunyung road will find themselves isolated from local infrastructure because there isn’t any, and occupying a distinctly under populated set of multistorey building blocks which will eventually compel Ryman management to sell it off as unprofitable. It will be left an empty white elephant with no community net benefit.
Ian Morrison, convenor Mt Eliza Community Alliance
Not voting for me
Voting history is the latest thing Liberal politicians are trying to scrub from the internet. Coalition politicians have taken exception to a website which lists their voting records, claiming it distorts their stances.
Taking a look at how our esteemed federal representative, Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie, represented us for 2022, it is amazing how many times she was absent from parliament and did not vote.
With climate change identified as one of the most important issues on the Mornington Peninsula, she voted consistently against net zero emissions by 2035, net zero emissions by 2050, the Paris Climate Agreement. Also voted consistently against increasing transparency of big business by making information public.
Then, of course, voting against caps on price gouging by the fossil fuel industry; a clear indication that she “doesn’t want energy prices that inconvenience the gas industry”.
Voted specifically against censuring [former prime minister] Scott Morrison and the higher education support amendment
McKenzie was part of the group that made sure the National Anti-Corruption Commission is basically secret and corruption is hidden from public view.
Works for me? Not.
When MPs vote they are not voting for a person, they are voting for a political party and its agenda, except for legitimate independents who tend to listen and vote on the issues.
In summary: The Liberal Party brand is no longer “fit for purpose” and has lost its volunteer base on the ground, according to an internal review reported by the Australian.
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
Staff thanked
As a 74 year old grandmother who loves kayaking for fun I would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff of young people at Mornington Boat Hire on Scout Beach, Mornington.
They are very helpful, always respectful, hardworking and ready to have a chat.
Nothing is too much trouble.
It gives someone of my generation faith in the future leadership of this country.
Marilyn Hoban, Mornington
Respect lacking
With regard to the recent events in relation to the death of Cardinal George Pell in Rome, it should be pointed out that we, as a nation, claim in our present constitution that when we are charged with a criminal offence be granted the fair judicial system, which is applicable to every citizen of being innocent until proven guilty. However, a prominent television station used, on the sudden death of the cardinal, a news caption, two words only: Pell dead.
A primary school child leaving grade six should be capable of putting a short sentence together to indicate that a well-known and popular citizen be given the due respect that is deserved, has died, but our “clever” media operators did not have the wit or the will to act responsibly in this particular case.
His Eminence, Cardinal Pell was placed in a now historical situation of being misjudged by two judges and a collection of jurors (oh the power of it all) and he was sent to jail for 406 days for an obviously unprovable case, with no true facts to sustain it.
As a supposedly fair-minded people it should send a shudder through our collective brains to act wisely and not become the banana republic a few load-mouthed’ minorities would like to set us up as.
Maureen Federico, Frankston South
It’s not cricket
The Australian cricket captain seems to make decisions that appear inconsistent to the game.
Opening batsman Usman Kwawaja is 195 not out, but rain cancelled play. Next morning Pat Cummins declares, which means no possible 200 for Kwawaja. The team comes first.
On the last day, having the extra time Cummins realises that Australia cannot win, so he calls the game off.
What consideration does this show the loyal supporters who supported the game despite rain, over the five days, and who paid for their tickets. Does “team” mean Pat Cummins?
Geoffrey Lane, Mornington
Protecting kangaroos
The kangaroo is at risk of annihilation. Since European settlement, six Macropodidae species have already become extinct. The roo is an icon of Australia, emblazoned on our coat of arms, used for team insignias, and the animal that tourists hope to see when they visit.
Yet despite laws protecting native species, quotas were issued in 2022 for the commercial slaughter of 4.5 million kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroos. Far more were killed, including joeys who are usually pulled out of their dead mothers’ pouches and beaten to death. Thousands more are shot by landholders who are not bound by the poorly enforced commercial codes of practice. Thousands are injured and left to die in agony.
The annual massacre of these peaceful herbivores is the largest slaughter of land-based wildlife on the planet. They are being killed to stop them eating grass that graziers want for sheep and cattle, and for the profits to be made selling their skins for football boots.
To say kangaroos are damaging the land they’ve lived on for four million years is absurd – the real culprit behind land degradation is overgrazing by introduced sheep and cattle. The best way to protest this disgraceful carnage is to stop buying meat, dairy, leather and wool.
Desmond Bellamy, special projects coordinator, PETA 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 – 17 January 2023
