Development for development’s sake
THE proposed redevelopment of ‘The Eagle’, atop Wonga, must not be given the go-ahead by Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny. In 2020, the shire declared a Climate Emergency both as a responsible measure to limit climate impacts to these beautiful lands and under pressure from the community. We know that as part of actions to reduce greenhouse emissions and strains on the natural environment, we must reassess our use of material resources.
This redevelopment is development for development’s sake. The current set up is fit for purpose – people experience the view, enjoy the quiet ride, and sit at the cafe at the top for refreshments while exploring the natural and untouched beauty of the surrounds. This is more than sufficient and attracts large numbers of visitors. The redevelopment would put further strain on the single road in and out through the construction phase. There would be further land clearing, disrupting the habitat of native wildlife.
If a bushfire were to come through how many people would be trapped due to the increase in cars in the “one way in, one way out” area? The infrastructure to support a safe experience in this event simply does not, and cannot, exist. The current set up is modern enough, but retains the simple, natural charm that the peninsula is known for. A luge is a ridiculous addition – this is a state park, not a theme park – a place where people can gather to experience the natural environment through walks and picnics and being together.
Development for development’s sake benefits only the developer, putting locals and the environment at risk in order to maximise profits. Please Minister Kilkenny, take a stance that aligns with climate emergency actions, do right by our environment and do not approve this proposal!
Karli Smith, Dromana
Overpass pass
I just received Sam Groth’s newsletter. He’s still banging on about the jetty road overpass. Blimey, he’s like a dog with a bone. If he wants it built, perhaps he should approach Greg Hunt for the money. After all, it was he who promised, I say again, promised the cash to build it. Labor did not and has not dedicated funds to the overpass. If Sam would care to look at the Jetty Road exit he would notice the installation of traffic lights that are controlling traffic quite well.
So please Sam, give it a rest regarding the Jetty Road overpass!
John Cain, McCrae
Mornings
Have you ever seen the rain? I preference slightly for Creedence. Some songs hit the mark. Maybe follow up with Proud Mary, finish on Grapevine to begin the day? One needs a certain calm with Peter Dutton’s consistent attempts (remember African gangs?) aided by Jane Hume, to place antisemitism on Anthony Albanese’s actions list.
If we ever survive this there’s always Misogyny as a fallback.
In times like this political advantage can be a mongrel, allowing for Albanese’s weak small-target strategy. Enough said of the Aboriginal flag nonsense, again via Sir Peter pain in the backside. Ross Gittins piece on Albanese didn’t help, and yet his suggestion of a gutless three years (and the last minute 45 bills) was close to the mark. We thank the clear thinking Penny Wong for a clearer picture of truth. Suddenly, a lot of respect for Sam Groth. Watch your back son.
My personal permanent pacemaker has been inside me for 12 days now, albeit never experiencing chest pain; not so head pain?
Cliff Ellen, Rye
Fire Risk
That hot dry weather poses an increase in fire risk would be news to no one (Peninsula faces fire risk, The News 10/12/24). Part of the summer weather cycle many will say, nothing new here, nothing to do with climate change making a bad situation worse the deniers will say. Curiously these same people have relied on the careful methodical work of scientists to do all manner of things to improve our society from health, transportation and technology among other things. Nobody would seriously challenge the expertise of scientists in the these fields yet when it comes to climate change everyone seems to think that their gut instinct qualifies as a valid opposing argument.
This was demonstrated this week when the highly world regarded CSIRO latest report shot holes through Dutton’s nuclear idea. Was the response one of respect for the organisation’s work ? No, it was voices denigrating the independence and validity of the report. In the end though one has to make a choice, do you believe the work of the highly qualified CSIRO or the habitually truth challenged politicians voicing their scientifically ignorant opinions? Take all the nanoseconds you need.
Ross Hudson, Mt Martha
Spelling mistake
In the vicinity of our local Mornington Centro shopping centre there is a large sign that has a spelling mistake. The same mistake is on both sides of the sign, and it has been like that for many years. Have others noticed the mistake?
Lance Rickard, Mount Martha
Registering bikes?
Debate has started on the issue of registering of bikes with the argument that this would mean owners and police being able to track bikes when stolen. But it will also mean a registration cost like currently we have for cars and motor bikes that will see the state government reaps millions of dollars every year. With the state debt expanding the registration of bikes will become a major revenue for government coffer, especially if the Liberals win the next state election. Be thoughtful before saying yes to this or bike riders will eventually be taxed heavily.
Russell Morse, Karingal
Gas guess
Origin Energy is my gas provider. I have received estimated bills telling me I owe them a certain amount. This amount is pulled out of the sky. They have no way of knowing what I owe them. I have heard all the usual reasons they give for not actually reading the meter. Foliage around meters/ locked gate/ dog on site. I recently communicated with Origin several times telling them exactly how to open gate and exactly where the meters are etc. Knowing the meters (according to Origin) were to be read on 9 December or two business days either side, I placed a very large clear message on the gate. Has the meter been read? Reply “would I please send them a photo of my meter.” The meter reader is either lazy or incompetent. What is my next move? Avoid Origin Energy especially if you live in a rural area.
Maureen Sharpe, Bittern
Financial irresponsibility
Recently, as a matter of transparency, I requested financials on Martha Public Golf Course for the last five years. This venture was running at a loss and the shire was in a “turmoil” on what to do. I was told that I would have to file an FOI to get this information. It is a puzzle as you would have thought that a financially responsible organisation would have this data at the push of a button for an operating revenue generating venture that, apparently, is running at a cost to ratepayers.
It smacks of days past when we were trying to get operating revenues/costs on the Pelican Park Recreation Centre and the shire blocked the information at every request. I finally got it but it was like pulling teeth. New question; what are the financials on Pelican Park Recreation Centre, Yawa Aquatic Centre and camping sites for starters?
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
Government cuts to CFA
As Victoria enters another fire season, why has the state government cut funding to the Country Fire Authority yet again? The 2023-24 CFA Annual Report tells a story that the state government wanted to hide by releasing it at the very end of the parliamentary year to avoid questions.
In 2021, CFA received $352 million in funding. This has progressively reduced each year since to $339 million in 2023-24. Minister Jaclyn Symes claims the CFA budget increased for 2024-25 – but her own figure of $337m shows this not true. Even worse, the government skimmed about $70 million from the 2023-24 CFA budget to fund other government agencies by stealth.
Minister Symes claims that this is due to accounting for specific projects. If that were true, those projects would have been listed as separate line items to ensure transparency. As things stand, we have seen this money flow away from CFA to cash-strapped government bodies such as Triple 0 Victoria.
The report reveals that the CFA is not adequately funded for its role, with an end-of-year loss of $74 million. Further, desperately needed fire truck replacements are not being funded. And why does CFA only receive 25% of the Fire Services Levy that all Victorians pay? Farmers are each paying thousands of dollars annually, with 75% of their payment subsidising Fire Rescue Victoria cost blowouts, instead of their CFA fire service. To add insult to injury, farmers are often CFA volunteer firefighters as well. How can this be fair?
Premier Allen must fix this disgraceful situation and ensure adequate funding for CFA to protect Victorians.
When the next Bushfire Royal Commission comes around, government ministers will be forced to answer some awkward questions. “I don’t remember” will be unacceptable to those who lose family members and property to bushfires.
Eric Collier, Somerville
Speaking up
I would like to condemn the recent terror attacks on our Jewish communities around Australia. There is no reason ever for these cowardly attacks by some deranged individuals, in Australia. At the same time I would like to point out the fact that, according to the International Court of Justice and Amnesty International, Israel is run by war criminals with the backing of the United States. What is also indefensible, is the land grab and bombing of Syria after the fall of the Assad government by the Israeli Defence forces. If the state of Israel wants to take the moral high ground, it is showing by its actions lately it is falling well short of this aim. As for sticking to local news, I would argue that the diminishing of human rights, as is done by Israel and Hamas in Gaza and Lebanon and lately in Syria, is also threatening the human rights of all people around the world.
Rupert Steiner, Balnarring
Supporting ‘local’ news
I thoroughly support the views expressed in the letter from Bianca Felix (Stick to local issues, Letters 10/12/24). We are constantly blasted with news from the Middle East and elsewhere by all means of communication. There is no let up from it. Australia has little or no influence on world opinion so what do contributors to this paper expect will result from their protestations?
Local issues are becoming outnumbered by these worldly scribes and nobody cares because there is not a single thing we, on the peninsula, can do about it. Issues that are important, like the state of the Portsea Pier and paths along various cliffs don’t get enough exposure to exert any influence. Our lot in life would improve if we did.
If you don’t believe me then just think of the discussion about a Jetty Road overpass. It’s been going on for years and not a sod has been turned.
Stick to issues that will have some demonstrable effect on our daily lives.
Barry Rumpf, McCrae
But just quickly…
Despite my reluctance to see the Letters pages of our local paper be used to discuss international affairs, I feel compelled to respond to some recent letters. Many correspondents seem to have a particular interest in the geo-politics of the Middle East, for example, John Shorter (IDF shame, Letters 19/11/24).
I am not a military expert and it is clear that neither is the said correspondent. Therefore, I recommend listening to an actual military expert John Spencer, who was recently interviewed on a podcast called Latika Takes. It is a fascinating apolitical analysis of various current conflicts across the globe – and includes a comprehensive discussion of the actions of the IDF.
Rupert Steiner (Don’t talk about it, Letters 19/11/24) displays a profound ignorance of the Australian Jewish community and sails very close to the antisemitic trope of “dual loyalty”. While there are a range of views about the current Israel-Gaza conflict within the Australian Jewish community, it is not the role of Australian Jewish community organisations to “censure” a foreign government! Their role is to support the wellbeing and safety of the local Jewish community.
With over 2000 formal incidents of anti-Jewish violence logged with police across Australia in the 11 months from Nov 2023 to Sept 2024 – more than four times the number that had been logged in the previous 12 months – their work is cut out for them. The recent deliberate arson attack on a prominent Melbourne synagogue has brought the problem to public prominence. Steiner’s belittling of the experience of antisemitism is shameful.
Bianca Felix, Bittern
What nuclear waster?
Can Peter Dutton or any of his Liberal associates inform us where all the high-level nuclear energy waste will be dumped in Australia, after he builds his nuclear energy plants in locations across Australia. Currently Australia only has two low-level nuclear waste dumps, Sydney’s Lucas Heights and WA’s Sandy Ridge. In the words of PH, “Please Explain”.
Phil McDonald, Carrum Downs
South Beach rubbish
For the past eight years, on and off, I have been picking up rubbish left on the beach between Mount Martha village and South Beach car park. In the morning, the sand is littered with aluminium cans, plastic and glass bottles, lolly and biscuit wrappers, fish and chip or hamburger containers, plastic containers, matches, vapes, cigarette butts, bottle tops, wooden cutlery, straws, discarded underwear and towels, sanitary pads, used condoms, empty cardboard boxes and shards or fragments of broken glass.
All this is to be found in front of, between and behind the bathing boxes. It is common to find on the beach incinerated tee-tree or timber torn from nearby beach boxes. With a sense of despair, I now realise that I am fighting a losing battle. Until the consumers recognise that they are part of nature, nothing will change. I have tried to make a difference. And I have failed. Memo to the culprits: “Pick up after yourselves. I’ve had enough of doing it for you.”
Nicholas Green, Inverloch
The kindness of strangers
On Tuesday, 24 September 2024 I had a bad fall in Rosebud. It happened just before 1pm. I was hurrying across the road behind the Rosebud Cinema, when I tripped and fell heavily. I was badly shaken and stressed, my right wrist had been fractured and I was unable to get back on my feet. In my time of need and distress, passers by immediately came to my aid. I do not know the names of those who helped me, I am grateful to all of them. In particular the young man who promptly called the ambulance and the young woman who sat with me and assured me that help was on the way and that I would be looked after.
It was a traumatic situation; I was in deep shock. I am indeed grateful for the help and comfort provided in my time of need. I cannot thank you all enough. Your kindness will always resonate with me. The paramedics were excellent and reassuring. I was taken to Frankston Hospital for treatment. The care that I received from the staff of the Short Stay Surgical Ward at the hospital was outstanding and the work of the surgeons exemplary.
Thank you all so very much.
Ginny Rose, Mornington
