Landslide blame game
The catastrophic landslide at McCrae on 14 January has receded from the front pages and the TV news reports but that is of little comfort to the 19 owners evicted from their homes. In the meantime, South East Water has been active in examining their areas of responsibility but the shire is strangely silent.
To any long time resident of the area the shire, over many years, is the body clearly at fault. It is the one responsible for drainage, issuing building permits and tree removals. The hillside at McCrae has had natural springs emerge for over 100 years. It is not a new phenomenon. What is new is the removal of the big gum trees that once grew prolifically in the area. These were natures pumps and root systems which held the soil together but none of the alleged experts has raised this as a major contributing factor to the landslides. Permits to remove these trees have been issued like tram tickets with no regard given to their long-term benefit. Those removed illegally attract token fines and in the context of the construction cost of a new house are no deterrent and represent less than petty cash.
The underground water movement from Arthur’s Seat will continue. Nature is perpetual and there is nothing that the shire can do about it other than apply more knowledge to the issuing of building and tree removal permits. Talk of a class action is in the wind. The costs and consequences of this will be devastating to the shire and the best course of action they could take is to buy back the 19 affected properties now and save ratepayers millions in legal costs. The shire is clearly at fault but not just the current office holders.
Barry Rumpf, McCrae
Time warp
As noted in last weeks letters page (Times are changing, Letters 28/1/25), all four clocks on the tower in the Main/Barkly Streets roundabout show different times, so a word of caution to anyone meeting a friend at an agreed time at that junction. When you get there make sure that you check the time on your watch, and not the time on any of the tower clocks.
However, since then workers have attended to the four clocks, and as of 30 January they are all stopped at 12 o’clock. Is that an indication that all clocks are going to be adjusted to the correct time or all just put on hold? Only time will tell.
A few weeks ago the spelling mistakes on signs at the Barkly/Gordon Street junction were noted, and now not far from there the times on the clocks mistakes at Barkly/Main Street junction were listed, so is Barkly Street the unlucky Street?
Lance Rickard, Mt Martha
Doco praise
Congratulations to Damien McLindon and Ben Smith on their excellent documentary covering an extraordinary local project that has supported those sleeping rough (Homelessness film wins best documentary at festival, The News 28/1/25).
Providing basic needs to those who are unhoused is a vital societal act. It was also refreshing to learn from your article that Ben Smith, the CEO of Mornington Community Support Centre and the driving force behind this project, is running as an independent candidate for Flinders in the upcoming election.
His deep commitment to local communities offers a different type of leadership. Many people I speak with are frustrated by the major parties’ vested interests and their inability to address the pressing issues facing everyday Australians.
Representatives of Smith’s calibre, who prioritise the needs of local communities, are needed to move us past the current political challenges.
Amy Hiller, Kew
Independent MPs
I hear many times that independents are funded by Simon Holmes à Court. Simon does not typically directly finance political candidates in his personal capacity. Instead, his primary involvement is through Climate 200, an organization he founded and helps lead. Climate 200 is a crowdfunding initiative that raises money from thousands of donors to support independent candidates who advocate, unlike the donors to the political duopoly, for stronger action on climate change, political transparency, and social equity.
On the other hand we never hear about the multi-millions funnelled to Labor and Coalition from special interest groups, notably the fossil fuel industry and billionaires, who then get a seat at the table when developing policies.
What makes this political funding disparity more glaring is how media coverage amplifies the idea of independents being “bankrolled” by Climate 200 or Simon while, at the same time, sidestepping the immense financial influence of corporate donors, billionaires, and other special interest groups on major parties. It’s a stark reminder of how entrenched interests use funding not only to influence policy but also to control the narrative around political legitimacy. The “bankrolling” by Climate 200 is minuscule compared to the bankrolling of the political duopoly.
A footnote: there is no “Teals” party as so many would like you to believe. Teal was the umbrella colour many independents used to identify their campaign. They are independents that vote for the people who elected them not for the party they are a member of. Every vote is a conscious vote. They use their political power to influence policy changes and outcomes that the political duopoly would rather leave buried or ignored. Independents keep the government of the day honest to some extent which is a full time job in itself.
Hilda McLeod, Dromana
Australia Day?
Like so many Mt Eliza residents I was bitterly disappointed that there was not an Australia Day celebration in Mt Eliza. As your local councillor, I have already had discussions with the Mt Eliza Chamber, local Lions and Rotary Clubs and guarantee that the Mt Eliza Australia Day 2026 will be bigger and better than ever before.
I did celebrate Australia Day by attended the Australian Citizenship Ceremony in Flinders. I will be holding a community forum on Thursday 6 March in the Community Centre for residents, businesses and associated clubs to attend.
Cr Stephen Batty, Kackeraboite Ward
Thanks for flags
Congratulations to the members of the Mornington Football Netball Club for the many Australian flags displayed in Main St Mornington on Australia Day. So many visitors to our shops, beaches and parks and these flags sent a positive, welcoming message to all, on what is a very special National Day.
Ila Howard, Mornington
Hands off
The desecration of war memorials is a kick in the head for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who served in the Boer War, First World War and the Second World War and sacrificed their lives for Australia to be a free democracy and end racial discrimination.
Native Australian’s service has been disrespected in the past with a shocking example by Bruce Ruxton who refused the Aboriginal returned soldiers the right to march as a group in the 1985 ANZAC march.
War memorials should be “hands off” as they commemorate all the service men and women, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, who served in the armed services for Australia.
Russell Morse, Karingal
Clarity on gas
I’d like to clarify some points raised in Russell Morse’s letter on gas bans (Gas bans, Letters 28/1/25).
Let’s be clear. In existing homes, the Victorian government is not banning gas. Gas for cooking will always be a choice available, using bottles if needed. However, mains gas, in particular, will become increasingly expensive. The network connection charge will spiral sharply upwards over the next few years.
It’s wise to start planning your transition away from gas now. Switching to electric heating is a smart move for your wallet, your health, and the environment. Struggling with energy bills? Call Anglicare Victoria’s Energy Assistance Program at 1800 531 741.
John Godfrey, Cape Paterson
Rude language
I was shocked by a letter that left me wondering what the writer hoped to achieve (Good riddance, Letters 28/1/25). That achievement showed a lack of consideration and respect for others.
Name-calling , as demonstrated in the letter, generally lacks judgement. It is not acceptable to demean anyone’s work. Such rhetoric is inciteful, rude, crass, and frankly absurd.
To the person who wrote such a hateful letter, if you cannot write a coherent letter without resorting to disgraceful language, it may be better if you choose not to express your opinions in writing.
Anne Kruger, Rye
445,600 immigrants?
The Sustainable Future Association apparently does not have a clue about Net immigration, their 40,000 goal is naive and absurd (Unsustainable future, Letters 28/1/25).
First the bone: 24.9% (110,954) are permanent visas, 13.6% (59,840) are returning Australians and New Zealanders 444(c) visas (guess we could block Australians from returning home), 2.9% (12,922) are permanent family visas (some of these take 27 years to process), 1.8% (8020) are permanent humanitarian (no comment), 4.7% (20,943) are permanent skilled workers (which we need more of) and 1.9% (8,466) are other permanent visas.
Now for the meat: 75.1% (334,645) are temporary visas who will, at some point, have to return home. 38.3% (170,664) are students who contribute $36.4 billion to our economy, 9.4% (41886) are these pesky working holiday backpackers who contribute around $3 billion a year (could cut to zero but then what indentured servants would we have to pick our fruit and vegetables?), 20.7% (92,239) are tourists and other temporary visas. In 2025 tourists are poised to make an economic contribution of $265.5b, representing 10% of the Australian economy and jobs in Australia’s travel and tourism sector hit 1.42m, representing a tenth of the national workforce.
Migration is insignificant of the many factors influencing housing demand, and is not the root cause of housing shortages. Addressing the real drivers, such as restrictive housing policies, speculative investment, and inadequate construction (need more skilled labour) is essential for creating sustainable and equitable housing markets.
Blaming migration oversimplifies a complex issue and detracts from the systemic solutions needed to resolve it. I challenge The Sustainable Future Association to reply to the data with a clear and concise proposal to reach their 40,000 goal.
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
Bank on it
In the early 2000s when the big four banks started closing branches, the NAB decided to shut down Mt Martha branch leaving us without banking facilities particularly for our older community members, so a group of residents contacted the Bendigo Bank with a view to starting a community bank branch.
With assistance from Bendigo Bank it was decided to progress with the idea and after much work in getting shareholders signed up to establish the funding amount required to start proceedings. Then with almost two years work a branch was opened on 7 April 2011.
For those who are not familiar with a Bendigo Community Bank model, the Bendigo Bank runs the banking side of things with very strict rules applied by the government to run a bank and the community company (shareholders) run the actual premises etc. The community model requires up 80% + of the profits to be put back into local not for profit community groups for ongoing expenses (such as building works , or other running expenses).
Now we now come to the good news. To all the locals who bank with the Mt Martha Community Bank, you can take pride in the knowledge that your support has meant that local groups have (up to December 2024) been given grants totaling $1.5 million. So if you want to make a change to the Mt Martha Community (if you bank with another bank) look at changing the bank you use now or apply for a home loan/business loan/etc. and make a difference. If you are a community group looking for assistance contact Gary Sanford through the branch in Mt Martha.
There are other Community Banks throughout the peninsula that help their communities in the same way, so support them to see the results you can help achieve.
Barry Kirkpatrick, Mt Martha
Neighbourhood pride
Recently in my street the gutter had been half full of water for about five days. On investigation I discovered the source of the problem was five houses away from me. I would have thought that of all the people in that vicinity (mostly units) someone would have used their nous and reported it to the authorities. No, not one of them! What a waste of water!
It seems that we are all so wrapped in ourselves these days that neighbourliness has gone out the window and nobody cares about what is happening around them. Shame. Shame. Shame.
Maria Fiumara, Bonbeach
Green sea
As a Melbourne returnee, I am shocked at the signs of pollution in our precious bay. During recent rains, the bay’s water quality was considered too poor for swimming and was bright green when seen from Seaford pier. Even in calm weather there remained a carpet of green on the sand along the stretch of beach.
Are we heading blindly into the pollution catastrophe being experienced in the UK from dumping of waste water, including sewage and runoff, into beaches, rivers and lakes rendering them unusable?
Imagine Melbourne without our beloved bay. If not pollution, please tell me what is happening!
Susan Chapman, Bonbeach
Beer garden?
We enjoy Frankston beach almost every day, and are grateful that such a safe and attractive site is freely available to older citizens such as ourselves, as well as to other members of the general public.
We were therefore recently surprised to find that a substantial portion of the beach right next to the pier, a favourite position for families, had been taken over by a beer garden. Not only does it diminish the space available for other beach-goers, but parents and children will be exposed to drunken behaviour and language, and the sand is likely to be littered with rubbish, including dangerous broken glass.
Given that an intersection with a pub on each corner is situated just a couple of minutes walk away, there was little danger of anyone dying of thirst in the absence of this latest eyesore.
Bill and Fran James, Frankston
