Respect all of the peninsula’s heritage
Renée Gatt (Peninsula no place to be if you’re a heritage building, The News 1/7/25) notes the issue of loss of heritage buildings. I agree with Renée that heritage buildings should be saved to celebrate our history. But that only celebrates the colonial history. There are very few places on the peninsula that celebrate or recognise the tens of thousands of heritage sites for pre-colonial Australia. There is more recognition of the failed attempt to establish a colony near Blairgowrie. That settlement did not even last one year and yet it is deemed worthy of commemorating.
On that basis there should be plaques and statues everywhere that recognise the thousands of years of Aboriginal settlement. We should know where the main gathering places were, we should know what happened to the people who were pushed from their land, the history of what happened to the Bunurong women kidnapped by sealers.
We should celebrate the way the Bunurong people cared for the land and knew how to survive on the land. And with that knowledge we will embrace the need for a treaty that will finally acknowledge the wrong that was done in our name.
So yes, let’s celebrate and recognise all our history, we will all be better for it.
Marg D’Arcy, Rye
We must do our part
Keith Davis (Climate Delusions, Letters 1/7/25) is concerned about the subsidies to renewables being a cost to taxpayers. He should realize those subsidies are designed to speed up the decarbonisation of our economy, after more than two centuries of effectively subsidising coal power by allowing it free use of our atmosphere as a dumping ground for emissions.
He is also concerned that renewables are damaging our environment. Coal power is continuing change our climate and is already having noticeable effects. This side of the ledger will far outweigh any damage done by renewables.
Davis also claims that even if we achieve “net zero” it will achieve little globally. The US Environmental Protection Agency has found China, USA, India and Europe are the biggest contributors to greenhouse emissions, with about 24% of the global total… about one quarter. Plenty of scope for the rest of the world, including Australia, to do their bit.
I suggest readers Google Charlie Pickering’s response to Alan Jones and Peta Credlin and their “we are only grain of rice” desktop fiasco. Pickering makes the point that Australia’s contribution to the Allied forces in WW2 was just 2%, but we acted anyway because “the consequences of not doing so were just unthinkable”. So it is now.
Ian Sharp, Somers
First world problem?
Further to Keith Davis’ concerns (Climate Delusions, Letters 1/7/25) how presumptuous of our governments to ask first world individuals to be financially inconvenienced! Why should we be taking steps to save this earth for all, the poor and disadvantaged, the animals in fact every living thing?
Bruce Wearing-Smith, Somers
Climate action matters
Keith Davis (Climate delusions, The News 1/7/2025) doesn’t get it. Today’s rapid climate change is real and caused mostly by burning fossil fuels, which emit greenhouse gases. All countries, and therefore all jurisdictions and citizens within those countries, have a role to play in reducing the emissions. That’s why 195 countries signed the Paris Agreement a decade ago.
In Australia, all states and territories have emissions targets and plans to achieve them. Additionally, 166 out of 537 Australian local government areas have made ambitious climate action commitments. For example, these councils are actively participating in the Cities Power Partnership, including Mornington Peninsula Shire. It is Australia’s largest local government climate network. The CPP works with local councils to implement various projects like installing solar panels, transitioning to electric vehicles, and promoting energy efficiency programs.
Commendably, Mornington Peninsula Shire was a winner in the Ambition category in the Cities Power Partnership Climate Awards 2021. The shire made six pledges in the areas of renewable energy, sustainable transport, and working together.
It is a great pity that the 2025 council has dropped the ball on the climate action plan and possibly, as a consequence, its partnership pledges. While Keith would say it doesn’t matter, clearly many think it does.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn
Anti-science hero
Keith Davis (Climate Delusions, Letters 1/7/25) flies all the flags of the anti-science climate deniers that are all too often spouted in the right wing Murdoch press. Keith is disturbed by the billions provided in subsidies to the renewable energy (the cheapest energy) yet seems oblivious to the fact that these subsidies pale in comparison to those dished out to the fossil fuel industry every year.
Yes, the Rosebud hospital would love some of the money and would I am sure be just as happy to get that money from the fossil fuel industry if they were taxed in a reasonable manner or for many producers, at all.
One only has to look at Norway which applies a significant tax to the fossil fuel industry, which they begrudgingly paid, resulting in Norway having a massive sovereign wealth fund which helps support its world class free education, including university, roads and services, health care and old age care that are the envy of the world.
Keith then trots out that old chestnut of “we only produce a tiny amount of the world’s pollution so what is the point of us doing anything”. I could just as easily, and selfishly, say that my income tax is a tiny fraction of Australia’s taxation revenue so why would it matter if I didn’t pay any tax. Australia is a wealthy member of the world economy and should play its part in a global solution to a global problem.
Finally Keith should know that the “terrible increase to our cost of living, let alone the environmental damage to our forests, farmlands, and wildlife is beyond belief” will not be a consequence of action on climate change, it will be the consequence of doing nothing.
Ross Hudson, Mt Martha
Dog ban
I endorse comments made by Rupert Steiner (Insane waste of money, Letters 1/7/25). We now have the same sign in Fawkner Park, Blairgowrie, advising that dogs are not allowed. It is totally unnecessary. We have been walking our dog there for over ten years with no sign of any flora or fauna being harmed in any way. Six councillors have apparently made a decision without inspecting the area and without consultation. These restrictions are totally inappropriate and unwarranted.
Jane McPherson, Blairgowrie
Energy efficiency
Brian A Mitchelson’s house sounds a lot like mine (Healthy house, Letters 1/7/25). I too am fortunate enough to have ceiling insulation, fans and doors and windows that open. I also don’t have any air conditioning.
In winter I love the fat “sausage-dog” draft stopper that was given to me more than five decades ago. I am happy that others, especially those in need, and probably struggling with power bills, might be given draught stoppers and other low tech ways to keep warm, and cool in summer. (Repower donate energy efficiency kits, The News 17/6/25).
And, far from complaining about the government “interfering”, I applaud moves to help make our homes more efficient and comfortable. Who doesn’t want lower bills and the chance to avoid the costs of running two energy systems, both with daily “supply charges”, especially as one of them is associated with childhood asthma?
But of course we’re all different. And that’s how it should be.
Lesley Walker, Northcote
Contacting Zoe
In reply to Dale Stohr (Where’s Zoe?, Letters 1/7/25). To contact Zoe to talk, enquire or subscribe to receive her current valuable and very interesting newsletter, here is Zoe’s contact details and choices of communication: www.zoemckenzie.com.au
You won’t be disappointed you will find out everything you need or want to know.
Marion Harvey, Rosebud
Busy Zoe
In response to Dale Stohr’s letter (Where’s Zoe?, Letters 1/7/25) I’d like to offer some clarity. While Dale may not be familiar with Zoe McKenzie’s work, a scroll through Zoe’s Facebook page reveals a tireless presence of a jam-packed log of school visits, community catch-ups, and local events that would exhaust most. She’s not just showing up for the photo; she’s working hard to understand the issues and people that define her electorate.
The Rosebud Police Station’s Volunteer Register for older residents keeps many connected. Of late, Zoe has visited many schools across the peninsula discussing civics and democracy, topics often overlooked despite being part of the national curriculum.
This work is critical. Civics is where students learn how government functions, where students can ask their representatives real questions, rather than forming views based on social media posts that miss the nuance and complexity of our political system.
Beyond the peninsula, Zoe serves as Shadow Assistant Minister for Education and Early Learning. In light of the recent and deeply disturbing revelations in the childcare sector, she has been working within her role to stand ready to cooperate with the government on stronger child protection measures.
This is serious. Suggesting she’s “missing” is not only incorrect, but it also ignores the multifaceted role of a federal MP, particularly one involved in matters of national and international security. Keeping us safe! Certainly not a croissant run she is partaking in.
Our community matters deeply, as does her role on the national stage. It’s worth remembering that good representation doesn’t always come with a loud local footprint. It comes through diligence, policy, and working across both state and national lines. Clarifying… Zoe is among all of us advocating for the good of the community.
Di Kleinert, Blairgowrie
Up to par
It’s taken me while, but I have to respond to Malcolm Goldsworthy’s letter (Annual Response?, Letters 12/5/25). I think I have always said golf course not golf club or members. I stand behind my statements about how much it is costing ratepayers to subsidise the golf course.
Who is going to pay the $1.5 million for infrastructure upgrades? Who is going to pay for the consultant that has been hired to try to raise it from the dead? The operating losses for the course from 21-24 are $1,674,000 were provided by the council in an FOI document.
The deficit, “which is likely to increase in the coming years due to the increased salaries, maintenance and capital works costs,” property and commercial services acting manager said in a report to council.
They talk like this is the only option to keep people alive and playing golf. There are, I believe, 14 public golf courses on the peninsula. I do not think I am being sceptical in saying the other 14 could do the same except not have to worry about reducing the impact on the shire’s budgetary process.
Why is the council subsidising a public venture to compete with private ventures at my expense? I would be quite happy if the course paid its way without my rates subsidising a public facility competing with private facilities.
Maybe the shire could venture into plumbing, electricians, renovations, lawn mowing, auto repair etc. I am sure these ventures would provide the same intrinsic benefits to many.
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
