Fingers crossed for Pelican Park
It is a great pity that the Pelican Park pool did not receive a grant from the Community Energy Upgrade Fund to electrify the pool heating (Pelican Park misses out on electrification grant, The News 7/4/26).
Heat pumps are 3–5 times more efficient than gas boilers, can deliver around 90 per cent emissions reduction, reduce energy use by 50-80 per cent and operating costs by about $100,000-$200,000 per year for mid–large centres.
Just up the road, Frankston and Kingston councils received $1.4m and $2.5m grants for electrification of pool projects, respectively.
The federal government fund, $100m over two rounds, has now closed. Hopefully, further funding for this important work will be announced in the coming May budget and Pelican Park will be able to fully electrify in the near future.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn
Soft plastic recycling
It’s good news that the Mornington and Rye Resource Recovery Centres are now offering a soft‑plastics recycling option (Soft plastics recycling option now available, The News 8/4/26).
Given the RedCycle supermarket soft‑plastics hoarding fiasco and the inherent challenges of properly recycling plastic, this is a positive development.
Australians, however, use about 100kg of plastic per person per year, and only 13 per cent of it is ever recycled. We therefore have a very long way to go.
Would reducing our use of plastic be worth considering too?
Isabelle Henry, Ascot Vale
Promising the world
I recently received Tracee Hutchison’s flyer in the mail where she’s made a range of promises.
Amongst these are clear commitments to get Rosebud Hospital rebuilt and save Arthur’s Seat from inappropriate development. What’s not clear however, is how she’s going to deliver them.
Only governments can decide whether to fund the redevelopment of Rosebud Hospital. Labor hasn’t and independents can’t.
Labor’s Minister for Planning has already approved the Arthur’s Seat Eagle redevelopment, so is Tracee suggesting she’ll somehow force the Minister to overturn her own approval?
She’s also promising to support a range of (unfunded) initiatives, all from the crossbench!
Sorry Tracee, I’d prefer to support someone with a track record of getting things done who can be part of a government. My vote is with Anthony Marsh.
Phillip Wise, Sorrento
Why have kids?
As a parent raising young kids, I was genuinely taken aback to come across past columns by Tracee Hutchison outlining her views on parenting and family life.
The picture she paints is deeply uncharitable. Parents who rely on childcare are portrayed as “offloading” their kids, while working mothers are framed as part of a misguided “have-it-all” culture. More concerningly, she questions why society should support families at all, suggesting childless taxpayers are unfairly burdened by paying for “other people’s children.”
It’s not just the argument, but the tone. Referring to parents as “breeders” reflects a level of disdain that goes well beyond a difference of opinion. It treats raising children as a private indulgence rather than something that underpins a healthy society.
The reality for most families is very different. Raising children today is expensive and demanding, and childcare is often what makes working possible. Those children grow up to be the workers, carers and taxpayers we all rely on.
You don’t need to be a parent to understand that, but you do need an appreciation of how modern life actually works.
I can’t support someone who holds views like this about families and their role in our community.
Rose Bates, Boneo
The road less travelled
Nepean has always seemed very politically Liberal. Until a few years ago, a very young Labor guy got himself elected, much to the surprise of many, and while he held the reins, the Rosebud Primary School was replaced by something educationally superior and appropriate to Rosebud.
However, surprisingly, he didn’t last more than one term and was then replaced by someone who played tennis.
Now batting from the same court, the past mayor is making a play for the higher ground, apparently working his way from council pot holes to state pot holes, having left the originals there in place, while at the same time, guiding the Mornington Peninsula along the bumpy road over the years that he ran the council.
Perhaps, having sampled an array of candidate variety, it may be time for the Nepeans to show some “Independence”, and say “And now for something completely different”.
Dr Neil D. Hallam, Flinders
Nepean by-election
Here we are facing an election for the state seat of Nepean following the untidy departure of Liberal incumbent Sam Groth.
Surprise, surprise – our mayor has put himself forward to be Groth’s successor despite, when seeking our vote for the council, promising not to use his position in local government as a springboard into state politics.
I was always taught that a person’s word was his or her bond.
How, therefore, can you trust Mr. Anthony Marsh, who has taken leave of absence from the council to fight for the seat?
Perhaps a message should be sent to him about integrity by placing him as last preference.
The only problem is that he will then don his mayoral robes yet again!
Ranald Macdonald, Flinders
Laughing cat?
I am appalled at the ignorance and constant mention in a recent article in ‘The Age’ of the Mornington Peninsula as affluent and “well heeled.”
They even refer to the demographics but obviously have not looked into them. Over one-third of the resident population down here lives on a Centrelink Pension only/or on a casual part-employment income below the Henderson poverty line, including families.
This has remained unchanged for the past 50 years.
The only time we got anything from a politician was when Labor was in (before Groth and the Liberals got back in) and those in government saw fit to pour money for the first time ever into decades of neglected primary schools. This was after 20+ years of Liberal Martin Dixon, lovely man though he was, including while he was Minister for Education.
The extent of homelessness (as well as many other factors) is evidence of resident population poverty. Affluent tourists screen the realities and create a totally misleading impression.
Noticeably absent is any mention of the on again off again finger pointing blame game that amounts to nothing over the Rosebud Jetty Road overpass.
And yes – Rosebud Hospital, once a thriving country hospital with a maternity wing, has been in a terrible state for decades. The only reason it is still standing is because a fierce group of women including Judith Couacaud-Graley stood up to Greg Hunt who was on a roll to close country hospitals down. He successfully closed other hospitals down, and a gaping hole for medical services has been left in their communities ever since.
So sorry – Liberal Party calls to now rescue Rosebud Hospital sound very hollow and laden with hypocrisy.
And the ex-shire mayor has suddenly become the champion of pothole complaints?
Enough to make a cat laugh!
Esther Gleixner, Flinders
Change opportunity
Initially I was dismayed Sam Groth felt that he could just walk away from his constituents in Nepean, but now I am actually grateful.
Sam’s blatant disregard for this community now means that we have the opportunity to elect an excellent candidate into parliament to represent us.
Tracee Hutchison is a fully independent and non-aligned candidate who is passionate about the peninsula and has demonstrated this through her long-time involvement in and commitment to, the issues that matter most to peninsula residents.
As a life long peninsula resident, Tracee does not stand for self-aggrandisement through political opportunism or for the need to follow some tired rehashed and worn out party line. Instead, Tracee has worked with environmental groups, homelessness and domestic violence services, supporting the hospital, understanding the need for great educational opportunities for our kids and other local matters of concern. Whilst she is probably happy to discuss a pot-hole or two, this will by no means be the main focus of her representation.
So thanks to Sam Groth we now have the opportunity to vote for someone who is truly one of us and will fight tirelessly and passionately for what matters most to peninsula residents.
As a Labor member, I am totally happy to support Tracee and I am comfortable with the fact that in parliament, she would work to ensure that the peninsula gets its fair share.
Marilyn Merrifield, Rye
Democracy sausage?
After the great big dummy spit by Liberal golden hair boy Sam Groth in the seat of Nepean, we, the tax payers are now forking out for a by-election.
In my mind, I can see no good reason to replace one Liberal dud with another one, Anthony Marsh. Marsh’s sudden enlightenment from “a political messiah” to a firebrand newly found Liberal prophet, has to be seen with a questioning eye.
I think it is high time for a independent or Green voice to be our rep in Spring Street. Vote for a Tracy or Sianan, and forget the orange or blue opportunists singing there sirens songs. They only lead to disillusionment.
Rupert Steiner, Balnarring Beach
Labor support?
I quote from Tracee Hutchison’s Wikipedia entry: “Hutchison considered standing as a candidate for the Labor Party in the division of Flinders, but held concerns over the Victorian Labor Party’s support at the time for a liquefied natural gas import terminal at Crib Point.”
Is the issue of Crib Point the sole position that precludes her from standing for Labor in the forthcoming Nepean by-election?
Does Hutchison endorse all of the track record of the Andrews/Allan Labor governments?
William Holmes, Sorrento
Consistency
Recent developments involving Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh highlight the importance of consistency and transparency in public office.
At the time of his election, Cr Marsh stated he had no political affiliation, that his role on council was not a career move, and that he was “in it for the long haul.” Voters were entitled to rely on those statements when casting their vote.
Since then, Cr Marsh has joined the Liberal Party and is now contesting the Nepean by-election, while taking leave from his mayoral duties.
There has also been an evident shift in public framing. In December 2025, the appointment of municipal monitors was described in neutral terms as supporting governance and accountability. More recently, the same process has been publicly characterised as a political decision.
These developments occur against a broader backdrop of governance concerns at the council, including decisions that have diverged from officer recommendations, closely contested community consultation outcomes, and procedural matters that have limited debate at key meetings. Each of these instances has raised questions about transparency, governance, and decision-making.
All of these points are matters of public record. Taken together, they reflect a significant and rapid change in position.
When such changes occur, particularly while holding public office, residents are entitled to clear explanations. Without them, it becomes difficult to reconcile earlier commitments with current actions — and to maintain confidence in local leadership.
Anja Ottensmeyer, Mt Martha
Consultation
Proper consultation has a clear standard. It is not vague. It is not optional. And it is not what many institutions pretend it is.
It starts with early engagement. You must involve people before decisions are made, not after everything is locked in. If the outcome is already decided, calling it consultation is misleading at best and a downright con job at worst.
It requires clear information. The full picture. What is proposed, why it is being done, what the impacts are, and what the real options look like. Not selective fragments, not handpicked messaging.
There must be a real opportunity to respond. That means time to consider, time to question, and more than one way to be heard. Meetings, written submissions, online input. Not rushed processes designed to limit participation.
Decision-makers must have an open mind. Consultation is not a box-ticking exercise. Feedback must be capable of influencing the outcome.
Transparency matters. People should be able to see what feedback was received and how it shaped the final decision. Without that, trust breaks down.
And there must be a feedback loop. Participants deserve to know what happened next. Not silence, not a token summary, a clear explanation.
This is not complicated. It is a basic standard of respect. When institutions fail to meet it, communities notice. Trust erodes. Engagement becomes pointless.
If consultation is going to be used as justification for decisions, it needs to be real. Otherwise, stop calling it consultation.
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
Lifesaving thanks
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the members of the Mornington Life Saving Club for their outstanding assistance on Easter Sunday.
My son and myself took off sailing from Mills Beach in our yacht with great expectations , when we were suddenly caught in a wind and were capsized. The yacht was overturned and we ended up sitting on the hulls.
The rescue boat came and took 45 minutes to tow us to shore. Their professionalism and expertise and care was exemplary. Thank goodness they were on call that day, our appreciation is beyond words. Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers.
Caroline Weir, Mornington
BarleyCharlie@90
Comedy: At the risk of repeating myself, Albanese/a non-smoker, on gambling. “We are getting the balance right.” Similar to Donald Trump on Iran? The consistency of Christian values? In FACT, the values remain; employment, housing and wages. Oh, and pensions?
Cliffie picture in the Mornington Peninsula News, fame (or antonym?) for a week; thanks. Ditto Anne Kruger, Michael Raynes and Dale Stohr.
Discretionary spending capacity, idiots in control?
Artificial Intelligence, AI, algorithms, promoting fear, petrol, wars, dentists, doctors? Sadly no great difference from powerful public servants; minimum wage COL upgrade, alongside food increases, but not for pensioners?
A royal commission into anti-semitism come December, a personal lifetime away; suggest not holding your breath?
My future, (The Saturday Paper) editorial: “Cakes and desserts are only for wealthy residents. The poor can have custard. If they don’t pay a special fee, their breakfast will be served cold. To really chisel those last few cents, the kind of decision that is about pettiness and not much else, residents on the basic package will be given International Roast. Those who pay more can have Moccona.” As it happens a Nescafe Gold man, upmarket? Profit or choice indeed.
Historically reminds us of the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. and cheer for the fall of Saddam Hussein, to Libya and Gaddafi? And Sir Donald Trump, (cornered?) dangerous, erratic, plain lies, an economic war, a takeover for riches on the backburner, ditto Greenland, assisted by the ambitious Netanyahu, heavily financed by whom?
On the fence, like Albanese, truth (clearly?) the loser, and dead bodies. When a politician uses Un-Australian as a reason, the jig is up.
Jay Clark, Herald-Sun, prediction? “No Collingwood in the top ten?” Who would have thought; missing Mark Robinson?
Positivity: a career as a counsellor and psychotherapist, working from home. Just saying…
Cliff Ellen, Rye
