Bird flu and green wedges
AUSTRALIA’S recent bird flu outbreaks among penguins and seabirds should make us pause (Bird flu detected on the peninsula and Phillip Island, The News 18/8/26).
While the virus is global, the impact here is intensified by how we continue to squeeze nature into ever-smaller pockets. Nature is starting to show the strain.
Little penguins, terns, gulls and other coastal birds rely on healthy, uncrowded habitats to buffer them against disease. Wetlands play a crucial role: they disperse wildlife, reduce crowding, and support biodiversity that helps ecosystems absorb shocks. When wetlands are drained, fragmented or pushed aside for development, birds are funnelled into fewer, more stressed environments, where disease spreads faster, and recovery is slower.
This is why the ongoing pressure on our green wedges matters. These areas aren’t just pleasant open spaces; they are vital ecological corridors linking wetlands, coastlines and remnant bushland. Every time a wedge is carved up for urban expansion, we narrow wildlife’s breathing room and weaken the natural systems that protect them.
The bird flu deaths are tragic, but they also serve as a warning. Protecting wetlands and green wedges is not optional. It is essential infrastructure for the health of our wildlife and, ultimately, our communities.
As someone who grew up on Phillip Island, I know how precious these habitats are.
Anne Kruger, Rye
Thank goodness for ‘The News’
Anthony Marsh has raised the possibility that lobbyists are trying to have green wedge land rezoned to enable the state to make up a shortage of 1700 homes within the Mornington Peninsula Shire despite the shire finding sufficient capacity within existing townships.
Congratulations to Cameron McCullough for exposing the meetings behind closed doors at which such lobbying is taking place (MP claims Labor planning to rezone large tract of green wedge, The News 13/8/26).
Labor is being described as toxic and communist by right wing parties who claim to represent the battlers, and is refuting such claims with a litany of all the ways they have represented the interests of those battlers, including the homeless, invariably opposed by the parties which supposedly cherish them.
I haven’t heard a word from Pauline Hanson’s outrage party about protecting the green wedge, during the recent Nepean election won by Anthony, or since. The Cult leader won much support for her candidate (a nice chap) recently with her well-publicised visit to our little corner of the world with Labor and Liberal adherents voting 1 for One Nation and Tracey Hutchison, the community independent.
Anthony showed his support for the McCrae residents recently in their quest for a passive recreation bushland reserve with not one hint of photo opportunities or point scoring.
He will need help to retain his seat in the state election on 28 November 2026 so hopefully the following history of the green wedge’s establishment will help him.
Ray Gibb, Rosebud
Pet advocacy
Pets provide enormous health and emotional benefits and are valuable companions to the elderly, lonely, disadvantaged and vulnerable in our community. There should therefore be greater support for people struggling to keep their beloved pets.
The Mornington Peninsula Community Animal Shelter is failing to meet community expectations. Despite being ratepayer funded and employing 12 staff, the shelter does not allow walk-ins and has reduced its weekend opening hours without meaningful community consultation.
It is now open on Saturdays for only three hours, from 10am–1pm. A community shelter should be accessible every day, particularly on weekends when families have the opportunity to meet and adopt a pet.
The shelter’s adoption posts are also inadequate, often lacking basic information such as the animal’s name, a link to its profile, or even clearly stating that the pet is available for adoption.
Furthermore, volunteers and foster carers are not permitted, despite the valuable socialisation, enrichment and care they can provide. Foster carers often go on to adopt or help rehome animals, reducing pressure on shelters and ultimately saving lives.
A subsidised pet desexing program should also be a priority during the current cost-of-living crisis. In June 2026, the shire indicated that such assistance would be available to Centrelink recipients, but this has since been restricted to seniors. Affordable desexing could help reduce surrenders, abandonment and euthanasia while potentially reducing shelter costs.
Finally, the shire has rejected calls for a volunteer-based Animal Shelter Advisory Committee to help identify and implement improvements.
Come on, Mornington Peninsula Shire —please listen to your community and provide the care, innovation and expertise our animals and their owners deserve.
Rosy Fischer, Mornington
Set up for failure
What is this obsession to plant as close as possible to a fence?
The roots of a tree spread as far as the foliage above, often further. If you “claim” a bit of extra gardening territory, be prepared not to succeed, as you forfeit control over the root system, and gamble with the health of your tree, or shrub, or whatever you “gift” your neighbour.
All they have to do is feed it the wrong thing on their side of the fence and wait… often not long.
Invading a neighbouring garden is like mansplaying. Just not done anymore.
Marg Hawthorn, Red Hill
Park naming
You may recall a while back that this newspaper did an article about my attempts at having a park that my late wife Eunice Cain founded named in her honour (Park tribute push for environmentalist, The News 16/7/25).
Eunice passed away in April 2017 and I have been requesting that the shire recognise her service to the community since then,but, because of petty bloody minded discrimination, and so called criteria, they have continually refused to do so.
They even stooped to lying to me.
They lied in 2023 stating that the shire was no longer naming facilities after individuals.
But then, in 2024, the shire named a walkway in honour of a woman for her services to her community in Rye. I’m still waiting for a reply.
Since 1986 Eunice had involved herself with the Rosebud community. She formed a group and successfully fought against the proposal to turn our freeway into a tollway.
Co-founded the formation of the Southern Women’s Action Network.
Co-founded the Residents Against Marinas, and help get a proposed marina tossed out.
Founded the Friends of Rosebud Beach and Foreshore.
Co-founded the Mornington Peninsula Ratepayers,and Residents Association.
Fought against a pool on the foreshore and had it moved to its present site.
Parks Vic approached Eunice about taking on a project of a park opposite the Rosebud pub. She even had a hand in the design.
Eunice always fought for the protection of the Rosebud foreshore and surrounds but, in her case the shire refuse to recognise her dedication to the Rosebud community.
John Cain, McCrae
Bus request
I am writing to ask that consideration be given to restoring the bus service that previously operated in our area – St Andrews Beach, Victoria.
The removal of this service has had a significant impact on residents who rely on public transport, particularly older people and those who live alone or do not have access to a car.
For some residents, the bus was not simply a convenient way of getting around. It was their only practical way of accessing essential services and maintaining their independence.
Without the bus, residents can no longer easily travel into town to purchase groceries, attend appointments, collect prescriptions, access banking and other essential services, or simply maintain their connection with the wider community.
This is particularly concerning for older residents who may not have family nearby or anyone who can regularly drive them into town. Removing the service effectively leaves some people isolated and dependent on others for basic necessities.
Public transport plays an important role in allowing people to remain independent in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. A bus service is therefore not just a transport service — for some residents, it is an essential connection to food, healthcare, services and community life.
I respectfully ask that the decision to remove the service be reviewed and that consideration be given to reinstating a regular bus service, even if this initially involves a reduced timetable or a trial period.
I believe this would make a significant difference to the independence, wellbeing and safety of residents in the area.
Thank you for considering this request. I would appreciate any information about whether the service can be reviewed and what options may be available to restore public transport access to the area.
Belinda Urbans, St Andrews Beach
Kudos to Repower
I was interested to read that Repower Mornington Peninsula has a Community Trust Fund donating home energy kits to clients in need (Repower’s Cost of Living Webinars, The News 18/8/2026).
What a clever idea, with donations to the fund generated by Repower’s trusted business partners through successful referrals from the Repower and Save online tool, its website and word-of-mouth recommendations.
While not every local government area has an active group like Repower, remarkably, Environment Victoria lists nearly 100 groups on its members webpage, ranging from Repower the Dandenongs to the 2030 Yea Community Energy group.
Mornington Peninsula Libraries also lend home energy kits, thermal cameras and even an induction cooktop. However, apart from Nillumbik, it is hard to find another local government area where free home energy kits are actually provided to people in need.
Kudos to Repower Mornington Peninsula for this important initiative.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn
Gas question
Big thanks to your correspondent for informing us that foreign oil and gas company, Vopak, is planning to bring a liquified natural gas (LNG) tanker into Port Phillip Bay to operate as a floating gas plant (Disaster in the making, Letters 11/8/26).
Vopak will pump its waste discharge into the bay. What does that mean for ocean life? And our beautiful beaches?
Do we even need more polluting gas? Australia has plenty, but 80 per cent of it is being shipped offshore by multinational corporations who make billions but pay very little in tax. Make it all make sense.
Larni Dibben, Glen Iris
Library review
You reported that there will be a review of Frankston libraries.
Two matters should be acted on sooner rather than later.
The Frankston Library recently had the foyer renovated, but this is not used much.
It used to be that the outside door was open before the library opened, allowing people to wait out of the cold. This cannot be done at present.
If the outside door opened early like before, people would use the foyer seats. The existing air lock does not work, with cold air blowing into the library, making patrons cold, especially children: cold air sinks.
The solution is simple – add a passive air lock like the hospital, two walls under the library porch.
Whatever the cost this will be recovered in lower electricity use and increased user comfort.
Stephen Lake, Frankston
Reality or just fun?
It is with regret that I see Frankston Arts Centre promoting the upcoming appearance of someone named “Dennis Stojkovic”.
He is billed, not as entertainment, but as someone who can “connect you with dead loved ones”.
In reality, this is the manipulation of audience members, for the supposed entertainment and amusement of an audience.
The sadness is that this fake claim can cause grief and sadness for those who are gulled into taking part.
The act is as old as vaudeville. For every Doris Stokes, there were dozens of other charlatans plying the same craft.
Over the years I have helped expose fake psychic doctors, psychic surgeons, and even a psychic dentist!
All manipulators, who ply on our sorrow or illness for money, and the “entertainment” of others.
Don’t take part, and watch out for friendly people engaging you in a ‘casual chat’ prior to the show!
Mike Wilton, Safety Beach
BarleyCharlie@90
The fascination/viva la difference @ 90, not 89? The scooter, a sunny Sunday, come 9AM, all beautiful in Denmark, Woolworths, bread, milk.
A suspicion, passing the coffee shops, drinking their magic coffee, invisible moire, no problem, drinkers 20’s 30’s – Old age, wondering, without the scooter?
Occasionally older people, even 60’s, close by, upgraded computers, should I enquire? Reply: “You wouldn’t understand it?”
Common theme, dismissed (mostly). Alternatively, defence? – an upbringing, environment, multiple renters, the double decker bus, a boy, 1940’s, layers, classes, yet to enter the mind, not even an adding machine? 7 times 8 then and now, @ 56.
The Woolworths ladies (and the fewer men) Voila! Invisibility to the backline, human being, glowing, breathing. This I understand, sadly no, regrettably yes.
On politics the comedy, AGAIN, as in The Liberals’ Mary Aldred, a lonely female, a melon? Question Time, accusing the Prime Minister of making “a series of foul-mouthed, classless comments about women” asking Albanese to apologise; no mention of the real expensive element, classless comments, Donald Trump?
Okay, so never been big on Albo, more into the Billy Shorten types, but truthfully, if one stops and “thinks” – Albanese stands head an shoulders against the other three Party leaders. Pauline may well be running a close second, thanks to confused voters being sucked in by fear tactics, basically picking up tips from Donald Trump types, or local State politicians; in other words a fraud, politically. our confused voters see nothing sincere about the Liberal leader, his strength if any, his form of bad mouthing, not to mention the silver spoon in his mouth.
And the not so mighty Magpies, or Foot-es-cray? so close, thus last match, or one more ?
Be safe, particularly after 7PM.
But wait, one more. Exactly what did those Sydney boys do wrong?
Cliff Ellen, Rye
