There are more reasons for keeping the Cerberus land wild than just endangered species
There is a limit to expansion and development on the Mornington Peninsula. Balancing our human rights and rights of wildlife and nature is necessary to exist in harmony and respect. Allow enough room for both, not just a bottomless housing need.
Cerberus Naval base has protected us and nature in its present state and was a win/win.
Diverse ecosystems, migratory birds and Ramsar Wetlands border, old growth indigenous trees with hollows, vulnerable small marsupials and insects inhabiting the region’s native underbush, sugar gliders, echidnas, koalas, powerful owls, swamp wallabies, kangaroo, butterflies, use the interconnecting corridor that is planned to be cut in half, clearly shown in proposal map.
Endangered species are not driving the Cerberus land retention, but a crucial part for protecting the green connections.
Schools teach our children these stewardship principles and Mornington Peninsula communities enact this: Landcare, Mornington Peninsula Koala, Save the Kangaroos on Mornington Peninsula, Wildlife rescue and carers, Coastal advisory committee and more, Mornington Peninsula Shire coastal and Marine Management plans always for the benefit of humans and nature.
Thank you to all the people who look to the future and ensure housing is on appropriate land with appropriate wildlife friendly fencing. And with the vision for nature and ecotourism and nature walks long into the future, where there will be even more leisure and outdoor pursuits for wellbeing and pleasure.
Yvonne Cullen, Rye
Protect our plovers!
I was shocked to read that of 825 recorded hooded plover eggs along the Victorian coastline last year, only 68 survived to become juveniles. So, it is good to know that Operation Save our Hoodies is protecting nesting areas (“Hooded plovers’ nesting season begins”, The News, 29/09/2026).
The intensive monitoring over the six-month breeding season by Friends of the Hooded Plover Mornington Peninsula is such an important contribution by local volunteers.
Whether it’s a hooded plover on the beach, a fur seal at play, or a weedy sea dragon in a rockpool, the Mornington Peninsula’s bays and marine parks are special places.
The peninsula isn’t just somewhere tourists come to surf or visit wineries — they come to see Australia’s unique wildlife in the wild.
But our beaches are under threat, whether its coastal erosion from climate change or pollution from plastics.
As Birdlife Australia Beach-nesting Birds Project Coordinator, Renee Mead said, “A little extra care from beachgoers will go a long way in helping the next generation of hoodies hatch and take flight.”
Karen Lamb, North Geelong
Pesky plovers
From the outset, plovers are pesky, airborne hooligans (“Hooded plovers’ nesting season begins”, The News, 30/9/26).
At a recent event at the Mornington Golf Club for our morning tea, there was no chance of eating outside unless we wanted to be dive-bombed by two plovers who obviously were guarding their eggs.
So much so that the golfers had graciously given up their putting time and left the plovers to it.
And then they spotted us watching them. With wings flapping in defiance and a warning, they charged towards the window. They must have thought they had won, because they soon wandered away, keeping an eye on us.
Plovers are annoying, puffed-up, wing-flapping birds, but oh so cute.
Anne Kruger, Rye
Stop the Terminator!
Twelve years ago, I set an essay topic for year nine students: “Should we limit the development of robots before it’s too late for our species”?
We discussed the implications and ramifications of an article “Humans no match for Google robots” Herald Sun 25/2/14. This claimed that within fifteen years, robots will be more intelligent than humans according to Google’s Chief Engineer.
I have always believed the Terminator is coming. My premise is that if you are going to build robots to think like humans, what is going to stop them from acting like humans and dominating everything. All student’s dismissed the concept of robots taking control bar one, who simply stated, “It’s going to happen anyway isn’t it!”
Since then, robots have transformed from rudimentary forms to running half marathons, practising martial arts and serving people, AI is able to answer every question imaginable, and their cousin drones are lethal killing machines.
Now AI can act autonomously, hacking into other systems while competing with us for power and water. Suddenly their creators are extremely worried, projecting scenarios from extinction of human species to total collapse of economic systems.
Any discussion of AI must assume the premise that we face annihilation from a superior “species” and act accordingly!
Henry Kelsall, The Sustainable Future Association
Living in a democracy
I am puzzled by the responses to my letters about Pauline Hanson and wanting to consider other issues in the election than potholes.
Not puzzled that people disagree with me but by writers like Graham Griffiths resorting to personal attacks – referring to me as a “failed Labor candidate” (“Election time”, Letters, 22/9/26).
Yep, I was a Labor candidate in Kooyong against Josh Frydenberg and in Kew against Tim Smith.
I stood knowing I had very little hope of being elected. Does that mean I “failed”?
Does it mean I don’t have a right to air an opinion? We live in a democracy where, thankfully, we can disagree with each other without fear of repercussions.
That includes pointing out the contradictions of Pauline Hanson who claims she represent battlers while blaming women for family violence and voting against increased wages for lower paid workers.
It includes noticing, while travelling, the good condition of the east section of the Princes Highway, not the West which the RACV reports as dangerous.
Labor does care about climate change, most recently, their polices include establishing the SEC to support investment in renewables and the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal in Hastings which, once the Environmental Assessment is completed will help establish offshore wind that will power over a million homes and help to reduce the cost of power for all Victorians.
Let’s compare polices of all candidates and come to a thoughtful conclusion rather than resorting to name calling or division. That’s democracy!
Marg D’Arcy, Rye
Pothole push
I read with interest the recent letter about roads across Nepean.
The condition of our roads is raised with me constantly by residents across the southern peninsula, and it’s something I’ve been pursuing since being elected only a few months ago.
I’ve reported hundreds of potholes and road defects, raised the poor state of our roads in parliament and continued pushing the Department for repairs.
I also built roadtoruin.com.au, at no cost to taxpayers, because VicRoads’ reporting system is inadequate and unreliable. It gives locals a simple way to report potholes so I can track them and push for repairs.
But whether it’s Point Nepean Road, Boneo Road, the Mornington Peninsula Freeway or any number of other state-managed roads, we need to do more than keep patching potholes.
That’s why the Liberals and Nationals have committed $5b over four years to repair and rebuild Victoria’s roads, review maintenance contracts and construction standards, and restore proper preventative maintenance.
I’ll keep pushing for repairs now, and we have a plan to properly fix our roads if elected in November.
Anthony Marsh MP, Member for Nepean
A new pier for Altona
Once again, peninsula residents could be forgiven for feeling that investment only ever reaches the city while we’re left waiting.
Altona received an $11.9m pier redevelopment, officially opened in January 2024. It sits in the Williamstown electorate represented by Victoria’s Minister for Ports and Freight, Melissa Horne MP.
Meanwhile, the restoration of our heritage-listed Flinders Pier remains unfinished.
Some timber sections and landings have been restored, and the pier remains accessible. But access is not the same as completing the heritage-listed timber restoration.
In April earlier this year, work stopped. Timber piles that were not yet installed were trucked away reportedly to storage in Rosebud. Why are materials purchased for the restoration sitting unused while the heritage-listed timber pier remains unfinished?
After meeting Save Flinders Pier chair Charles Reis OAM, I better understand the community’s frustration. His persistence, alongside so many community supporters, deserves a matching response from government.
Flinders Pier is part of Victoria’s maritime heritage, a working community asset and a treasured place to experience marine life, including weedy seadragons.
The contrast deserves an explanation. How can the government deliver a completed redevelopment in the Minister’s own electorate, yet leave this heritage restoration unfinished?
I support the Liberals’ commitment to finish the job. Whoever forms government, the peninsula deserves a funded completion plan, a clear timetable and public accountability for delivery.
Kim Robbins, Independent candidate for Nepean
Transparency for all?
Your correspondent, Jutta Chatto (“Transparency needed”, Letters, 29/09/26) demands transparency of funding only from independent candidates in the coming state election but not from any of the parties.
She erroneously suggests that none have made it clear if they have backing from Climate 200.
We are lucky to have at least two exceptional independents in this election being Melissa Goffin in Mornington and Kim Robbins in Nepean. It is clear that one of them, Ms Goffin, has openly stated she has Climate 200 funding which was also reported in this paper on 23/09/26.
The other, Kim Robbins, is clear she is campaigning purely on local donations.
But so what?
Given the evident neglect of the peninsula by the major parties that have represented us for so long, how lucky voters are to have the option of strong, capable people coming forward in this way to represent our local needs.
No party agendas, no backroom machinations just accountable to local voters. How refreshing that would be.
I confess I do make a modest monthly donation to Climate 200 to support more effective government and a healthy democracy although I’m not planning to put that on my t-shirt as your correspondent requests.
However, whatever the origin of their donations, I’m very grateful to have the option of voting independent.
Alan Hall, Rye
Chivalry is still alive!
My sincere gratitude to the two young men at Frankston Station who came to my aid when a drug-crazed woman snatched away my prescription glasses from my face claiming ownership.
Also thanks to the taxi driver who gave me sanctuary.
Rita Van Gunst, Crib Point
BarleyCharlie@90.5
Hocktober. Nonsense to begin “The Commonwealth Bank is making smart money smarter”; does anybody get paid for this creative rubbish? Alternatively, one way or another we ALL survive in various forms of brainwashing?
One of those weeks. No Collingwood, frauds on every corner, apart from Nick Daicos.
Gambling is a way of life for many Australians, historically, forever. To suggest a ban corresponds with a glass of water on a raging bushfire; always has, always will.
Control on advertising, TV, radio, yes. A need to curb their enthusiasm up to a point yes. Must we ban poker machines, football betting, horse and harness racing betting, Powerball, housing lotteries others? It’s simplistic.
Years back (mid 30’s) thought I had brains; good memory yes, brains no. Come my 60’s confident of all the answers, within my framework of life. Better yes, the answers, still no.
To AFL football. 2027, surely AFL 360’s, Gerard Whateley, will NOT run with Gary Lyon alongside, tickets on himself; we miss Robbo.
Our Council, our wonderful Council (out of mainly Sorrento) suggest banning Meals on Wheels, from July 2027. A big (save our souls?) NO!
And the GF, as in winners Brisbane; Fremantle (via wharfie time) shot themselves (and a premiership) in their self-inflicted backsides; such is life.
We live in strange times. I was hacked, no idea why being a desperate at best with cold cash.
Best guess ChatGPT, used for anything, but no more, BEWARE! My bank, Bendigo Rye, took my lifeline cards (both) and 7-10 days for replacements, why?
Waited a week, nothing, respectfully suggested an advance (it’s MY money?) and a NO? No blame to the teller, her machine the culprit.
Blessed Bendigo, cards are ready; orchids, phew. Woolworths Sandy, cigarettes; Superwoman? And Magpieland; do not mess with Jordan De Goey. Remain calm?
Cliff Ellen, Rye
