Risk not properly addressed
Last week’s story on the drainage pit lids by Raia Flinos was accurate (Rye Pit hazard raises questions over shire response, The News 30/9/25). Unfortunately, the shire’s response was anything but accurate.
I had estimated that the original dislodgement of the pit lids happened about nine months ago. On checking back on my correspondence with the shire I was surprised to find the original incident happened over a year ago and the pathetic substandard attempt to remove the chance of the extremely heavy pit lids being blown off by water pressure happened then.
The shire’s answer to this over a year ago was to place a piece of second-hand plywood of unknown quality over the lids and hold the timber down with unsuitable fasteners to some loose concrete. The solution to the recent dislodgement was to use the same plywood, now a year older and probably less likely to be able to hold the lids down.
Point by point in the shire’s response. The lid appears to be gone, and the plywood is now the lid. The inspections, if they took place, should have shown this was a substandard solution to a drowning hazard.
I was the last person to report this matter prior to the current incident. The “prompt response” from the shire went on for over a week, with the current situation, and my original advice from the shire included an agreement to advise me of the reasons for the problem and the proposed actions to control the hazard as required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic).
Until the shire accepts its responsibility to comply with the OHS Act, which it has not done on a number of occasions in the past, lives will continue to be put at risk.
Eric Dettman, Rye
Support peninsula koalas
It is estimated that the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires impacted over 60,000 koalas, leading to injuries, displacement, and fatalities. Subsequently, koala populations in Qld, NSW, and the ACT were listed as endangered in 2022 under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
In Victoria, they are vulnerable. But thanks to the Balnarring to Bay Biolink concept, and groups like Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation (MPKC) and the Merricks Coolart Catchment Landcare Group (MCCLG), the local koala population may grow rather than decline.
In 2021, the Mornington Peninsula Shire awarded a $10,000 Climate Action Grant to the Biolink project. It is a pity that such grants have ceased. As Dirk Jansen, President of MPKC, notes, the actual number of koalas on the peninsula is unknown, and they were nearly wiped out in the 1800s for their fur.
Anyone looking for active volunteering couldn’t go past these wonderful groups. The thousands-of-trees Biolink plantings at facebook.com/MCCLandcare/reels/ will inspire. And youngsters will enjoy uploading local sightings to the National Koala Monitoring Program’s free Koala Spotter app.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn
Prepare for fire
Thank you to the Hastings Fire Brigade for their proactive “Get Fire Ready” event (Hastings fire brigade opens its doors to get fire ready, The News 30/9/25). Given that the Australian and New Zealand Council for fire and emergency services Seasonal Bushfire Outlook has the Mornington Peninsula marked red as an area with “increased risk of fire” this spring, we cannot afford to be complacent.
As our climate continues to warm, we must be more vigilant and prepared for fires than ever. Making properties fire safe, arming community members with a fire plan, and activating the VicEmergency app are all important steps. Let’s work together with fire brigades to stay safe during periods of fire risk.
Amy Hiller, Kew
Brush up on history
Albert Riley needs to brush up on his history as the signs at the location of the Collins Settlement clearly state the settlement was abandoned, in part, because of a lack of fresh water and arable land (Collins settlement, Letters 29/9/25).
He also again suggests that Treaty is divisive – what’s divisive is to ignore 60,000 years of Australian history and only recognise the pimple on the pumpkin of the 250 or so years of colonisation.
There can be no dispute that what happened to our First Nations people was a tragedy of the highest order. People losing access to the land they saw as part of their very being and that provided them with food and sustenance, people killed, forbidden to practice their culture or use their language.
Albert is obviously a fan of history so perhaps he would like to read “I Succeeded Once – the Aboriginal Protectorate on the Mornington Peninsula 1839-1840” (Maree Hansen Fels) which provides evidence of the damage done to First Peoples here on the peninsula.
I cannot understand why we have such difficulty understanding and celebrating First Nations history. We readily accept that Gallipoli was a tragedy and we celebrate that every year. Why then do we not recognise the part of our history that is the experience of the First Nations?
Treaty is one small step in recognising the wrongs that were done, recognising the deliberate attempts to destroy the First Peoples and their culture and provides an opportunity for all Victorians to walk together with pride in our history.
If Albert would like to understand more about the Treaty process in Victoria, he could attend a presentation Southern Peninsula Allies for First Nations are providing for Seniors Week on Wed 15 October, 2.30 at Capel Sound Community Hub, 11 Allambi Avenue.
Marg D’Arcy, Rye
Wanting clarity
Zoe McKenzie’s response on social media to my letter to the editor (Brethren questions, Letters 23/9/25) about electoral transparency reveals more through what she didn’t say than what she did.
Rather than addressing my straightforward question about whether Exclusive Brethren members or volunteers had access to electoral data, she launched into attacks on opposition campaign workers and irrelevant tangents about religious affiliations.
This defensive response suggests the lady doth protest too much. My letter wasn’t asking about who handed out how-to-vote cards – it was about protecting voter data and maintaining electoral integrity.
McKenzie claims “all of our volunteers were local,” yet it’s well known that campaigners were brought in from Melbourne for her campaign.
If she’s incorrect about this basic fact, or being less than truthful, how can we trust her categorical denial about Brethren involvement? Her sweeping denial about Brethren involvement lacks credibility when she can’t even accurately describe where her own volunteers came from.
The question remains unanswered: Were any Brethren members or other volunteers given access to electoral data, lists, or campaign materials containing personal voter information? This isn’t about religious discrimination, it’s about transparency and data protection in our democratic process.
When politicians respond to legitimate transparency concerns with deflection and personal attacks rather than clear answers, they erode the trust of the public they’re meant to serve. The people of Flinders deserve better than evasion when we ask how our personal information is protected. I’ll ask again: Can McKenzie provide clear assurance about electoral data handling, or will she continue dodging the question?
Kim Robbins, Safety Beach
Stick to facts
Kim Robbins’ recent piece on the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is riddled with discrepancies and comes across as little more than political posturing (Brethren questions, Letters 23/9/25). While Robbins paints the picture of uncovering some great scandal, the reality is Zoe McKenzie has addressed these matters publicly and with clarity. To continue to raise the same tired questions is less about accountability and more about fuelling suspicion where none is warranted.
It’s also worth noting the obvious political undertones. The author writes as if motivated purely by concern for transparency and democracy, yet anyone who reads between the lines will see the alignment with Teal’s talking points. With a state election looming next year, this reads less like an impartial concern for public trust and more like a carefully timed scare campaign aimed at discrediting opponents.
The suggestion voters are being manipulated by shadowy church influence is insulting and disingenuous. To imply constituents are unable to make up their own minds, or their choices are somehow compromised, is nothing more than an attempt to delegitimise the democratic process when it doesn’t suit a particular agenda. That, in itself, undermines the very principles of respect and integrity Robbins claims to uphold. Fearmongering, as well as overstating and cherry-picking facts, might create controversy, but it doesn’t improve public debate in Flinders or anywhere else.
If Robbins is genuinely committed to transparency, she should start by being open about her own political views and aims. If muddying the waters in the 2026 election, then do so on policy and principles. But don’t insult the intelligence of readers by hiding behind alarmist rhetoric.
Democracy deserves honest, balanced discussion, not thinly veiled campaigning dressed up as community concern. Let’s stick to facts, not fear. Flinders deserves better. Let’s have debates on facts, not fiction.
Di Kleinert, Blairgowrie
No truth in claim
As the volunteer co-ordinator of Mount Martha pre-polling for “Team Flinders” I can tell you that claims being circulated about the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church’s alleged involvement in the Flinders campaign are based on speculation not fact (Brethren questions, Letters 23/9/25).
The premise that Brethren members were handing out how-to-vote cards and had access to electoral data is simply untrue. The volunteers’ records from the campaign categorically disprove this.
Official spreadsheets of the volunteer schedule for the Flinders campaign containing names, addresses and contact details provide a clear transparent record of who was rostered on each booth, each day and each time slot.
These records confirm no Brethren members worked in any capacity at the Mt Martha pre-poll or on the Flinders campaign. Every volunteer was accounted for, their details cross-checked against the campaign’s compliance requirements.
Suggesting that individuals appeared to be from the Brethren is not evidence. It is a subjective assumption, contradicted by the documented schedule of volunteers. Assertions based on appearance or assumption cannot override the facts.
The fact that a former MP works with companies owned by individuals who may have religious affiliations, is not evidence of church involvement in campaigning. Australians of all faiths and backgrounds own businesses and employ people across the political spectrum.
Campaign data is tightly controlled, access restricted to authorised staff under our electoral law. No Brethren members, or any religious group, were given access to confidential voter information.
Public trust in democracy is indeed paramount. That trust, however, is not strengthened by repeating unsubstantiated allegations. It is strengthened by transparency and evidence. Our campaign has provided both. There is no truth in the allegations made by Kim Robbins.
Marg Hawker, Mt Martha
Hot topic
Interesting comments on my letter of 23/9/25, contained in Dr Ross Hudson’s letter (Solid science, The News 30/9/25), where he falsely asserts that I failed to understand the information presented in a simple graph.
Hudson, however, hits the nail on the head when he correctly states that the oceans (and lakes) “store vast quantities of carbon dioxide which is released as the oceans warm, which is what they are doing”.
Bravo, I’ve been saying that for years.
Around 1850, Earth, now out of its centuries long cold era, started to naturally warm up again and the oceans started to release CO2. Hudson concludes that the majority of scientists conclude that the Earth is getting warmer. Whatever happened to the rest of that old dogma which was “caused by CO2”?
Has he realised that the last line of the old dogma is not true? Everybody knows that the Earth is warming, by 1.5 degrees over 170 years, because NASA and others have measured it thus and published it. Personally, I was hoping for a little more heat.
Finally, Hudson insults our intellect by referring to the utterly different planet Venus as proof of CO2 warming. Stop laughing. I agree that the molecule CO2 probably does pass some heat and retains some. In a glass jar in a laboratory.
Where is the proof that it does so on a massive planetary scale, with hundreds of other significant factors thrown in, some incomprehensible to some of our experts?
Brian A Mitchelson, Mornington
GST increase?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said around three weeks ago that he would not support an increase in GST. But strangely the Productivity Commission has now commenced an investigation into the GST which includes an increase in GST and the disbursement of the GST which the federal government collects to gives back to state governments.
The state governments need more tax revenue to pay for infrastructure projects, debt caused by infrastructure projects, and social reform and treaty. State and federal governments need more tax revenue and the GST increase will be the first of many.
Russell Morse, Karingal
Thievery
It’s said that prostitution is the oldest occupation on earth. I disagree. I reckon thievery is by far the oldest, most prevalent and also is expanding.
A few examples from history, to support my case: pick-pockets, forgers, fraudsters, hijackers, black-birders, grave robbers, tricksters, card sharks, scammers, ransom racketeers, pyramid/ponsi schemers, patent/copyright deceivers, warmongers (stealing land and peace), pirates, smugglers, drug dealers, gerrymander fixers, poachers, bush-rangers, conmen, embezzlers, forgers, corrupt politicians, shop-lifters, pork-barrellers, tyrants, dictators, dishonest invaders, tax evaders, liars, etc.
Many years ago, a wise scribe wrote “Thou shall not steal”. In another century, another sage wrote “Money is the root of all evil.” I rest my case your Honour.
Warwick Spinaze, Rosebud
The pot calling the kettle?
Sally Morrison accuses Ben Smith of “Taking pot shots at the Liberals” (Independent thoughts, Letters 30/9/25). Did anyone else see all the mailers put out by Zoe McKenzie full of innuendo and misinformation?
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
Barley-Charlie@89
Our changing world? Summer in sight: Rye shops, as in half empty, out of business, more big new houses, no garden, no custom, a Melbourne owners’ getaway? Property prices up, exodus of renters.
Houses, shops, the possibility of intruders, midnight to first light, kids, teens, who knows? Police, ambulance sirens, ignored, deadlock on, Serepax, what, me worry?
The sadness of Geelong coach Chris Scott, memories of the brutal way he played his game, 2001, 2002 and 2003, the Anthony Rocca goal? Australian idiom? Geelong came second: failed. Nonsense. Sadly accepted.
So nice to wake up after a seven hour sleep, rarely, the joy, of not waking at the half way mark, or twice? Reality arrives, usually after 10 minutes…
Reality not, for former left winger Albo Albanese, caring less about money, hang the expense, inviting the Prince and Kate to Australia, like Trump, in love with popularity, and his mirror?
A thin melanoma, scalp, easily removed, repaired, plastic surgeon, reminding of an RSL mate Ted, likewise, five years past, when last spotted?
Recalling the Friday night serials, at the pictures, 1940’s, Flash Gordon fighting evil Cave men, surely a fantasy? And yet, Hamas in caves underneath Gaza. You live and learn, only if you want to?
Cliff Ellen, Rye
