The annual arrival of the jet ski nuisance
We live in Safety Beach – have done for 15 years, and every summer the visiting tourists are getting worse. They leave piles of litter on the beach, are rude to the locals, and park cars on footpaths near Martha Cove Marina. But my main point is that I think someone is going to get killed by a jet ski.
First of all, I would ask why they are banned in Mt Martha but allowed in Safety Beach. I will let you make up your own mind there.
With the jet skis breaking speed limits, riding close to shore, my own 12-year-old daughter is terrified to go in the water. Last year she had a really close call when snorkelling.
I have complained to the council who pushed me to the police who say they are “too busy” to monitor it. I swear half of them are drunk but always get away with it.
They suggested if I saw someone breaking the law to address them on it. As a 50-year-old male I do not want to be confronted by a bunch of thugs visiting from the northern suburbs.
I am predicting soon at Safety Beach either some form of riot or a death from an idiot jet ski rider. I use the term rider loosely as all they like to do is park up and boom loud doof doof music while flexing.
Every year for two months from my house I have to have noise pollution from the consistent whinging of the engines. And yet nobody does anything about it. It is a total joke.
Here is an idea get your black Ford Ranger Wildtrack hook up your jetski and go back to the northern suburbs and let the local kids play in peace and safety at Safety Beach..
Michael Lofts, Safety Beach
Rates review
Mornington Peninsula Shire’s rating strategy review is being promoted as a fairness exercise, but for many local ratepayers it looks more like a redistribution of benefits to groups already well supported, while ignoring major revenue opportunities that would ease pressure on cost of living and households.
To give retirement village residents an 80% discounted differential rate is a prime example. Most already receive a pensioner discount, yet the shire wants to add another layer of subsidy. Even self-funded retirees would receive it, despite not qualifying for pension concessions. Many villages also provide extensive amenities — bowls, pools, gyms, recreation centres — far beyond what most residents have access to, yet they are being offered deeper rate relief. Meanwhile, ordinary pensioners ask: if they get an extra 20% off, why can’t I?
At the same time, the shire refuses to introduce paid parking for non-residents, a scheme capable of generating over $62m in raw income. Instead of tourists paying their share, ratepayers continue to cover costs for waste, maintenance, and the unseen “clean teams” that service beaches, parks, and town centres during peak seasons. We’re absorbing the cost while visitors get a free ride.
Farmland classification does need tightening so concessions go only to genuine producers, not lifestyle properties, Land banking (empty lots more than three years old) should not benefit from even residential rates when land is being held for profit, And short-term rentals — operating as commercial businesses — should not be paying ordinary residential rates, they should have a differential rate category that reflects the reality of what they are.
The shire insists the review isn’t about raising revenue but “sharing the burden.” Yet discounting one group while refusing to charge tourrorists and short term rental operators hardly resembles fairness. Until major distortions are fixed, the burden will keep falling on the very people who actually live here.
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
Verbal ping pong
On a recent walk I took the steps up from the Flinders Jetty and was appalled to find the pathway seriously overgrown to the point the track required to be walked in single file.
I phoned the shire and made an urgent request that it be cleared and made safe for public usage.
I was told it wasn’t in their remit but that of DEECA. For the readers information DEECA is The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
I was given a number, rang and made the request for the pathway to be cleared.
I didn’t hear a thing back until a few days ago when I received a phone message from the shire stating my request was being reviewed and given a job number.
I called DEECA to find out why the shire was contacting me and they said the pathway and steps were on Crown land, therefore the shire’s responsibility. I was not told this when I first called DEECA a week ago.
So, the ping pong ball goes back into the shire’s court. They apologised to me for giving me the incorrect information initially and that the job still hadn’t been done but was being reviewed!
I do not accept that the onus should be on us to draw attention to maintenance work that should be monitored and tended to on a regular basis.
The grass at Flinders Memorial carpark has recently been cut but the overgrown vegetation on the public pathway remains overgrown at the time of writing this letter.
What I take away from this game of verbal ping pong is that neither party, the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council nor DEECA know what their land management responsibilities are. The consequences of which means land, pathways, cliffs and beaches are left neglected.
Tori Potter, Flinders
Shire interactions
Seventy years ago, as a child, I spent a wonderful Christmas holiday camped opposite the Le Souef family’s general store in The Loop at Blairgowrie. At many stages of my life, the Mornington Peninsula has drawn me back.
Approximately 30 years ago, I decided to join the ranks of the paid employees of the largest printing company of its kind in Australia. As a senior manager, my responsibilities included OHS and Emergency management. As a relief from my 24/7 management responsibilities my partner, who also had ties to business on the peninsula, and I decided to buy a home at Rye.
For twenty years, I paid my rates, enjoyed the quiet life, and had no contact with the shire. My first contact about nine years ago was initially annoying and involved an infringement ticket for parking in the launching ramp park. I suddenly became a criminal as those whose wages I contributed to treated me as a cheat and a liar before finally accepting the fact that they were wrong.
Shortly after this, a young boy died as a result of an incident at the Easter Carnival, and with my experience and background in OHS, I conducted what is known as a hazard identification of the carpark and noted one extremely high-risk hazard. I raised my concerns with the shire, which declined my request to assess this hazard. Over the next eight years, I raised the matter with the shire numerous times and could not even get them to agree to an on-site meeting. Eventually, the then local member Chris Brayne involved the minister responsible for OHS, and an agreement to manage the significant hazard was reached. The shire then ignored the agreement for two years.
This year, it appears the shire has finally acted to control this hazard that could have led to multiple deaths in a single incident. Why do I scrutinise the shire’s action?
Eric Dettman, Rye
Councillor independence
To anyone who has attended recent Mornington Peninsula Council meetings it has become clear that they have become increasingly anti-democratic.
Totally relevant and fair questions and debate are being manipulated by our Mayor and his band of supporters
Even though the Local Government Act stipulates that the Chair of Council meetings should avoid leading debate where possible, our current mayor seems to be setting the tone by making his position clear on important matters. This loses the element of impartiality that a Chair should maintain.
Our elected representatives have to be allowed to do their job conscientiously, which means acting in the best interests of their communities – and acting independently.
Ranald Macdonald, Flinders
Disaster preparedness
Credit to the Council for developing a Community Disaster Resilience Plan (Council backs new disaster resilience plan, The News 16/12/25).
While the festive season invites us to switch off and celebrate, the reality of a changing climate means we must be prepared for unwanted events like bushfires, heatwaves, and flooding.
Recognising the risks and sharing a clear plan with neighbours are vital steps to keeping our communities safe and resilient.
Amy Hiller, Kew
Beware of bias
Readers should be very wary of the wildly outlandish assertions made by Margaret Chambers (Two-tiered Society, Letters 16/12/25) alleging the Victorian Treaty Act 2025 establishes a “fourth branch of government” and a “2-tiered legal system” when in fact the body established has an advisory role only.
Readers may like to put Chambers’ opinions, which are disguised as researched fact, in context: her organisation, the Institute of Public Affairs is a highly conservative pseudo-academic body opposed to progressive social advances, rejects climate science and most tellingly in this instance, advocates the repeal of the law which makes racial discrimination illegal in our country, the Racial Discrimination Act, 1975.
We should be proud of our Victorian Treaty, recognising that it is common sense to ask the advice of First Nations people about matters that affect them, and applauding this historic step towards healing and unity.
Maureen Donelly, Mornington
Magical Premiers
Through multimedia outlets the West Gate tunnel has be opened with much fanfare and political “Look what I did” comments.
I found the history of this bridge which replaced the oppositions East West plan when the immediate past Premier said he would not go ahead with the project and build a West East project and wouldn’t pay one cent in compensation to the company who had signed up to build the East West link.
With some type of magic, he turned one cent into $1b.
Our current Premier inherited the West East project and its $6.45b budget with magic she turned that amount into a $10b project.
Between the two mild mannered Premiers Victorian their magic has dealt an additional $9 -10b tax burden to every Victorian family.
One must ask when will the management incompentence cease, the state’s debt has reached a level that the weekly interest cost alone is greater than our income.
No amount of magic or hope will reduce our debt, what is required is well planned cost reduction and a halt put on the big build projects and the money diverted to projects that need doing like roads, health, education and decent accommodation for those in need.
Bruce White, Safety Beach
Debating tactics
Debating tactics often used by people who are unable to refute an opponent’s arguments include mis-representation of the opponent’s position and/or the attribution to the opponent of attitudes never expressed by him. If these methods fail to silence him, the debater moves to personal abuse and ridicule.
In the debate on the wisdom or otherwise of creating two race-based classes of citizen in this state, Michelle Cheers (Rest your case, Letters 10/12/25) began with what might be viewed as an appeal to authority (“accepted facts”) but moved directly to personal abuse (“the worst prejudices of your generation”, “go back to your hobby”).
This week David Martin (Oh…wait…., Letters 16/12/25) moves directly from misrepresentation of the nature of the debate and the attribution to me of attitudes never expressed by me (“taking another firm stand against those pesky indigenous people”) to ridicule (“why don’t they all just go back to where they come from”).
May I suggest to the latter, with all due disrespect, that he is making more of a fool of himself than he is of me.
May I wish you, the staff of The News and all of your readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Albert Riley, Mornington
I am sorry
This is an open apology to all our readers of the Jewish faith. I saw what was happening but I stayed silent for fear of my extended family being doxed because of my beliefs.
When Hamas attacked Israel I stayed silent and for that I am sorry.
When the head of the Lekember mosque danced with hundreds before the blood was dry I stayed silent and two days later when thousands came to the Opera House and shouted “where’s the Jews “ I stayed silent.
When every weekend for two years we had demonstrations in Melbourne and Sydney, I stayed silent. I should have called out one protester at Melbourne uni who thought “river to the sea” meant the Nile to the Mediterranean Sea but I stayed silent.
When tens of thousands of people marched across the harbour bridge carrying Hamas, Hezbolla and Isis flags, I stayed silent.
When they burnt Jewish places of worship and graffitied cars, houses and schools, I stayed silent. But no more.
When senior ABC reporter Laura Tingle tries to argue that last weeks attack was political not religious on the same day a ten year old little Jewish girl is being buried, who died for no other reason than that she was Jewish, then I can stay silent no more.
M. G. Free, Mount Martha
Stop hatred
I am heartbroken at the vile attack on innocent Australian Jewish people at Bondi on Sunday 14 December. This hatred has to stop but how? Antisemitic education will help to stamp out hate speech but it wouldn’t have prevented this attack as the shooters were ISIS followers who hate all non-muslims. We must change the gun laws; this may have prevented this dreadful murderous attack.
I am also sad to see the opposition using this dreadful event to score political points. This is a time for unity not division and point scoring. Shame on you Susan Ley.
Ricky Miller, Mt Martha
Avoid politicisation
Zoe McKenzie’s social media posts about the Bondi terrorist attack originally showed warmth and empathy for which I congratulated her. I followed her idea to put a candle out for those killed, injured and traumatised.
However, Zoe has now politicised the issue by decrying a supposed lack of government action on antisemitism. Zoe refers to the Segal report, which has been widely criticised by those who value freedom of expression and open political discussion.
Zoe calls for increased education on antisemitism. Yet Zoe’s party has said the state Treaty is divisive and provides special treatment to one group.
Why then privilege antisemitism over all forms of racism? At school I learnt about the Holocaust, and the devastation caused to the Jewish community in Europe. I learnt nothing about the massacres and suffering of First Nations people in my own country.
How would education have prevented the Bondi tragedy given it appears the shooters were supporters of ISIS?
Does Zoe believe that ISIS terrorists would be influenced by education or by those of us who marched to highlight the death of thousands in Gaza and the inhumane conditions they continue to experience?
One shooter was granted permanent residency under Howard and the son’s security was reviewed and cleared under Morrison. Do we hold them responsible?
Both governments opposed Labor’s racial hatred laws. Zoe, perhaps you can work with your party to develop a bipartisan approach to address hate and racism directed at any group in Australia – Jewish, Muslims, First Nations, any and all cultures that make Australia the tapestry we enjoy today.
Terrorists aim to create fear and division, let’s not allow them to win.
Marg D’Arcy, Rye
Recognising honesty
I was at the BP in Mt Eliza and filled up with fuel. To my dismay I couldn’t find my phone case with my bank cards license etc anywhere in the car.
I told the fuel attendant Anthony (whose parents I believe own the service station) that I couldn’t locate my phone and ATM cards, so I was going to repark and search my car.
I was in a panic. Around 30 minutes passed when Anthony said he took care of my fuel. He told me to go home and look; he was so kind and understanding.
I said I would be back later in the afternoon to repay him. He said not to worry however I did go back.
Anthony also helped by ringing my phone multiple times. The Bluetooth in the car was showing my phone was there, but I stripped the car and still nothing!
I ended up thanking Anthony and said I’ll be back drove up towards Tower Rd and then the Bluetooth signal disappeared.
I drove home, got my father’s phone and kept ringing my phone over 30 times when a woman answered named Val. She said two boys, 13 and 14 years old, picked up my phone. One was named Owen, but I can’t recall the other. They found it on the road on Tower Rd, so the phone case was on the roof of car the whole time!
The boys handed it to Val and she was heading to Mornington Police Station.
We met at the Bunnings carpark so I could collect my phone. All my cards were in the phone case nothing was taken, or damaged.
It was such a kind act by all involved. I never got to meet the boys but I am very grateful they did the right thing.
Alla Dominique, Frankston South
Peninsula Link
To help the many drivers through until February, why not have 80kph in left lane and 100kph in the right lane (Peninsula Link to stay slow for summer, The News 16/12/25).
The reasons published to keep the 80kph limit for months makes no sense. And removing all those 80kph signs!
This “slow-lane” feature will give drivers a sensible choice. Or is it a silly idea?
Warwick Spinaze, Rosebud
Barley-Charlie@89
Politics 2025/finale. Ever onwards to 90 (March 26) the previous decade so quick (10 minutes?) went where? I kid you not, 90, OMG?
Fortunately I’m not big on the future, time enough when/if it arrives. The reality is the now, plus waiting time.
A year of danger, anxiety aside, thinking, concluding.
The pension increases twice a year, healthy no, clearly the COL increases higher; pensioners in quicksand?
They mumble on raising pensioner deeming rates, inapplicable to most.
The Keating interviews a highlight, also 7.30pm ABC man Kerry O’Brien’s 70th Walkley Award speech on press freedom – “Don’t kid yourself that it can’t happen here”.
The shift on Albanese’s thoughts 2019, opposed to his safer outlook as Prime Minister. Hoping Albo’s not believing his own publicity, infallibility, a passing phase, recalling our Bobby Hawke’s 3rd term?
The new under 16’s; Big Brother? I’d agree with under 10’s, even under 12’s at a push, but under 16’s, the creativity years 13 – 15, dangerous over the top tactics; like the snow, melting, towards control?
Reading psychology, re-read a dozen times from age 13, the sheep, various points of view, all the same, all different.
Equally (perhaps?) we all have secrets, hidden in the archives of our minds.
While on top of the gum tree Albo, show fear specialist Kevin Rudd the departure door, merely a suggestion, if Kevin had his way, under 25’s?
Bye the bye; talkback radio. So often an argument relating to “The Australian way.” The Australian way? The “Human Nature way” surely?
Not forgetting AI and robotics? Can we cope with it, all the planning, for what future?
Almost teary, Trump, politicians, lifelong members of the “I’m alright Jack” Army. Hopefully standing against antisemitism, in Australia, despite the obvious, Bondi Beach and the danger of sheep.
Fortunately I’m a worrier, which is food for thought, my Raison d’etre, overheating obviously the one danger. In television, nightly, time and again, “coming up” and/or “moving forward”. Parrots.
Christmas break, love is in the air, Kookaburras all, at least until after the third beer; enjoy. Back on darling’s birthday, significantly Boxing Day. Even so…
Cliff Ellen, Rye
