Developer’s generosity made ‘The Ranch’ possible
Last week’s article concerning the closure of “The Ranch”, while totally expected, is certainly a concern by reducing the availability of crisis accommodation (The Ranch crisis accommodation set to close, The News 31/3/26).
However, it is well for us to acknowledge the generosity and graciousness of the owners of the property to allow its use in this manner.
It was always to be a temporary arrangement. However, it fortunately extended beyond the expected 12 months availability to five years!
Importantly, we should recognise the extraordinary input into the establishment of the project by the previous CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre, Stuart Davis-Meehan.
The highly personable Stuart showed great foresight, extreme energy and a gift for lateral thinking in bringing “The Ranch” into existence.
Paul Girolami, Mornington
Well said Simon
Whilst Simon Brooks and myself have had a few “agree to disagree” discussions in respect of various community-related issues during his tenure as my local councillor, I am fully supportive of his expressed views on planning decisions that impact on the ‘liveability’ of our local municipality (Community Let Down Again, The News 30/3/26).
I congratulate Simon for the way that he expressed the current shortfalls in planning-related processes within the Mornington Peninsula Shire, which are exacerbated by the ad hoc planning decision making displayed by the state’s planning minister.
An example is the recent ministerial decision following to the landslide incident at McCrae to incorporate vast tracks of land within the peninsula that may be liable to land slip or inundation, as part of the planning scheme. This was despite the findings indicating that the McCrae landslide was due to a major water leak and not a geological phenomena.
It shows what a scatter-gun approach to planning issues that this minister adopts.
This decision has the real potential to place further financial burden upon land owners that may wish to construct/extend a building on their land, by having a geo-technical study undertaken for no considered reason/benefit.
And all of this against a back drop of approving a commercial development that has the potential for a real geological incident.
When voting for the next state government, the planning policy of candidates should be obtained and critically considered in detail.
Stuart Allen, Dromana
Shire governance
Mornington Peninsula Shire has a governance problem. Not small, not technical. Systemic and structural.
The recent arbiter and current monitor process is raising serious questions about bias, oversight, and control. That doesn’t happen by accident. Responsibility sits at the top.
The CEO sets the tone, approves the frameworks, owns the outcomes. The governance officer is the gatekeeper. They are responsible for process, integrity, and independence. If those fail, they have failed. If the system is off, it’s on them. It’s all about accountability.
When they fail in those responsibilities trust collapses and that’s where we are today.
We deserve transparency, not internal systems that look controlled and closed. Not processes that feel managed rather than fair, and if that framework is compromised, leadership cannot hide behind it.
A good start would be to publish the submissions to have your say like many do.
Fix it! Explain it! Own it!
Joe Lenzo, Safety Beach
Nepean candidate
Anthony Marsh, the Liberal candidate in the upcoming by-election for Nepean, has been a divisive and damaging member of local government over a number of years.
As mayor, Marsh has presided over a council riven with division and controversy – so much so that the state government has appointed two monitors.
In the last two years, Marsh has overseen the abandonment of the Mornington Peninsula’s Climate Emergency Declaration and Plan thereby exposing residents and local businesses to greater threat from the impacts of climate change. His comprehension of the crisis extends only to beach boxes, stormwater and roads. Marsh remains oblivious to urgent need to implement mitigation measures.
Other environmental fiascos to have occurred on Marsh’s watch include the decisions to persist with mechanical beach cleaning and to not oppose the grandiose Arthurs Seat Eagle development. Both decisions were taken despite the scientific evidence, significant community opposition and the advice of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council (MPSC) officers to the contrary.
One unintended positive outcome of Marsh’s leadership has been the formation of the Peninsula Climate Alliance – 25 individual environmental groups united in opposition to decisions of the MPSC.
Marsh’s leadership has also seen cuts to Arts programs, a dramatic reduction in the number of council meetings and a series of autocratic changes designed to limit community participation in council meetings.
Yet there is a blue wave of material proclaiming that Marsh is passionate about “delivering for his community”. Neither MPSC nor the community have benefitted from Marsh’s leadership.
Marsh has only recently discovered he is a Liberal. State parliament might indeed offer an opportunity for a fresh start for Marsh; his track record in local government is littered with pot holes and debris.
Ian H. Coffey, Red Hill South
Marsh record
Cr Anthony Marsh’s decision to stand as the Liberal candidate for the Nepean by-election raises serious questions about trust and honesty in local politics.
During the 2024 council election campaign, Marsh repeatedly promised voters he would freeze council rates. Yet once elected, he voted to increase rates by the maximum amount allowed. That broken promise has hit families and pensioners hard at a time when many are already struggling.
In pre-election surveys and his official candidate declaration, he insisted he was not a member of any political party and was committed to the council “for the long haul”. Now he has abandoned his post looking for a better job.
If successful his departure will trigger another expensive by-election in Briars Ward, costing ratepayers an estimated $200,000.
Voters have every right to expect candidates to honour the commitments they make. Marsh’s actions suggest a pattern of saying one thing to win votes and doing the opposite once in office. The peninsula deserves representatives who keep their promises, not just another person looking to use local government as a path to becoming a career politician.
Murray Goddard, Balnarring
Liberal promises
Is Anthony Marsh applying for the position of peninsula comedian? Judging by his large roadside ads, it would appear so. These claim boldly that “only Liberal will fix the potholes” and “only Liberal will fix Rosebud Hospital”.
I have a simple question: Then why haven’t they?
Liberal have been in power in Flinders and in Nepean for decades, apart from a notably productive short stint by Chris Brayne of Labor. During the time Liberal have been in power, much has deteriorated on the peninsula, and we have not seen them falling over themselves to put it to rights.
I am further baffled as to what to make of these amazing ads: Does this mean Liberal grossly underestimates the memory and focus of the voters, or that Liberal itself has a problem with memory and focus?
Whichever it is, I am so glad we have a choice to remove ourselves from outdated party politics in this by-election.
Paula Polson, Dromana
Don’t ‘grievance vote’
The term “grievance vote” has been used to explain the growth in support for the Pauline Hanson One Nation Party in the recent South Australian election.
Conservative voters badly let down by the shambles that is the current Liberal Party said they’d had enough and sent their vote further right.
It didn’t seem to matter that the Pauline Hanson One Nation Party offered not a single policy and can point to not a single positive achievement in their 30 years on the political scene, a little over one in five voters still thought they were preferable to the Libs.
In the up-coming Nepean by-election it is hoped that any aggrieved or disgruntled voters, whether Liberal or Labor leaning, can think beyond sending a “grievance vote” to what is ostensibly a Queensland headquartered party headed by a self-labelled xenophobe.
Think instead about voting with positive intent. A vote for Tracee Hutchinson, a community independent, could send a local, highly credentialed, non-party aligned, professional representative to Spring Street to advocate on behalf of all of the people of Nepean. Wouldn’t that be a good thing?
Luke O’Brien, Rye
Vote independent
The way you vote in the Nepean By-Election will decide how you want to live on the Mornington Peninsula from now on.
Look closely at the track record of any candidate who supported The Briars debacle, who has advocated for every development proposal, who has constantly supported making us regional to debunk the Green Wedge.
Vote for someone with that track record and the development flood gates will open and the peninsula will never be the same.
Then we have the independent candidate. Look closely at her track record and you will see someone who hits the ground running, has experience in the political scene as a journalist and presenter of integrity, fears no-one and is a proven fighter for her values and beliefs.
We need someone like her to protect the unique qualities of the peninsula that we all love, and to stand up for us on local issues that matter.
What better than a candidate whose only agenda as an independent is representing the best interests of the people in her electorate.
We have a fantastic opportunity here – whatever our past political leanings. She will get my vote.
Esther Gleixner, Flinders
Recycling is worth it
Thank you for the timely reminder about just how many containers can be recycled through Victoria’s container deposit scheme (Victorians missing out on container cash, The News 31/3/26).
Many of us are still overlooking the 10c refund available for drink containers, including flavoured milk cartons and bottles. It’s a real shame when recyclable containers end up in landfill or, worse, in our bush or waterways.
The good news is that plenty of charities — and quite a few entrepreneurial kids — are collecting containers to raise funds. It’s an easy way to support a good cause while keeping our environment cleaner.
For anyone unsure about what can be returned, the Container Deposit Scheme website has clear guidance. Every container recycled is a small win. Some might even say recycling is worth every cent.
Amy Hiller, Kew
Fuel crisis
Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula are more reliant on the car and bus system for transport and will be more affected by the war in Iran.
President Trump wants to make Israel the most dominant country in the Middle East and also to control the Strait of Hormuz.
He wants to take over the Suez Canal so he can put pressure on countries such as Canada, Britain and European countries and starve China exports and imports of oil.
So our resident will have the full effect of the oil crisis, especially public transport users as Australia has only around one month of oil in storage and buses run on diesel/petrol.
Residents will feel the full effect of the oil crisis when the price of oil increases to $150 – $200 a barrel which will filter through to consumer goods and housing and will include increased council rates.
Russell Morse, Karingal
Nuts! Drongos!
I have just been made aware that Qantas, Australia’s flagship airline’s flying may be restricted, because Red Communist China has cutoff jet fuel supplies, due to Iran’s oil tanker blockade.
This is nuts! How could our federal government, and top business leaders let Australia’s biggest ideological enemy: the allied-to-Iran, CCP (Communist Chinese Party) control our supply of jet fuel?
What drongos we have at the top here in Australia; because our RAAF jet engine warplanes, must also run on CCP supplied jet fuel?
What say you, Australia PM Anthony Albanese (and Australia’s top business leaders)?
Howard Hutchins, Wantirna
Terrorists?
I’ve been somewhat perplexed by the seeming failure of our post World War Two governments to express appreciation that one man’s terrorist is another’s freedom fighter.
The American revolutionaries, the “terrorist” French “Maquis” and the Polish “Armia Krajowa”, spring immediately to mind, as those who stood against the powers that then ruled. And then Lehi and Irgun were styled “terrorist” by the British, and therefore us, up to 1948.
We can certainly say that Hamas causes fear in Israel, just as the IDF, who I understand absorbed Irgun and Lehi, continue to terrorise Palestinians.
As we style “Americans”, those who stood against England’s “oppression”, can we really ask and condemn anyone who is Palestinian to stand for their oppressors?
Richard Kesslings, Somers
BarleyCharlie@90
This day, this ageing? By and large an above average reason to be fit and well, body and brain into/during the 70’s.
The 80’s (the feelings?) highs and lows, alongside the conclusion – “Little fish are sweet.” A Collingwood victory, a win at poker, out and about.
Alas, come the 90’s an epiphany, the real reality, each day a blessing, depending, maybe each hour; the real highs a good night’s sleep?
Philosophical, though far from the truth of “nothing matters” as evidenced by our PM taking over all television channels, his 197 seconds to ration our petrol usage and catch a train, tram or bus, to go about life as normal? We are (we were) none the wiser?
Even worse, he tells us the evils of gambling? Comedy – “A radio ban during school pick-up”.
Politics and the continuing Donald Trump, as Paul Bongiorno writes “Not provoking the notoriously vengeful president.”
Capital gains tax and negative gearing reforms remain but a dream.
Easter 2026, two big powerful countries headed by nutcases and one frightened Australian Prime Minister. And men are wearing tote bags, even worse, Collingwood lost! What day is it?
I need a cigarette. Even so…
Cliff Ellen, Rye
