Potholes not the only priority
I have just travelled 4000kms across Victoria, SA and NSW. Yes, the Mornington Peninsula has dangerous potholes, although many have now been repaired, thanks to the council allocation of $17m for road repair and the millions allocated through the National Roads to Recovery program.
Many people say Victoria’s roads are in a worse condition than SA and NSW. In SA I found the condition of the roads varied across different local government areas. Even parts of the Princes Highway had potholes and many of the minor roads were in need of repair.
I travelled back home along the east coast and found the Victorian part of the Princes Highway and many of the minor roads were quite good.
There are many causes of potholes and they will always be an issue of concern, and those that are dangerous should be rectified quickly.
But as we are approaching the election let’s consider the other issues of importance. Action on climate change and building renewables is clearly one of the most important.
We have just seen the tragedy in Nepal resulting from the melting of glaciers and the unprecedented heatwaves and fires in Europe.
The policies of both the LNP and One Nation are about undoing much of the good work that has been done by Labor. We must resist that.
Marg D’Arcy, Rye
Paying more for less
I’m aghast, at the shires cavalier attitude to its most vulnerable citizens.
Taking away meals on wheels services,that enable older and frail people to stay in their homes is not a very generous thing to do. Especially in light of considerable increase of our rates and services bills.
And taking away the community bus service, condemns all the people who can’t drive anymore to a life of exclusion and possibly forcing them into early care.
I would urge the shire to re think this decision,and provide adequate services to its constituents.
What where they thinking?
Rupert Steiner, Balnarring Beach
Kangaroo commitment
In response to Anthony Marsh’s letter (“Kangaroos before politics”, Letters, 8/9/26) there should be nothing disappointing about reading a letter clarifying a political party’s position on protecting the green wedge.
Being a president of a local community group (Save Kangaroo On Mornington Peninsula) doesn’t exclude me from having an opinion or seeking a political party position in response to an article in the local paper.
There is only one development in the green wedge that poses an unacceptable risk to kangaroos in the Nepean electorate and that would be the permit granted to the Arthurs Seat Eagle.
Ironically enough Anthony Marsh was the only candidate who didn’t show up to the Save Our Seat community meeting at Dromana Community Hall prior to the by-election earlier this year.
Only someone who would imply a community member puts politics above the work they contribute to the community either doesn’t understand the effort put in or appreciate the efforts of community volunteers.
For anyone else interested in the work I do for SKOMP, please book a ticket to “Sunset with Kangaroos” through eventbrite and join us on a Saturday evening with the kangaroos at Seawinds gardens at Arthurs Seat.
SKOMP would love to see you there.
Craig Thomson, Save Kangaroos On Mornington Peninsula
Kangaroo cull?
Has the shire eliminated all the kangaroos on Arthur’s seat? I have not seen one at the Dromana cemetery for months. There used to be a mob that would wander through, now, you don’t even see ‘roo faeces. Maybe we ask the shire if they have completely decimated the roo population or where have they put them?
John Cain, McCrae
Koala concern
Driving around the peninsula I see increasingly more signs encouraging drivers to slow down to protect koalas.
That’s a good thing.
The Victorian state government has finally released a report that explains the poor state of health of our koala population.
Koala numbers are less than half what was previously assumed. And nearly half of the koalas sampled and checked by vets were in such poor health that they were euthanised.
With bird flu cases also rising (“Bird flu cases continue to climb”, The News, 8/9/26), now seems a good time to focus on wildlife protection.
If we want future generations to enjoy seeing koalas in the wild, we need to do more than just slowing down on the roads.
Amy Hiller, Kew
Exit clause
I agree with your correspondent that “the language of hate” has no role in Australian politics or society (“Pauline Hanson”, Letters, 8/9/26). So it was surprising to read that lawyer Ashli Beards, whose profession depends on both language and the law, has put her hand up as the One Nation candidate for Mornington (“Lawyer enters Mornington contest for One Nation”, The News, 8/9/26).
Does Ms Beards support One Nation’s proposal to slash Commonwealth spending by $90b a year? Where will the cuts come from? Among the proposed cuts are childcare, early-childhood education and paid parental leave.
And does she also reject climate science, as Pauline Hanson does? Does she believe climate change is a “hoax” and support abolishing the federal Department of Climate Change?
It makes one wonder how long, if elected, Ms Beards would survive in the party. Twenty-five of the 52 people who have represented One Nation in Australian parliaments have either defected or left — almost half.
At that rate of attrition, perhaps the most useful clause for Ms Beards would be an exit clause.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn
Beggars belief
Sorry – someone who while in council repeatedly voted pro-development in flagrant disregard to community outcries to protect the Green Wedge, is now posturing as a champion of the same Green Wedge areas that they were instrumental in destroying? Beggars belief!
Cheap vote catching change of tune. The community is not stupid. We will remember when it comes time to vote at the state election in November 2026.
Esther Gleixner, Flinders
Parking infringement
In a narrow street near me, a considerate driver parked his car with 2 wheels on the footpath.
This causes less obstruction to passing vehicles and doesn’t affect footpath walkers.
But the shire says no!
And rewards the driver with a $125 fine.
Can’t inspectors use common sense and discretion?
Warwick Spinaze, Rosebud
Caravan crackdown
It is good to see that begging has been decriminalised and no longer an offence.
Begging used to have a penalty up to 12 months in prison or a fine.
There should never be a criminal offence for being poor.
The City of Frankston has done an audit of all rooming houses in Frankston which include having caravans on premises. The council has referred two locations to their planning office for attention.
There may be a cost of living crisis but this does not mean housing investors should be allowed to manipulate the system because for profit.
Russell Morse, Karingal
Coffee culture
As a change to the usual subjects of these letters I thought I would write a small dedication to one of the communities who gather at coffee shops on the Mornington Peninsula.
This is about Mt Martha village particularly, and the otherwise unrelated people who congregate almost every day at Via Batiste.
At the weekend, many of us who drift in and out and eventually become regulars, turned out to celebrate the ninetieth birthday of local identity Bill. However, this is not about Bill’s lifetime of achievements but about a sense of joyful community amongst those who were there.
Bill’s the focus and is otherwise famous for talking people into buying his eggs. Gary, once science teacher and football identity is absent on a long break in Lombok. His partner Emma turned up sans the chubby schnauzer, Raf. Paul the builder brought his rat rod and Georgie, his better half. Moose the dog was home dreaming about Alaska. John, 82, ex CFA and farmer, grieving, but serving food and drinks, and making smart-arse comments to anyone who refused.
The sweet smell of a good cigar announced Mass the brickie and partner Vanessa. Toni, minus her borrowed dog Ace, helped with the red wine and joy at her grandson’s major jackpot win at the pokies. Neil and Margy were in residence, a gas couple, and politically astute. Dan, the force behind Batiste, ran the show, along with a solid turnout of family. And many other regulars. So, what made this event worthy of a mention?
It arises from a postcode, and then friendship, in that order, and its village life on the peninsula. A celebration of all these folk who grow to know each other over a morning coffee.
Ken Anderson, Mt Martha
BarleyCharlie@90
Memory, hearing, eyesight – all good, apart from names; the girls are darlings, the boys mates, problem solved? OR, iPhone, voice, recording, Woolworths Deli. Her name? Alas, halfway to the frozen section GONE.
No matter, allow reality the floor, home to my pickled peppers, the rain in bloody Spain, not forgetting red leather yellow leather or letter?
AFL Sydney, thrashing Brisbane, pleasure, sadly (though unlikely) short lived, victory over the convict free supercilious Adelaidians, thankfully not all?
Cash, money, moola. Facebook, other sites, looking to the old rich, new rich, the almost rich and the hopeful dreamers, most of which never to cross that river, like Marilyn in her movie ‘River of No Return’ or young Justin’s ‘Cry Me a River’.
There is, (perhaps?) a difference between some forms of creativity and nut cases? The latest, Princess Pauline’s 3% access to superannuation for specific needs (rent) sensible, assuming a block on rental increases from the cannibalistic property owners.
All’s well to live for comfort, in retirement, but no plus if one carks before the fruits?
Do you have a favourite day? Always Tuesdays for moire, so long ago (still is) forgotten, possibly years past; kidlets at school, darling wife at work? Maybe message ChatGPT, old enough/silly enough to be friendly with a bloody machine?
Reading a review, Miller’s ‘Death/Salesman’ (overwhelmingly positive?) Armfield/LaPuglia’s Willy. Armfield, Australia’s best, as a director, clearly, not always his casting decisions? And her name? Sadly, time does not necessarily heal all wounds.
Go Fremantle, or Sydney. Just saying, hoping, without stress. Daily calendar “A committee of one gets things done.” Joe Ryan. Not if you’re 90 Joe. From the diaphragm mate.
Cliff Ellen, Rye
