LETTERS racing in NSW, but what does this entail? Maybe this is an excuse for a weak government pandering to the under-engaged button pushers, not to do anything positive about an already unlawful act. The powers that be are too slack to enforce the law. Now the bleeding hearts are on the job, without any common sense of course, but how should their advocacy of the wholesale slaughter be carried out? Mass shootings by gun-crazy individuals for recreation? Dogs tied down and clubbed to death? Sent to a racetrack in Macau where a similar fate will await them? Would these whingers physically bring the dogs to meet their executioners? I wonder? It is a bit hard to find homes for thousands of unexpected guests at short notice when the animal shelters are already overflowing. GAP (Greyhound Adoption Program) and the Greyhound Safety Net have particular assessments of the dogs surrendered for adoption and of the people interested. Think about it. Maureen Federico, Frankston South
Let the sea in and park boats at their peril What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object? The spectacular tonnes of water exploding skywards from Mornington pier and nine heavy concrete anti-wave fortress slabs thrown aside is what (“Wild waves batter rebuilt pier” The News 19/7/16). All to protect a few boats moored in our beautiful harbour. I foresee lots of these incidents in the future, especially with worse storms. I’ve seen worse. Perhaps we should revert to a simple stout pier and let the sea flow wherever it wants. It was thus so, once. Stop boats from mooring in the harbour or allow it strictly at their own risk. Park elsewhere. Brian A Mitchelson, Mornington
Climate too far Mornington Peninsula Shire has clearly done an outstanding job in combating climate change, but could it please ease briefly off the throttle so that we can taste a little global warming? Ron Simpson, Mornington
Concrete proof Tim Rintoul seeks to distance the Somers Residents Association (SRA) from the 5.2 km concrete path network adopted by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council (“Majority support” Letters 5/7/16). However, a MPSC report dated 14 December 2009, shows the SRA had initiated the proposal, sought support from the MPSC, with council then wanting a user pays special charge scheme to finance 50 per cent. An SRA sub-committee was formed to continue work on the proposed pathway network according to the council document. Until recently, SRA newsletters promoted “an exposed aggregate narrow meandering footpath” as a supposedly good fit for a coastal village. Somers people didn’t realise exposed aggregate is merely a different surface finish for concrete paths - it’s still concrete. Many mature coastal trees, a village feature, would need removal due to footpath codes for width and height clearance, yet the SRA persisted with the notion of “minimal vegetation removal”. Expressing concerns about potential vegetation loss was howled down by pro-concreters, suggesting we care more for trees and bushes that public safety. Caring for the environment and potential impacts on future generations, doesn’t mean caring less about safety. Designed as a “walkable community” with easements and walkways connecting streets with beaches and village amenities, safe options exist for pedestrians and cyclists moving around Somers. Further low impact options could be employed to address traffic or safety concerns. The SRA failed to emphasise low impact options, preferring to push the high impact
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concrete path network more suited to large town centres. Somers is not a suburb, nor do Somers people want that. It’s too late for the SRA to lay all blame on council for attempting to ruin our coastal village character. Both should heed the 500 signatories to the VCAT applications opposing the Somers pathway network scheme. VCAT’s vice-president thought it a significant number. Pam Bannister, Somers Village Community Association
Take vote on path As the VCAT advocate for Somers ratepayers opposing the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s proposed concrete footpath scheme, I support the comments of Andrew Satchwell and David Gill (“Are we getting the councillors we deserve?” and “Answers for all” Letters 19/7/16). Although the council continues to represent us as a tiny minority, in fact more than a third of Somers ratepayers are part of the VCAT action. On the basis of the last Census, we represent the majority of the ratepayers who live permanently in Somers. More residents have also expressed their opposition to the path since they have become aware of the details proposed by the council. More than 100 of the submissions sought by the council opposed the Somers scheme, with only about half a dozen in favour. The council has ignored this weighting. Eight other similar schemes on the peninsula have been deferred by the council after formal surveys found overwhelming opposition in all eight locations. Why have Somers ratepayers not been similarly surveyed? Ratepayers should know that they pay the council’s legal bills. It would save a good deal of money if the council deferred the Somers scheme and genuinely consulted with those they claim to represent. Dr Chris Atmore, Somers
Spare the greyhounds Monday night 11 July TV was abysmal, as ever, so I tried radio. Wow, what luck, I found 3AW and was delighted to hear Andrew Bolt and his co-presenter on the subject of greyhound racing with their voices of reason. But two women who called in to speak were not so, one even calling for the dogs to be killed. I presume they were “animal lovers”. The greyhound racing industry is now under siege over a few, very few disreputable people abusing the privilege of owning a racing dog by forcing that dog into the situation of a live kill. Now, countless families who love both racing and rescue dogs, based on the fact that they are intelligent, healthy, beautifully elegant and easy to live with, are in a state of real distress at the predicted result of a ban on greyhound
Reinstate science jobs
Is it time to now question the legacy left behind by the former environment minister, Flinders MP Greg Hunt, as he is shuffled off to innovate his new portfolio? Increased CO2 emissions; the Great Barrier Reef dying; 90 per cent decline in business investment into renewables; failed promises to stop the slaughter of our southern whales; slashed RET targets; approving shark culling; approved world scale polluting coal mine; species extinction increasing -.the list goes on. History will judge this term in office. I for one am not sorry to see him leave. Kelvin Stingel, Mornington Peninsula Greens, Blairgowrie
Hopefully Flinders MP Greg Hunt he’ll be more effective in his new role as Minister for Innovation and Science than he was Minister for the Environment. One would think this is a good move by [Prime Minister Malcolm] Turnbull, where it not for the fact that the new environment minister is Josh Frydenberg, an even stronger supporter of the coal extractive industry. Do we really have to say goodbye to the Great Barrier Reef under the new Turnbull government? Will Greg Hunt now reverse all the job cuts at the CSIRO? After all, he is Minister for Science, or am I mistaken as previously, that for him the name of the portfolio is entirely disconnected from what he actually does? Rupert Steiner, Balnarring
Time for change
Rubbish roads
David Gill’s observations on our poorly performing council are spot on (“Are we getting the councillors we deserve?” Letters 19/7/16). The rusted on rump group of conservative and self-serving long term inmates who stymie debate, protect their expense over runs and preclude any new ideas that might propel them into the 21st century, are a stumbling block to progress on the Mornington Peninsula. Reports by the Mornington Peninsula Ratepayers’ & Residents’ Association sent to the Minister of Local Government about the suspect behaviours and spending of certain councillors have met a conspiracy of silence or been put in the too hard basket. Two years have passed and nothing has resulted. We are left with the problem whether there are sufficient courageous and community-minded peninsula ratepayers and residents to represent us at the October local council elections. The answer is no and the future looks bleak with more of the same old smoke and mirrors stuff. Roads, rates and rubbish are relegated to council employee decisions and we learn about them after the event. We are all for pruning non-core promises and policies and smaller government which return a fairer result for all concerned. For those remotely considering an opportunity to serve your community, remember that these positions come with a generous remuneration plus an elastic expense account and potential for overseas travel. Several of our councillors are having wonderful experiences, broadening their horizons, extending their future career options and handling home affairs very efficiently. While lunch vouchers are no longer available, the food and beverage service at this council is second to none. Cars, clothes and comfortable working conditions are guaranteed. So why wait, contact your local travel agent, sorry Victorian Electoral Commission on13 1832 or website vec.vic.gov.au today and get booked in fast. You could be going places. Ian Morrison, Mt Eliza Community Alliance
As a small business owner located in Mornington and a resident of Merricks North, I travel into Mornington most days, and have done so for the past two years. In that time I have noticed such an accumulation of rubbish and debris along my route (Balnarring Rd, Mornington/Tyabb Rd) that beggars belief. I have reported this to the relevant authorities, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and VicRoads several times, by email and in person, to no avail. I wonder what visitors to the peninsula must think, as the rubbish is certainly eye catching and not a good advertisement. I have also noticed on travelling further afield, such as on the Moorooduc Freeway, the filth lying beside our roads is widespread and as far as I can see no effort has been made to clean it up as I have observed the same rubbish lying there for the past two years. We live in such a beautiful part of the world, but slowly polluting it with carelessness and poor management of the surrounding environment. Sarah Kuter, Merricks North
Minister’s scorecard Picture: Keith Platt
office and also an ALP advisors’ house on the eve of the election. Mr Dixon then goes on to criticise the Premier Daniel Andrews for having the temerity to put some funding in to his electorate. That is what a representative does but, unfortunately, Mr Dixon falls short in that category. He couldn’t get the 788 bus route upgraded even though the state transport minister was in the next electorate. Mooroduc Primary School was ignored when Mr Dixon was the Minister for Education. Perhaps things might happen if we ever become a marginal seat. On a different note, to the small-minded anonymous person from P O Box 636. This is a free country with freedom of speech and if you persist, I will take it further. Incidentally, your spelling and grammar is woeful! John Cain, McCrae
Call to action Nepean MP Martin Dixon criticised Doris Campbell for her letter on Penbus calling it a “neatly but futilely timed” political attack, presumably against [the Prime Minister Malcolm] Turnbull (“Facts about Penbus” Letters 12/7/16). This is hypocritical, as Ms Campbell’s alleged “ambush” during the [federal] election campaign pales into insignificance when you compare it to the orchestrated raids by the Australian Federal Police accompanied by reporters and cameramen that were conducted on Labor Senator Conroy’s
Dangerous Pauline To Brian A Mitchelson (“Pauline’s payback” Letters 19/7/16) we agree to disagree. Former Prime Minister John Howard was strong on “the intelligence of the Australian people” and yet in response to Peerless Pauline’s June 1998 piece on “Aboriginal Australians and the United Nations are plotting to establish taxpayer funded Aboriginal states” Mr Howard responded “the speech she made last night and I’ve got to say it is not only an inaccurate, dishonest speech, but it verges on the deranged in various places. She is fanning racist sentiment to run around Australia saying that native title is going to lead to taxpayer-funded Aboriginal states within Australia. Now, I mean that is just plain hysterical nonsense.” Pauline’s maiden speech included “we are in danger of being swamped by Asians”. Now it is Muslims. Pauline is entitled, as are you. On the other hand millions of Australians as per the Senate voting beg to differ. I believe Pauline spreads fear, it’s dangerous, and it’s catching. Cliff Ellen, Rye Letters to the editor can be sent to The News, PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or emailed to: team@mpnews.com.au Letters should be kept to a maximum 300 words and include name, address and contact phone number for verification purposes.