LETTERS Shire should listen In response to Peter Scharpenack of Mornington, how m any times do residents need to voice their concerns before Mornington Peninsula Shire Council will listen (“Over-development” Letters 28/3/17)? It seems the developers are able to buy their way onto the peninsula regardless of the effect it will have on the environment. Green areas need to be set aside that cannot be touched; and the beaches are what make Mornington Peninsula the desirable place to visit and live. Council secrecy needs to stop. Nadia Wilson, Safety Beach
Fixing the pier The 15 tonne wave panels affixed to Mornington pier failed at the first test, proving the incompetence of the design. I have seen worse storms here and the global warming characters predict worse to come. Apparently Parks Victoria is going to have another go. I think there are only two solutions. One is to fill in the entire cavity under the pier with several thousand tonnes of concrete. That should last 100 years, not 10 minutes. Vector forces would still ensure that many tonnes of seawater would again be constantly flung 10 metres vertically. Perhaps Mothers beach will be ruined, the odd person might be washed off the pier and drowned, but at least the 20 or so moored boats would have protection and reduced insurance premiums. The second solution is to have no barriers at all. Let the mighty, unstoppable sea rage and flow under the pier. Pull the boats out. It would be much cheaper for the taxpayers. Brian A Mitchelson, Mornington
Politically incorrect The article “Award for ‘life changing’ teacher” (The News 28/3/17) was incorrect on a number of levels, the teacher who was interviewed was misquoted and misunderstood. The article refers to “normal” children, which is not a term staff at Community Kinders Plus would use and we believe is deeply offensive. This should have been picked up by the editor and should never have been published. The teacher, Meagan Hull, explained to the journalist that a child with additional needs, attending a kindergarten like Bentons Square, creates learning opportunities for all. Ms Hull referred to her work in the inclusive program as “life changing”, which is not what the heading implies. It mentions Mt Martha House, Mornington Park and Biala Peninsula as schools when in fact Biala Peninsula is an early intervention organisation and the former are both kindergartens. The conference that Ms Hull will attend in North Carolina with Jacqui Zuidema, who is the early intervention teacher from Biala Peninsula, is to learn more about initiatives in inclusive early childhood education. Teresa McLennan, operations manager, Community Kinders Plus
Public, private pool The push for an southern peninsula aquatic centre (SPA) is being activated again by Betty
Letters - 300 words maximum and including full name, address and contact number - can be sent to The News, PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or emailed to: team@mpnews.com.au Preston and a little band of bath towel and swimming cap wearers (“Pressure for aquatic centre” The News 28/3/17) At least we know it will not be on the Rosebud foreshore because the previous Liberal state government told Mornington Peninsula Shire to remove it from the strategy plan. I t appears the group expects the rest of the shire’s ratepayers to go into hock to the tune of $40 million so that a minority of people who just love swimming in watered down chlorine can get their kicks. Can I suggest to members of this small group that if they are fair dinkum about their desires for a pool with all the trimmings, that they approach council with a request to enter into a private public partnership with the owner of the existing pool in the industrial estate and remodel it complete with [such things as a] hydro pool for a far cheaper price. It’s an idea that I think would bring everyone on board. John Cain, McCrae
Wide coverage A mishmash of letters in last week’s The News. Pleading words from Patricia Rayner on the injustice to innocent refugees on Manus Island and Nauru, a form of slow death in our name. The shame. Goodness knows where Brian A Mitchelson is coming from. On the one hand he calls for a dose of socialism, on the other he concludes Pauline Hanson says what we think? Michael G Free chips in calling for a return to the good old days, yet lists Henry Bolte and Jeff Kennett as shakers and movers? Last, but never least, we have our consistent friend John Cain and the return of the aquatic centre groundswell, meaning there’s no escaping John’s wrath on this one in the coming months. Fun and games. Cliff Ellen, Rye
Keep Hazelwood I think Tony Abbott and Inness Willox have the right idea in suggesting that the Victorian government should take over the Hazelwood power station and keep it running until some other source of energy comes on line. We have an energy crisis brought about by state and federal governments on both sides, by their failure to include adequate Australian protective clauses in their deals with foreign owners of our gas and petroleum resources and their failure to get on top of revisions to the petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT), the primary tax on oil and gas production. The PRRT alone could finance our schools and hospitals if it was adequately reviewed. After his lack of foresight our prime minister’s knee jerk solution of extending the Snowy Mountains hydro electric scheme will take at least 10 years to make a difference to the current situation and by that time it could well be insufficient. More base load power production needs to be planned and brought on line but, in the meantime, Hazelwood should be kept producing. Not only would the economy of the Latrobe Valley be maintained and 2600 jobs saved, but sufficient energy would remain available to support our industries and domestic users throughout Victoria. Although Hazelwood is a dirty power station, burning brown coal, its contribution to pollution on a global scale is insignificant. Beside the continuing building of coal fired
power stations in China and India it does not rate and it would only have a finite short life while other cleaner sources of electricity were brought on line. At the same time state and federal governments should start making plans and serious decisions about future power production instead of doing nothing and hoping the problem will go away. James McLoughlin, Balnarring Editor: Hazelwood’s generators were turned off last week. The decision for the power station to close was made by its owners, French company Engie, for economic reasons.
Legal matters I was miffed by the comments from Peninsula Community Legal Aid CEO Jackie Galloway, in which she bemoans the federal government’s proposed cuts to legal aid funding from 1 July (“Rosie Batty backs legal help centre” The News 28/3/17). Perhaps if Victorian legal aid, along with the judiciary, could be persuaded not to fund the wasteful and doomed appeals of monsters such as Adrian Bailey and Sean Price, there might be money available to fund the work of Jackie and her colleagues, even after the cuts which, although undesirable, are necessary to reduce government debt and deficit and avoid leaving a crushing burden on the shoulders of our children and grandchildren. Otherwise, the only option available to future governments will be huge increases in taxes, or greater reductions in services, than those being presently proposed. Michael Long, Frankston
Disgraceful behaviour The performance of the old parties (Labor and Liberal/Nationals) during question time shows Australians exactly why Australia is becoming a great sad joke. The vile accusations sprayed around the Lower House by both leaders and their minions is an embarrassment for anyone who thought the grown ups are actually at the wheel of Australia’s ship of state. Both sides of politics are not fit to be in charge of our nation if only half of the accusations made are true. And if there is no truth to anything they spit at each other then they both should come out and apologise to us, the Australian people. There are serious problems needing urgent attention for the future of Australia and its people, like global warming, the fact that wealth distribution in Australia has become so distorted that an ever greater proportion of Australians are slipping below the poverty line, while some of our corporations and wealthy people don’t know what to do with all their wealth. Our health care is becoming unaffordable for many, our elderly pensioners can’t afford utility costs, and our youth ends up with huge debts if they aspire to get a good education. But we have to witness Nero and his opponents fiddle while our society goes to the dogs. Rupert Steiner, Balnarring Beach
Hunters out of tune It is inspiring to see the mixture of outrage, disbelief and laughter filling the media since PETA requested the iconic Australian band Hunters and Collectors to change its name. PETA will be shedding True Tears of Joy if the band agrees to make a point about the appalling and gratuitous
annual slaughter of some 300,000 peaceful water birds in Victoria and Tasmania. Of course, H&C are not themselves out there with high powered rifles and a taste for blood, but when hugely popular bands are Talking to a Stranger it is easy for people to get the wrong idea, and think that because the music is great, the words in the band’s name must also be admirable. An Easy change of name won’t put the band Back on the Breadline, but may well make some fans think about the fate of animals who, going peacefully about their business, are blasted from the sky by hunters, just for some sort of twisted fun. People love to laugh at PETA and our media releases, and we encourage everyone to do so. We’re laughing too, at the absurdly disproportionate outrage of some commentators who took the story a little too seriously, and of course at the fact that this simple request is still, days later, getting people laughing, shouting, commenting and most of all thinking about the exploitation of animals. Any response is better than to Turn a Blind Eye. When the River Runs Dry, PETA will still be there, fighting with weapons of laughter and tears against animal abuse. Have a laugh on PETA, but check out PETA.org.au to find out more about the atrocities that humans visit on other animals. Ashley Fruno, associate director of campaigns, PETA Australia
Welcome for bus I have just received a survey from the MP for Carrum, Sonya Kilkenny, about the need for a bus service from Carrum Downs and Sandhurst to Carrum station. Yes please. My daughter is dependent on us as parents to drive her to and from Carrum station every morning and afternoon. To give her some independence would be great for her and certainly better for us. Kylie Freez, Sandhurst
Take care on roads With school holidays starting next week and the Easter long weekend not far behind, it is crucial for Victorian drivers to be prepared for the extra activity in the community, particularly when on the road. Tragically, we have already seen 56 lives lost on Victorian roads this year, 62 per cent of which occurred on rural roads. This figure is not only alarming but disproportionately high given most Victorians live in metropolitan Melbourne. While country roads appear to have less traffic, they can be just as dangerous as busy highways, particularly for those drivers who are unfamiliar to the changing conditions. It is devastating to think that in just three months, 56 lives have been lost and many more families, friends and communities left mourning their loved ones. We must remember to not only obey the road rules and stick to the speed limit, but also to drive to the conditions in regional areas. As someone who sees the devastating impact a fatality or injury on our roads can have to the community, every precaution must be taken to keep our roads safe. Joanne Panagakis, Slater and Gordon state practice group leader
WHAT’S ON AT NEPTOURS
Have Your Say Review of Flinders’ roundabout sculpture In August 2014 the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council resolved to accept and approve the sculpture ‘I am’ by Andrew Rogers and its location at the roundabout, subject to a future review.
We are now seeking community input for this review Closes Friday 28 April 2017 at 5pm For more information mornpen.vic.gov.au/flinderssculpture
*CROWN CASINO – MONTHLY* Casino’s bus program with a great BUFFET lunch (all) $35. Only p/p over the age of 18 permitted.
LAST THURSDAY EACH MTH (numbers permitting)
QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET
Tue 11 Apr - All $30
THE BOOK OF MORMON
Thu 15 Jun (8.00pm) All $160 MY FAIR LADY
Wed 7 Jun & Wed 12 Jul (matinee) (a) $140 (p/s) $130 THE BODYGUARD
WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO
Wed 5 Sep (a) $130 (p/s) $120
AUSTRALASIAN QUILT CONVENTION
Wed 8 Nov (matinee) (a) $140 (p/s) $130
Tue 11 Apr (a) $85 (pen) $75 Child 4-15 $60
EXHIBITION BUILDINGS - CARLTON
Thu 20 Apr - All $65
ALADDIN
Phone: 5981 1277
www.neptours.com.au PAGE 10
Western Port News 4 April 2017