Letters To The Editor - September 6, 2018

Don’t panic! Dad’s Army turns 50

Dear Editor,

The sitcom Dad’s Army is celebrating 50 years of entertainment around the world. And what a gem it is!

It’s a time capsule of British wartime living conditions, fashions, transport, and the optimistic and personal attitudes of a stoic people even when they are facing great danger.

The insightful writers created a dialogue that is peppered with popular and familiar catchphrases that are still relevant today, even in Australia where “Put that light out!” could become our catchphrase if electricity prices continue to soar.

When our politicians blunder into another one of their hare-brained schemes we can retaliate with, “You stupid boy!” But when they come back at us with a Dad’s Army quote that “It won’t cost you much”, we’ll all promptly respond with “Don’t panic! Don’t panic!” This will soon be followed by someone pleading “Do you think I could be excused?” Inevitably, as it all blows out of proportion, we’ll hear a chorus of “We’re doomed”.

This will send the kids running off wailing, “I’ll tell Mum”. Then the best bit comes when, finally, the journalists and doomsayers get stuck into our elected representatives because we all know, “They don’t like it up ‘em”.

The revered platoon of actors and their catchphrases have been commemorated in a new set of Royal Mail stamps. Australian politicians would not be expecting a similar honour here. They’re more likely to get a licking of a different variety.

Melva Stott
Anglesea

Haw, haw, haw

Dear Editor,

A state of disorder, indeed: Blunderers in frenzied attack on Turnbull let their hatred blind them, and even the last of them as he turned his coat and put in the knife (did he say: “I’m better than the police!”?) couldn’t hit an artery, allowing Turnbull to push the crown to Morrison, thus making the party powerbrokers, shock jocks, right-wing press commentators, and party-room plotters a bunch of bungling idiotic fools, now being laughed at by the nation, and also by the world from New York, Washington DC, to London.

What a bunch of… well, you know.

Turnbull’s had the last laugh at the blundering clowns.

Haw, haw, haw.

John Dobinson
Surf Coast

What Portarlington needs

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to a planning application lodged with the City of Greater Geelong by a developer wishing to construct five three-storey dwellings and waive a car parking space on a medium size residential block in Park Street, Portarlington.

This proposal will significantly impact on neighbours near and far. It is completely at odds with the neighbourhood character, which consists of single- and double-storey dwellings. It clearly does not “fit in” with the local neighbourhood.

One of the difficulties for those who are impacted by such planning applications is navigating the numerous documents, policies, clauses and sub clauses, residential codes and zones and definitions that relate to town planning issues.

We are aware of the pressure, at all levels of government, relating to population growth and the need for low-, medium- and high-density housing.

There is still sufficient in-fill land in Portarlington to meet the demand for housing in the town. Portarlington does need housing for families and the elderly, it does not need inappropriate three-storey dwellings.

This planning application has now raised some fundamental questions about the role of our elected councillors. They represent the local area and provide a bridge between the community and the council.

How do the elected councillors and indeed council officers, provide leadership, support and guidance for residents facing significant planning issues in their area?

How do residents, local communities and our elected representatives come to a resolution that will protect the lifestyle and character of our towns and meet the future housing needs of the Bellarine?

Ann Nichol
Portarlington

A developer’s haven

Dear Editor,

Welcome to the new suburban Portarlington – a developer’s haven!

In order to increase the rateable income of the Bellarine, Portarlington property owners are now encouraged to sell their single-storey homes and holiday houses so that they can be bulldozed and as many tasteful three-storey townhouses erected on the site as can be squashed in to each block.

As there are still a considerable number of vacant blocks in the town, no doubt these will soon succumb to the same fate so that when making the drive into town, the new residents will be able to pick out their dwelling by the height and proximity to its neighbour; the village feel will be gone.

No matter that there are no footpaths in the older areas of town, there will be cars parked solidly up and down each street. Woe betide any pedestrian or mobility scooter traveller endeavouring to get to the shopping area; they will be safer travelling down the middle of the road.

To make the new owners feel more at home during the summer, no doubt the traffic congestion will resemble peak hour city suburban jams and when enough residents complain, the road will be widened and joined to the Drysdale bypass.

So much for the unspoilt coastal town that we all love so much!

Elizabeth Morgan
Portarlington

Objections can still be lodged

Dear Editor,

Last week’s article on page 13 of the Bellarine Times about the Portarlington town house proposal states that public comment closed on August 25 (“Locals object to Portarlington town house proposal”).

Actually, it is the public notification period that closed on August 25. Objections can be lodged right up to the day of the hearing, or decision.

That in fact is partly the point of the article, so residents can have their say.

Iris Dillow
Portarlington

Unfortunate precedent set for town houses

Dear Editor,

I refer to your article in the Bellarine Times last week regarding the proposed planning permit for 8 Park Street, Portarlington (“Locals object to Portarlington town house proposal”) of five triple-storey town houses, which I am totally opposed to.

However, in my opinion this development will be approved by Geelong council even if most of the nearby residents put in objections.

I reside at 52 Stevens Street, Portarlington and a planning permit was approved for six town houses, four of which are triple storey and two double-storey earlier this year for 48 Stevens Street, even though most of the residents in the street and also Willis Street strongly objected, setting a precedent for such a development in this area.

A development of three double-storey town houses is under construction at 50 Stevens Street, and that development is already overpowering the rest of the neighbouring properties.

I agree with your article that most of the Portarlington residents are elderly and not in favour of such developments in our village.

Lia McMunn
Portarlington

Solar for all

Dear Editor,

It was interesting to read that Andrew Katos and the Liberal Opposition have made a $50,000 commitment to install a solar PV system at Surf Coast Secondary school. (“Shine on”, Surf Coast Times, August 30).

Wouldn’t it be great, though if such systems could be installed in all our schools, instead of just the lucky few in marginal seats like South Barwon?

I’m pleased to advise that the Greens have a plan to do just that, and more.

The Greens would put solar and batteries in every public school across Victoria to make clean energy, save on power bills and teach our kids about sustainability.

When linked with solar, batteries are a great way to ensure energy is available when it is needed. Under the Greens plan, our schools will become a virtual powerplant for Victoria.

This is the way of the future – not dirty coal fired power stations.

For my information, head to greens.org.au/vic/solarforschools.

Marian Smedley
Greens Candidate for South Barwon

Reject the hard right

Dear Editor,

Having watched with disbelief, along with the rest of Australia, at the utter contempt shown by the Liberal-National federal government to the Australian electorate over the last couple of weeks, I think the time has come for the Liberal Party to publicly reject the machinations of the hard-right fundamentalist faction, led by Tony Abbott, Eric Abetz, Kevin Andrews and Peter Dutton.

Failure to do so will only lead to a more unstable federal government (if that is indeed possible), with private agendas being the order of the day. I do not know if these people are aware of it, but this country has some major problems. Problems that will only be solved with either the LNP somehow showing some decency and honour and respect for Australia, or for the election of a Shorten Labor Government.

I suspect that the latter will win out, for as long as the above-mentioned people remain, decency, honour and respect are a long way down the track.

Alan Guihenneuc
Ocean Grove

Pick your project

Dear Editor,

Residents throughout western Victoria have a unique opportunity to vote for their favourite local projects that will rejuvenate and transform their local community.

The Andrews Labor Government has provided $30 million for Pick My Project which will enable local project ideas that receive the most votes in their area to enter into a funding agreement with between $20,000 and $200,000 available for each projecat idea.

This is a Victorian first that allows every member of the community to have a direct say.

There are numerous worthy projects that will help make Western Victoria a better, stronger and more diverse place in which to live.

They broadly cover the areas of infrastructure, environment, sustainability, creativity, health, accessibility and tourism.

Residents aged 16 and over can head to the Pick My Project website pickmyproject.vic.gov.au to register, then select by searching via a street address or suburb, or by dropping a pin on the map.

I urge everyone to vote for a favourite community project.

Voting closes at 5pm on September 17.

Gayle Tierney MP
Member for Western Victoria