Not in my backyard, or upwards and onwards?

November 9, 2026 — 8:00pm

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HIGH RISE

Do we really want to destroy Melbourne’s suburban heritage with an inundation of high-rise buildings? (“The high-rise transformation that’s set to sweep Melbourne’s suburbs”, 9/11).
High rises in suburbs will radically alter the character of those suburbs. They are unsightly, steal sunshine from neighbours, create wind tunnels and impose inordinate pressure on local infrastructure and services. Melbourne does not need more people; we struggle already with traffic congestion and meeting basic services. However, the regions would greatly benefit from increased population and its associated economic benefits.
Greenfield housing development would provide a more healthy lifestyle for families and kids would benefit physiologically compared with being boxed up in high rises with limited access to open spaces.
Community interests must prevail over interests of governments, unions and developers if Melbourne’s livability is to prevail.
Martin Newington, Aspendale

High rise will overlook houses, gardens
It is concerning to read suggestions from some Brighton residents that a proposed development of six to 12 storeys would have no impact on existing dwellings.
As a homeowner whose property extends to the Church Street retail right-of-way, I would be directly affected; a multi-storey structure would overlook our garden and residence. No thanks.
Lucrezia Mecca, Brighton

We only have four possibilities
With respect to development in Melbourne, there are only four possibilities – stop Melbourne’s population growing, expand outwards, expand upwards or expand outwards and upwards. We must decide what we want.
Malcolm Fraser, Oakleigh South

Six storeys, how would you like 16?
It’s hard to feel too much sympathy for Brighton residents facing developments of six storeys when one of Frankston’s most iconic row of houses is forced to watch luxury buildings 16 storeys-high rise up in front of them, blocking light and destroying the natural beauty of this area.
These inappropriately high towers will also deprive everyone on the other side of them, including the new multimillion-dollar hospital, of the views of Frankston’s beautiful bayside beach. Six storeys would have been a gift.
Joan Kerr, Frankston

Brighton’s singular status
Would it seem that the amenity of Brighton is more important than any other suburb?
Peter Baddeley, Portland

Footscray reaches for the sky
I agree, six-story buildings in Brighton is just wrong. They should be much taller. In Footscray, there are residential towers of up to 30 storeys, so why should Brighton be an exception? Just think of the health benefits for the residents living so close to the bay and excellent amenities the neighbourhood has to offer.
While we’re at it, why not build some data centres there too (Centre Road is already appropriately named) as the well-heeled local residents will no doubt be first to benefit from the financial windfalls AI promises.
Mark Kennedy, Sebastopol

Brighton, come down from your ivory tower
Why would Brighton want to be known as selfish, snobbish and uncaring? Like the rest of us, its citizens need to stand up and be counted. The six- to 12-storey towers mooted for this exclusive suburb could be turned into an experiment in living greenery – ‘The Hanging Gardens of Brighton’.
Margaret Skeen, Ocean Grove

THE FORUM

Cautionary tale
It is highly probable that Jess Wilson will be premier after November 28. What is a certainty is that in the first 100 days, a forensic audit will be undertaken of the state’s finances and the result will be ″⁣that the situation is diabolical; much worse than we were told or anticipated″⁣. It will then be solemnly announced that the planned spending promised in the run up to the election will have to be seriously curtailed.
Why so cynical? I was a resident of Williamstown when Jeff Kennett was elected. He inherited major issues with the state’s finances. His government’s response was severe expenditure cuts across the board with a particular focus on Joan Kirner’s ALP seat of Williamstown.
One primary school was slated for closure, the hospital was scheduled for heavy reduction in services, the branch railway line from Newport was to be discontinued, and Point Gellibrand, one of Melbourne’s true historical sites, was to be sold for housing. All were planned but fortuitously reversed when Steve Bracks became premier.
My conclusion is to take promises by all parties, particularly if they require large public investment, with a large grain of salt.
Richard Caven, Melbourne

Pesutto dreams
Re ″⁣John Pesutto tipped for frontbench return″⁣, 9/11. The former state Liberal leader is reported as ″⁣hungry″⁣ to get back in power as the state’s deputy leader and treasurer if his party wins the state election.
He is a man who led himself down a deep litigation hole, despite being warned, and then having pursued litigation in the Moira Deeming saga, was on the brink of insolvency, almost having to sell his family home.
Saved by a million-dollar-plus loan from his own political party, which reluctantly lent him the money, only so they didn’t lose his parliamentary seat, and now he’s going to help ″⁣lead″⁣ and look after the state and its budgets and finances.
He, or we, must be dreaming.
Kim Kaye, Surrey Hills

One Nation protest vote
Presumably your correspondent (Letters, 9/11), whose ″⁣long-held opinion about the crippling awfulness of One Nation″⁣ was completely confirmed by your article (″⁣Top One Nation official’s strip club links to bikie figure″⁣, 8/11) and had never considered voting for One Nation anyway.
Those who are considering voting for One Nation, often as a protest against Labor, are unlikely to have had their minds changed by such disclosures.
Tony O’Brien, South Melbourne

Some law and order
Until recently, I assumed One Nation lived rent free in the heads of the media, however recent revelations of criminal activity both proven and alleged by candidates makes a mockery of their law and order policies. Victorian electors deserve better
Denis Evans, Coburg

Express to airport
As your Letters’ correspondent explains, (″⁣Take the Tulla″⁣ 9/11), the initial planning of the Tullamarine Freeway was a bold yet simple project that included an elevated, two-way train line down the middle of the roads.
The aim was to get to the airport from the CBD as quickly as possible. It had nothing to do with looping around suburbs to pick up some extra airport passengers and, in the process, adding to the time the trip took to make.
Since the ‘Tulla’ opened in 1970, great advances have been made in heavy engineering skills. It would take very little time to build off-site all of the cantilevered sections, install them and have the project finished as it was envisioned over half a century ago.
The mess we are in at the moment involving the Big Build projects is now a mish-mash of various visions, often competing with one another, and costing us taxpayers an insane amount of money .
Peter Dodds, Montmorency

No express to airport
Suggesting the airport rail be built down the centre of the Tullamarine Freeway can only be described as naive (Letters, ″⁣Take the Tulla″⁣, 9/11). Apart from those catching the train, presumably at Southern Cross, there would be no opportunity for others to board. Outcome – low patronage and future announcements that the line is not viable.
Look to Sydney, where the rail line is part of a suburban line.
Denise Chadwick, Soldiers Hill

We need green
Amid the clamour of election pitches and cost-of-living anxiety, it was good to read Henrietta Cook’s article, ″⁣Doctors keen to prescribe a decent dose of fresh air and nature″⁣, (9/11).
While the data is patchy, anecdotal evidence of improved wellbeing from experiencing nature is loud and clear. Many mental and physical benefits have been documented. Even hospital patients with a view of green space benefit.
In Japanese, there is an expression, ‘shakkei’, which refers to the ‘borrowed landscape’.
As the blocks in our suburb are being steadily transformed from garden villas to mansions with pocket patches of turf and a few plants, I am grateful for the beautiful, residual trees of our neighbours. To awake to birdcall and watch the seasons pass via garden detail is a great pleasure, as well as knowing that green space, and trees in particular, are assisting to combat the urban heat island effect.
I am grateful that Boroondara council recently introduced the Greenways Connecting Paths plan to enhance opportunities for walking, cycling and running. Our wellbeing linked to nature and our environment, a simple counter to the stress of economic pressures and political uncertainty.
Jennie Stuart, Balwyn

Impressive reading
Incisive article from Maureen Dowd (9/11) eviscerating Trump and his acolytes. Crony capitalism at its core!
Greg Curtin, Nunawading

ANZ’s move
The ANZ 2026 annual report reveals that as one of ‘big four’ banks standing that might have funded the Beetaloo Basin gas pipeline to the east coast, has undertaken to ″⁣not directly finance ... new midstream infrastructure dedicated solely to new upstream oil and gas projects (such as new transmission pipelines).″⁣ This has been the ask of a months-long nationwide campaign from many climate action groups. It is wonderful news.
Lesley Walker, Northcote

Labor’s health vision lost
Whilst the extreme co-payments of some non-GP specialists may need to be addressed by capping Medicare fees and other measures, the main problem for most patients is the lack of timely access to publicly funded outpatient clinics and public hospital inpatient stays.
Previously, although there were modest delays in getting access, Labor governments did provide adequate funding which ensured outpatient access in almost all specialties and shorter waiting times for access to inpatient services.
State governments are refusing to fund adequate outpatient services in public hospitals, and it would seem timely to consider federal government funding for such services to ensure that those who have no particular desire for private services can be seen in a timely manner.
Medicare was set up for just that purpose, but that vision appears to have been lost by the current Labor Party.
Dr Tim Woodruff, president, Doctors Reform Society

Who will care for you?
Dr Janet Duke bravely uses her personal experience to highlight the important role overseas-born carers play in our health system (Letters, ″⁣Gentle patient care″⁣, 9/11). My mother recently had the benefit of such care as she finally reached the end of her 96 years. Her last bed-bound days required constant physical attention by a team of sensitive, aged care staff who also gave emotional support to our grieving family. All these aged care workers were born overseas and even the only native English speaker grew up in the UK.
As a member of the upcoming ageing ″⁣Boomer Tsunami″⁣ I may also require support in the future and hope there will be similar workers to care for me.
Hence, I deplore the short-sighted anti-immigration stance of some vocal politicians. Our society can’t provide enough workers to fulfill many vital jobs and this this knee-jerk response to a complex problem can only lead to future distress.
I hope voters in upcoming elections avoid using the ballot box as a means of unthought through protest.
Dr Jenny Dowd, Ivanhoe East

Ball-tamper tradition
Thank goodness Geoff Lawson has spoken up (″⁣I don’t know a bowler who hasn’t licked, flicked, scratched or slobbered on a cricket ball″⁣, 9/11).
It doesn’t matter whether you use sandpaper, bottle tops or apply chewed up Murray Mints to one side of the ball, the desired end result is to produce unnatural reverse swing. This has been the practice of fast bowlers for 50 years.
John Uren, Blackburn

Life lessons
Monday’s Letters to the Editor (9/11) have reminded me of three life lessons: respect, kindness and care. Thank you, letter writers.
Cheryl Williams, Doncaster

And lessons learnt
I consider myself lucky to have been born in the mid-1940s and to have been brought up by hard-working people who were sensible with money.
My mother made all of my clothes, at first on a toy sewing machine. And when the elastic on my underpants failed, I became used to dealing with my falling undies.
So, I can cope with spending little. Being vegetarian, and not addicted to coffee and tattoos, helps. So too, do my major concerns, the environment and social cohesion.
Virginia Heller, St Kilda East

AND ANOTHER THING

Cage fights
Is Donald Trump ghost-writing Jess Wilson’s policy announcements? Promoting UFC’s cage fighting events is straight out of his playbook. What’s next? Holding UFC events at the steps of Parliament House?
Bruce Prosser, Balwyn North

So Wilson wants to get UFC to Melbourne. The Romans always wanted ’bread and circuses including the gladiatorial and other combats in the Colosseum. Haven’t we progressed to more civilised sports? Or is Trump’s style following Nero and Caligula to be brought to Victoria?
John Crossley, Clayton

Would it help if Victorian voters pretended that Pauline Hanson is on the ballot?
Hans Paas, Castlemaine

Victorians! Vote like Gina is on top of the ballot paper!
Luise Mock, Tawonga South

When voters think that politics is about daily life and politicians think that daily life is about politics, mind the gap!
Jim Pilmer, Burwood

Jess Wilson in a fake boxing exercise sent the wrong message to potential voters. Promoting violence will not win thinking adults.
Helen Hayward, Wonthaggi

Furthermore
Re: ″⁣Nature as medicine. Why GPs are writing medical scripts for fresh air″⁣, 9/11. Who would have thought that nature could be healing? Hang on – 80,000 years of continuous culture immersed in and in tune with nature. Maybe we should begin to listen.
Anna Hayman-Arif, Ringwood East

Musk’s Cybertruck monstrosity is coming to an end – there is a motoring God.
Ian Macdonald, Traralgon

Finally
I am so relieved the Liberal Party has promised more fire trucks. We’ll need every one of them if the Liberals continue to ignore the existential threat of global warming. Let’s hope we’ll still have enough water to fill the trucks!
Susan Cranage, Malvern East

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