Priority seat sitters

Another lovely weekend afternoon recently, and another diabolical experience returning from the city on the Seymour Line.

To V/Line’s credit, they did put more carriages on the 4.36 train to Seymour on the afternoon of April 26, but unfortunately this service was completely overrun by St Kilda supporters following the completion of an AFL game at Marvel Stadium and those who had attended a motocross event. The aisles in all carriages were completely full and the standing room only area was packed at either end of each carriage. This was a dangerous and unhealthy situation.

What was the most disappointing, however, was the number of young and physically able passengers sitting in the clearly labelled and orange-coloured priority seats, leaving pensioners and other passengers obviously needing assistance, with the prospect of standing for the long journey home.

For those sitting in those seats and clearly with no intention whatsoever of giving them up for passengers much more needy than yourselves, I wonder if you are aware that some young people are taught by their parents when growing up, that they are not to sit on those seats at any time. Even when passengers who are not deserving of those seats rush into tram or train carriages and take the seat they could have sat in, it’s their conscience that makes them leave those seats for others who might be more deserving than themselves. This is known as good parenting.

An announcement was made a few minutes prior to the train leaving, that there was a replacement coach service to Donnybrook and Wallan available. These stations now carry the bulk of passengers on the Seymour line. Only 22 people took advantage of this alternative, but if anyone was waiting for the priority seat sitters, or indeed anyone, to stand for anyone elderly or infirm and avail themselves of this coach service, they were fresh out of luck.

I wonder how many of those seated would like to see their own elderly parents stand for a long while until they were possibly able to get a seat?

I would suggest to V/Line that in the future, the first announcement should be that anyone sitting in priority seats to stand and offer them to someone more needy than themselves, and then to announce a replacement coach.

Let’s get passengers who need seats on to them and ones with the ability to stand and who clearly need to develop a conscience, to use their time standing to think about others.

SB

Wallan

Housing crisis

What attracts visitors to country Victoria is that it is ‘country’, and not a replica of city-centric living.

Planning and managing sustainable growth in regional Victoria requires a balance between investment in infrastructure – green space, schools, road networks and access to services – combined with the protection of arable land for farming activities. The importance and significance of agriculture and agri-business to the local economy, and to future food and fibre security, cannot be understated. Victoria is the foodbowl of Australia, producing 62 per cent of Australia’s milk and 40 per cent of the nation’s vegetables.

Agri-tourism and broader visitor tourism (farm stays, food, wine, craft beer and country festivals) contribute $97 million to the Mitchell Shire economy.

Clause 55’s intent is to introduce multistorey townhouses, up to four storeys with the potential to undermine the quality of life in country Victoria. When built on larger blocks in existing residential areas or in new housing estates it increases the likelihood of ‘heat sinks’ (concentrations of brick, mortar, tar and cement without the benefit of green space and tree lined streets) resulting in the need for increased cooling and energy consumption in homes on hot days.

The quality of rural living needs to be preserved. Imposing a metro-centric approach, to drive increased housing supply in country towns, ignores the character and liveability that contributes to the enjoyment currently experienced by residents. This is nothing new. The introduction of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (levy/‘tax’ collected through council rates) is a cost-shifting exercise by government with the brunt of the new tax being borne by country Victoria. Clause 55 is also an impost on country Victoria in an effort to address city-centric housing demand.

At a time when thousands of government-owned and community housing properties in Victoria remain unoccupied (4750), with a significant number (1793) sitting vacant while awaiting repairs, the State Government’s push to support developers in creating more high density housing in regional Victoria takes the focus off the government’s failings.

Public housing (government owned) is an asset that desperately needs to be better managed. The social housing waiting list has topped 65,000 applicants.

As a footnote – A major Request for Tender (RFT) for Property Maintenance Services for social housing in Victoria was released by Homes Victoria in July 2025. The tender closed on September 18, 2025 – (DOCAM10049882GBHA) and work was expected to commence in July 2026 to cover the maintenance of around 71,000 public and community housing properties across 22 geographical contract areas. At this stage this tender has not been awarded to any suppliers. At writing this letter to the editor, no response has been received from Homes Victoria on the status of this tender or current vacancy rates for public and community housing.

Anonymous

Name and address supplied

Trying to make sense

Have you ever wondered what an oxymoron is?

Well, here is a good example. We have been informed that the Federal Government is spending about $20 million on advertising to persuade the public not to travel far and wide that is not necessary to do so, using fuel that our farming industry and transport industry need to put food on our tables.

Which is important at this time due to the uncertainty of world events.
And yet advertisers are encouraging the public to travel far and wide to festivals this month promoting whatever they grow and celebrate in their region.

Places in regional Victoria such as Ballarat, Bright, Macedon, Wandiligong, Jamieson, Yarrawonga and Benalla. And these are just some.
Is this an oxymoron or am I missing something?

Ron Pescarini

Whittlesea

10/10 Mitchell Shire Council

We were pleasantly surprised to find the new Wallan Community Park open in Windham Street, and no plastic in sight. So refreshing to see.

It has sandpit, rocks to climb, teepee, climbing course, numerous picnic tables, a small bike track and plenty of room to run.

Thank you, from my grandchildren.

L. Mills

Wallan

Lort Smith celebrates

During a cost-of-living crisis, pets remain an essential source of love, comfort and stability especially for those experiencing hardship. Yet it is at these moments that people are most at risk of losing them.

Lort Smith Animal Hospital is more than a veterinary clinic. We exist to ensure pets receive the care they need and can remain with the people who love them.

Last month, we marked 90 years since opening our doors. While much has changed since 1936, when our founder, Louisa Lort Smith, established the hospital during the Great Depression, our purpose, to care for the animals of people with limited means, remains unchanged.

Unlike most human health and welfare services, we receive no direct government funding. We rely on the generosity of individuals who understand the importance of the human-animal bond.

We thank all those, throughout Victoria, who have contributed to our legacy over the past 90 years and remain committed to supporting people and their pets through life’s most difficult moments.

Frances Mirabelli, CEO,

Lort Smith Animal Hospital