Brighton is falling
Brighton has become the bellwether for all that is wrong with the state government’s plans to force housing stock into our low-rise suburbs across Melbourne (″⁣Battle for Brighton heats up, with train car parks slashed for housing″⁣ 11/10).
It is an easy suburb to parody and ridicule for all the reasons that divide communities. The slogan of ″⁣builders not blockers″⁣ has become the clarion call to completely re-design Church Street, Brighton and its village setting, without most people realising that once Brighton is brought to its knees, it will become much easier to move on to Pier Street, Altona, or Errol Street, North Melbourne.
Once Brighton falls, it will be too late for any of Melbourne’s low-rise villages to fight back, now that most democratic avenues for appeal are being eroded. The government that wants to build not block, has blocked local councils and VCAT from doing what they were set up to do.
If the battle for Brighton is lost, every other low-rise community in Melbourne will pay the price when it comes their turn for
reinvention.
Charles Reis, Brighton

Paddington bear
″⁣In a big cruel world, little Paddington Bear stands tall″⁣ (10/10) is Tony Wright at his best – moving, telling and simply beautiful.
Betty Rudin, Wandin North

Your Furship
Re CBD (10/10): How nice that Wildlife Health Australia should combine with the University of Melbourne and (politically) correct our language about possums. Now that you’ve killed the lemon tree, Your Furship, would you care to go for the jugular with the bird of paradise flowers? In short, readers, whatever did the little buggers eat before 1788?
Jim Davidson, Fitzroy

Express message
A direct plea to “service managers” at large supermarkets: could you please have more consideration for your elderly shoppers (who contribute to your bonuses and the billion-dollar company profits) by putting on more staff, especially in the ″⁣12 items or less″⁣ express checkout early in the day. Not all elderly people are comfortable in the self-serve system and do like to talk with and be served by a cheery human being.
Trevor Jennings, Leopold

Exhibition riches
I stand with your correspondent (Letters, 7/10) regarding the beauty of the forthcoming Cartier exhibition at the NGV and their response to Cara Waters’ column “The NGV’s coming Winter Masterpieces show is a diamond-encrusted sellout” (5/10). A jewellery exhibition is not just about the brilliant pieces but the stories behind those who owned them. If the thought of all this treasure offends you – don’t go. If you feel guilty walking past a homeless person, invite them to enter the NGV, but don’t write to criticise what will be a rich experience for many.
Margaret Skeen, Pt Lonsdale