IT cost $20.9 billion to build the new metro rail network. And then there is the harbour traffic tunnel network still under construction. On top of that add Northconnex and Westconnex and then add the new airport and its public transport systems. Is it any wonder that Newcastle has a tin shed as its entertainment centre? We have to start putting pressure on constant Sydney centric state governments.
Colin Rowlatt, Merewether
Knowing we can't grow forever is child's play
WHEN I was 12 our teacher took our class to the library and declared we should select a book. I found a book about the earth's population. It was drawn up as a comic and stepped through the effects of population increase.
At one stage I was told that, as populations increase, tall buildings will be needed to accommodate the extra people. It stepped on finally to warn that the time would come when humans will cover the entire earth. It explained that this would be a problem because so many people would generate heat that would be impossible to control.
Well, it was just a kid's book but it has caused me to wonder since. We now see the human population increasing exponentially. The world governments pretend to represent the people but in fact represent big business.
Big business tells us everything will fail if we don't continue inflation at 5 per cent.
A 12-year-old child can realise that constant increase must eventuate in a bad case of the irresistible force (human increase) meeting the immovable object, (the earth's capacity).
George Paris, Rathmines
NRL got it very wrong
IT is about time that I agree with Adam O'Brien. The NRL and the referee have 'done it again' by firstly sending off a Newcastle player at a critical time and breaking their rhythm, but also the referee let go three other sins committed by the Sharks.
Newcastle should by now be used to this crap from referees but for the NRL to support this referee shows how league management has slumped and needs a overhaul and a few sackings, starting from the top.
Again, I say that I am not an Adam fan and not a Knights supporter, but Newcastle was shafted.
Enough is enough. It is time that Sydney referees leave their Sydney attitude in Sydney.
Dennis Crampton, Warners Bay
Graffiti on the rise
OUR town appears to have a lot more graffiti than usual, but I think policing would not be a priority, as very little punishment could occur in our legal system. The new metro system in Sydney was praised for its cleanliness and comfort. It will be interesting to see what the trains are like in six months. Scratches on windows, torn seats, damaged doors are common on Sydney to Newcastle trains.
Singapore has had legislation, since 1966, that has a prison sentence (3 to 6 months) and 3 to 6 canings for graffiti offenders. The country is spotless. Mind you, the law excludes men over 50, women, and some children. Also, those with a death penalty conviction (16 hung in 2023), mainly for drug trading, are also exempt.
John Hollingsworth, Hamilton
Why I am standing
AT all levels our political leaders, including the Newcastle lord mayor, talk about affordable accommodation; yet they never put a number on what affordability is to them. The many homeless people need a realistic dollar amount and not pious platitudes; all levels of government must make significant changes to get to a real dollar amount that is potentially affordable for single pensioners.
I have decided to exercise leadership in placing a dollar target of $265 per week, half of the pension and put my hand up as an independent candidate for lord mayor of Newcastle.
To achieve this difficult target there will be many taxes and charges that will have to be reduced or totally removed by all levels of government. At council level there are many development costs that are excessive, as well a generous reduction to rates offered should be put on the table to landholders who are able to meet a specified target of $265 per week rent, or lower. It is true that unless the costs the state and federal governments place on housing are slashed that my proposed target cannot be met.
Without a target then housing affordability will remain a catch-cry but achieve nothing. We must end pious platitudes and actually help the most vulnerable to places they can afford to live in.
Milton Caine, Birmingham Gardens, Independent candidate for lord mayor
Make some noise, Newcastle
I WANT to agree wholeheartedly with Bradley Perrett ("We need more whingeing", Opinion, 16/8). We do need more whingeing and complaining. I should firstly state upfront that I am Bradley's aunt and this is the first time that I have publicly agreed with him. I agree with his comments most of the time but occasionally I don't.
After the debacle of the Bath/ Sivo/Neylon, I believe that all connections should be stated in the letters. This has always been a Labor town and while it remains in the safe hands of Labor very little will change. We have coal dust in our veins and we appear to stick to what we know. Coal and steel and the Labor party.
This city was built on steel and coal and we don't want to forget our past history but perhaps we Novocastrians need to trade our apathy for a bit of complaining and whingeing and make some noise to be heard by politicians. We might have inadvertently trained them to mistreat us. We contribute so much but get little in return. Time for change. Let's start with the upcoming council elections.
Denise Lindus Trummel, Newcastle
More party posturing
PETER Dutton's spray about Gaza refugees is, despite the dog whistling, an example of usual major party posturing. They confect a problem where there is none (there are no Gaza refugees due to the circumstances of the war) and shout about it because nothing can be done, and no responsibility is necessary.
Peter Ronne, Woodberry
Promises never come to anything
THANK goodness we only have a few more weeks to put up with the current and would-be councillors promising us the moon, the sun and the stars to get our votes in the upcoming council elections. So many of these promises never come to anything, particularly those made by minor parties and independents when in cases such as Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock where the Labor majorities rule the roost. Anyway I can't see anything changing anytime soon so we just have to grin and bear it.
Ian King, Warners Bay
Not from Newy, thanks
I'M with you, Daryll Hadfield ("We're not all Novocastrians", Letters, 17/8). When asked where I'm from I'm proud to answer "Lake Macquarie''. I was reading our Lake Macquarie city newsletter this week and was struck by the dignified and humble 'Thank You and Farewell' from outgoing Mayor Kay Fraser and her parting message to all voters "I encourage you to carefully consider who will represent you next".
