The Department of Planning and Infrastructure must have read my submission opposing the proposed basketball complex at Wallarah Oval.
During the Pasha Bulker storm, floodwater in my home reached chest height. I rescued my terrified dog, whose head was just above the rising water. As a retired paramedic, I also know how major floods delay emergency services and put lives at risk.
Replacing open green space with a massive indoor sports complex, car parks and other hard surfaces will increase stormwater runoff into the already stressed Ker-Rai Creek. If the creek cannot cope during major storms, nearby residents will pay the price. The consultants appear to be steering the Newcastle Basketball Association towards an iceberg while assuring everyone the voyage is safe. We know how that ended.
Before this project proceeds, the community deserves clear evidence that flood risks have been properly assessed, and that public safety has been put ahead of development ambitions.
I refer to the recent Herald article on Lake Macquarie City Council's proposal at Fennell Bay for a euphemistically named "Bolton quarry rehabilitation" ("School parents dig in to fight quarry plan", Herald, 7/7).
I believe the project has little or nothing to do with a genuine desire to restore the area to a natural environment, but rather to create a dumping ground for excavated material from the council's roadworks over the next 15 to 20 years. It should be more accurately called the Fennell Bay tip. The main driver of this proposal appears to be to save the cost of depositing the material at the Awaba tip.
Fennell Bay Public School is immediately adjacent to the south of the quarry. There are nearby residences to the north, north-east and east. The council proposes that the quarry will be accessed by heavy on Bay Road. This will entail up to 20 trucks a day, creating 40 truck movements daily, six days a week, alongside the school and residences and businesses on the south eastern side of Bay Road. No thought appears to have been given to the effect the noise of these heavy vehicle movements might have on the school or Bay Road residents and businesses. As to the activities in the quarry, the only information available is that there will be plans to minimise noise and dust to "reduce impact on neighbouring residences".
I fear that if this proposal goes ahead it will lead to a reduction in the market value of the properties affected, a deterioration of the school environment and safety concerns along Bay Road.
The recent surge in popularity of One Nation is basically the result of the government not taking notice of community concern, mainly on mass migration and the lack of housing and its cost. However, the changes to negative gearing is a move forward.
Hanson says Australia needs to be a monocultural society, however, it's obvious she has little knowledge of history, as a number of different cultures have already been in play since the 1800s. Both the Chinese and Afghans played a major part in a developing country, and where would we be without our Chinese, Indian, pizza or kebab shops? Now if we look in reverse, how much dismay the First Nations people would have felt being forced to join a culture alien to theirs?
Hanson accepting a plane from Gina Rinehart speaks for itself, and her alliance with far right extreme groups puts her in a position of aligning herself with Donald Trump, the world's number one narcissist. It really is not One Nation, it is the Pauline Hanson Party, as anyone who does not agree with her is either rebuked or shown the door. She is a dictator. A vote for One Nation in my opinion is a vote for insanity.
Regarding Bradley Perret's opinion piece ("Make the whole thing a motorway", Opinion, 10/7), do we really need to extend University Drive eastwards to the western end of Industrial Drive?
I remember the public outcry over the plan to build State Highway 23 through the western edge of Blackbutt Reserve. The decision to just widen Lookout Road and effectively build a 1.7km zone that allows direct access to three trunk roads plus two local roads, was a good one. I can wear that extra 30 seconds to preserve 1.7km of trees.
A separated interchange that provides a direct connection between Carnley Avenue and the Cardiff district? That could be a game-changer. But I suggest building the extension along the disused railway alignment from Tickhole Tunnel to Myall Road, rather than winding it along Reservoir Road. It would take traffic directly to the intersection of Macquarie Road (to Warners Bay), Munibung Road (to Speers Point), Main Road (to Cameron Park) and Myall Road.
Extending University Drive west along the vacant road reserve to Minmi Road would be good. As would upgrading Cowper Street through to Lake Road. But do we really need to extend University Drive eastwards to the western end of Industrial Drive? Ask my grandkids in another 50 years.
I'm at a loss as to why Jerry Schwartz's carousel is taking so long for council approval, which is quoted "does not integrate with the surrounding cultural and built heritage" ("Council's case against hotel carousel", Herald, 16/7). But apparently the V8 racing cars did.
After watching the World Cup, I've come to a realisation as to why football (soccer) will never take off in this country. It's because it's a sport where cheats, and cheating in general, not only prosper, but are rewarded. It suits South American nations, which very rarely play within the spirit of the game, and more often than not they get away with blatant cheating through things such as diving, simulation and overly-thuggish play.
Yes, David Jennings ("Grasping at straws with Albo", Letters, 16/7), and aren't these the same people asking for honesty and transparency?
As we all get older and start having our own health issues, often we forget the enormous financial costs invested in our world-class medical system throughout NSW and the Hunter by the federal and state governments. The recent investment and finalisation to the Westmead Children's Hospital is bringing state-of- the-art care to the children of NSW. Well done to all involved in the future care of our children, and brickbats to those political parties who continue to object to the progress of our children's health.
There is nothing new about AI. We have had it for years in Australia under another name; we call it the federal government.
