I have not felt compelled to write a letter to the Herald for many, many years, but after the unfortunate last Newcastle council meeting, this has changed.
In my opinion it is evident that a good percentage of the present councillors are still admirers of the previous lord mayor and are upset that she, very ably, was defeated in the recent council election.
For the sake of our city, this bad sportsmanship must stop.
We now have a lord mayor ready, willing, and more than able, to get back to grassroots council business and to abandon vanity projects that have taken precedence for so many years.
Cr Kerridge was elected on commonsense issues - please let these be realised.
Our city deserves it.
Jenny Nichols, Newcastle West
Step away, let him lead
Labor received a warning from the council election result, but they still cannot accept the result of the people they are supposed to represent.
I think it sounds very familiar to the approach of an ex-US president.
I completely agree with the article written by Jeff McCloy ("Greens, Labor have 'thumbed their nose at the citizens", Opinion, 12/10).
The new lord mayor, Ross Kerridge, is going to have a hard time, but I know he is working for the people of Newcastle.
Step one was to leave the Labor Party. Step two is for the election's losers to let him do what he was elected to do.
If there is a problem with a representative for the airport, just let the deputy lord mayor or someone fill the position with no extra pay and report back to council. Win-win.
Ian Bartrop, Birmingham Gardens
Coal giant's down but not out
Headline news ("Coal giants get cold feet", Newcastle Herald 12/10) of the withdrawal of Hunter Valley Operations' proposed mega mine may initially seem like a victory for public protests and environmental activism.
However, the fact that the government's shock approval didn't hinder the project's progression still raises concerns.
While Yancoal and Glencore's decision to suspend court proceedings is welcome news, their intention to revise and resubmit a smaller proposal, coupled with a request to go on with mining at current sites does little to alleviate environmental concerns. One can't help but wonder if this is a tactical manoeuvre by the coal companies to ultimately get their way.
Rather than persisting with coal, we urge Yancoal and Glencore to seize this opportunity to diversify into fossil-free industries. As a gesture of good will and compensation to the Hunter community, investing in renewable energy projects would be a meaningful step towards a safer, emissions free future.
Anne Ammann, Nords Wharf
Renewables aren't raising bills
As the cost of living continues to dominate conversations across the country ("Two in five struggle to pay bills", Herald 12/10), there's been a growing misconception that the transition to renewable energy is primarily responsible for rising electricity bills. However, this perspective overlooks key factors that are actually driving these increases.
The Australian Energy Regulator recently pointed out that the wholesale price of electricity has dropped significantly - around three times lower than in 2022 - due to the growing share of renewable energy in our system. Yet, many households haven't seen the benefits. Why?
Retailers, facing high price volatility caused by ageing coal-fired power stations and global coal and gas price spikes, have passed these risks onto consumers.
Renewables offer a solution to this instability. By expanding wind and solar energy, we can smooth out price volatility, reducing costs for everyone in the long term. Investing in clean energy, rather than blaming it, is our best path to a stable, affordable energy future.
Let's not be distracted by short-term narratives. Instead, we should encourage policies that accelerate the renewable energy transition, ensuring long-term savings and protecting our environment at the same time.
Julia Paxino, Beaumaris
The world will always need coal
While the world attempts to discourage the burning of coal because of the carbon dioxide it produces, other essential by-products produced are largely ignored by what I would call deliberate ignorance.
These by-products consist of:
Coke, which is used in furnaces to forge metal and create pig iron used in the manufacture of steel.
Tar, which surfaces roads and is used as a sealant in building and marine construction.
Coal gas, which is used in cooking and heating of domestic, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Fly ash, which is the residue from coal that's used in the blending of cement. It creates the slurry that allows a smooth surface to be formed and for waterproofing.
I was taught all this information at primary school, so is this now classified as disinformation?
How can the world exist today without coal or any one of its essential by-products mentioned?
Carl Stevenson, Dora Creek
SHORT TAKES
Whingers are off and running
I heard on RN breakfast that a couple of federal politicians were complaining about having to attend Question Time at the running of the Melbourne Cup. Even worse, the US Presidential election is being held on Melbourne Cup Day. The hide of them.
Les Field, Wickham
Government still not listening
I hope we're all celebrating the one-year anniversary of the overwhelming defeat of the divisive Voice. But, as the wonderful Jacinta Price points out, the government has now walked away from listening to Indigenous voices. Could this be because they were so sure of winning that they had no backup plan and now continue to sulk? This government is a disgrace.
Greg Hunt, Newcastle West
Misinformation not to blame
One year ago, the majority of Australia voted 'No' to the Voice referendum. The 'Yes' campaigners are still crying foul and claiming their loss on misinformation. It was not misinformation but the lack of coherent information that contributed to the failure of the Voice. The majority of Australians voted 'No' because it divided our society on equal rights and race, and not because we do not care about the plight of sections of the Indigenous community.
John Cooper, Charlestown
Let Kerridge do his job
What a joke. Newcastle elected a new lord mayor, but some don't want to relinquish the power they apparently gave themselves. Why can't you just let him do his job so he can stop the wasteful spending on stuff like the skate park sandbox?
Ken Stead, Lambton
Majority backs new leader
So, councillors decide that lord mayor Ross Kerridge must not have the same powers afforded to Nuatali Nelmes during her time in the big chair. This is more proof why I and many others didn't vote for her. Don't worry Lord Mayor Kerridge, we know you are in for a difficult time to get things back on track, but rest assured the majority of Newcastle is behind you.
