It is very easy to see there is an election on the horizon when we see the pretty pictures and serious boffins talking about high-speed rail (HSR).
This thing is neither needed or doable.
If the article "High-speed rail progress raises more key questions" (Herald, 29/8), is accurate many billions of dollars are to be spent to achieve a Newcastle to Sydney journey of about one hour with one possibly two stops. Today's journey of about two hours 30 minutes could easily be reduced to two hours by stopping only once. Then another one-hour reduction could be achieved if some of the billions were to be spent on upgrading the existing track and rolling stock.
To achieve a one-hour journey an average speed of 160kmh is required, not the 250kmh mentioned.
I believe it to be easily achieved without the big spending required for a HSR. It should be remembered whatever the estimate is now, it will be at least 10 times that if the thing ever gets going.
Eighty-plus kilometres of tunnels: tell them they are dreaming, think of the Snowy Hydro II disaster. But while the HSR executives are getting their probably very high stipends, this thing will be flogged for all it is worth until it is buried again until next time.
But the party faithful will flock to this like moths to a flame until the election is over and it is canned until it is once again convenient to trot it out again.
Sorry Newcastle, this is not going to happen.
Raymond Stewart, Charlestown
Not speedy for everyone
"Fast" one-hour train indeed ("High-speed rail progress raises more key questions" (Herald, 29/8).
This is more poppycock
Fast only for those boarding at Broadmeadow, not for those coming from Newcastle, Stockton and Maitland having first to get to Broadmeadow from Newcastle, and those at Wickham and Hamilton likewise, requiring the time and inconvenience of station- or bus-hopping to board the fast train at Broadmeadow.
We already had an adequate and reliable train service from Newcastle station to Central, the only problem being the traffic hold up at Wickham gates at various times awaiting the passing trains, and still, I might add, the same now applies with the tram.
However, there were plans in place for a traffic overpass at Stewart Avenue that would have alleviated this problem. But we can all see why this did not eventuate.
Just take a look at all of the apartments and development along Wharf Road/Honeysuckle, all of which replaced the rail line into Newcastle station.
Invaluable traffic access was also denied us at Dairy Farmers Corner at Hunter and Railway streets, which was a useful alternate route in alleviating peak-hour traffic along Hannell Street and at great loss and inconvenience to many.
Joanie Wade, Carrington
Freedom for small business
As a small business owner for more than 40 years, I shake my head in disbelief at the uninvited intrusion of the dead hands of government and unions into small businesses. Comparing small business to big business and taking a one-shoe-fits-all approach is nonsensical.
They are entirely different animals.
To universally legislate the massive IR package, which is about to impact us, is a giant overstep. Successful small businesses work as a team, hand in hand with their employees. There is no need for a third party to drive a wedge between a great working relationship. Governments have no place legislating the granular points of arrangements freely entered into between parties.
Regulation is needed to ensure fair and legal working conditions, and we welcome a framework that both employer and employees can work within. But governments should stay out of our businesses, we can do it infinitely better than them. Let us get on with what we do best, happily employing people who value their relationship with their boss, and creating much needed wealth for our country.
John Jenkins, Merewether
Pool maintenance not obvious
It was great to be back at Lambton pool after it was reopened from the winter shutdown for maintenance.
However, my friends and I struggled to see what had actually taken place. In the men's change room. For instance, there were four lukewarm showers and two were out of order. I'm sure Blue Fit can stump up the costs for a plumber and some materials. The addition of the suggestion board is laughable at best. Keep up the good work Blue Fit and CON.
Simon Leach, Broadmeadow
MHF event proved truly spectacular
Simon Leach, Broadmeadow
A few weeks ago I was at the MHF Ball. Peter Overton was the MC and the night was spectacular, to say the least. World class. The unsung heroes to make this happen were Chris Buderus and Kirralee Hughes. After hearing speeches from Paul Harragon, Danny Buderus, Mark Hughes and others it made me a proud Novocastrian to see the work and commitment these people put into such a brilliant and much-needed organisation. Dig deep, everyone, every cent counts.
Stephen Smyth, Merewether
Don't blame foreign students
Politicians are blaming overseas students for our housing shortage, so they put a cap on them entering the country. Yet, millionaire politicians hold vast investment properties. I see a conflict of interest. Overseas students have nothing to do with the housing shortage, more homes need to be built. What next? Blame the nurses for seeking a well-deserved pay rise?
Richard Ryan, Summerland Point
'Down, Down' what's needed
Coles makes more than $1 billion profit ("Coles rings up $1.1b as sales surge", Herald, 28/8). No wonder, with fuel over $2/litre and down the road it's 35 cents cheaper. Wake up supermarkets, lower your prices.
Mervyn Callister, Stockton
Messaging for males
In response to Judy Wells ("Rally support was misplaced solidarity", Letters, 30/8) who said "this support sends a message to women that malice and criminal behaviour are OK". I'd like to know her understanding of what type of message the Greens and Rising Tide supporters of the CFMEU sends to males.
Bryn Roberts, New Lambton
Who's running the show?
Not only does it appear that John Setka running the Labor party, it seems Bassam Hamzy is running the prison system, winning his latest request for a computer in his cell. What's next? Malcolm Naden as minister for the environment? He's got the qualifications, having spent a bit more time in the bush than our minister who doesn't like gold mines, but seems to like gold digging as far as the taxpayers are concerned.
Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay
No faith in rail proposal
High-speed train through Newcastle? I've been hearing about that since the 1970s. But it won't be in my lifetime and I'm now 64.
Jim Ryan, Merewether
Albanese, do your job
Rather than criticising NZ journalist Lydia Lewis for doing her job, PM Albanese should consider doing his own. It is unedifying of him to turn policy making (refugees, the census, labour relations, etc.) over to the Opposition Leader.
