AS an inner-city resident who is fortunate enough to have a good view of one of Newcastle's finest heritage buildings, the T&G building on the corner of Watt and Hunter Streets, I was sickened this week by the sight of graffiti inside the tower at the very top of the building.
Over the past six weeks the building has had scaffolding erected around it so that window repairs can be effected and this was no sooner completed than one (or more) of these graffiti grubs has no doubt climbed the scaffolding to access the roof, then the tower, in order to deface this beautifully maintained old building. I'm sure their chest swelled with pride as they viewed their masterpiece of craftsmanship.
Of course, in order to view their wonderful piece of art I suspect they will have to climb the scaffolding again and after doing so will no doubt add to the artwork until the entire tower is defaced and covered in graffiti.
So this can be prevented. I would like to suggest one of two things. The workmen remove some of the steps in the stairs of the scaffolding before they go home each night (heaven forbid) or the Body Corporate has CCTV installed to capture these grubs on film and identified so they can be prosecuted and punished with the heaviest possible penalty. Over the past couple of weeks there has been a graffiti plague in the old sections of the city on both occupied and unoccupied buildings. This has probably been in response to the recent McCloy backed volunteers' (which I applaud) weekend of removal and blackout of their unsightly and meaningless rubbish sprayed from one end of town to the other.
There is a definite consensus amongst local business owners that it is time for these culprits to be caught red handed and apprehended or captured on CCTV (more of which is required in the heritage parts of the city) so that the police can do their job. Speaking of which, how about we get back to patrolling (on foot, on bicycle or in vehicle) the city on a regular basis as prevention is better than cure.
John Duncan, Newcastle
Airing my travel concerns
I READ recently of a lady who experienced a 13-hour journey due to a cancelled flight. I want to support her frustration because my husband and I experienced the same thing both ways when travelling Newcastle-Adelaide-Newcastle, (March 13, March 18).
Our first replacement flights on March 14 returned us to Sydney where we waited for six hours before flying to Adelaide. Our return flight with a different carrier suffered the same issue due to delays, a crew whose flying time had been used and the Newcastle curfew - or at least that is what we were told.
The difference between the two carriers was that the motel for the first carrier knew nothing about us and we stood with 10 other passengers in his foyer at midnight deciding what to do. The motel for the second carrier was fine but our replacement flights came through at 1.30am and included a 10-hour wait in Brisbane before the Newcastle flight on March 19. Naturally these were cancelled and replaced with a flight to Sydney and the train. The moral - always book early flights that will be less affected by any delays and crewing shifts. We will not travel with the first carrier again. The hope - that the direct flights to Adelaide will be reliable and well supported.
Jenny Barnes, Islington
Is track upgrade really worth it?
THE federal government is funding a 10km track upgrade south (?) from Wyong - at an investment of $1 billion to reduce travel time between Sydney and Newcastle.
The track distance from Wyong to just south of Ourimbah is 10km. The Transport NSW trip planner advises that the journey time from Wyong to Gosford on an express service is timetabled to take 16 minutes - with one stop at Tuggerah. How much of the 16 minutes will be saved by this investment?
Chris Huggins, Newcastle
Raw end of deal for residents
WE have seen it in the news and experienced it ourselves; widespread residential development sprawl squeezing in as many blocks as possible and tight roads that have curbside parking preventing two way passing traffic. Often the estates feed into main arterial roads by one or two exit roads; standstill grid locked at peak times when attempting to leave. Regulations appear to favour the developers at resident's expense.
I did enquire how local councils address these concerns. Commonly cited are the Councils Development Plan for traffic and car parking assessment; impact on arterial roads being considered by council planners in conjunction with Transport for NSW, who undertake modelling to allow for development growth. Also cited, their Local Environment Plan and Development Control Plan for control of block sizes, visitor parking etc. Regarding single residences being replaced by multiple units; councils cite their multi-dwelling/flat controls and state controls for apartments. When questioning if controls provided for an aesthetic urban landscape - it was received as an interesting idea without specific controls.
So, there is a control framework and diligent councils, but the results are less than adequate and needs some rethinking of models and development road sizing. In years past we never saw cars garaged on residential streets; today households have more than two cars and often a single garage space. In most new developed estates residents' cars are parked on both sides and you have to zig-zag between hoping to avoid the oncoming traffic that can't pass.
Paul Duggan, Garden Suburb
Change at grassroots level
WITH the NRL competition off to a flying start, and the top teams exemplary in their ball handling, attacking skills, and general play to the fore.
Player availability is already an issue, with the Knights attending their first competition game without five of their injured regulars, though replacement 'spares' proved themselves up to the task.
Aggression is a factor of forward play, exemplified in the dynamic joint tackling approach where the 'hard-hit' aims at neutralizing the opposition, especially on the decided 'stand-out' players.
Muscular tears, ligament damage, fractures, abrasions and concussion especially, and of course off-season surgeries have most teams affected, for example Nathan Cleary. Gladiatorial of course from the perspective of grandstand attendees; but from countless parents with juniors beginning the game, being somewhat dubious of involvement.
The NSWRL is concerned regarding the aggressive player impact has had on league junior beginners. Aimed at increasing junior participation a 'tag' play system, rather than the tackle, has been trialed for those registered in the under-6 competition.
The 'stigma that junior rugby league is a reflection of the brutality of the senior game' (SMH, 12/2), being indicative of its safety for children to play, has prompted the NSWRL move; a consequence of a significant lessening of 12,000 male junior participants in the past seven years.
Bob Allen, Hawks Nest
SHORT TAKES
A ONE-off $250 payment to pensioners and other welfare recipients to assist in their living costs. Federal MPs receive a $288 a day travel allowance living away from home, as well as their salary, what a perk. A law unto themselves. Can do capitalism. Me thinks politics is a racket.
Richard Ryan, Summerland Point
WILL Smith, you have ruined my 27 years of teaching conflict resolution skills with the stroke of your hand. There are many peaceful ways of dealing with insults. It is heartbreaking to have you as a role model.
Judy Archer, Nelson Bay
THE Academy Awards: celebrating pompous pretenders.
Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay
AFTER watching the slap by Will Smith numerous times, I think it should be sent to the bunker or the VAR to check actual contact.
Bill Slicer, Tighes Hill
MAC Maguire, (Short Takes, 29/3), it seems your long-held deep disdain for our Prime Minister has affected your memory. It wasn't long ago that Labor was attempting to weaponise the death of Christian Porter's alleged victim for cynical political gain. Insincerity and deceitfulness seems to be prevalent on both sides of politics but, as I've said before, Labor has a mortgage on hypocrisy.
Greg Hunt, Newcastle West
IN reply to Colin Fordham and Mac Maguire, (Short Takes, 29/3). There is no irony Colin, I have written to this paper on numerous occasions on a variety of topics, unlike Mac who again yesterday in his reply to me was beating the same old drum of criticising our PM. Talk about a one-trick pony.
Tommy Diamond, Warners Bay
DON Fraser, I look forward to your letter condemning the Liberal party for the disgusting treatment of Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and the pathetic inaction of a weak Scott Morrison who hasn't even had the intestinal fortitude to own up to what has happened.
Bob Watson, Swansea
AUSTRALIANS are rightly concerned about the negative effect of foreign interference in our political processes and elections. A US oligarch is the worst but most successful. Australians can't afford another three years of a Murdoch government.
John Arnold, Anna Bay
DAMIEN Sloane, (Short Takes, 29/3), my question has not been answered. Have a look at the children's hospital and cancer wards. What humans have caused this pain and suffering? Or do you only blame your God for the good stuff.
