After seeing the rotunda vandalised and the memorial plates taken from the wharf, I have come to the conclusion that it is just getting into the spirit of the CBD.
What has happened to Hunter Street and surrounds? There is no heritage left. All of Hunter Street is a garbage dump, with a bunch of boxes/flats scattered around. With absolutely no parking. Even the Civic Theatre has no drop off or taxi rank out the front.
Who answers for the destruction and desecration of our beloved Hunter Street?
When a council builds a skate park on sand and even forgets to put in toilets at Nobbys surf club, where is commonsense?
Besides the deteriorating old post office, Fort Scratchley is all we have of our CBD heritage.
Jo Coombes, Mayfield
Respect voters' wishes
"Labor fires up over lord mayor's new appointment" (Newcastle Herald, 8/10) highlights time-wasting behaviour shown by some Labor councillors.
The use of a surname, instead of a title, is rude. No wonder some councillors are accused of bullying behaviour. It is. Lashed out? Dead right. We are all lashed by it. The language needs toning down.
Councillors, get with the program. Stop wasting time and stop firing up.
The number of people who voted for a change shows that the community was tired of the previous council. A modicum of politeness and courtesy to one another is now the preferred modus operandi. Time to celebrate transparency over histrionic statements, community consultation over having to pay for multiple GIPAs to find out what's going on.
Let's hear it for decent footpaths, potholes fixed promptly, many more public toilets in good condition, and an understanding that council is there to work for the good of the community.
Community. People. Respect.
Catherine Whelan, Newcastle
We can't turn back time
While Malcom Turnbull's Snowy Hydro pump MK2 was never about providing more power but boosting storage capacity, even though it will cost way over budget, or never be finished, I reckon all is not lost.
This dead-end tunnel carved out of non-porous hard rock would be the perfect storage chamber for spent nuclear waste, kept safe and sound until a useful purpose can be discovered.
It must be obvious to most by now that nuclear energy will be a crucial part of our energy mix, not as a backup, but as a mainstay. The fact that Australia will have nuclear powered submarines leaves no doubt that safe storage for nuclear waste will be a necessity.
However, I dread the thought of trying to find safe storage for thousands of tons of solar and wind farm non-recyclable components and thousands of large-scale lithium storage batteries every 15 to 20 years, that can't go into landfill. Or trying to restore forests, farming and grazing land that solar and wind farms have destroyed. From where will the money come to do all this non-productive, but necessary, rehabilitation?
Unfortunately, we can't turn back time. I believe we are stuck with a handicap that wasn't necessary; a handicap for political benefit before national security and financial stability.
Regardless, I have hope. Hope that Australia can climb back to prosperity with sensible, but stable, management before it is too late. The rest is up to you.
Carl Stevenson, Dora Creek
Libs' energy fantasies
John Cooper ("Green boost isn't proving bang for buck", Letters, 7/10) talks about broken promises and the rising price of electricity. He appears to not remember the promises the conservatives made that, I believe, were based on deception.
One of their major promises the Australian people are still enduring is when they sold all of our energy assets to private interests based on their assumptions that it would result in lower electricity prices for all. Now they want to waste taxpayers money to buy back the power stations they sold to these companies at a cost that they are not willing to reveal, just to fulfil Peter Dutton's nuclear energy fantasy.
Barry Reed, Islington
SHORT TAKES
Delay in powering up IOD
How obvious is it that Ross Kerridge was voted by majority to become Lord Mayor of Newcastle indicating we wanted to see change? Why were these IOD (Instrument of Delegation) powers, which are now inhibiting those of Cr Kerridge, not initiated during the tenure of Cr Nelmes?
Joanie Wade, Carrington
Make it safer to report vandals
It can be difficult, and potentially dangerous, to phone in a report about antisocial behaviour or vandalism on a train, as recommended by Transport for NSW ("Rail of destruction: vandals trash train", Herald 8/10). A number, displayed throughout carriages, that people can text provides a safer option for passengers and a deterrent for potential perpetrators. It can't be difficult. It's used in other places.
Ian McKenzie, Mayfield
Humour shines bright at this time
Mick Porter ("Shining light on dark thoughts", Letters, 9/10), not only are my curtains fading, my driveway solar is staying on longer because of the extra hour. I don't have chooks, so I don't know about them.
Ken Stead, Lambton
Feeling the heat over seats
At the first meeting of the new Newcastle council, Labor, with the help of the Greens, voted to sit in council along party lines rather than alongside their fellow ward representatives. Obviously they've learnt nothing from the recent election results. The party is more important than the residents.
John Hudson, Newcastle East
Answers needed from Israel
It was mentioned in the media a little while back that there would be an inquiry into Israel's response to the October 7 Hamas attack. Why isn't the media making more of it and pressing Israel for answers? After all, they were warned of the attack from the Israeli border patrol, as was reported soon after the attack by Al Jazeera, but their pleas for help were ignored, until it was too late.
Steven Busch, Rathmines
Ugly show at demonstrations
Daryl Tuckwell ("Clear line, and protests must pick right side", Letters, 8/10), I agree. If you hold up flags or photos of Hamas, Hezbollah, or Netanyahu there should be consequences. They are people or organisations responsible for many atrocities.
Glen Wilson, Cardiff
Attention drawn to Dutton
Cartoonist Pope is onto it ("Moral clarity", Herald 9/10). Peter Dutton has not shown one shred of humanity or compassion towards the innocent Palestinians or Lebanese people since this conflict began. Par for the course really.
Mac Maguire, Charlestown
Airlift criticism questioned
Several contributors here have criticised the fact that taxpayer dollars have been used to fly fellow Aussies out of Lebanon. I didn't hear the same complaints when more than 400 Australians were provided with the same service by the Albanese government to escape Israel in October last year.
