THE cancellation of ferry services on October 25 was the latest barb in the appalling treatment of residents by Keolis Downer and Transport NSW. While the Stockton Ferry trip may be a delightful three-minute journey for families in Newcastle, it is a vital mode of transport for the Stockton community and commuters from the region to access work, school and health care.
The general disregard for users is shameful. While buses may provide an alternative, how did people with bikes and pets get home? In addition to the scheduled timetable changes, there has been a marked increase in services being cancelled without notice. For example, on October 1 the ferry service from Stockton stopped at 9.10am until 10.10am without warning and no alternate offered. This resulted in residents being late for work, missed one-off medical appointments and missed connections to buses and trains.
Unfortunately, this isn't a one-off. Similar random scheduling changes have happened in recent weeks. We fear the ferry service is fast becoming another unreliable, unsafe form of transport. The issues associated with Keolis Downer staff facilities at Queens Wharf are understood, however the impact on residents who use this service regularly are being ignored.
Of specific concern is cancellation of the 10.15pm weekday service from Queens Wharf to Stockton. There is now a one-hour break from 9.30pm to 10.30pm. This has raised safety concerns for commuters and ferry staff. With the west end of Queens Wharf now abandoned, the ferry terminal and enclosed shelter has become a poorly lit and isolated area of disrepair and anti-social behaviour. The state government's recent announcement of an additional 500 homes to be built on the former site of the Stockton Centre touted the area as having good public transport links to Newcastle and beyond. Recent disruptions belie this claim.
Alison Rigby and Lindy Nisbett, Stockton Community Group
Trump victory for the bullies too
AMERICA and the world must accept, whether they like it or not, the result of the US election. People have voted and it seems they are more than happy to have Donald Trump as their president once again ("Trump the Triumphant", Newcastle Herald, 7/11).
This man could not accept that he lost the last election and engendered such rage and hostility in his followers they stormed the Capitol, made election officials' lives hell with threats and promised retribution on all those he felt had wronged him.
Who of us wasn't thinking of what could happen if he lost the election? It was a fearful thought, especially with his cult-like followers and a country awash with guns and gun culture. Many, like myself, had the thought that it would be better if he won to avoid the violence and bloodshed.
This is a victory not only for Trump but for every other bully, abuser, liar, misogynist and racist, and that is a fearsome thing.
Julie Robinson, Cardiff
That's a no to youth voting
I'M afraid I can't support the lowering of the age when youth can vote to 16. Under the Youth Offenders Act youths under 18 can only, in the most extreme cases, be held accountable for crimes they commit because it is considered their brains haven't developed enough to understand that they are doing wrong. So when your brains have the capacity to distinguish right from wrong, apparently at 18 years of age and over, that's when you can be considered capable of making reasoned political decisions.
Jan Phillip Trevillian, Fennell Bay
Protesters need to look within
REGARDING Rising Tide protesters to proceed in Newcastle Harbour regardless of the court order ("Protesters vow to make 'voices heard'", Herald, 8/11): I would suggest alternatives to ensure their right to protest will satisfy their objectives regarding their supposed climate change issues. Firstly, you reject any mode of transport that has been manufactured from fossil fuels that has enabled you to travel from various locations around Australia to Newcastle to take part in this protest. During your stay, I'm sure we can arrange for these alternative modes of transport (not assisted by fossil fuels) to be accommodated at perhaps Newcastle Showground Stables for a minimal charge, as we can't allow them on Horseshoe Beach due to pollution. We also seek your assurance that all vessels used are assembled from natural products sourced from the wilderness around our beautiful region and don't have any content such as plastic or materials sourced from petroleum products.
Peter Mullins, Rankin Park
Short Takes
Trump victory could be all about timing
I HAVE just come across an old quote from Spike Milligan: "You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time", which is just long enough to be President of the United States.
Dennis Kershaw, Caves Beach
Win was about leadership
TRUMP'S win was a victory for strong leadership, and economic and immigration policies, all sadly lacking under our government which now appears to be trying to buy votes by cutting HECS debts, debts willing and knowingly accrued by the debtors.
Dave McTaggart, Edgeworth
Joy to see fountain running again
I HAVE chased up the City of Newcastle for years now regarding the fountain in Pacific Park which hasn't run for a very long time, years in fact. No action. No reply. This week when I was passing through on my way to the baths, I saw it was actually working. Perhaps not as well as it once was, but running. Is this just a coincidence or has Ross Kerridge our new lord mayor played a part in it? Regardless of who made it happen, it really is wonderful.
Denise Lindus Trummel, Newcastle
Peace won't come easy
ALL these letters to the Newcastle Herald calling on Israel to stop this war, because of the result of the war rather than the cause, is getting beyond belief. Israel has already tried by saying return the hostages, stop attacking us, and we will stop defending ourselves, this couldn't be any clearer. But when faced with indoctrinated people, who would rather die before agreeing to live in peace with a non-believer who won't accept a two-state solution. What hope is there for peace without fighting for it?
Carl Stevenson, Dora Creek
Taxing the wind
JOHN Arnold praises the budget surplus ("Here's the 'nothing' PM has done", Letters, 4/11). Is he cheering for Old King Coal and Aunty Gina? One would think Mr Arnold would detest dirty mining money considering his green ideology. How do we tax the wind, John?
Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay
Who are we slowing for?
OVER the past few decades, we have become used to 40kph school zones to protect young children. I'm not sure of the reasoning of why we have put a 30kph speed zone on Wharf Road to protect adults.
Peter O'Neill, Warabrook
The Voice is over
TIME to let the Voice result go Michael Hinchey ("Revisionist history on quiet voice", Letters, 5/11). Whatever spin you want to put on it is fruitless, 60 per cent of Australia has voted and moved on and it's time for you to do the same.
