Urban parks for unregistered trail bikes?
THE problem of unregistered trail bikes is not new ("Plea to put the brakes on trail bike clowns", Newcastle Herald, 25/5). The riders of these smelly two-stroke machines are uninsured and uninsurable. Their riders usually wear a full helmet to avoid identification. Safety is the rider's secondary consideration. Also to avoid identification, these machines have no number plates, or their riders have removed them. So, following a cowardly 'hit and run', good luck in identifying riders and obtaining adequate financial compensation.
Part of the problem of unregistered trail bikes, in urban areas, is that riders have nowhere to legally ride them. The bush, such as national parks, is out. So too, are urban streets and parks.
We have skateparks. We encourage young people with skateboards and scooters to use them. Why not have dedicated legal trail bike parks? We have plenty of bushland in the Newcastle-Lake Macquarie area. The trail bikes could be used at the rider's own risk in these parks, provided they had passed a rudimentary riding test and had signed a waiver. If they were underage, a parent or guardian would sign this waiver. The police would impound permanently any unregistered trail bikes that were used other than in trail bike parks.
Geoff Black, Frankston
Glendale ideal for stadium
WITH all the fuss about the stadium and the inappropriateness of the proposed location opposite McDonald Jones Stadium, why not work with Lake Macquarie Council and build the stadium at Glendale? The advantages are obvious:
- It would be a welcome addition to the area and complement the athletics facility;
- Glendale has decent transport (mainly bus) links now but these could be enhanced with a new rail station as part of the Lake Macquarie Transport Exchange;
- Glendale is an easy drive for people from both sides of the lake, the coalfields (Maitland/Cessnock areas), Charlestown, Wallsend, Broadmeadow and Newcastle;
- There is ample space at Glendale for the stadium;
- There is much available parking at the athletics centre and the shopping centre but there is also ample available space to provide additional parking at the new proposed stadium.
There is no need to force a stadium on locals at Broadmeadow when a better alternative is available.
John Pritchard, Blackalls Park
Revive Dangar as a place name
I REFER to Bradley Perretts' article ("Pinpointing 'in town' a grey area", Opinion, 24/5). Mr Perrett fails to identify another place name for the western-most end of Newcastle West - Dangar, postcode 2309. This is the area from the abandoned Cambridge Hotel to the Islington high level bridge and would include both The Store and Dairy Farmers redevelopments. As a nod to one of our city's founding surveyors and planners, this would be a fitting recognition and the revival of an existing, if not forgotten, place name.
Darren Nichols, Newcastle
Lessons from the west
WHILE recently holidaying in Western Australia, two things were very apparent in our western most state. Firstly, the state of the roads in WA left NSW 'for dead'. Additionally there was far less litter along the highways and local roads. And secondly, clubs and pubs survive well without poker machines! They are social places where people enjoy a meal and a drink and each other's company. We do not need to look too far to learn some lessons. But are we willing to consider how to implement a couple of changes for the good of NSW and its people?
John Pritchard, Blackalls Park
Reducing mental health stigma
THERE is hardly a family that hasn't been affected by mental health, the consequence of which is possible death. Mental health issues are arguably the main cause of death for people under 45. There are many horrific things that happen to families.
The prevalence of suicides is one of the most difficult circumstances in my view that any family and individuals face. Hats of to Craig Hamilton ("Tackling suicide taboos head on", Herald, 25/5), no late comer to advocacy on this issue. As the editorial ("Safe Havens needed to weather storm", Opinion, 25/5) points out, no better place to start than by localising the issue in communities in regard to the outcomes of this, such a cruel condition. Well informed advocacy must be a starting point to release us from the stigma.
Grahame Danaher, Coal Point
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
Mariners keep punching above their weight
THE Central Coast Mariners have long been one of the most successful clubs in the A-League, despite representing the smallest market. They have gained a reputation for developing Australian talent, and punching above their weight, and most importantly they have represented an antidote to the big-money clubs that think all that is required for success is to open the cheque book. The Mariners are one of the great success stories of Australian sport.
Peter C Jones, Rathmines
Brilliant end to freakish year
A MAGNIFICENT grand final. Great to see a refereeing performance of quality that largely went unnoticed - as it should. A freakishly brilliant year by the Mariners. 'Never say die' is clearly their motto. Hopefully the Jets will still be around next season.
Stephen Willmott, Maitland
When, how will money be spent?
I SEE the government promised to spend millions towards reducing domestic violence. What they don't tell you is the miserable $40 million allocated is over many years and like so many government allocations will almost certainly be spent on the government's preferred ad agency, no actual building of infrastructure. What a joke.
Wayne Christie, Belmont
Protesters gone from the cold
ANY coincidence that the protesters at the universities decided to pack up camp just as winter hits? So much for solidarity, comrades.
Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay
Barr would be good on front bench
PAUL Murphy ("Time to give the Hunter portfolio back to Tim", Letters, 24/5) makes a valid point - the Hunter portfolio needs to be reassigned. But surely the anointed one should be Clayton Barr. He has been our region's most ardent voice in Macquarie Street for years. Leaving him on the backbench is a waste to our region.
