WHILE it was reassuring that the state government has secured a piece of land crucial for the construction of the extension to the light rail network, the question has to be asked: what next? I was hoping we would hear an announcement that planning would start soon. As many would know all too well, traffic congestion is not getting any better and the best way to deal with this is improved public transport. During a recent trip to Melbourne I saw trams and trains moving the masses. What was clear is that trams are at their best when they run on their own alignment, where they are not blocked by traffic. I hope we see sensible planning for any extensions, otherwise the light rail will be part of the problem, not a solution.
Peter Sansom, Kahibah
Fault does not lie with umpire
JOHN Carr expresses disappointment, possibly because he does not know the process of nomination to be a candidate, and I want him and others to know the fair process that is in place ('Electoral extension', Letters, 23/8). I fully understand that the many candidates are totally disappointed, as are many of their supporters concerning the failure to have candidates on the ballot paper in many council areas, yet was it the Electoral Commission's fault?
Facts: each potential candidate registers to be a candidate at any time on the 'portal' and if that is done months in advance then reminders are sent weeks before the nomination process opens. Political parties know what is required before nominations are open and can prepare all their endorsed candidates so that on the first day that nominations are open they can commence lodging the nominations. First time independents may not have been aware of all the details needed, yet they managed to get their information in and register. If you had any problems in putting the information in, the Electoral Commission had staff available to guide you along the way. The staff at the Electoral Commission are very helpful, and reminders are continually sent until the nomination is completed.
Submitting applications at least one day before the close of nominations means any omissions or issues can be addressed before the midday deadline. This deadline is emphatically stated and reminded in emails to potential candidates until the application is submitted and approved, and shows the due diligence that the staff of the Electoral Commission are committed to.
So the fault is not with the umpire but with the Liberal Party head office's failure to submit all applications on time.
Milton Caine, Birmingham Gardens, lord mayoral candidate for Newcastle
Deadly toys offence to humanity
IT'S D-day ... I am disappointed and disgusted at the denials implicit in the 'Def'ence' Conference announcement that a missile factory is to be built at Williamtown, according to Minister for Defence Procurements, Pat Conroy.
Our world is warming at an unprecedented rate, natural disasters are increasing, yet the boys with their deadly toys are given billions to spend on "defence" weaponry. It's an offence to humanity to continue with this madness.
I am sure that Cr Charlotte McCabe speaks for many when she calls out our council for its hypocrisy (''I feel I've been lied to': anger at missiles plan, Herald, 23/8), as it pursues this in direct contradiction of its environmental and social investment guidelines.
Anne Rooke-Frizell, Mayfield
Glendale prime spot for stadium
GLENDALE is a must for the sporting complex. Access 100 per cent. But why is there no support? Not a whisper of a train station and traffic bridge. Perhaps the above will be the agenda at a later date - perhaps at Boolaroo, closer to the two big businesses. The people's land sold to developers? Yes, homes are needed, also recreational areas combining both are a must. Destroying large portions of natural vegetation for boxes on top of boxes and narrow gutted streets. It seems to be a competition how many houses could be built on a small block. The lungs of the Hunter are under attack. Recreational, sporting areas and housing can combine with careful planning.
Gordon Geise, Glendale
Supermarkets smiling all the way to bank
FOR the big supermarkets to announce ever-increasing billion dollar profits is obscene ('Coles rings up $1.1b as sales surge', Newcastle Herald, 28/8). They defend their success by stating that they have dropped their prices and that they employ large numbers of staff, as if that makes it OK. If they are making these kinds of profits, then they can afford to drop prices even more and accept a more modest profit. I think their situation is indefensible, as they pretend to acknowledge that people are doing it tough while smiling all the way to the bank.
Ruth Burrell, Merewether
Cunning productivity plan
I HAVE figured it out. The incumbent federal government is having problems with attaining its net zero targets with renewable projects falling further and further behind. To prevent blackouts and limit the ever-increasing demand for more energy, it has come up with a cunning plan to run our national productivity into the ground so that we use less energy and keep the lights on. I doubt Baldrick would have thought of this one.
John Cooper, Charlestown
Best for environment
FOR those out there who vote for our environmental future, don't forget, to see an ultra right wing government led by Peter Dutton would be a catastrophe. So when we complain about the Labor government, they are a superior option for the environment. Yes, not perfect. We have watched for decades conservatives continually sabotaging the implementation of renewable energy infrastructure.
Colin Rowlatt, Newcastle
Divisive and dangerous
DR Jim reckons Mr Dutton is the most divisive and dangerous leader he has seen in his lifetime. I don't know the inner sanctum of the Labor party but perhaps one of their senior comrades should introduce Dr Jim to Anthony Albanese.
Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay
Sad to see support for corruption
IT was sad to see tens of thousands of workers stop work and protest in support of alleged corruption in the CFMEU ('Union rallies against takeover', Herald, 28/8). The builders' unions have suffered from this disease for as long as I can remember and that's a long, long time.
