COAL mining companies and Hunter communities may resist the transition to renewables. They may force governments to slow the transition through the ballot box. But in the end, the transition will come, ('King coal, digging in amid winds of change", Herald, 2/4).
The transition to green energy will be slow enough to allow coal mining towns to wind down and workers to retrain. It will be slow enough for workers and businesses to move to new places. Regional mining centres in Australia have always declined and become depopulated as underground supplies have become exhausted, or as demand declines.
Special report: The Power and the Passion, the Hunter's coal mining future in focus
It is doubtful, as some people hope, that factories producing green energy equipment: wind turbines and solar panels, will replace coal mines as employers in Hunter coal mining towns. The best place in the Hunter to manufacture wind turbines and solar panels is Newcastle. Newcastle already has industrial infrastructure and a port, which can import parts and export finished products. There will however, be jobs in the installation and maintenance of new equipment for workers who live in towns near power stations.
Towns like Singleton and Muswellbrook.
The moral argument against the continuation of coal mining is a no-brainer. Coal burning is part of global emissions - a problem. The argument that 'if we don't supply coal then someone else will, and we will miss out' is an amoral drug dealer's argument. Australians should be part of the solution, not enablers of the problem continuing.
Another issue to consider is the rehabilitation of old mine sites. If we delay mine closures and open up new coal mines, the western Hunter will end up with larger and more pit voids and 'mountains of the moon'.
Geoff Black, Caves Beach
Tell us your ideas on climate
CLIMATE protesters' solutions to earth's problems is to lay down on a road or hang off a crane.
I have yet to see their solutions to climate control put forward at these protests. They say remove fossil fuels, if Australia stops exporting our coal, which is the best coal in the world; third world countries will use poor quality coal which will double carbon emissions.
China and India are building 250 coal-powered stations as I type, why are protesters not sitting in front of these sites instead? Last week it was highlighted in letters to the editor that young people should have the right to protest. Everyone has that right, and yes the young generation have their future in their hands, so what are their answers to overpopulation of this planet? We have outgrown our habitat, hence we need to feed the masses, supply fuel to keep these billions of humans moving, warming, lighting and cooking. We are running out of time, space and food, and destroying our planet in doing so. Okay young protesters, what are your solutions, how do we all manage these Armageddon problems besides lying on the road or hanging from a crane?
Graeme Kime, Cameron Park
Not that hard to plan ahead
I FULLY understand the reasons for moving from coal to renewables, however better timing and planning is needed.
Why not build four or five new high output low emission stations? This solves a few problems, power shortages and pricing moving forward. Lower emissions. More realistic transition period for jobs. More time to perfect reliable wind and solar systems.
While they are at it, build a few dams and make our country drought proof. Problems solved with plenty of power for the next 30 years and plenty of water. It's not that hard.
Jason Stephen, Warners Bay
Homes must be more affordable
A QUESTION for any aspiring Member of Parliament or Prime Minister:
It was reported that the median price for a home in Newcastle /Lake Macquarie has risen from $600,000 to $900,000 in the past 18 months, ("House price growth slows, milestones hit", Herald, 2/4). A rise of some $300,000! Or 50 per cent.
This comes despite many salaries and wages in that time remaining stagnant, or maybe rising about 2-3 per cent per annum. Indeed public servants, including nurses, teachers, police, ambulance and fire have to be satisfied with a maximum capped 2 per cent wage or salary increase.
Given this huge differential, what would you personally do to make home ownership achievable for first time home buyers?
John Pritchard, Blackalls Park
Careful what you wish for
READING the various opinions and the push by some unions on retaining the right to continue working from home, one wonders if it may not be an example of being careful what you wish for.
I am sure the heads and boards of large companies are salivating at the thought of sending these positions offshore. If a job can be done sitting in front of a computer at home it can surely be done by someone with the same qualifications overseas for a fraction of the cost.
Before we know it these companies will be offering training and scholarships to overseas students to gain their qualifications here and then return home and work remotely. There are already many highly qualified people in countries such as The Philippines, Indonesia and India just waiting for the chance. Good advice may be to get back to the office before you are made redundant.
Sandy Buchanan, Largs
We need solutions, and fast
IN the range of incentives, a $450 tax break for middle income folk may be confusing.
The loss of more GP Access services makes no sense. Out of hours medical GP services bulk billed by appointment, reduces pressure off both overworked and overstretched emergency departments at hospitals, and ambulances. Definitely a false economy. Those 2500, or 9.7 per cent, of Centrelink staff cuts work against not only unemployed persons but retirees, needing to navigate the inefficient and cumbersome online system we now have.
Another 2719 public service jobs are being lost. The 5000-plus folk this is happening to will be glad for the $450 in their tax return, and if you worked in either of these services you may be tempted to tell the government you would rather keep the jobs.
The cost of $40 billion for tanks being built in Australia, sometime in the future and the jobs produced might be overshadowed by the small issue that such a sophisticated war machine can be easily knocked out by a $4 million drone.
Facts and figures. Profits and losses. Practicality in all forms leaves logic to the winds. Where departments are constricted on all levels of services to spend on capital works needed or not, spend your budget in total or get less next time there is no incentive for efficiency. Change is needed from the bottom up. Can we find some solutions for this country's future with this next election?
Lyn Rendle, Rankin Park
SHORT TAKES
DARE I say it? The Knights scored 46 points against the opposition in round 2 and 3. Fourteen points against Penrith with one man down for almost 48 minutes in round 3. All without Ponga. This round, with the return of our master playmaker and marquee signing, we can't even score a bloody try! Hmmm.
Lisa Davies, Mayfield West
DENNIS Crampton, perhaps you could turn up to Knights training and ask Mitchell for your money back, (Short Takes, 2/4). If I asked every jockey for my money back after what I perceive as a bad ride the mighty midgets would gang up and whip the living daylights out of me. So ask Mitch for your dosh, he's probably not as intimidating as your average jockey. Good luck.
Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay
THE Knights should feel that wooden spoon around their legs, instead of fluffing up their bums for Newy's Food Month.
Dave Wilson, Bar Beach
SO much for the Jets setting a defensive record. No goals in two consecutive games. Time to bring back Archie Goodwin.
Bill Slicer, Tighes Hill
I HEARD two-up has been legalised for the three days of the long weekend, not just Anzac Day. I feel that the Anzac spirit has been overtaken and commercialised. Perhaps we need to look at the big picture and only play two-up on Monday.
Samuel Bates, Adamstown
I DO agree with Kathryn Bow, ("Warne out by Shane coverage", Letters, 1/4), regarding the overkill, covering the unfortunate death of Shane Warne. The passing of anyone is sad for all family, friends, all. My disappointment is no such adoration was given to another great Australian, Rod Marsh. I think he deserved a bit more acknowledgement than he got, on his passing. RIP "Bacchus".
Ray Cross, Morpeth
WHAT a great man Frank Ward is! I wouldn't know him from Adam, but the integrity and humility expressed in his numerous letters to the editor make it obvious to me he's a great old bloke! Congratulations on a life well lived, Frank.
Mac Maguire, Charlestown
TWO prominent and privileged men made well-publicised speeches in the last week falsely casting themselves as victims. One received an Academy Award. Christian Porter had to settle for a hug from Peter Dutton.
Michael Hinchey, New Lambton
AS invited by Campbell Knox, ("Thank you, David Shoebridge", Letters, 2/4), we wholeheartedly say " Thank you, David Shoebridge" for all the reasons set out in Campbell's letter, which we fully endorse - all invaluable positive contributions to the people of NSW. We hope that sufficient people get behind him at the forthcoming federal election to enable him to secure a seat in the Senate, so that he can continue his push for transparency, integrity and social justice in the government of this country.
