IN response to the recent findings of the bushfires royal commission ('Calls for PM to have clear disaster role', NewcastleHerald 31/10) I believe the involvement of the federal government is a must for national bushfire safety and security.
I stated previously we urgently need our federal government to co-ordinate appropriate fire-fighting aircraft with our RAAF to put out isolated fires from lightning strikes as soon as practical after they start, instead of shooting at cardboard targets.
This year we witnessed the loss of 33 Australians including three firefighters in a water-bombing aircraft, at least four firefighting helicopter crashes, and also the loss of 3000 homes and infrastructure. This is not to mention the devastation incurred on our forests and wildlife.
Our climate has been changing for thousands and thousands of years and we must act appropriately. It appears to me that Shane Fitzsimmons will be Australian of the Year ('16 faces to inspire us', Herald 1/10) for his efforts during the devastating bushfires that burnt about a quarter of NSW. In my opinion he was hamstrung and forced to watch and watch those fires instead of watch and act on those isolated bushfires due to insufficient appropriate aircraft being available. He has since been promoted to a new role the leader of Resilience NSW. Go figure.
Brian Watson-Will, Corlette
Escalation should be simpler
I WELCOME many of the recommendations from the inquiry into the bushfires of 2019-2020 ('Calls for PM to have clear disaster role', Herald 31/10).
I note that one hat I wear is that of a policy coordinator for a political party. In February 2020 we put our heads together to work through the problems seeking a resolution so that we can have all the best resources put in place to cover any emergency that will happen from time to time.
We noted that NSW and Victoria were offered federal help and NSW turned down the offer at first, and then later restricted the access to some support to the firefighting air wing, but refused all other assistance. Since then the COVID-19 issues demonstrated that we needed to have a better federal response to emergencies, however our policy position would have been capable of managing the pandemic issues far better than history will show they were managed.
The principles were that the federal emergency services minister, on seeing an emergency that any state may not be able to have sufficient resources to quickly bring under control, may declare a state of emergency. They could then engage all federal resources to assist the state resources to handle the emergency. A joint coordination group would be set up to enable the efficient delivery of all necessary resources to overcome the emergency.
We suggested that there may be some necessary constitutional amendments to facilitate this process as the current constitution places most emergency services in the hands of the state governments.
Milton Caine, Birmingham Gardens
Questions linger in port storm
THE Herald was able to report on only the first three days of the federal court trial held between 12 - 28 October that investigated the infamous Newcastle port container penalty. The last 10 trial days were closed to the public.
The major question is, did Port of Newcastle Investments (PoN) confidentially testify that the penalty prevents developing a container terminal? If so, I believe NSW Ports is alleging that Port of Newcastle acted illegally by agreeing to the penalty. However, the ACCC is alleging that NSW Ports acted illegally by agreeing to be paid by the NSW government from the proceeds of the penalty.
If the court finds that NSW Ports, Port of Newcastle, or both are guilty, it will mean that the government leased the Port of Newcastle to fund an illegal payment. Plainly, the government was not authorised by Parliament to lease Port Botany and Port Kembla to NSW Ports with an illegal lease condition, or, to lease the Port of Newcastle to fund an illegal payment. What are the three ports really worth if the penalty contravenes the Competition Act? How has the public benefitted if the government unlawfully leased all three ports? The trial resumes December 1.
Greg Cameron, Wamboin
Timeframe on predictions key
GREG Hunt (Letters, 30/10) continues to question sea level predictions. Ice ages and subsequent warming periods have caused significant changes to sea levels throughout earth's history.
Scientists have been able to determine a range of up to 120 metres and calculations show that if all the world's ice masses supported by land or seabed melt, seas would rise by 60 to 70 metres above current levels. It took 60 years from 1880 to 1940 for global sea level to rise by 70mm; an average of 1.17mm per year.
Increasing levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases, principally carbon dioxide, have accelerated the rate of rise and from 2000 it took just 19 years to achieve a 70mm increase; a rate of 3.7mm per year. This rate will increase as reflective white ice is replaced by darker surfaces that absorb more heat, and carbon dioxide levels continue to increase. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration climate database latest report cites a sea level rise between 2.0 and 2.7 metres is now a plausible worst case scenario by 2100. Their most conservative current estimate is 0.7 metres; or 9.37mm per year. Sea levels will continue to rise well beyond 2100 as carbon dioxide levels can linger in the atmosphere for centuries.
Richard Mallaby, Wangi Wangi
Animal intervention is imperfect
YOU only have to go back to 2013 and 2014 when over 700 koalas were put down in Victoria because the koala population had grown so much that they had eaten themselves out of the available habitat. Well not quite true, there was plenty of food; it was just that they found a different sort of tree to eat that was not part of their normal diet. It was at Cape Otway where the human population is a couple of dozen, so there were no quarries to provide employment.
The koala population was put there in those pristine conditions after a breeding program by the Victorian government. They even regularly trap female koalas to prevent reproduction. It is only one example of man's interference in nature.
We've spent millions making koalas safe by providing tunnels under roads and fences around habitat; the list goes on. History recorded that bushfires helped control overpopulation of koalas, as did the ebb and flow of droughts and floods. In 2012 Tasmanian devils were introduced to Maria Island. It's okay, the devils are thriving, but not before they decimated the local penguin colony and the Shearwaters. The disease that attacked Tasmanian devils was nature being nature, but of course we interfere as that is part of our makeup.
Just imagine if koalas weren't cute, or if they tasted good and we could farm them. We wouldn't be human if we didn't get upset by the animal loss, but we didn't see any sympathy for snakes, spiders and goannas. The koala debate is beyond overheated and gets more space than people still trying to recover from bushfires.
Garry Robinson, Mannering Park
SHORT TAKES: NOVEMBER 5, 2020
WELL said, Jake Fly (Letters 2/11). I live on my own above Hunter Street, just east of the Mall. During the lockdown I found the goings on at street level reassuring and I enjoy living in a part of the city that is characterised by the colourful collisions of everyday life. Sure, from time to time it can be noisy, but I'd take the sounds of city life over the anaesthetising crickets of the 'burbs any day of the week - including Saturday night. The Hunter is stronger, and more appealing, as the sum of its parts; wine country, the Lake, Port Stephens, and the city. There is a place for everything and everyone, and the role of Hunter Street is to be the vibrant core of a metropolitan area that has an increasingly sophisticated life after knock off. Bring on more of it.
Matt Endacott, Newcastle
DICK Jenkins (Short Takes, 2/11) is spot on. Our Aussie flag needs a new design. The Union Jack on the Australian flag is a symbol of the horrors of conquest to the original inhabitants of this land. I claim the British Empire was founded on pillage, rape, murder and racism, where the Aboriginal people were concerned. You don't see the swastika on the German flag, so why should we have the Union Jack on the Australian flag? Remove that symbol of horror off the national flag.
Richard Ryan, Summerland Point
ALL the bitching and snide remarks from the Liberal leaders at both state and federal levels about the Queensland premier and her politics seem to have fallen on deaf ears. Her resounding win in the state election has sent a strong message to the Liberals that they are not wanted in Queensland. And so, Gladys, maybe you should stick to getting around the allegations being aimed at you instead of trying to score political points off the COVID pandemic, which in my opinion is obviously backfiring on you.
Barry Reed, Islington
EARLY the other morning as I sat on my front verandah on a sunny spring day I thought how lucky I am. I turned off my tablet and soaked it in. I live across the road from a reserve. It really is a special place: apart from children playing and climbing a certain tree I have at times observed colourful native birds; family groups and general enjoyment. On this particular day I glanced up and this gorgeous cumulus cloud seemed to float almost down to Earth, really making my day. I reluctantly gathered my thoughts and wandered inside, feeling refreshed and promising myself to come again soon and immerse myself in the delightful scenery so close to me.
Daphne Hughes, Kahibah
ON behalf of Nobbys Landcare group we worked at Nobbys last Sunday. We would like to say thank you to Aimee and Hollie of the Halloween Beach Clean-up. We noticed a much cleaner site. Good job.
