I REFER to Cr Allan Robinson's comments ('Neighbours fear waking nighmares', Newcastle Herald 22/4) comparing the plight of residents living near the King Street Hotel, pictured, to his own having to listen to ships tooting their horns by living by the harbour.
I am on neither side of the noise debate as I would love to see some of the smaller bars open late but also in this case appreciate the angst of permanent residents living near a club has just had its patronage rise from 780 to 1300 people. The problem is not what goes on in the actual nightclub, it's what happens after the 1300 people disperse. There is a 24-hour McDonalds open across the road from the nightclub ready and waiting for them at 3am. There is also a really busy road to cross before you get there. McDonalds' answer to the increased patronage is to employ more security guards to prevent violence.
I believe Cr Robinson's comments rub salt into the wounds of these aggrieved residents. Having just had a couple of weeks on the harbour myself I can assure him that the sounds of ships tooting their horns is completely different to the sounds of 1300 people falling out of a nightclub at 3am.
Catherine Graham, Newcastle
Faith erodes in church-state split
IT'S been reported in the media that Kurri Kurri Miners District Hospital staff are concerned the hospital is earmarked for closure. I wouldn't be surprised. I think all government public district hospitals are under threat. When the government starts withdrawing services, it's a matter of time.
I believe politicians from all sides of politics have a history of closing down public community hospitals. In 1991 NSW Liberal premier Nick Greiner axed the Miners Wallsend District Hospital even though the Miners Federation had just finished paying for the refurbishment of the hospital's three theatre blocks. Thousands marched, a picket line was formed, lasting 18 months.
NSW Labor opposition leader Bob Carr visited Newcastle at the time. When he didn't bother to support the struggle to save the hospital, I knew it was a done deal. Wallsend Hospital was closed and the people were pushed into centralised health at the John Hunter Hospital where they joined a long queue for treatment. In 2007 Morris Iemma, who kissed the ground when the Pope visited Sydney, closed Newcastle Hospital. It had a history of medical advancement, I think it was a cruel act the politicians served on the people of Newcastle. I believe closing down Wallsend and Newcastle, government funding was transferred to prop up the Catholic Calvary Mater Hospital at the expense of the people and the unions who worked to maintain and support their district hospitals.
In my book religion is running Australia and is dictating to governments that all public institutions should be handed over to religious vested interests. Privatised religion is big business and, like any other corporation, in my opinion it should pay its fair share of tax. I believe it's time the politicians should be sworn into government with their hand on the Constitution, not the bible, and give an oath to uphold our secular society.
Maureen O'Sullivan Davidson, Swansea
Do what's right, not what polls well
THANK you Stephanie Strachan for a brilliant letter (Democracy can't be canary in the coalmine, Letters, 20/4). Your opening sentence had me immediately; and what followed was an honest account of what the people of our Hunter Valley really want and the future of coal. It's a complex issue, I know, with politicians like Mark Latham, Joel Fitzgibbon and Jodi McKay riding that train for political gain but here is some common sense and truth from a person who has lived in the valley and really knows the truth and has supported coal mining all her life.
Perhaps politicians forget what their real job should be; to act in accordance with what their constituents want and what is in their best interests, not what is in the interests of political gain. I for one don't want political gain to be a factor in the decision about the future of power and of coal mining. Ms Strachan, you have shown great insight and honesty and I applaud you for that. I would like to hear your comments again in the future.
Denise Lindus Trummel, Mayfield
Tap brakes on driverless car risks
HOW safe are electric cars considering a crash in the US by a Tesla caused the car to erupt in a ball of flames ('Two dead in US driverless Tesla crash', Herald 19/4)?
My understanding is the lithium-ion batteries used in a Tesla are the same as used in drones, only in a much larger capacity, and can be highly volatile when faulty. Batteries can only be carried in airlines and postal services if in a suitable fire proof container. I have personally seen drone batteries after erupting in flames without warning.
Before any further progress in the roll-out of electric cars this possibility must be addressed, especially regarding insurance claims because without insurance ownership is out of the question, and if not safe for insurance, it's not safe for me.
For the record a drone uses between four and 12 volts; a Tesla between 300 and 400 volts. These numbers must cause alarm. They may be safe in most circumstances, but in a crash as in the US the damage speaks for itself. At present electric cars are few, thus risk is low, but when every second car is electric, the risk not only for the passengers, but the other car intensifies.
Carl Stevenson, Dora Creek
Keep politics out of classrooms
MICHAEL Gormly (Short Takes, 22/4) is critical of my comments of what I call waffle being taught in schools such as unconscious bias, white privilege and institutional racism. If Mr Gormly thinks that the above exists in our society that is his business, however I am of the opinion that school children should not be indoctrinated with this nonsense.
I am not saying that Karl Marx wrote about these issues, I was referring to outfits that called themselves Marxists and their fellow travellers, who are champions for such woke issues. Mr Gormly, you are correct, I am not a person of colour. But the Deputy Mayor of Alice Springs Jacinta Nampijinpa Price as well as being a woman is Indigenous, however that did not stop her from being vilified by the usual suspects of the far left. Mr Gormly, Jacinta was denigrated as she did not fit into the far Left's narrative.
John Rumble, Albion Park
Elitism is a double-edged sword
THE grand ballroom of the Fullerton Hotel in Martin Place is, we are told, where "corporate travellers ... can discover luxury and heritage in the heart of the city". A fitting venue for the captains of Australian business, and their political servants, to assemble for the annual Business Council of Australia dinner. Once replete with the finest food and wine, I have little doubt most murmured approvingly into their coffee and liqueurs when the PM sneeringly derided the clientele of "cafes, dinner parties and wine bars of our inner cities." In other words, the left. A warm inner glow of self-righteousness would have permeated the room.
And so it was that the real elite of this country congratulated themselves on another year of wage stagnation, rising profits and climate inaction.
Michael Hinchey, New Lambton
SHORT TAKES
COUNCILLOR Allan Robinson, when we bought in Newcastle West we knew there was a nightclub. What we did not know was that the size was going to double against opposition from the police, the health officials and the residents ('Neighbours fear waking nightmares', Newcastle Herald 22/4). Who makes money out of this? The AHA and the owner. Who gets to deal with the problems? The police, the health officials and the residents.
Garry Heaney, Newcastle West
WHEN all the coal mines are closed, and steel can't be produced, then maybe solar panels can be made out of plastic. No? OK, let's make wind turbines out of timber. Oh wait. What about aluminium? But that takes massive amounts of electricity. Sigh.
Mick Miller, Salamander Bay
RICHARD Ryan bemoans the plight of the 35,000 people left out of the country. Maybe they can now reflect on their choice to leave in the first place. Life is full of choices.
John Bradford, Beresfield
I ASKED my wife the other night if she would like a milkshake. She replied "no, I have got a headache." That ad was a fake.
Richard Ryan, Summerland Point
GEORGE Christensen's departure leaves room for several new members of parliament, at least, but a paleontologist will be needed to help with replacing his views.
Rick Frost, Mallabula
CONGRATULATIONS to the soccer fans in the UK for the backlash they showed in the soccer fiasco over there ('Super League a lost cause', Herald 22/4). Club administrators shouldn't take fans lightly. It reminds me of when the Wests members in Newcastle voted against the Super League side the Hunter Mariners, back in 1995. People power goes a long way.
David Davies, Blackalls Park
VIC Davies: I agree the vaccinations have fallen short of the targets and it has to improve, but one thing to be grateful for is that we don't have the Labor boys in charge.
Bruce Brander, Belmont
I WONDER if Mr Peter Devey (Letters, 22/4) really believes the dire consequences he predicts if our coal fired power stations close down. After all in NSW three of the five coal power stations are scheduled to close within the next eight years, if not earlier. He must be contemplating moving interstate to escape the disasters. Although he wouldn't go to South Australia, their coal power stations closed years ago. And Western Australia has announced the closure of theirs in around five years. How about Queensland? Maybe he knows that the disaster predictions are just the myths promulgated by the coal lobby in a desperate effort to stave off the inevitable, like holding back the tide.
