MONDAY'S editorial ('Listen to the locals on bypass design', Opinion 31/8) provides a succinct view on why Roads and Maritime Services' design has got this all wrong ('Bypass rejig cops flak for leaving out ramps', Newcastle Herald 31/8).
Over the past 35 years other road infrastructure projects have been constructed to half-done status, then over time finished due to a change in demand or road usage, which was basically matching the concerns of the locals who were affected by the half-done project in the first place. A classic example is the M4 between Concord and Wentworthville. It was built in 1985, and a toll was applied then ceased in the early 2000s. Now with the third lane opened and other modifications, a toll has been put back on that road as a result of the concerns and urban sprawl identified all those years ago.
Everything works well until there is a problem, and if there is no alternative the public suffer through traffic gridlock. Put the additional ramps in for the extra $25 million now. It will be an investment into the future, as the price will only go higher in years to come. Do it once, do it right, do some good and the public will benefit. Hill starts and other day to day traffic issues only lead to shortcuts being taken by motorists that then place everyone at risk. Additional traffic going through John Hunter Hospital is simply not a tolerable outcome.
Doug Bell, Ashtonfield
Our stand against China is overdue
I WOULD have thought the first part of the Chinese diplomat's address to the National Press Club last week ('China sends pointed message', Herald 27/8) might have included an apology for inflicting this deadly virus on the whole world, but no, as usual it seems like nothing is ever China's fault.
In recent years China has been seeking to exert its influence in many countries and hopefully our government is now taking steps to stand up for Australia's best interests. I believe the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative contract that the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews naively signed up to should be the first thing that is cancelled followed by the Confucius programs in our educational institutions.
Jim Gardiner, New Lambton
No eye to future in low-cost option
I AM staggered by the traffic numbers provided by Roads NSW as their justification for a half-baked job on the bypass. To claim only 100 vehicles would use the necessary ramps that they don't want to build in my opinion shows that they have no eye to the future and a questionable method of traffic estimation.
Even a quiet suburban street in Newcastle would carry more than 100 cars in a day. That is less than five vehicles an hour. I would think there could be more ambulance movements than that, not to mention delivery vehicles and staff movements. Maybe someone misplaced a decimal point. I cannot understand the mentality that seems to be intent on providing a sub-optimal project. Who is getting a bonus for this so-called cost saving at the expense of Newcastle motorists?
Stuart King, Toronto
Shooter should be locked up here
IT is utterly bewildering, the seemingly inexhaustible arrogance of the Morrison government. Having passed legislation to enable this country to extradite any criminals back to their country of origin (including New Zealanders), it appears that we are not prepared to receive any when the shoe is on the other foot.
I refer of course, to the New Zealand government's preference for the Christchurch murderer to be incarcerated back here in Australia ('NZ issues demand for Tarrant to be returned to Australia', Herald 28/8). It seems a perfectly reasonable request I would have thought and would have been a humane and compassionate gesture between our two countries as New Zealand continues to come to terms with this atrocity. I believe it continues to become apparent that our government is not prepared to take responsibility for anything and anyone, regardless of the circumstances. I, for one, am greatly embarrassed and angered by such selfishness.
Antony Bennett, Broke
Pool resources to save a service
REGARDING Valentine pools (''Shame' if pool shut: mayor', Herald 26/8): our family, having been volunteers for over 30 years. I reiterate that it would be a shame for Valentine Hydrotherapy Pools to close after all the blood, sweat and tears that has gone into the complex.
The pools are closed not because of COVID but because of insufficient funds to repair or replace numerous items that have been listed by Lake Macquarie Council officers as "unsafe" and have come up with an estimate in the millions of dollars for repairs before the complex can re-open. The committee asked for help, but this apparently won't be forthcoming because council doesn't own the complex.
Crs Langford and Cubis' comment that "other residents who don't use the pools will have to pay for the cost out of their rates". Ratepayers pay for numerous facilities including the art gallery, walking track around the lake, sporting fields, skate parks and others even if unable to use them. I'm convinced more people use the pools than the art gallery.
The only other hydrotherapy facilities are in Toronto, and I drive 60 kilometres three times a week because Valentine is closed. At Coughlan's there's no chair lift or disabled change rooms. It would be devastating to watch the bulldozers demolish the Valentine complex. Learn to swim facilities are very popular; there's eight aquarobics classes weekly; and 20 jobs will be lost if this facility is closed.
Judith Wilson, Marks Point
Offshoring derailed track record
FOR our premier to make statements that we are not good at building trains ('Trains 'not good': Premier', Herald 28/8) is very disappointing. UGL, Goninans and Downer must be gutted.
I'm sure she feels the same about boats.
Cast your mind back to the days of Carrington Slipways. There were hundreds of vessels delivered from their shipyard. ADI built six fibreglass mine hunters in their Carrington facility.
Stephen Forgacs was awarded 26 of the 90 house-size blocks to build the three air warfare destroyers. Their performance led to the award an additional 15 blocks which could not be delivered from a Melbourne competitor. There were 1700 Newcastle people employed by Stephen Forgacs during this contract. Now, zero.
Because our "leaders" choose to shop outside Australia, we have lost thousands of skilled manufacturing jobs. Don't forget the other financial gains we get from shopping locally. Our leaders can't count, let alone read a tape measure. They sell our port for $1.7 billion and throw us the scraps, $350 million by way of a stupid red imported tram which nobody uses. It soaked up hundreds of car spaces and in my opinion sent many small businesses bankrupt in and around Hunter Street during construction.
They need to get out of their Sydney ivory tower and get up here and see what really matters.
Tony Lobb, Carrington
SHARE YOUR OPINION
Email letters@newcastleherald.com.au or send a text message to 0427 154 176 (include name and suburb). Letters should be fewer than 200 words. Short Takes should be fewer than 50 words. Correspondence may be edited and reproduced in any form.
SHORT TAKES
I BELIEVE Josh Frydenberg is destined to be the Treasurer of Disaster, presiding over the worst economic figures in history. Border closures and lockdowns are supported by most Australians. We can rise above the ranting of a man desperate to save himself. We place saving lives above the needs of a hysterical treasurer in dire straits.
John Butler, Windella
JOHN Hewson, I think Mr Trump will be blowing out the candles on the victory cake. However Mr Hewson has more expertise with cakes than I do so I may be wrong.
Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay
FINALLY something is being done to clean up the Truegain waste oil refinery. This has been going on for decades, all under the watchful eye of the EPA. Speaking of, what a gutless and ineffective government department and complete waste of taxpayers' dollars. For years they have watched this happen, occasionally handing out a few fines and asking please clean up your site. Wow, that scared Mr Pullinger, didn't it?
Graeme Bennett, Warners Bay
IT takes 10 days for mail to come from Yorkshire in the UK by Royal Mail, but it takes 28 days for mail to come from Sydney to Mayfield by Australia Post. Go figure. Who's paying late fees for bills? Address please, or will it take 28 days anyway?
Amanda Johnstone, Mayfield
METHINKS Bill Slicer is a cranky old man, always the first one to lay his slipper in when any Newcastle team is down.
Mick Porter, Raymond Terrace
I RECKON wine exports to China should be restricted to Brown Muscat and Doctor Jurd's Jungle Juice.
John Bonnyman, Fern Bay
POLITICIANS are more concerned about China change than climate change.
Richard Ryan, Summerland Point
WHEN are leaders going to stop trying to make brownie points at the expense of the Australian population? Until now I thought Frydenberg had shown great courage and determination, but whether he has differing opinions to others in Victoria is beside the poin. We all realise problems exist and need to be fixed. Remember, Mr Frydenberg, that you will have our work cut out when cutting those supplements.
Vic Davies, Tighes Hill
I SHARE your disgust, Joe Barnes,(Short Takes, 31/8), with fit, able-bodied bludgers refusing to take available jobs yet still expecting to receive money for doing nothing. They know their rights, but have no sense of responsibility. Can you imagine the outcry from the Greens, Labor and the ABC if the government was to threaten to withhold welfare payments? I support an increase in the unemployment benefit rate, but only for those genuinely willing to take a job.
