I CAN'T believe that the government is planning on using Newcastle as a dumping site for the toxic waste to support Sydney's infrastructure. Newcastle and its residence have suffered enough in relation to its own struggles with cleaning up contaminated sites. These contamination sites in the Newcastle region are a result of its links to its industrial past including Pasminco in Boolaroo and BHP in Newcastle. These sites have been remediated, meaning to restore by reversing or stopping environmental damage. You only have to drive past these two particular sights to see the band aid solution that will impact the environment in the years ahead. Let's not forget PFAS in Williamtown, pictured. The people that live in this area have been fighting for years and are still forced to live in a red zone.
Forward planning and forethought is not a strength that our politicians have. Tell us what we want to hear so that they get re-elected is. My only hope is that they find another solution to this debacle and that it doesn't involve Newcastle.
Gina Horn, Cardiff South
Harm reduction cuts both ways
I SEE bipartisan refusal (David Elliott, Walt Seccord) to tolerate actions causing significant "damage" to local industries. So far this seems to be limited to short delays in operation. I'm wondering if either man is aware of the "significant damage" planned and condoned at MACH Energy's Mount Pleasant Mine. Also "not even local" (Indonesian), it is bidding for an extension whose waste heap I fear could be so high as to cut TV and radio reception from the entire town of Muswellbrook. That's quite apart from "significant damage" to people's health, farms, bushland, and the biosphere.
Consistency and wisdom is needed from those in government.
Beverley Atkinson, Scone
What's mined is all of ours
THE editorial ('Blockade Australia lays it on the line', Editorial 17/11) appears to defend protesters causing problems on the railway for Newcastle coal exports. In my opinion it has no sympathy for the workers or breadwinners, as it states they are doomed to lose their jobs in the future regardless. This paper only the other day was banging on about after hours GP Access service being closed in the area. Wait until there are no mining royalties coming through and all these people are out of work; where is the revenue for schools, hospitals and roads coming from? Show us the roadmap of what will happen in the future for funding for these essentials?
Allen Small, East Maitland
Tree change is urgent business
I WAS disappointed to read that the Lake Macquarie councillor has a clear conscience on his development plans for Teralba, ("Cubis' conscience is clear", Herald 15/11). With it all being above board, it signifies that profits can come before the environment.
At COP26 many countries are pledging to replant huge tracts of forests to help the planet. We in Australia still believe we can remove a large amount of trees for profits. 105 trees to be removed in one small development,. Any trees planted will take 30 years to be usable by native birds and animals if the trees are native to Australia. Isn't it time to start saving trees and help with carbon dioxide levels and protect all the animals that live in them?
Ray Dean, Thornton
Gratitude could go a long way
PETER Devey, ("Talkfest's a long way from action", Herald, 17/11), if the last word on climate change goes to Greta Thunberg we are indeed in trouble. If her song "you can shove your climate crisis up your arse" solves anything I will be stunned.
Lots of opinions have been given but no one knows the future. In 2005 Tim Flannery told us that droughts will become permanent and the dams will never fill. Now we have floods and the dams are overflowing. Let's try to get a positive outlook on all of this and stop listening to negativity, especially that from Greta Thunberg. I believe that a child born today has a very bright future, so forget Greta's " you have stolen my dreams and my childhood". Perhaps some childhoods were somewhat stolen in the past couple of years with COVID but I can't see the correlation between climate change and that virus.
Greta's predictions are alarmist grandstanding without any solutions. Many young people worldwide have become depressed and anxious over this issue, but I say let's give them some positivity and something to look forward to. Medical science has almost eradicated many childhood diseases like diphtheria and polio and made amazing advances in immunology and medicines to alleviate pain and suffering.
Perhaps we could encourage kids to ride a bike or walk to school and make a sandwich instead of heading to a fast food outlet. Perhaps they can stop updating their devices and play sport like we did after school instead of hunching over a phone. Kids today have lots of privileges that us baby boomers didn't have: air conditioners in every classroom, affordable overseas travel, greater choices in career paths and leisure activities and access to nutritional food. I would like to see more positivity and gratitude for all the things Australia is giving us, and there are many.
Denise Lindus Trummel, Mayfield
Nuclear pipe dream unnecessary
I BELIEVE John Tierney relies on sophism and fallacies, ("Nuclear energy, we must find a path through the roadblocks", Opinion, 16/11). His piece justifies the need for nuclear on the concept of baseload. There's no such thing on the demand side. It is the historical result of inflexible generating assets which meant too much power was available when no one needed it and incentives (such as discounted night time tariffs) were created to inflate energy use at those times. It does not need to remain that way. It presents SMRs as a safe and ready to use energy source, but SMRs are not expected to be commercially available for at least another 10 years. They could not be run safely in this country for a long while anyway because there's no industry, knowledge nor safety structure (at scale). It conveniently avoids the cost issue. Firmed renewables (that is including storage and associated network) are already producing energy at a lower cost than SMRs will in 10 years' time. We know this because renewables are not a pipe dream, they're being rolled out now.
Laurent Spelliers, Hamilton North
Morrison has no claim to legacy
FRED J Saunders, ("History lesson for Macron", Letters, 17/11), suggests French President Emmanuel Macron should be aware of important details regarding World War II, listing significant and extraordinary contributions of British, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian troops and materiel to France's safety. But Mr Macron criticised Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, not the troops or people of Britain, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. Mr Morrison did not serve in the military during World War II, and made no decision at that time to the benefit of France. Just as Fred J Saunders points out that Mr Macron is too young to remember these details, Mr Morrison is too young to take credit for them.
Michael Jameson, New Lambton
SHORT TAKES
I THINK it goes without question that the French respect and value the sacrifice made by foreign soldiers on their behalf as evidenced by the many well-kept memorials, rows of crosses, annual services and the empathy of their county folk. Freedom allows for differences in opinion and doesn't hold the giving of freedom as a restraint on disagreement. I think it disrespectful to our Diggers and devalues their sacrifice to be offered as a cheap shot in a disagreement between France and Australia on submarines. Their sacrifice was for a much bigger issue. Lest We Forget.
Paul Duggan, Garden Suburb
DON Owers hit the bullseye, ("Life's quality matters beyond assisted dying", Letters, 18/11). The depth of hell, of indifference, to extreme misfortune and plight, is up there, in bright lights: rampant suicide and ADF trauma, or the royal commission findings, of the vulnerable forgotten, our disabled and elderly. The latter report is now collecting dust, the usual fate. So much for a "wealthy" country, without recession, for 29 years. One more time, in chorus: "Australians all!".
Graeme Tychsen, Toronto
THE government wants submissions about their plans to increase the number of lanes on a stretch of highway at Hexham ('Upgrade for straight', Herald 18/11). They should include a right turning lane at the bypass intersection as well in order to alleviate the queues of traffic heading eastward along Newcastle Road every morning as commuters from the western suburbs will stay on the bypass all the way to Maitland Road.
Susan Ayre, Maryland
IF the Port of Newcastle cannot open a shipping container terminal why should we accept toxic sludge from Sydney? The Sydney-centric government treat Newcastle as second-rate citizens.
Col Page, Adamstown
IN reply to Neville Aubrey, (Short Takes, 16/11), regarding the assisted dying bill in NSW Parliament, there are many people of religious belief who have declared their support for what this bill proposes, on the grounds of compassion and common sense, thereby disagreeing with Mr Perrottet.
George Garnsey, Morpeth
EARLIER this year you published my humorous short take regarding corona leaving our shores (Short Takes 27/2) . I was jokingly referring to the Corona Ace coal ship leaving the harbour. I rarely use the harbour ferry so I was amazed to witness Corona returning to our shores while crossing the harbour on my Stockton Bridge bike ride this afternoon. The Corona I refer to this time was in the form of another coal ship namely Corona Queen being guided into harbour in high winds.
John Neil, Kahibah
THE POLL
SHOULD tighter regulations apply to dog breeders in NSW?
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