I WON'T call Sussan Ley the environment minister because, after this week, in my opinion she doesn't deserve the title ('Who will stand up for our icon', Newcastle Herald 29/10).
Surely the job description calls for an appreciation of - and utmost respect for - the land and all of its inhabitants.
By approving the expansion of the Brandy Hill quarry and subsequent clearing of 52 hectares considered by some as critical koala habitat, I believe she has shown total disregard for our endangered iconic koala.
As to the promise of a 74-hectare corridor by way of compensation, I am interested to know how much of this land is already vegetated.
More importantly, what percentage actually needs to be planted?
I am concerned that she may think new trees will grow to maturity in just a matter of weeks.
Julia Riseley, Swansea
Benefit them beyond Brandy Hill
THE protection of koala habitat has been making the news which prompts me to ask does the once protected koala habitat between Cooranbong and Freemans Waterhole still exist.
The high-wire fencing still exists, possibly electrified, as seen from the road, but looking rather in need of maintenance and repair, whether the koala carers even know of this area, would be interesting because it takes in a large area.
I know mining companies own land in the region, possibly including this section of bushland, which I assume still houses koala colonies.
I reckon even if not owned by an adjoining mining company, it would make a good PR exercise if they were to appoint a ranger to repair the fencing, prepare a fire break and report on the koala health and breeding numbers.
For once, this would give something positive to mining against all the negative they usually receive.
Carl Stevenson, Dora Creek
Trust is in the eye of beholder
I WONDER what Cr Byrne and his like-minded Labor councillors would do with Julian Assange.
On Thursday the Herald reported on a censure of the Independent councillor Kath Elliott for approximating a $3m rent bill that City of Newcastle had committed rate payer funds to for the foreseeable future with its move to Stewart Avenue ("Elliott censured for leaking", Herald 29/10).
She was wrong, though; it was only $2.8 million.
Cr Byrne in a censure motion stated Cr Elliot had been found to be "a leaker and a liar" and, in a statement issued by he and his Labor colleagues, that "this incident shows that Cr Elliott cannot be trusted by the people of Newcastle".
Pretty strong stuff for a 10 per cent variation, and on the back of the building's landlord waiving their right to commercial confidentiality.
Cr Elliot did mention in a television interview that "it's about $3 million a year. That's not an exact figure. And the lord mayor can't tell me what I can and can't say to the people the money belongs to."
City of Newcastle champions transparent leadership.
However, it appears there is a culture in Stewart Avenue that labels councillors applying such transparency "a leaker and a liar'" when it is put in action.
Like Julian Assange, Cr Elliott, beware what you expose.
The truth may not always set you free, but it can pressure others to divulge the facts.
Thank you, Cr Elliott, for sticking your neck out on this issue.
Kevin Coffey, Cooks Hill
We're not rising to 'big challenge'
BARRY Swan's letter (Letters, 27/10) is extremely pertinent for our time. It focuses on several age-old, ominous scenarios where some incidents are too difficult to address and excuses are made to combat criticism.
Mr Swan identifies several current situations which fall into the category of complex matters.
The greatest catastrophe facing mankind has already begun.
The phrase "we are in uncharted waters" has rung loud and clear regarding the pandemic.
We have complained, become anxious, and pressured scientists for a vaccine.
Nobody dares to predict when or if there will be one.
We were warned about an ageing population and remedies about 30 years or so ago.
The warnings were not considered as the catastrophic consequences revealed in a royal commission into ageing.
Climate change has been controversial for at least 30 years. The effect is already apparent.
This is the point I believe Mr Swan is making, which is that we have been aware for three decades of "the greatest challenge of our time" and nothing at the level that is required has been established.
The calamities he refers to are miniscule when compared to the rigour and stark readiness required to combat or merely curtail the effects of climate change.
Pat Garnet, Wickham
It's time to grow the game
ON October 18, the grand final of the Newcastle Women's Rugby League competition was played in Maitland.
There has been little fanfare associated with the decider, but I would like to pay tribute to the winners South Newcastle as well as the runners-up Maitland for their performances.
The 8-6 score line indicates the closeness of the game and both sides should be proud of their efforts, both on the day and during the season.
Well done to Souths coach Marc Glanville, trainer Neil Baker and all those associated with helping to develop the skills and provide support for the players.
Let's hope the well deserved achievements of these girls bring greater recognition to the sport in the future.
Anne Stuart, Merewether
Have faith in gender equality
HOW come, in an age of gender equality, there are some churches that insist on male leadership only?
Go back to Christianity's parent faith.
In the Jerusalem Temple I have read the priesthood was all male and women were confined to a specific area during prayer.
In the synagogues men alone once worshipped, women being silent behind a screen.
In short, my understanding is that worship was the business of men, and I think the Christian church inherited this culture.
Should such thinking be sustained in today's world? If, as is generally thought, women are not inferior to men, somebody ought to tell certain denominations. How about a female pope to start with?
Neville Aubrey, Wallsend
SHORT TAKES
IT gave me hope to hear Sussan Ley say that essential decisions made by her government "are based on science rather than emotion" ('Rocked', Newcastle Herald 28/10). I look forward to decisions on health, sexuality, life and death being based on science rather than the emotions of religion, and climate change decisions being based on science rather than emotion - the emotion involved in upsetting fossil fuel donors who often provide springboards to high paid jobs in the parliamentary afterlife.
John Arnold, Anna Bay
DAVID Laurie (Letters, 28/10): your very informative and helpful response is what I was hoping for when I took Pat Garnet's challenge to us al, and asked how indigenous environmental practices can help us today. I was beginning to wish I hadn't, but Fire Country sounds like a good place to start so I will now invest a few dollars in my education and purchase a copy. Thank you for your response.
Dave McTaggart, Edgeworth
THE state and federal LNP have obviously come to the conclusion - ah koalas, there are no votes for us in koalas ('Who's going to stand up for our icon?', Herald 29/10). How else can you explain their complete contempt for "our icon"?
Mac Maguire, Charlestown
I TOO, am wondering what is going on with the price of E10 fuel in Newcastle and Lower Hunter (Short Takes 29/10). Travelling around the Northern Tablelands and Northwest slopes last week, when the price of E10 was averaging $1.45 per litre in Newcastle, I obtained it for $1.13 in Armidale, $1.11 in Moree and $0.98 in Muswellbrook. This is not a good look for the Lower Hunter motorists. Perhaps the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission should re-involve itself.
Bruce Jensen, New Lambton
WHAT female travellers experienced in Doha ('Union may deny Qatar Air', Herald 28/10) is at the least sexual assault in my opinion. I believe forced internal examination amounts to rape, especially if the "doctor" is male.
Margaret Farrell, Adamstown Heights
THE Australia Post watches affair ('Post chief left in the dark', Herald 30/10) pales into insignificance compared to the $27 million overpayment for airport land ('Western Sydney airport land buy queried', Herald 21/9), so why isn't a government head going to roll over that?
John Bonnyman, Fern Bay
NO thanks owing and no confidence due to the big City of Newcastle for being so pedantic when it's simply about works that need to be done, and done in a proper manner ('Council seeks audit of spending backlogs', Herald 28/10).
John Thacker, Newcastle West
DID you know that parents' child care benefits can be removed from child care subsidy payments which are 16 years old? How do we bill a parent? Even the ATO can only go back seven years. The idea is to get families into work, not punish them.
