BETWEEN Workshop Way and Stuart Avenue on the south side of Honeysuckle Drive there is one council provided garbage bin which is smaller than a wheelie bin. This bin, in the area specifically zoned for high-density accommodation and high density office space, is positioned directly outside a childcare centre. Guess where the smokers congregate? One tiny bin to service the 2000 to 3000 people that use this area every day. I'll stop there and leave anyone else to draw their own incredulous conclusions about council planning. Please put in at least an extra three bins along this street so we have a chance of stopping the tossers.
Samantha Addison, Tenambit
CORRECTION, Anne Edwards (Short Takes, 12/12): David Attenborough is a naturalist, which has nothing to do with climate. A bit like Professor Tim Flannery being a palaeontologist, which also has nothing to do with climatology. Because of their celebrity status, people believe they are experts. I say leave it to the experts who cover this area. They aren't 14-year-old school children, either.
Tony Mansfield, Lambton
SORRY Gillian Turner (Letters 12/12), watching electric Supercars would be akin to watching a spilt latte spread on a table.
Peter Grant, Speers Point
GILLIAN Turner (Letters 12/12), I agree that electric Supercars are the go. The drivers often don't get to see the sights of the host city, it's just pit lane and the track. Considering a recharge stop in pit lane will take most of the day, the drivers will have time to explore the city and surrounds, spend a few bucks with local shops, and even have a few beers and sober up just in time to take to the track again to maybe finish the race before rising sea levels wash the track away.
Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay
STEVE Barnett (Short Takes 13/12), you grinch! How am I going to enjoy me environmentally sustainable honey glazed triple smoked tofu and kombucha tea on Christmas day now?
Matt Ophir, Charlestown
BOTH Newcastle City Council and the Joint Regional Planning Panel should be commended for refusing Lingard Hospital's development application (‘$13m . The proposed development exceeded the building height limit and floor space ratio significantly. It sought to maximise the size and bulk of the building for commercial gain at the expense of the community’s best interests, and this was recognised in the assessment. It was refreshing to see this decision go in favour of the community.
Ricky McLean, Merewether
THE mantra of NSW Opposition parties for decades has been to challenge governments to be transparent and justify their decisions. Thank you to our Auditor-General for shining disinfecting sunlight on the Newcastle light rail and city revitalisation projects. In my opinion it shows they were conducted essentially by stealth and showed contempt for due and proper process. The ends don't justify the means. May this be lesson 101 for future NSW decision makers.
