Letters to the editor Friday September 27 2019
SINCE the 1920s there have been various attempts to split the state of NSW into two separate states - the top half, north of the Hawkesbury River, to be known as the state of New England.
The last referendum on the subject was held on 29th April, 1967 and, had it had been successful, there was a good chance of Newcastle being the capital city.
I can now only imagine where we might be if the revenue generated by the top half of the state, and in particular Newcastle and the Hunter region, was to stay here and not be sent to bankroll Sydney's infrastructure as is now the case. In one instance alone, $1.75 billion was raised with the privatisation of the Port of Newcastle. Roughly $300 million came back to finance the light rail system.
Would we now be fighting against Sydney's deal to protect the container terminals at Port Botany and Illawarra? Would we be able to make our own decisions on coastal erosion such as Stockton beach?
Would we have the debacle of the closure of the Myuna Bay Sporting complex? I could go on ad infinitum.
Perhaps the time is ripe to resurrect the idea of a separate state.
Bill Snow, Stockton
SPLASH OUT ON RESEARCH
STOCKTON, as in other places depending on sand to hold back the ocean in wild weather, has little chance of surviving the test of nature. I notice where foreshore has been lost a sand bank of up to two metres in height now exists in places where I fear housing may be lost. Sand being the only readily available and cheap way of backfilling is, I believe, no longer viable. Research is needed into a substance that can be piped back from sand banks, going down below sea level with a glue which can flood and bond the sand into a form of rock wall which would allow the natural beach to return.
I am sure if money was in the research a solution would be found, because if the oceans were to rise further the length of Australia's low-lying foreshore is too long for normal rock wall barricading.
Carl Stevenson, Dora Creek
TROUBLE BIGGER THAN BEACH
SYDNEY newspaper reports on Stockton (SMH 24/9) were published while the UN Climate summit in New York convened, and only days after a massive international climate strike that saw an estimated 10,000 people marching in Newcastle alone.
It depicts the sadness, stress and social dislocation associated with loss of a way of life, social services (the closure of the childcare centre) and beachfront land in Stockton. This is just the beginning.
A glance at the government-funded online sea level rise maps reveals that much worse is likely in store for Stockton, Carrington and other low-lying suburbs around Newcastle harbour within a few decades. Bringing truckloads of sand, building groins or other remediation activity is not going to save Stockton beach, nor in fact Stockton suburb.
Climate change is driving sea-level rise through warming the ocean and melting glaciers and ice caps. It exacerbates coastal storms, storm surges and tidal events so that even modest increases in sea level can result in disastrous coastal inundation and erosion. This is happening worldwide and our government would do well to pay attention. Not only Stockton but all coastal cities will suffer if this situation is not reversed. The main solution is to stop carbon emissions and rapidly transition to renewable energy. To help our neighbours in Stockton, the best thing we can do is pressure our government to take urgent action on climate change.
Georgina Huxtable, Hamilton East
A BAD FAITH ARGUMENT
SEVERAL recent correspondents are shocked that young children were allowed to attend the climate protest, saying they were too young to understand the issues. Their parents should be held responsible, they say. But none of these people seem to be upset at children being taken to church once a week. How much theology do three or six-year-olds understand?
Michael Gormly, Islington
A MILLION OTHER CHOICES
SO our prime minister goes to USA and catches the Trump virus it would appear out of the blue ('Australia shoots for the stars with US deal', Herald 23/9). '
This, with his country in all sorts of trouble including bushfires, drought-struck farmers screaming for help, and here in Newcastle we have the Stockton beach nearly gone. What about payment for those poor folk with contaminated land in the Williamtown and Fullerton Cove areas?
I could go on with things needed in our country instead of giving $150 million to support a mission to put a flight to Mars. What in God's name are we going there for? We cannot look after our own environment here, so never mind going to Mars and ruining it in the same way.
If they need people to go, I would suggest Mr. Morrison be first.
Come on ScoMo, get back here and look after your own country before going out and becoming a man with the golden handshake. This country could use the money.
Doug Buchanan, Swansea
CUT THE FIGHTING, FIND A FIX
I WAS a Newcastle councillor in 2007 and was present at a briefing that showed the current damage to Stockton beach and what would happen in the future if nothing was done. At that time there was already talk about moving the surf club.
According to my recollection, at that briefing were then councillors Nelmes and Crakanthorp. Jodi McKay was at that time the member for Newcastle and went onto to be the Minister for the Hunter. I believe these three members of the ALP were all very well aware of the situation at Stockton beach and had chosen to do nothing.
Now that the situation is critical, in my opinion they are happy to stand back and blame the current government for lack of action instead of working together to find the money and a solution.
This apparently wasn't on their radar at the state election 12 months ago and it clearly should have been. The land currently affected is all Crown land, owned by the state and managed by council. If private property owners had ignored environmental reports dating back 30 years, they would no doubt be in court. The ALP-controlled council have the power and numbers to find the money if needed, and I have no doubt that when Jodi McKay is premier it will be the best seawall on the east coast.
Ms McKay and Mr Crakanthorp, in my opinion you should be ashamed of what was said in parliament yesterday ('Sandstorm', Herald 25/9). Put your hand up and admit you have both ignored the problem as well and work with Gladys to get the extra dollars. Appointing blame in an ALP stronghold won't achieve a cent.
Aaron Buman, former Newcastle councillor
PRAISE the Lord. John Beach ('Maybe councillor party time should be over', Opinion 24/9) has hit the nail right on the head. No local government body should be encumbered with party politics. If wannabes wish to further their political careers, then do it at state level and allow us mere residents to get the representation we voted for. If you are only there to satisfy self interests, then get out and allow a conscientious representative to speak for the general ratepayer.
John Bradford, Beresfield
I JUST took delivery of my Knights membership package for next season. Looks to me like the memo to the suppliers for caps and other promo gear went missing. The logo on the 2020 cap is still facing backward. Maybe all the loyal fans will be getting a free cap with the correct logo just for putting up with another dismal season. Tinkler gave us a jersey. For all the naysayers regarding the Knights, I have already paid for my season tickets for next season.
Greg Lowe, New Lambton
I AGREE with Denise Lindus Trummel (Letters, 24/9) about the declining numbers in home ownerships. While I am also from the "baby boomer'' generation, most of us were brought up to believe that you had to learn to crawl before you walk. This certainly applied to buying a first home. As Ms Lindus Trummel pointed out, we bought what we could afford to pay off and renovated to suit our needs. What most people found that at the end of the day we learned a valuable lesson in appreciating what we had worked hard for and it gave a rewarding feeling of self-satisfaction. Unfortunately, I don't think that lesson applies too much today as many couples want the big four-bedroom home with everything tas well as the big four wheel drive and the very best in dining and lifestyle. Anyway, I guess I am yesterday's man' and proud to be.
Col Parkins, Wallsend
WE'VE all seen the ad with a rocket ready to take hay-fever sufferers to another planet. Well, I was speechless when Scott Morrison happily promised $150 million to support Donald Trump's Moon/Mars mission. The bottom line is: could those funds be better spent in Australia right now? I'm sure our farmers are not thinking it's wonderful. If things continue like they are, in five years production of staple foods in Australia could be seriously threatened. In five years, Morrison and Trump will be a distant memory and someone else will have to clean up their mess. Perhaps the mission to Mars is really for politicians, because once they stuff the planet up by ignoring climate change they will need to escape.
Robyn Fisher, Adamstown Heights
WHILE cycling along Graham Road at Broadmeadow on Tuesday morning with a mate, I had an accident when a small dog ran onto the road into our path. I would like to thank everyone - locals, bystanders, workers and paramedics - that came to my aid. I appreciate your kindness, even though I don't know who you are. Because of your help, even though a bit battered and bruised, I am recovering well. Without my bike helmet it could have been a different story. Again, many thanks to you all.