Without Tony's articles these changes would slip through and residents would not be aware of changes that could impact their living conditions.

Without being a whinger (Adz Carter, Letters, 30/5) inner city residents often have bought into housing that is covered by a development consent with certain restrictions for licensed premises.

This is for the benefit of the residents and licensee to avoid any future conflicts. If these consents are changed without prior consultation not only do residents have a diminished quality of living but possibly their housing prices could be substantially lowered.

THIS WEEK'S LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

It is the lack of notification to the public and surrounding residents of such changes that concerns me. Where is the fairness for all concerned in these secretive laws passing unnoticed and without proper community consultation?

Yes I agree Adz, if you are buying new into an area it's a different story but there are many long established residents in the CBD who bought where development consents and restrictions are in place to secure their quality of living whilst still enjoying a vibrant inner city night life.

I AGREE with East End residents' "right race, wrong track" maxim. Is it possible for the residents' group and race fans to find common ground and pool their efforts to lobby for a purpose-built permanent racetrack at a suitable location in Newcastle?

There is a long list of reasons why a proper racetrack is way better than a street circuit for race teams and spectators, let alone impacted residents.

And surely the long-term costs would favour a purpose-built track over annual street circuit set up and dismantling, especially if you factor in the year-round economic stimulus to the city.

IN OTHER NEWS:

A recent letter suggested disused BHP land as a potential site.

I don't know if that is available but I think the biggest hurdle will be finding a developer that has the will and wherewithal to make it happen.

It is not a project that governments want to run with. Are you out there Jeff McCloy?

BACK in 2011 the Australian government's agriculture minister placed a ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia.

Readers may recall the 2011 ABC Four Corners program that showed graphic footage of the mistreatment of Australian cattle in facilities in Indonesia.

The Australian government's agriculture minister placed a ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia.

And now, a court has decided the ban was illegal ('Court finds Indonesia ban on live cattle illegal', Herald, 3/6).

Apparently the minister's actions lacked legal finesse and didn't consider the injury it would produce for exporters.

Perhaps he, like many Australians, was more focused on the injury inflicted on the cattle.

The Australian government has to pay legal costs and return to court with the exporters regarding compensation. The exporters had sought $600 million from us.

It beggars belief. However, 56,000 sheep in Western Australia have been spared a tortuous high-seas trip into the northern summer because our government upheld its new animal welfare regulations.

Haven't heard about them? Join the RSPCA and stay informed.

MANY outraged Australians now know the name George Floyd. He was killed in public view under the knee of a white police officer in Minneapolis.

There are many indigenous Australians who have died under the knee of systemic discrimination and indifference in recent years in our country, not to mention the many thousands whose lives were lost in the cause of white settlement and civilisation over the past 232 years.

In my experience it is a rare middle class Australian citizen who carries any sense of guilt or shame for the appalling reality of so many Aboriginal people.

I recall seeing some of our political leaders of the day weeping in our national parliament as they recalled the horrors outlined in reports like the Royal Commission into Deaths in Custody (1991) and the "Bringing Them Home" Report (1997) which recalled the stories of Aboriginal children being stolen from their families.

Constitutional recognition is too hard. A voice to Parliament is too much. An apology for obliterating a sacred site is too little. Genuine, respectful reconciliation? Is it too late?

WITH so many universities offering free history courses online, John Ure would do well to sign up for one on the US Constitution - his interpretation of the Second Amendment is way off (Letters, 4/6).

The Second Amendment was passed at a time when private citizens owned not only the same firearms as the military, but also artillery and warships. The intention of the Founding Fathers is clear in the last four words: "... shall not be infringed".

The musings of the Founding Fathers on this topic are voluminous, but Thomas Jefferson summed it up perfectly in his letter to John Cartwright on June 5, 1824: "The Constitution of the United States asserts that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed".

It's hard to imagine a clearer statement on the topic.

PEOPLE should consider not only their reasoning for protesting, but also the possible consequences.

We just spent a considerable amount of time in isolation to protect ourselves from coronavirus and gathering thousands of people together for a protest will not only heighten the chances of contracting the virus, but also taking us back to where it all started. Please consider your options and use social distancing.

Don't get me wrong, stick up for what you believe in, but please use common sense.

There's no doubt that we all want peace and harmony during these times especially after the year that we in Australia have endured, and we all need time away to reflect what the world is becoming.

Stay safe and please don't drink and drive this weekend and, in fact, ever at all.

I'M sure if Keith Pitt were challenged to provide the numbers of people who contacted his office concerned about "tax evaders" and "dole cheats" his numbers would be about as solid as Josh Frydenberg's numbers for JobKeeper. Keith Pitt is also inferring that people's concerns of small time tax evasion is justification to ruin (and in some cases, end) others' lives.

CHEERS to Mark Hughes: a good kid at school, an honest footballer, and a credit to himself as a man. Not hats off, but beanies on to you Mark!

MY blue blood boils. Gladys allowing protests while still having other restrictions is dumb. Sorry Gladys, if I can't do my favourite things like going to the races or going to the pub without restrictions, but you allow a protest, you've lost me. My mates feel the same. Start packing your office up, you're gone. This decision will haunt you for a long time if we all have to go back to lockdown.

A LETTER was sent to me on the 20/4/2020. I received the letter on 3/5/2020. It was a referral for a test to be carried out as soon possible.

I HAVE pondered that the reaction to the next mass shooting of schoolchildren in the US will be rioting and looting should the precious Second Amendment of the US Constitution come under threat. Those now protesting worldwide will not become as angry and leaders like Canada's Trudeau will not postulate as they do because history has shown that the lives of innocent children are not important enough.

AS a result of COVID-19 there have been massive changes to people's financial situations. Can someone please advise me if they are aware of any politicians, business managers, corporate company executives and the like voluntarily reducing their income, or more importantly their bonuses?

THANKS to the NSW Upper House that the NSW government's freeze on public sector workers wages has been overturned. Now the government is trying to use the IR Commission to have another attempt. This is the action of an uncaring and unsympathetic government. If it wasn't for these workers during the last six months, particularly during the bushfires, floods and now COVID-19 we'd be much worse off.

FOR all the criticism of the $25,000 grant for home builders and renovators, I feel to avoid another 'pink batts' fiasco, the grant is well-targeted. There is still plenty of hidden asbestos and lead in our communities. By maintaining a high spending level the Commonwealth has ensured government stimulus will be utilised by projects which will treat and dispose of the hazardous materials correctly. I doubt too many unscrupulous operators will be able to put the community at risk to access this package.