I REFER to the opinion piece by Nuatali Nelmes ('Time to change city's outdated lockout laws', Opinion 30/6). The article is about the so-called night time economy. Notice that the emphasis is on economy; it is not called night time socialising or night time leisure.
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No doubt many, maybe the majority, of after dark pleasure seekers eat, drink, and socialise in a civilised manner and manage to do so with the Newcastle Intervention in place. But we have to recognise that many night time revellers are far from civilised in their behaviour. The evidence is there - vomit on the footpaths, urine in the doorways, broken bottles and glasses spread around the area, drunks leaving hotels so intoxicated they have to be almost carried across the footpath to a waiting taxi, police called to intervene in drunken brawls and DJs pumping out sleep-destroying "music" until 2.30am.
None of the above is fiction. I have witnessed them all, even with the existing restrictions in place. How much more of it would happen if the restrictions were eased?
Some of us accept that for the privilege of living in the beautiful, magnificent city, we have to suffer some of the nuisances. However we don't accept that we, like the ambos, the police or the emergency workers, should endure any more of the suffering that would surely come with an easing of the current restrictions.
If Ms Nelmes really cares for the city and its citizens she will not continue to promote a case to extend the liquor trading hours. The influential, cashed up lobby groups will continue to push their agendas but the city should not succumb to their lobbying and incentives.
Perhaps the smaller, sophisticated boutique venues could be put onto an equal footing with the bigger "booze barns" while leaving the other existing lock-out laws in place. Ms Nelmes is correct that "the challenges of 2020 are different to those of 12 years ago." One new challenge is the changing demographic of the inner city. It has become a high density residential area. The city has to acknowledge this and allow for it in its planning strategy.
Chris Welbourne, Newcastle
Farewell to Stockton, a centre of our lives
THE Stockton Centre closure leaves my family with a sad, heavy heart. I'm sure many others are experiencing the same for many different reasons; loved ones moving to new residencies, a loss of employment or income, from goods and services provided, companionship for volunteers and the residents.
For many years, my sister Shara, lived at Middle, Ghost Gum and Adolfi Cottage at Stockton Centre. But last Monday, she moved to a new purpose-built residence in Ballina. For my family, visiting Shara is only a 50-minute drive instead of a 6.5-hour trip from Maclean. As wonderful as the short travel time to visit her is, it's extremely heartbreaking because we've had to say goodbye to some of the most amazing, caring, wonderful and incredibly special people in our lives: all the staff who worked and cared for my sister and many others. Thank you all, for being the most amazing caregivers. Many wonderful memories have been created, stories shared, and very special friendships made over the years. We are going to miss you all so very much.
Our best of wishes goes out to everyone from the Stockton Centre as you transition into the next phase of your life journey, whatever that may be!
Today we close the door on the past, open the door to the future. Take a deep breath, step on through and start a new chapter. Farewell, Newcastle.
Anna, Heather & Des Bailey, Maclean
It's a long road to renovation
AGAIN, Newcastle-ism rears its ugly head. Lake Macquarie council now seems hell bent on spending bundles on offices when the roads go lacking on the eastern side of the lake ('Lake HQ's $27M reno', Newcastle Herald 1/7). Whose bright idea was this?
Sounds to me that they have caught the Newcastle's spend disease and to their folly, are going down the same stupid way. Where do we get these people who pretend to know what is best for us? The present council chambers are and were last week good to go for another 10 years, so I think all councillors need to do a reality check and realise that roads take priority over all and any big spends. Get them right and then go for it.
Dennis Crampton, Swansea
A time for giving meaning thought
SOME people celebrate Christmas in July, and why not since we do not know when Jesus was born. The Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere was as good a time as any to mark his birth and bring some winter cheer. But it's worth remembering that every religion has its myths.
Judaism claims our planet was made in six days; Christianity that its founder was born of a virgin; Islam that its Prophet ascended to the heavens accompanied by angels. Such stories were once considered historical. Our modern age regards them as fiction.
Why myths? What does one expect from a pre-scientific era? For the ancients myths expressed what they considered as truth. So, if there are carols being sung this month or in December, perhaps it is time to rethink the value and meaning of their subject.
Neville Aubrey, Wallsend
Slip the opposition some tickets
I AM very disgusted with the article in which the Knights CEO Phil Gardner has vowed to make the stadium a no-go zone for the Parramatta fans on July 12 ('Eels face lockout for Knights' homecoming', Herald 27/6).
Mr Gardner apparently has stated that between 7000 to 8000 fans will be allowed to watch the clash against the Eels. The vast majority of those will be members with the remainder to be shared around the club's corporate supporters. All the tickets we've got are going to our people. We have to look after the people who have stood by us. We want to reward those committed fans. There'll be 7,000 plus Novocastrians baying for the Eels blood.
He also apparently stated that it will be the same for the following home game against the Bulldogs.
I have not followed the rugby league for years and I am not a Knights supporter, but I do hope that this act of bad sportsmanship comes back and bites the owners on the bum. I would like to see both Parramatta and the Bulldogs lock the Knights supporters out of their stadium.
Somehow I do not think that they would be as small minded while all clubs are going through the same tough times. Wake up to yourselves.
Stewart James, Thornton
THE POLL
DO you think Newcastle's liquor laws need changes?
Yes 76%, No 24%
SHARE YOUR OPINION
Email letters@newcastleherald.com.au or send a text message to 0427 154 176 (include name and suburb). Letters should be fewer than 200 words. Short Takes should be fewer than 50 words. Correspondence may be edited and reproduced in any form.
SHORT TAKES
IT'S not often that I agree with Mike Sargent, but his letter about John Hewson has allowed that rare alignment of opinions. Most former politicians suffer from Relevance Deprivation Syndrome (just look at Kevin Rudd), but Hewson stands head and shoulders above the rest. His Chardonnay would seem to have been pressed from a particularly sour variety of grape.
Scott Hillard, New Lambton
IT was announced this morning (1/7/20) the along with a few others the Jehovah's Witnesses in Australia have failed to sign up to the Sexual Abuse Redress scheme. Let's hope that Minister Rushton immediately stops their Charitable Status. All, if any funding must be stopped immediately. As at 1st of July 2020 there are 55 applications from victims of child sexual abuse that cannot be currently processed as a result of the six groups failing to sign up.
Wal Remington, Mount Hutton
I AM horrified that the government is cutting funds to the ABC, environmental programs, universities and welfare while spending $270 billion on defence. This posturing of power, while decimating spending in areas that would really promote economic, social and environmental well being indicates the Liberal-National Party are hell bent on an ideology which will cause grievous harm to our nation.
Donna Manning, Mayfield
IT'S encouraging to see democracy in action. Well done to the Herald for printing articles from Cr John Church ('Councillors' rate rise support 'tone deaf'', Opinion 27/6) and deputy mayor Declan Clausen (''Half-truths add nothing to rates debate', Opinion 1/7). Taxation policy will never be sexy but it's good to see the deputy mayor has a strong understanding of what's going on, and is prepared to argue a case on its principle. I agree with Cr Clausen. In my view means-tested hardship support is the right way to go rather than a miniscule blanket discount. I was a supporter of John Church's when he canvassed to be my federal MP in Shortland, but he's lost me on this one.
Franklin White, Belmont
YES, Peter Devey (Letters, 26/6), I do think it's good that three times as many people get employed in clean energy projects compared to fossil fuel investments. Furthermore, renewables are in fact the cheapest source of energy for two-thirds of the global population, according to a Bloomberg report published in April 2020. CSIRO and AEMO confirm that wind, solar and storage are the cheapest technologies for now and the future in Australia. I would say that's good.
Helmy Cook, Glen Waverley
SO those of us who've supported Australian Rugby for many decades are once again locked out of watching Super Rugby unless we're prepared to fling money at pay TV, which we're not. Thanks for nothing.
Rick Frost, Mallabula
NOW, why do all those sober, straight-faced, stark assurances, of "strict environmental safeguards", seem so much like, "whistlin' dixie", in the wind, ('An icon in peril', Newcastle Herald 1/7)?