Letters to the editor and short takes Saturday July 4 2020

The last few times we have been into the city many restaurants were full and happy patrons were once again sampling the wares of what our city has to offer. The old rail corridor is now an object of beauty that joins the old part of the city seamlessly with the waterfront.

To those that haven't returned since the rail was truncated, I say thank you. The happy faces of those enjoying our ever-changing city don't need to see scowling faces of objection to progress and modernisation. They like to see people enjoying what out city is offering and what it is about to get once the new buildings are finished.

HAVING grown up and attended uni here in Newcastle, I have loved almost every aspect about this beautiful city except one: the nightlife. Our city after dark has been strangled by these lockouts, put in place half a decade before I could even drink ('Lockout shake-up', Newcastle Herald 2/7).

Whilst the laws on glassware and shots are reasonable enough, the 1.30am lockout and 3am closing time, cocktail rules and small bar trading hour restrictions go too far and have served to make our nightlife scene dead and unappealing in areas, especially to foreign visitors who can make no sense of it.

By putting everyone on the street at the same time, and restricting our choices, I believe these measures have moved any problem to the streets where it is harder to control. Many similar-sized cities in Europe which are comparable to ours have no such restrictions and have lower rates of violence whilst maintaining a much more thriving nightlife than that in Newcastle.

Measures such as more proactive policing in hotspots, and more comprehensive late-night public transport (cheaper and more regular light rail services after midnight, for a start) will go a long way to reducing any "problem" that might arise while allowing our nightlife to breathe.

Newcastle has changed, and these lockout laws are a reminder of that ugly past of violence of a generation ago. Let us step into the future, and fully embrace the potential a true after-dark economy can have for this wonderful city.

LOCKOUT laws in both Sydney and Melbourne have been reversed as they were deemed unsuccessful or no longer necessary. Newcastle needs to follow suit ('Lockout shake-up', Herald 2/7).

PHIL Gardner, I'm writing to ask you to get back the red and blue colours of the Newcastle Knights permanently. Let me state right up front that I admire the work of the mining Industry and all families involved, so this is in no way an attack on them or what they have done over many years for the Newcastle area.

My point is no successful business has ever allowed clients to use their colours or brand. If memory serves me you were not in charge at the time the change occurred, but you are now and I believe you are duty-bound to rectify this matter.

The Johns and Gidley brothers, the Chief, Butts, Sarge, Darren Albert, Mitch Pearce and many more have instilled great pride over the years and have built a magnificent history that is only associated with the red and blue. Look again at the photos of our two memorable grand final victories and all you see is a sea of red and blue.

As Adam O'Brien and his coaches and players look at last weekend's result and reasons, don't lose sight of the pride and passion in the red and blue.

On August 2 2019 you were quoted in the Newcastle Herald (referring to Jesse Ramien) saying "we want the right people here at the club. It's all about having people here who want to bleed red and blue and if they don't want to do that, we'd rather not have them" ('Point of no return', Herald 2/8/19).

I realise there may be a signed contract but during this COVID-19 pandemic clubs, governments and businesses have had to find new ways to do things. I'm sure you and your board could negotiate new ways to give all due credit to the mining industry.

We're relying on you Mr Gardner to give us back the pride and passion in our Knights' famous red and blue.

SCOTT Morrison sounds like he wants to prepare for war ('Defence budget boost includes missiles', Herald 2/7). I won't comment on the wisdom or otherwise of such things, but preparing for war means more than buying weapons.

Mr Morrison needs to remember that at the start of World War II Australia was totally unprepared because of a lack of a manufacturing capability and the multiple railway gauges. A lot has changed since then. Manufacturing capabilities have been and gone and many railways have closed when they should have been standardised.

During the war Australia was forced to build many of its own weapons. Many were built in the railway workshops, but most of the railway workshops have since been closed or privatised.

In my opinion the prime minister would do well to put in a plan to reinstate our manufacturing capabilities so that we can make weapons in the event of war.

Another issue is that of our badly neglected railways. Railways are better suited for long-distance transport than roads. This is why railways need to be upgraded and in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia converted to a common Standard gauge. Some of the lines that allowed cross-border links should be reinstated and converted to standard gauge. The proposed link from Mount Isa to Tennant Creek would be a good idea as well.

These are only a few extras that this government would do well to add on to the defence budget if we are to be prepared for a major conflict. I hope they are thinking.

IF we don't want to see the koala extinct in our area within the next 30 years its time for us to take action ('An icon in peril', Herald 1/7). The NSW Government has fast tracked the approval for a quarry extension at Port Stephens that will take away the already-depleted habitat for these precious animals.

How can we justify killing off koalas for a bit of gravel? The quarry owners claim their plan provides "habitat opportunities". What does this mean? Recent bushfires have taken a terrible toll on our native animals. If you don't want to see more koalas suffer and die, write or email the NSW Premier today and voice your opposition. We already have a dedicated koala rescue group in Port Stephens, but they need our support to carry on their excellent work.

I READ the article in the Newcastle Herald about the council's consideration to fast track the preservation of Munibung Hill ('Council eyes upgrades to Munibung Hill', Herald, 27/6). It's important to implement these recommendations and requires urgent action. This area is incredibly beautiful and has an abundant range of flora and fauna. We are very fortunate to have this wonderful asset residing in the middle of the city of Lake Macquarie and it should be protected for everyone to enjoy its important heritage and habitat.

I WAS so happy to see the recent article on Munibung Hill ('Council eyes upgrades to Munibung Hill', Herald, 27/6). Living on the Speers Point side of the hill as a child, my siblings and I spent many days exploring the hill. Now living on the other side of the hill, I am equally as excited to explore the hill with my own child. So many of my childhood memories were made there, now so many of my own child's memories are being made in the same bush land. We have seen wallaby tracks, bird life and enjoyed many beautiful sunsets on the hill. I am so excited to read about upgrades to the hill and to see it recognised for all that it has to offer.

PETER Devey (Letters, 2/7) advances an unsupported argument that new coal generation would be cheaper than new renewables with storage. But then he reveals his true colours as a simple climate denialist by spruiking old-school coal power with no carbon capture because the carbon pollution would make no difference. I wonder if his favourite song is Highway to Hell?

I WOULD just like to say a big thank you to Nathan Adams. I was at Coles this afternoon and forgot my card to pay for my soda water. I left Coles at The Junction and explained I would be back. Nathan chased after me and asked me if I was trying to purchase soda water. I explained my situation and he said I am going to buy them for you. I was so overwhelmed and said no, don't worry about it. He said no, come on, I will pay for it. What an amazing person you are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have restored my faith in humanity.

WE are a city and nightlife is important for employment and to encourage tourism ('Lockout shake-up', Herald 2/7). Also, people are better off controlled in a venue rather than causing problems in the suburbs.

TREVOR Little, (Letters, 2/7) and Peter Devey, (Short Takes, 2/7), do not cover failure of coal power stations and the grid in our much hotter weather of successive heatwaves, or the huge, worldwide spray of heavy metals and abundant toxic material from the burning. They do show much needed to be taken into account decades ago. It's time for an energy think tank.

DO you support the slower Honeysuckle speed limits?