What an insult to the people of Stockton. A couple of truckloads of sand would fix that access point. I am sure former Port Stephens mayor Bruce McKenzie and his sand mining company could fix the issue with small change from his pockets, yet in my opinion it seems that the council wants to grandstand and start pointing the finger as well as keeping documents about a proposed seawall secret ('Great wall of Stockton', Herald 10/10).

Why can the Gold Coast have sand replenishment at South Stradbroke and Rainbow Bay through pumping of sand when NSW seems to have no idea? Have we looked at that, or are we just ignoring a state that does it better than us?

IN the words of John McEnroe, Steve Barnett (Short Takes, 10/10) you cannot be serious.

Firstly, most reputable medical experts advise that using a mask from the beginning of the pandemic would have saved tens of thousands of lives but Trump led the way in refusing to wear one. I believe the Woodward Tapes clearly show that Trump lied to his subjects about the seriousness of COVID-19.

Trump closed the USA to flights from China, but failed to stop entry from Europe, where the disease was even worse than in China. US citizens were returning home by the thousands.

Most of them were arriving into packed New York airports, but there was no national leadership as to how to deal with returnees; hence the disaster that was New York.

As for Democrat administrators standing by whilst riots occurred, some of the worst riots/protests occurred in 22 states controlled by Republicans.

One final point, as far as Trump not being a warmonger: some records indicate that the US has dropped more bombs and missiles during Trump's term in office than either Bush or Obama. It is also a fact that, although Trump said that he would bring home the troops; the numbers of US defence personnel serving overseas is about the same as it was when Obama left office.

Apart from those couple of points, Mr Barnett, your short take was spot on. Perhaps you should reduce watching Sky or Fox?

The federal budget has economists divided over the benefits, or otherwise, of tax cuts. On one side there are those, like Nine's Shane Wright and Jessica Irvine, who argue that tax cuts will kick start the economy, a thought process presumably based on the trickle-down theory. Then there is a vocal group arguing that this money would be better spent on other necessities like renewable energy or infrastructure.

The strongest issue seems to be affordable housing, which is certainly needed, and its proponents argue that its construction would also boost employment. However it is disturbing that no one is asking why we are so short of affordable housing or any of the other perceived issues. Surely it is necessary to know the cause of a problem so that it can be remedied rather than just treating the symptom, which on its own can never be a solution.

Houses have become unaffordable because of deliberate government policies that turned an essential requirement into a market opportunity for speculation. They then casualised much of the workforce, leaving many on inadequate incomes and forced into renting. When these people retire or lose their job they can no longer afford the rent and potentially become part of our homeless population.

I HAVE just read Dr Barney Langford's letter (Letters, 10/10). I wholeheartedly agree with Dr Langford, but the issue goes deeper than he states. The devaluing of the creative arts is political and starts back in the school system.

The focus on NAPLAN testing has served to narrow the curriculum to such a point where the focus is on "Aspects of English/Literacy and Maths/Numeracy". Not only are subjects such as music, art, drama and craft overlooked, or undervalued, but only specific areas of English and maths attract due focus.

The more recent STEM focus continues to devalue the arts by, again, focussing on "the more intellectual pursuits" of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. There is a real need to develop children and young people's knowledge, skills and understandings in English/Literacy and the STEM subjects but not at the expense of the arts.

I firmly believe in a wide ranging, inclusive school curriculum and education system which ensures that all students achieve satisfactory levels of literacy and numeracy; all students are prepared to gain further specialised education at higher levels; all students are prepared to find satisfying employment and contribute to ,and gain the rewards from, a thriving economy; all students are able to participate in society; all students are prepared encouraged to follow pursuits in many areas, including the arts, sport, literature, nature and so on.

Imagine a world without Mozart, The Beatles, ballet, Shakespeare, concerts, plays and sport. These do not just happen, but must be encouraged by our education systems and demanded by our communities.

As Dr Langford says, we cannot just live for the bottom line.

BEFORE sinking the boot into his alma mater, in my opinion Dr Barney Langford (Letters, 10/10) should have applied some of the research skills picked up when gaining his PhD in disagreements between Millennials and Baby Boomers.

The axed Bachelor of Creative Industries is just one of dozens of options offered by University of Newcastle in creative arts - with degrees majoring in music, writing, acting, visual arts, performance art and many other fields still available, as I understand it. UON reported that upon the degree's axing there were no enrolments for next year, and only seven for the final semester this year.

Dr Langford's prediction of "enormous harm to our community" might be a little bit overdone. Rather than a malicious crusade against the finer things in life, this looks a judicious use of limited financial resources.

GREAT to see that Ray Martin is supporting local media and news ('Ray lends his voice to local media', Newcastle Herald 10/10). Our Herald does a great job with both local and national news. It appears balanced to me and gives every view a hearing.

Personally I wonder about the Sydney Morning Herald, a former sister paper, though. In my opinion it is too biased to the left and so nearly 50 per cent of the population is offside. Then it makes the paper more expensive and much thinner. I believe it will not survive as a newspaper.

AS an interested bystander to all things being equal has there ever or will there ever be a survey done of the general public on which aspects of our society should be preserved? We only ever hear from the lobby groups who have an axe to grind about something. Maybe the general populace are not interested in such matters. Let progress happen with the blessing of those who will benefit the most. Commission a survey to find the truth about what should be left and what the general public see as essential.

STEVE Barnett, regarding your five-kilogram rissole (Topics, 8/10): wow. Mr Barnett, that was the funniest thing we have read on the Topics page in a long time. The hilarious nicknames, the raffle dilemmas and especially the punch line "monster rissoles pounded with a shovel". There was raucous laughter in our household. Please, Steve, more stories of these funny mates of yours from the Bay. Thank you ever so, we loved your story. Cheers from us.

WHO can remember when Penrith first came into the game they were called The Chocolate Soldiers? After 16 wins in a row let's hope they will not melt in the finals.

AS an admirer of many of Donald Trump's policies (but not always of the man) I again thought of Abraham Lincoln's: "It's ever been my experience with folks with no vices, having very few virtues." when I received an email containing this mock news release: "President Donald Trump has COVID-19. Our thoughts and prayers are with the virus at this difficult time."

DOES anyone believe Donald Trump really had the virus?

AT Stockton every day the dredge goes out several times a day with its load. Why not dump this on the beach instead of dumping it out wide? Is this not common sense? Why not use it? This would save heaps and give a permanent solution ('Great wall of Stockton', Herald 10/10).

IT seems in Melbourne that people are happy to have their freedom and liberties taken away indefinitely. As I have suggested before, stop all alcohol sales and you will see a different situation. It's not only the government that is the cause of this abomination; I believe the new generation of bludgers and lazy are just as much to blame.

Should the Department of Education publicly release the documents about the Newcastle Education Precinct?