SINCE the introduction of mobile speed cameras it appears to me that less police are employed to patrol our roads. It also appears the NSW government has modified the role of police away from road safety. Yet at the same time, road fatalities and injury have increased and continue to place a hefty toll on our society.
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From my experience on country roads, it is not speeding drivers in modern cars which have put me in precarious positions or concern me. I find general risk-taking behaviour of drivers trying to overtake on poor quality roads with blind corners, road rage incidents and driver who appear drug affected or drunk are the things I want addressed. In my opinion this week's announcement that mobile speed cameras will begin to operate covertly will do absolutely nothing to address the behaviours I want addressed. If drivers have to wait six weeks to receive an infringement notice, that won't stop the drugged driver speeding past a camera and slamming into my daughter, mother or wife until it is potentially too late.
Rather than transition the state to rely on covert mobile phone and speed cameras for road safety, how about employing more police and returning visible, real-time law enforcement to NSW roads?
Greg Adamson, Griffith
Costs a benefit in NSW power plan
NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean is to be congratulated for his recent work gaining multi-party support for the NSW Energy Infrastructure Investment Bill. At last we have government policy that recognises and responds to the transition of the electricity system towards cheap and clean renewable energy. The old energy system has required workers skilled in electricity generation and transmission, and shifting the primary energy source from coal to wind and solar is not such a big change.
The Hunter should get a substantial share of the 6300 construction jobs and 2900 ongoing jobs that will flow from the plan. The long-term prediction of energy costs is at the low end of the range for OECD countries due to the zero fuel costs of wind and solar generation bodes well for the future of Australian manufacturing.
Ben Ewald, Cooks Hill
Give old debate a coal shoulder
I MUST admit to being embarrassed by the spectacle of the Hunter Business Chamber having the likes of Canavan, Joyce and McCormack advising the Hunter on our future in coal ('Roadmap in wrong direction: Nationals', Herald 26/11).
It does not matter what the Nationals believe: the market will dictate the future demand for coal. The market is already factoring in the move to low carbon technologies. In their heart of hearts, how many in the audience really believed what they were preaching?
I believe the Hunter Business Chamber would be better advised to have guests helping us with our long-term transition out of coal, just as we successfully achieved with the close down of the steel industry. Let's not get caught up in the Nationals' political games and divisive us-and-them politics. The people and workers of the Hunter deserve better.
David Gray, Cooks Hill
Where US goes we need not follow
CONGRATULATIONS, and thanks to Brian Toohey for telling it like it is ('US the great foreign interferer', Herald 23/11).
Yes, after the US helping to save Australia during WWII, then Australia being dragged into the unwinnable wars and invasions of Korea, Vietnam (now a tourism destination), Iraq (both Bush US presidents, Tony Blair and John Howard, with so-called weapons of mass destruction) and now Afghanistan, we are part of the ANZUS Treaty.
We should however stand up to our politicians against these wars and invasions and request that they lead the way on the front lines. The way Donald Trump has kept a lid on world wars, invasions and skirmishes is to be commended. It troubles me in the last paragraph where Brian Toohey stated: "Almost no way to avoid tagging along with the US in its next illegal war, which will probably occur under President-elect Joe Biden".
In Australia we are in control of our own destiny and need not be dragged into yet other wars or invasions in the world.
Brian Watson-Will, Corlette
Drink in other risks on night out
GEOFF Black (Letters, 18/11) I thank you for raising the subject of drugs in our society, as it seems all too easy for most people to adopt an ignore-it-and-it-will-go-away attitude in regards to the issue. Often this approach also extends to searching for other scapegoats on which to blame the problems that drugs cause, and the biggest scapegoat of all would probably be alcohol.
We continually hear stories about emergency service workers being assaulted, and all too often these assaults get mistakenly dismissed as being perpetrated by drunks. While alcohol can turn people violent, it does not give anyone superhuman strength. I've never heard of anyone under the influence of alcohol alone having the ability to fight off multiple police officers, or requiring multiple paramedics to strap them to a stretcher. This is generally where I believe amphetamines such as ice come into play.
Novocastrians have been drinking in the CBD and surrounds for many decades, but as far as I recall there were no reports of people dying from one-punch attacks until the mid 2000s. The spike in this fatal night time violence ran almost completely parallel to the rise of Newcastle's ice epidemic.
Funny about that.
Adz Carter, Newcastle
Hunter can't just gather anymore
THE opinion column by Darren Cleary ('Regional water security: all options on table', Opinion 21/11) detailed the background to Hunter Water's request for people to engage in community consultation with respect to the review of the Lower Hunter Water Security Plan (LHWSP). I support the need for the community's voice to be heard and to be effective.
The review of the plan has the potential to deeply impact my home, work and aspirations. In the belief that I do not stand alone, and that the principle applies to a broad range of issues, I would like to draw attention to a particular point of view.
Our society evolved from a culture of hunter gatherers where we were provided with the food we needed. Out of the greater evolving needs of society, agriculture developed. It came at a cost but allowed for higher demand to be met. We are accustomed to having our need for water satisfied by catching it and delivering it to where it is required. Times have changed. To provide our water needs, we need to do more. There will be some cost but it means the satisfaction of one need does not come at the expense of another essential need.
Allan Rumel, Chichester
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 in any form.
SHORT TAKES
Newcastle council saying it'll take 75 hours and $6500 to search for information requested (Herald, November 21) regarding costs relating to the new administration building sums up a lot about this council. Council staff know exactly how much it'll cost to find information but is still working out how much it cost to equip the building. The next rate rise is around the corner.
Bryan Havenhand, Cooks Hill
MATHIAS Cormann makes the Bronwyn Bishop saga look like a bargain bin win. It's a shame true venues are disappearing from Newcastle; there are a lot of pub tests needed that this government will not pass.
Samuel Rogers, Redhead
JOHN Ure and Bevan Ramsden (Letters, 26/11) make good arguments regarding Australian military personnel. They were sent to the Middle East to kill people, the rationale based on lies. It is reported that almost 15,000 civilians were killed by military action in Iraq. The bombing of Baghdad, proudly described as shock and awe, killed 7000 civilians, 4000 of them being children. How could a residential city be described as a theatre of war? If our soldiers are alleged to be war criminals, what does that make the political leaders who sent them there? One can only wonder if the revulsion expressed by our current leaders was similarly felt by those people in 2003.
Marvyn Smith, Heddon Greta
UNLIKE Batfink, who had wings like a shield of steel, it seems Gladys is made of Teflon. First there was the Ruby Princess disaster, then the Daryl Maguire affair, then the supposed paper shredding and now the failure to isolate while she was awaiting COVID-19 test results. One wonders what else will slide off her hide.
Sue Perkins, Adamstown Heights
WELL Greg Hunt, Donald Trump may have his supporters, however he's proven himself to be a self-obsessed, conceited liar who prefers golfing to governing. I believe he represents everything that is wrong with capitalism and America, and that if he, or any of his offspring, are elected to public office in the future we are all doomed.
Mac Maguire, Charlestown
IN the debate about coal power one significant fact is often overlooked. The dramatic rise in home solar has significantly reduced demand during the day, in some cities almost to zero. You can't turn a coal fired power station on and off. They become uneconomical, no matter how efficient.
Bruce Graham, Warners Bay
YOU big-hearted premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk. In my opinion all you did staying locked down so long was big-note yourself to win votes. Shame. How many businesses have gone under and how many people in Annastacialand have suffered anguish? Now you want other states to pay homage to your antics. I believe your big reopening will come back to bite you as the many outlets will not be ready for the influx. Many tourists will be disappointed with accommodation and activities will not be fully open or ready just because you expect everybody to simply jump at the drop of your hat.
Graeme Kime, Cameron Park
PUNCH and Judy move aside, Trump and Rudy just arrived.