Investigations into outdated dams are costing the Hunter community millions of dollars. The Hunter's population has shown it is prepared to be conservative, and use water wisely.

Improving technology, such as water-saving devices, recycling, stormwater harvesting has seen environmentally destructive dams globally condemned. The Hunter's current water supply has proven the test of time. It's now Hunter Water's turn to look forward, not backwards and augment our supply with more sustainable and conservative measures.

THIS year has brought with it some of the greatest challenges we have faced in Australia. It would be fair to say that we are all looking forward to a fresh new year.

But there is always good to be found. I want to share with you some of the good we have seen throughout this year, and our hope for Christmas and the New Year.

Last summer's we had some of the worst bushfires that our country has seen. The Salvos saw the impact first-hand, with our workers supporting front-line workers even before the bushfire season had begun.

The way that Australians came together during the bushfires was remarkable, from practical on-ground support to international campaigns, all for the purpose of helping our fellow Aussies in their time of need.

During the horrific drought that has ravaged so much of rural Australia for years, The Salvos have seen the iconic Aussie spirit in full effect. Our rural chaplains have worked alongside many rural families affected by drought and have been able to provide very practical support.

Rural communities are resilient and tough, and yet our chaplains have been embraced by these communities leading to deep and lasting friendships.

COVID-19 has been extremely damaging to our economy, with many families and individuals having been placed under extreme financial and emotional strain.

However, even during a pandemic, a strong thread of mateship has emerged as communities have found creative ways to support each other. Local Salvation Army Mission centres have also been busy supporting locals in their communities.

Looking forward now to Christmas, the Salvos want to encourage everyone to connect with loved ones. Spending time with family (either in-person or online), sharing a meal with those you love, taking time away with friends, or by engaging in the joy of giving to one another this Christmas.

Christmas can be a time of stress, financial pressure and loneliness for some Aussies doing it tough. New research conducted for The Salvation Army's Christmas Appeal showed that 74 per cent of Aussies didn't know where to go for financial support this Christmas.

The Salvos want you to know that we are here this Christmas; if you need financial support, presents for the kids, food for Christmas Day or just a community to belong to, please reach out. From The Salvation Army, we wish you, your family and friends a very Happy Christmas.

IN relation to the recent vile tweet by the Chinese government, I heard a radio article in which a Chinese official said all Australians should be ashamed of what "their" troops did in Afghanistan.

I remember seeing vividly what the Chinese troops did to their own citizens in Tiananmen Square.

Equally disturbing is the knowledge that they are now eradicating all history of it. A search on the popular "China Daily" website for the massacre delivers a zero result.

RECENT articles in the Newcastle Herald in regard to Allan Robinson's comments in regard to certain councillors ('Bid to ban', Herald 27/11) really get my goat.

"Robbo" always was and always will be outspoken about a range of issues. He will speak up when other people would think it would be better to keep your mouth shut. I believe the majority of ratepayers would like that mentality in someone who is elected to serve the people.

He is not like other people in council.

I believe that City of Newcastle council needs to focus on serving the community.

I HAVE concerns of danger at the new Bennetts Green car park. I drove to this centre on Saturday November 21 and parked beside the covered car park then walked to Spotlight and was immediately concerned that there was no walkway from that area.

When I left the store to walk back to the car I was even more concerned. I had to keep turning to check traffic because I was actually walking on the roadway with vehicles leaving the centre coming down the road past Spotlight and past that area where I had parked and using the area where I was walking.

I WOULD like to call the public's attention to a recent Facebook post by Sonia Hornery, MP for Wallsend which I believe depicted gun violence.

Many people replied to the post expressing concern that an MP would have posted a violent image on her official Facebook page, and Ms Hornery replied in, what was in my opinion, a dismissive and insulting fashion to these concerned members of the public. I am appalled by her behaviour.

I work within Ms Hornery's electorate. As a specialist paediatrician, I cannot allow casual depictions of violence on social media to become normalised, as we have seen through the experience of other countries around the world that condoning this imagery can worsen rates of violence perpetrated against, and even by, children and young people.

Ms Hornery also represents some parts of Newcastle which have high refugee populations.

Many people within her constituency are likely to have experienced gun violence first-hand in the countries they have fled.

Posting this image was thoughtless, but I believe defending it in the way that Ms Hornery has goes beyond thoughtlessness.

I call on Ms Hornery to issue a public apology and consider a donation to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation as a good faith gesture to counter the impact of her social media post.

QANTAS is reportedly set to sack 2000 workers. Aren't these workers on JobKeeper? Given the management style of Alan Joyce and the recklessness with which the Morrison government throws taxpayer money at corporate Australia I can only assume that the JobKeeper payments to Qantas will end up in the pockets of shareholders and directors as has been the case in so many instances. What a farce.

REGARDING the cyclist accident ('Cyclists struck by car', Newcastle Herald 1/12) the rules are clear. Two abreast in a normal lane, but does this also mean a cycle way which isn't as wide as a normal lane? I believe responsibility must be targeted. I have friends and grandsons who cycle, and I had a harsh word to say to them. That video on the news shows the cyclist on the white line. The car came too close, but in my opinion the cyclist should have been in the middle of the bike lane.

A RECENT advertisement by City of Newcastle, the Herald and University of Newcastle that ran last Friday described "70+ participating businesses". This included Christ Church Cathedral. Why is the cathedral described as a business?

IF China continues to put and raise tariffs on Australian wines ('New Chinese wine tariffs a huge blow', Herald 28/11), I have an easy answer. Stop selling to them full stop. Let's see how long the tariffs last. Whilst I understand China is a big percentage buyer of our wines, surely other countries will buy our products. We have to stop bowing to this pressure.

WHAT a joke; China and Russia having a go at Australia about war crimes ('Morrison slams 'repugnant' Chinese post', Herald 1/12). They invented those little things like poisoning and shooting people who disagree with them.

MICHAEL Jameson (Letters, 30/11), as usual, provides another one-sided argument. How about, for the sake of balance, you now ask a bunch of people who voted for Biden how many are real Biden supporters or just anti-Trump. I think you'll find a similar outcome. The US has a massive problem if these two old codgers were the best candidates they could find.

I AGREE with Tim Crakanthorp. Looks like a stitch up to me ('Show man cops a ban', Herald 28/11). Daniel Wallace and the show board want to keep the Newcastle Show alive, but I believe other agenda-based bureaucrats keep putting up obstacles to drive people away. Do not dare question the status quo or you are in big trouble. You are not allowed to be passionate about the show and all that it gives the Newcastle people. If you are, apparently you are banned and shut down as well as being denied information you are well and truly entitled to. Keep the bastards honest Tim, or before too long the site will be full of housing. Mark my words.