EVERY reasonable person knows that coal will play an important part in the economic development and workers wages for a long time to come.
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But nobody should ignore the fact the international pressures are going to force the country to reduce its production and export of coal so it is in the interests of everyone to plan for the orderly reduction and development of other industries to provide work for the workers in the future.
Every industrial reform has led to changes in work and the nation that realises this will be the one that prospers in the future.
I hope it is our nation or we will end up as a third world economy.
Frank Ward OAM, Shoal Bay
Populist view won't get job done
WHY does Mr Latham hold any sway whatsoever over the climate board appointment?
I would rejoice in Turnbull getting a crack, as a straight shooter, looking to the future, not someone hell-bent on creating more coal and gas jobs.
Now most people realise that the effort should go into a smart transition rather than a blind faith in climate cooling.
Appealing to a short-term populist view won't get the job done and I'm sure he must know it.
He is, after all, human.
Vic Davies, Tighes Hill
Listen to scientists, economists
COAL mining has already caused serious health problems and heartbreaking environmental damage in the Hunter Valley, once one of the most fertile agricultural valleys in Australia.
To suggest an expansion of mining in this area is utter madness, especially when renewables are proving their efficiency and cost effectiveness.
Moreover, to suggest not only the continuation of coal mining, but worse, its expansion, demonstrates complete disregard for the welfare of Hunter Valley residents.
Listen to scientists and economists, not politicians
Maree Blanch, Redhead
Voting residents have had enough
ONCE again the state government has given Newcastle the rough end of the pineapple.
They sold our port; denied us a container terminal; ripped up our railway; gave us a tram to nowhere; built an interchange that does not interchange with local buses and does not coordinate train and tram timetables; took away our promised cruise terminal and gave it to Eden and now they are going, without consultation, to take away our successful controls on hotel trading.
But this time there is a difference. The Labor opposition is in bed with the government on this issue. Why? It could be that the Australian Hotels Association (AHA), one of the biggest donors to political parties, gives to both of them.
The AHA has been likened by some to the NRA in the US, a cashed up, powerful, influential lobby that politicians deny at their peril.
MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
The government and Labor opposition should be aware, there is another powerful body in Newcastle to which they should pay heed - the many voting residents who have had enough.
The evidence is in the recent poll conducted by the Newcastle Herald. In answer to the question "Should late night lockouts be abolished in Newcastle?", 79 per cent responded "no".
That means that the vast majority do not want these changes that the politicians plan to 'trial'.
Chris Welbourne, Newcastle
Plant correct species in first place
I HAVE been pondering the subject of the type of trees grown on Newcastle suburbia verges, since I believe there should be more importance given to invisible damage, popular species have already caused in Wickham and possibly surrounds.
The concern by Labor and Green councillors that the 'significant loss of visual amenity, tree canopy benefits, increased risk of tree failure following Ausgrid's pruning activities", ("Pruning leaves a lot to be desired" 5/4/21) is a superficial reason, albeit in some areas appropriate.
We have been warned extensively to be aware of damage to land and sea, in areas that are not visible. I don't believe the council authorities in charge of tree greening/scaping, have any idea of the impact deciduous trees (and some others) have on flat, low-lying suburbia.
The footpaths have become primitive tracks, due to undulation caused by tree root obstruction which is usually temporarily corrected by council staff. What about the tree (recently pictured in the Herald) growing in a gutter.
Two, one-and-a-half metre high (deciduous) liquid amber trees were planted on a property verge of a street in Hamilton four years ago. Today they are almost three metres high and flourishing with foliage, which will descend into our poorly designed gutter water grids. I hope the environmental department of CoN are amenable and consider the correct species in the first place.
Pat Garnet, Wickham
We can't afford to force recovery
MANY Aussies are hesitant about receiving the COVID vaccination because of uncertainties surrounding the possible complications after injection, and the rush to immunise all of the country in record time.
All of the previous good work and anguish prior to safe immunisation will come undone if our government don't set out clear realistic guidelines to when everyone is to get the jab (pharmacies around the country should be utilised for injection locations, like they are for the flu injections.
The borders to overseas travellers should remain closed for another year, including overseas travel, because if we don't our nation will have taken one step forward and two steps backwards.
Delay the jab until all vaccines are proven safe to inject.
We are an isolated country and we can afford to take duty of care. We can't afford to force recovery; it will take time and patience, but let's not follow other lemmings around the world and fall off the cliff.
Of course, play it cautiously but let's do it with common-sense, assurance and with confidence.
Graeme Kime, Cameron Park
Excitement at singing return
WITH great excitement and expectation, members of Sing Australia Wallsend returned to their former Wallsend venue this week.
We have a vibrant conductor and a new piano maestro, both of whom are one third of our members' average age.
Sophie and Kieran are accomplished musicians who lifted our spirits with their vibrancy and friendliness.
After many of the songs, we applauded. We clapped because we were happy with our singing but mostly because Sophie had drawn the best from us with her conductor's animation which was complemented by Kieran's skills.
It was an exciting evening. Search for the Sing Australia site if you would like to join us on these friendly Tuesday evenings.
Winsome Lambkin, Eleebana
SHORT TAKES
I READ in the Herald (7/4) that Newcastle Airport is looking for opportunities to fly to NZ. That is good but why not also pursue opportunities for direct flights to Tasmania? We have just returned from a wonderful two-week driving holiday in our southern state and wouldn't it have been much more convenient to fly from Newcastle (rather than Sydney). I am sure that a weekly or twice weekly service to Hobart or Launceston would be well supported by Hunter folk looking for a great self drive holiday.
John Pritchard, Blackalls Park
ISN'T it ironic that all the states and now NZ have adopted the COVID model that the NSW Premier has had from day one, which is about keeping the economy moving while dealing with COVID spot-fires. While doing this, she was heavily politically criticised by selective states for their own political gains. Talk about karma to Gladys. In the NZ case, I'd say the bank balance is looking sick and needs Aussie dollars, especially now PM Arden has been re-elected.
Tony Mansfield, Lambton
AS committee chairman, Malcolm Turnbull comments on the need to follow the science on climate change. LNP ideologues sack him. Where are all the free speech and cancel culture warriors demanding his reinstatement?
John Arnold, Anna Bay
WELL said John Hollingsworth (Letters, 7/4) I believe all this kerfuffle around slow vaccination rates is political. Australia has next to no community spread of the virus so we can afford to take our time and do it properly. Imagine the poor Europeans who are still being devastated by the disease, watching Australia jumping up and down like a two-year-old having a tantrum, because Europe has blocked some of our supply, when they can't get enough vaccine for their own countries. Australia, you need to chill out and stop embarrassing yourself.
Ruth Burrell, Merewether
RE: John Dickenson (Short Takes, 6/4), just because you demand you be heard, doesn't mean we, also as 24-hour, residential, rate-paying, voters, have to listen.
Andrew Ward, Newcastle
BROCK Lamb killed it last season for the Pickers, could be a good addition to the Knights halves.
Paul Till, Waratah
HOW about some equality in the media? Female Roosters league player Nita Maynard allegedly drunkenly attacks two security guards at a licensed venue and is arrested and charged, yet barely any media reaction the likes of which Todd Carney suffered for his bubbler trick. The first job of the so-called prime minister for women is to remind women of their responsibilities when on the soup. You can't blame blokes for everything.