WITH the advent of the massive crackdown on head-high tackles by the NRL, has anyone thought the changes through, regarding fans and value for money? It is hard enough to follow the Knights (or Wests Tigers) with the inconsistencies they produce with 13 men on the field. With this new initiative, many teams are going to find themselves down to twelve men, almost from the "get go". How can any NRL team be competitive for such a long period of a match? This will lead to massive "blow outs" in scores. Not that this isn't already happening. Disenchantment for fans and perhaps, the number of people attending matches. Leading to drop in club membership and support. Where does the NRL go from there? Is it good to protect players, very over zealously, and ruin many games on the scoreboard? One solution could be, if a player is sent off for the game, that team plays for 10 minutes with 12 men. After the period is up, (from the three remaining replacements) a 13th player goes back on the field. This allows the pentalised team hope of being in the game, for the rest of the match, whilst playing with only three reserves. That is still an ongoing penalty, but giving the game some hope of giving the (long suffering) fans value for their financial investment. It is all very good for these highly overpaid professional sportsmen to cry "foul", but without a fan base, they will be crying in their milk.
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Richie Blanch, Charlestown
Power plant contradiction
ONE of the government's arguments for building a 660MW gas peaking power plant at Kurri is to replace lost capacity when Liddell closes. This appears to be contradictory. The government says that there will be a 1000MW power shortfall when Liddell closes in 2023. However, the "replacement" Kurri "peaking" plant is only designed to operate for about one week in the year, whereas Liddell is a coal fired plant operating 24/7 all year round. Surely this is comparing apples with oranges. As well as this contradiction, according to the EIS, the plant will run initially on diesel and not gas, let alone hydrogen. This will emit much more sulphur and nitrous oxide as well as CO2 compared with gas. Why not install pumped hydro with large scale battery back-up power in the first instance? Unlike the diesel/gas power option, these projects are unlikely to end up as stranded assets, which could cost taxpayers (you and me) millions of dollars. The government's power shortfall justification for building this diesel/gas plant appears to show little sympathy for common sense.
Ian Thomas, The Hill
It's time to join our children
THE Climate Strike in Civic Park on Friday highlighted the need to heed the advice of the International Energy Agency (IEA) that there be no new investment in fossil fuel technology or infrastructure but rather an increase in renewable energy production and the development of energy storage capabilities. Yet the federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor announced the building of a $600 million gas fired power plant at Kurri Kurri (Herald, 19/5). The Prime Minister stated 'if industry won't build it we will'. There are sound economic reasons why industry won't build it. With the development of the hydrogen network plan (Herald, 18/5) major investors are now showing increasing confidence in renewable energy and the ability of Hunter industry to adapt and thrive. The Kurri plant will require only 10 workers when operational and operate 2 per cent of the time. It is claimed to be needed to prevent shutdowns at Tomago aluminium smelter during peak demand. In a recent spike the smelter could have kept running had AGL accepted the bid from Snowy Hydro's Colongra plant currently running at 0.9 per cent capacity (Herald, 20/5). Warnings on the urgent need to reduce emissions have too often been ignored, but the young take scientific modelling seriously. They are the ones who will face the dire consequences if the increase in global temperature is not limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, October 2018). Surely it is time to join them in demanding our government take action.
Hilda Hughes, Whitebridge
Be grateful for those helping us
JOHN Rumble is a tad confused. The International Energy Association (IEA) conference was held in March. It's the UN Conference of the Parties (COP26) that is to be held in Glasgow in November (Global 'gabfest' on energy matters, Herald, 20/5). The IEA recently released a special report "Net Zero by 2050" which Mr Rumble thinks is a waste of time and he wants to know why these "international bodies" don't focus on the "real problems of this world." Well, it's pretty simple really. The IEA focuses on energy, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) focuses on health. The WHO considers climate change to be the "greatest threat to global health in the 21st Century" which explains why the IEA report included the world's first comprehensive energy roadmap to "rapidly boost clean energy and reduce fossil fuel use". Rather than denigrate them, Mr Rumble should be grateful that there are expert agencies working on his behalf to combat climate change and other world problems.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn, Vic
A just transition is needed
THE International Energy Agency has developed a "narrow and extremely challenging pathway" for the world to reach net zero emissions by 2050. We must cease all new coal, oil and gas expansion if we are to avert the climate crisis. The agency singled out developed countries such as Australia needing to phase out coal fired power by 2030, along with ending the sale of internal combustion engines by 2035 and doubling investment in clean energy. This has enormous impacts for Australia as the rest of the world gets set for a decarbonised future. Now more than ever we need a serious national climate policy and a just transition for our coal mining communities.
Jenna Bastian, Tamworth
Another perspective on Israel
THE editorial, ("This is the war that keeps Gaza poor", Herald, 19/5), made some claims that I don't think are correct. Saying that Arab Israelis live in a "marginalised existence within the Jewish state that rivals apartheid" is not accurate.
More than 20 per cent of Israel's population are Arabic and they have equivalent rights to Jewish citizens though they are not required to serve in the military. There are Arab members of the Jewish parliament, the Knesset, and Arabs have full access to tertiary education and equal treatment under the law.
I have been to that country myself and seen that Arabs have freedom of movement like other citizens. It is certainly not apartheid. Palestinians appear to be treated better in Israel than they are in neighbouring Arab states. Any grinding poverty in the Gaza Strip, self-governed by the Arabs under Hamas, may have more to do with Hamas than the Israelis who granted Gaza independence. All is not good in Israel for Arabs and certainly Israel treats any threat to the state from Arab dissidents brutally but any description of Israel as a tyrannical racist state is unfair and incorrect.
Peter Devey, Merewether
SHORT TAKES
I CONSIDER the "Stairway to Heaven" to be a wonderful concept and fully support negotiations with the current developer to secure this section of land for open space and public use rather than blocking views and access to the Cathedral. Many fantastic concerts as well as religious events are offered at this venue and opening up access to the popular foreshore and highlighting this access with a beautiful staircase would be of benefit. Having visited the beautiful Lapa Steps in Rio de Janeiro as an iconic destination, such designs incorporated into a city can invite visitors and residents alike as well as highlighting our beautiful Cathedral, which is, at the moment, tucked away in Church Street not in direct view. My only concern is the amount of parking spaces that would be removed in construction.
Carolyn Budden, Bolton Point
I AM firmly in favour of this project. We will regret it should we miss the chance. It will bring in tourism and become synonymous with the beauty of the city.
Stephen Knipe, Hamilton South
A WONDERFUL idea. A lasting highlight of the revitalisation of our great city. Please get it done.
Phil Gilbertson, Newcastle West
ANOTHER disgraceful performance by the Knights. When is O'Brien going to take some responsibility for their dismal performance when at times they were playing against 11 men? Is O'Brien spreading the blame by appointing a defensive coach? Lol.
Bill Slicer, Tighes Hill
GREG Hunt is right. No one can put down another. All are to be respected, (Letters, 20/5). We all bring blessings and do harm, a feature of people. It's determined at conception. A person has no say. Blessings do not cancel the harm we can do. The only approach is to maximise caging harm. With respect, third para, "in an effort to somehow prove their superior intelligence", draws a very long bow.
Graeme Tychsen, Toronto
JANET Bull (Letters, 17/5) wants a state of the art entertainment centre for Newcastle, as might many others. However, she also suggested that our town has a "bad name" and, as a lifelong Novocastrian, I was a little surprised to learn that. It makes me wonder why so many people from Sydney and surrounds are selling their homes and competing for properties in Newcastle. Apparently they too are not aware of our "bad name".
David Stuart, Merewether
THERE's a problem with the council's fence near the Stockton breakwall and near the beach. People are complaining about the fence near the breakwall because they have to walk around it and some people are tripping over because of the fence the council has put there.
Christopher Smith, Stockton
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.
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