UPON seeing the statement following the recent cultural cancellations ('Writers festival takes a COVID pause', Newcastle Herald 30/7), I can't say that I was even the slightest bit surprised. It seems that the arts sector is the one that has been dealt the biggest blow during the pandemic.
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Newcastle Writers' Festival director Rosemarie Milsom said the event would be cancelled in 2021 because "the risks are too great". The festival attracts more than 10,000 people, which is about the same amount of people who gather at many sporting events (such as games of rugby league) that continue to be given the green light throughout this crisis. If only all of those responsible for continuing to stage such events had the presence of mind to consider the potential risks that such large gatherings could have.
If it's a question of revenue, perhaps the powers that be should also consider the fact that the arts can often make more money than sport. In Melbourne, for example, the live music scene rakes in more money than all of the football codes combined.
Adz Carter, Newcastle
Poll result a straw man argument
IN recent days several correspondents have commented on the Lake Macquarie council decision to change the name of Coon Island, despite a council survey showing majority support for keeping the name. Perhaps some perspective is needed.
There were 2112 responses to the survey, with 1182 respondents (56 per cent) opposed to the name change. In 2019, the population of Lake Macquarie was about 206,000. If you exclude those under 20, you are left with about 156,000. So 0.6 per cent of the adult population took the trouble to indicate their opposition to the name change - hardly a persuasive figure.
At least one correspondent (Letters, 31/7), asserts that the council should be bound by the survey result. Like other tiers of government, councillors are elected to make decisions in the interests of all their constituents, not just the wishes of a few, and must take into account a range of factors. The name is offensive and hurtful to Aboriginal people and the word is never used in conversation these days except as a pejorative with racist intent. The vast majority would object to it. However harmless or well-intentioned the original naming, it is no longer appropriate. Council have made the right decision on behalf of all the people of Lake Macquarie.
John Ure, Mount Hutton
Bush may take whack out of risk
CONCERNING is an understatement for how most Novocastrian people probably feel if COVID-19 makes its way north into the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle or Hunter region, but I believe there are reasons why it has not made significant inroads to date.
No other city in Australia has as great and widespread a 'buffer' zone of forests, parks and wilderness up-wind as does Newcastle, especially to the city's southwest;
Eucalyptus trees, many billions of them daily liberating' millions of litres of eucalyptus-rich gas vapours into our air for over 100 kilometres in the direction of Lithgow, manufacture a range of anti-viral biochemical constituents, which I expect lead to the air in Newcastle being low/extremely low in virus and microbe concentrations.
The incredible value of eucalyptus trees in our community has never been properly or professionally quantified. The antiviral action of eucalyptus and related compounds is widely referenced and long-established decades ago by eminent scientists.
There is a real lesson here for our city planners, not to allow any more new suburbs to be created where trees are not planted, which has become a gross spectacle across west and southwest Sydney. This is exactly where COVID has run rife.
The time has come to place an economic value on our native trees, and their historic contribution to the sustained good health of great cities like Newcastle, and its citizens.
Joe A. Friend, Cooks Hill
Choke points may strangle city
WITH high-rise developments proposed for Newcastle, it only stands to reason that more people will be working and living in the city ('Make central Newcastle ready for skyscrapers', Weekender 17/7).
At first glance this may be seen as a positive development. However, it must be considered that Wharf Road has been transformed from a quick means of getting in and out of the city to an obstacle course that now comprises Honeysuckle Drive, Workshop Way and what's left or Wharf Road. Likewise, the railway has gone and what hasn't been built on is now part of the light rail.
Hunter Street used to have six lanes; four for traffic and two for parking. It now has two. King Street is the main road of access these days, and it goes from four traffic lanes to two after Union Street.
The train and buses stop at Wickham where people have to change onto a tram. So if all of these extra workers and residents have to go into and out of the city, will the transport infrastructure and services cope? For a while I lived in Hunter Street in 1981 when the city was a lot busier and the four transport corridors struggled to cope then. It may be time to consider how to reinstate the railway.
Peter Sansom, Kahibah
Quirks from norm what we value
OK, so now we have heard from Bradley Perrett concerning high speed roads he'd like built to surround our town, high rise buildings he thinks will somehow make our city more "successful", and the trees he'd like cut down since they will interfere with the water views of the privileged people who Mr Perrett imagines might inhabit his Towers of Newcastle ('We must stop growing a 50-metre harbour hedge', Weekender 31/7).
I believe that to even the casual observer that his opinions are completely devoid of any understanding of urban design principles and guidelines, or even a grasp of how the people in his beloved community would like to live. Rather than refute each proposal (already completely discredited by every jurisdiction around the world, not to mention both Newcastle and Lake Macquarie councils), I would simply ask the reader to imagine the streetscape championed by Mr Perrett. A city of high-rise buildings creating overshadowed wind tunnels, "serviced" by high speed roads where pedestrians and other vulnerable road users are not welcome, which encourage everyone to drive into the city where there will never be sufficient parking except at great cost, without even the small relief our harbourside trees give us.
No thanks, Mr Perrett. Newcastle is one of the most liveable cities in Australia specifically because we have rejected that very vision. It's time you caught up with what the community really wants. Read the Better Together 2030 Community Strategic Plan. That's where the community (not council, developers or government) has spelled out exactly what it values. Then we'll talk.
Sam Reich, Merewether
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SHORT TAKES
I LOVE how once again Sydney flexes its muscles on how it's more important for them to have vaccines than the rest of Australia ('We're trying', Newcastle Herald 3/8). Once again Newcastle is treated second rate as they cancel pre booked vaccinations to send vaccines to Sydney. Then the government has the hide to complain that people aren't getting vaccinated. Just buy more, ScoMo, then give them to Sydney.
Debra Forbes, Wickham
I CAN only concur with your nursing correspondent (Letters 2/8) about the disappearing meal breaks. Not too long ago working casually in a large hospital I was required to eat my meal in front of eight newly admitted patients. Speaking out about that, I was not rehired.
Angela Longworth, Speers Point
THERE'S just two words to say about the Matildas' game against Sweden; ripped off.
Mick Walker, Elermore Vale
IT'S all well and good to take the Pfizer vaccine from Newcastle to Year 12 Sydney HSC students ('Jab fury', Herald 2/8), but did the government ever stop to think about the teachers? Who will be teaching these students if Newcastle succumbs to COVID? The unvaccinated teachers are unable to get vaccinated because their appointments have been cancelled.
Trish McKay, Cooks Hill
I JUST saw an ad on TV. Some Olympic swimmers telling us to get the jab. Michael Jameson, "Fed up with failed jab bids", Letters, 31/7), you are so right. Unfortunately most of us aren't Olympic swimmers or Sydney year 12 school students.
Carol Selmeci, Murrays Beach
WE don't need pretty boy and girl experts who love the camera. We need more Stephen Ducketts and Jeannette Youngs. Leave the hair styling and overdone make-up for the stage or catwalk thanks.
Julie Robinson, Cardiff
PERSON One: "What makes you so sure it was a flying saucer?". Person Two: "There was no cup".
Graeme Tychsen, Toronto
NOT only have the feds failed with the vaccination roll out, now the state government is interfering in its delivery at Belmont Vaccination Hub. Can someone remind these sycophants that the Australian people paid for the vaccine?
Gary Hayward, Cardiff
MY teacher daughter has had her jab cancelled to support Sydney school students getting theirs, but still has to work with colleagues from the Central Coast which is a hot spot. She also teaches Year 12s. Our teachers should be treated as essential workers, and be first in line for a jab ('Teachers concerned at cancellations', Herald 3/8). Ask any parent who has to work.
Bill Slicer, Tighes Hill
THE likelihood of "all Australians" refusing to vote at the next federal election (Short Takes, 31/7) is nil. They must work out the best of a bad bunch. Personally I would vote for a drover's dog over the incumbents.
Martin Frohlich, Adamstown Heights
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