OMICRON is the new treat. I say absolutely no travellers from these infected countries should be allowed to come to Australia, no matter what tests are carried out prior to and after arrival. Our international borders should be closed permanently until the infected countries have eradicated this new variant. If we don't, I fear we will be returning to day one of the passed pandemic.

No one knows entirely how effective our existing vaccinations are against this new strain, so shut the door and lock it. Stop it before it starts, otherwise many more will die; the economy will self-implode, many thousands will lose their jobs and businesses will cease to exist. We must learn from our earlier mistakes when handling this horrid disease threat. Please shut up shop and be healthy. I'm sorry for those who wish to return, but for the sake of the few to safeguard the people of Australia, it must occur.

GARBIS Simonian outlines the rigorous assessment undertaken in the planning and preparation of the environmental impact assessment submitted to the NSW Major Projects Planning department in support of the Hunter Pipeline project (Letters, 27/11). We can be assured that the project has been thoroughly assessed in relation to current applicable regulations, procedures and planning processes.

In my opinion there is substantial indication the current regulations and planning processes operate within a framework that is no longer fit for purpose, and fail to address issues critical to today's world. There were 194 public submissions in relation to the pipeline project, all of which were objections. In the case of the Narrabri Gas project that received thousands of public submissions, over 90 per cent in both cases were objections, and yet the project was approved. So much for taking into account what the public wants.

Consensus emerging from COP26 was that new fossil fuel projects must cease immediately if the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement are to be achieved. I think the gas-led recovery is an Australian government folly not supported by any informed energy organisations including the International Energy Authority. Even the Australian Energy Authority Integrated Systems Plan, indicates gas having a minimal role providing approximately only two per cent of electrical energy requirements up to 2030. I question Simonian's closing comment that "this project will bring critically needed domestic gas to NSW". Supply will be critical if we have a shortage, which we currently do not. Australia is a net gas exporter, any domestic shortage will be as a consequence of favouring exports over domestic supply. If as a nation we abandon the gas-led recovery, for less polluting sustainable options, gas demand will drop. Why then would we consider trashing our agricultural land and forests, polluting our precious water resources and atmosphere, and spending billions of dollars in the process for gas that we do not need?

MITCHELL Reese, ("Applaud the art of keeping creatives going", Letters, 30/11) defended funding he receives from the Special Business Rates (SBR). That's well and good but that money comes from an extra tax on business. It is not Newcastle City Council's money. Nor is it his money though he may enjoy spending it. Critics of SBR have not said money should not be spent on the community and the arts but that it could be funded a different way rather than taxing more the struggling businesses of the city. It is easy for CoN (City of Newcastle) to spend ratepayers' money on "good things" like they have done with hosting the Supercars event in Newcastle. But the burden shouldn't be borne by local businesses alone.

WHILE by no means clear, it seems Steve Barnett's basic point is that net zero carbon emissions can be achieved only by the mass adoption of a hunter / gatherer lifestyle, (Letters, 30/11). Patently wrong, but by now very familiar, or at least a version of it. It's part of the rhetoric of the fossil fuel apologist industry. It has two aims: to discredit the need for change by requiring lifestyle purity from those who argue for it; and to transfer responsibility for the whole mess from governments and industry to individuals. It's not an argument, it's a tactic.

I may not live in a cave eating lichen and sucking water from a rock, but I am doing what I can as an individual to contribute to momentum towards a better future. Most importantly I accept the science, recognise the urgency, and expect those with responsibility and power to act, rather than continually finding excuses for them not to. What's Mr Barnett doing?

CARL Stevenson wrongly claims, "Australia and New Zealand are the last two developed countries not having nuclear power", (Letters, 30/11). He's wrong. Italy phased out nuclear power in 2018 and Germany plans to do so by 2022. The UK will retire almost half of its current capacity by 2025. After Japan's nuclear accident 10 years ago, all 54 reactors were shut down and only 5 have been able to restart. The population is strongly opposed. According to the 2020 World Nuclear Industry Status Report, new plants are failing to attract investment against cheaper renewables. There are 17 countries that choose not to have nuclear power including Denmark, Norway and NZ. Proponents of nuclear power like Carl Stevenson also overlook the CSIRO finding that the cost of nuclear power in Australia would be two to four times that of renewables, even including storage and transmission costs. The cost of decommissioning plants and dealing with the radioactive waste adds further cost. Germany, Japan and the UK have nuclear power, but their electricity costs are higher than Australia's. We are blessed with abundant, cheap, clean, safe renewable energy in Australia and don't need nuclear.

SO, Barbados is the latest to come of age and dump the British royals ('Barbados becomes republic, honours Rihanna', Newcastle Herald 30/11). America, France, Germany and even Russia became republics a long time ago. Will Australia ever cut the apron strings and stand on its own two feet? The ghost of our colonial past still haunts us. Hasten the day when we can choose our own head of state and say goodbye to that privileged family on the other side of the planet.

WITH the council election this Saturday ('Bins, growth and Costco: Lake term', Herald 2/12), remember Gough Whitlam's rise to power many years ago and the Labor Party catch phrase; it's time? I believe there's a chance it may come back to bite them.

NOW politics has been recommended for a clean up concerning sexual harassment and bullying, maybe we should go a little further and have random drug and alcohol testing for members before they enter the chamber just like any other work place.

THE Greek alphabet has two "o" letters: o-micron meaning "little o", and O-mega meaning "big O". It's a bit disconcerting to see upper-case O in news reports about the little-o variant of COVID-19, in my opinion.

I FEEL it was a positive thing putting out unwanted safe goods on a regular specified day, to be collected by Newcastle Council. It also encouraged recycling.

I LOVED Mac Maguire's description of ScoMo, although I had to look up the meaning, (Short Takes, 30/11). Very accurate. John Arnold was also on the ball as usual, (Short Takes, 30/11).

WELL done Matildas; a draw with the USA ('20,000 reasons to smile', Herald 2/12). We'll beat them next time. Good game and a great night out. Thanks.

CONGRATULATIONS on publishing Ian Kirkwood's article ("Hunter mandate rally", Herald 29/11). NBN and most other mainstream media seem happy to ignore the thousands of Australians protesting for the lifting of these undemocratic mandates.

IAN Kirkwood's well-written article about the Newcastle protest was well written, honest and balanced, ("Hunter mandate rally", Herald 29/11). Thank you for allowing media to be used in such a way. After the normal censorship of news articles it was refreshing to read such a well written news article.

A WONDERFUL sight to be part of orderly, peaceful and pro-freedom marches ("Hunter mandate rally", Herald 29/11). Many are 'waking' up to stand against lockdowns, masks, mandates, passports, business closure and medical apartheid. To support freedom for our children, grandchildren and future generations. Freedom and happiness is found only in Jesus Christ. God bless and keep Australia free.