Letters To The Editor
Time for new MP to train up
The Report of the Upper House Inquiry into the closure of the Casino to Murwillumbah rail service (UPI) recommends that trains be returned to the line as the first step in the preservation, maintenance and extension of the line to Queensland.
A key recommendation is for a 'lower cost commuter service' that would provide several services a day between Casino and Murwillumbah, including connections to XPT services at Casino.
This represents a considerable win for regional communities who have consistently argued for expanded rail services and a long-term rail future for the line.
Despite the confirmation that increased services can be returned to the line for much less than Michael Costa asserts, both he and John Anderson preferred to stick to their pre-election positions.
Now that the electoral contest is over, it is time both started to concentrate on finding solutions.
Mr Costa says that an average $9.4 million spent annually on maintaining a line that services four local government areas is too much. Many would disagree, although it has to be acknowledged that this does not include the cost of actually running services. This is where John Anderson is not being realistic.
Based on the Price WaterhouseCoopers feasibility study, the $30 million on offer from the federal government could provide for a line maintenance for around seven years at an average annual cost of around $4 million, but when the cost of establishing services is considered then the money on offer would be unlikely to last more than a couple of years.
This is especially so as a greater slice of the maintenance budget is required earlier to reduce the current speed restrictions and without such a reduction there is a limit to the number of services that can run each day.
An obvious conduit to overcoming this impasse is the newly elected member for Richmond, Justine Elliot who campaigned on a promise to return trains to the line.
Regional mayors have backed the idea of commuter services.
Now is the time for the new member to bring the parties together and find the solution.
Basil Cameron
Goonengerry
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Sign language
I have just read and agree with D Myler's 'Café conspiracy' letter (Echo, Nov 25). Come on everyone and speak up and help our little shops survive.
Doug, your letter doesn't say who told the two cafés to remove tables, but I hope they also remove all blackboards, signs and displays from all the shops in the arcade that have them out the front door on the walkway. What about the 'No Smoking' sign? Stay or go?
Also, what about the tables and chair at the Mecca Café (Magellan Street). When it rains they all end up on the pathway under the awning, making it hard for pedestrians trying to stay dry as they walk the block. The Goanna Bakery also has tables and chairs on the footpath. Is this allowed?
There are signs erected around the CBD stating that riding roller skates, bicycles and skateboards is illegal, and skating equipment will be confiscated (signed Council general manager). How many people have been fined for riding on the footpaths around the CBD or had their equipment confiscated?
Michael Wawn
Lismore
Break a leg
According to Michael Mizzi (Echo, Nov 18), he had a chuckle about John Barnes' letter previously on the Parliamentary Posts for a few of the letter writers.
I don't know what position he would have Mizzi in, Tom Murdoch would have him as the Minister for Information, taking after his mate from Iraq. I'd go further than that. Now that they are thinking of putting a prison near Tabulam, he'd make the perfect head of the toilet cleaning section, because he gives us so much crap and he could have that Cloud as his second Minister for Misinformation, because she is getting the wind blowing from Nimbin and getting a whiff of the cannabis smoke from that Michael Balderstone and his mates there. They'd make a great pair.
As to Mizzi's last point, about us fair dinkum Australians, not an imported one, and a quasi-Nazi quisling, being second class Americans. I bet that he struts around in jackboots and has the Nazi flag flying. As a returned ex-serviceman I'm getting sick and tired of this quasi-Australian debasing our troops and his snide remarks. As they say in the theatre "go and break a leg".
I'd wish that he'd go and break his hands for 10 years or more.
John Lenon
Evans Head
Drink control
Research has shown that correspondence-based programs for alcohol problems are effective in helping individuals control their drinking. In fact, it has been found that many individuals are able to reduce their alcohol consumption by up to 50% in the privacy of their own homes through mail and phone contact with a therapist.
The University of Queensland is looking for individuals thinking about reducing their alcohol consumption in a current research project. If you are a male drinking more than 28 standard drinks per week or a female drinking more than 14 standard drinks per week this program may assist you to reduce your alcohol consumption to a safer level.
Participants would be asked to complete several questionnaires over the course of the program. The program is offered free of charge and there are no public meetings. Participants can complete the program in the privacy of their own home. The program will provide participants with strategies to reduce alcohol intake.
Participants are also provided with regular feedback on their progress via written correspondence throughout the program.
Information will be strictly confidential and all participants will be required to consult a general practitioner before starting the program to ascertain if the program is suitable for them.
The research is undertaken at the Royal Brisbane Hospital in Brisbane under the supervision of the University of Queensland's Professor David Kavanagh from the School of Medicine.
People interested in participating should contact me on: 1300 300 164 or email ajacob son@somc.uq.edu.au.
Ann-Maree Jacobson
project manager, University of Queensland
Thanks again
On behalf of the Cancer Council NSW's Lismore Relay for Life Events committee we would like to thank you for being part of the fantastic event, the Lismore Relay for Life, held Saturday and Sunday, October 9-10, at Oakes Oval. With over 35 teams and more than 500 participants throughout the 24 hours, fundraising is expected to raise more than $35,000. Thank you and well done everybody!
In particular your sponsorship support and advertising space in the months leading up to the event were greatly appreciated and really assisted the Lismore Relay for Life in becoming a successful event. Thank you!
Enclosed is a copy of the Event Programme for your information, in which over 450 were distributed throughout the weekend, acknowledging your valued sponsorship and support.
Again, thank you for supporting the Cancer Council's quest to build a Cancer Smart Community.
Carolyn Forbes
Regional manager
Cancer Council NSW
Democratic message
The people of the Ukraine have been out on the streets in snow and sub-zero temperatures fighting for their democracy. The massive demonstrations have been peaceful, yet very powerful and they have had the support of many other European countries.
Europe is seeking a new way, unlike the US, Britain and Australia, who are living in the past. The Howard Government seems desperate to sign up with the Americans on so called free trade and acts as if they were our only ally.
Next year we are hosting 50,000 American troops on north Queensland soil for testing of yet more hideous weapons of war, the "smart bomb." Well Mr Howard, there is nothing "smart" about what you are doing as we so passively and blindly surrender everything - our country, our sovereignty, our security and our democracy.
What sort of message are we sending to the rest of the world. This week the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) summit is being held in Laos. Australia seeks to join in trade with these 10 nations including Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. But there is a hitch. Australia refuses to sign a non-aggression pact, which requires signatories not to interfere in each other's internal affairs and renounce force and settle disputes peacefully. This seems an absurd position on Australia's part, creating mistrust. In the context of our closeness to America, our stated plans to purchase cruise missiles and the idiocy of talking about policies of "pre-emptive strike" in the region seriously diminishes future good relations. We are a tiny player in the world of nations, led by small minded men. The alternative to endless wars is through peaceful determinism and lessons of hope for the world about how things can be done, as shown by the brave Ukrainians.
John Jessup
Lismore
Same old song
Recently a Nimbin resident wrote regarding George Scott's appearance, or lack of, in the park in Nimbin.
As the last letter was from a fan, I would like to present the other, less vocal side.
In principle, I have always agreed with the idea of music in the park to calm the street scene and as a pleasant introduction to our town for tourists. However, there are issues surrounding Mr Scott's extended presence, which I feel must be brought up.
For years now Mr Scott has had the centre of town and the ear of the town with his amplified music for up to four days a week. No artist can be expected to have such a wide range of work that they constantly have new material, so it is not surprising that after so long at it, Mr Scott's repertoire has worn very thin for we who have heard it all these years repeated almost daily. Those who do not hold Mr Scott's taste, and we all have different likes and dislikes where music is concerned, are well and truly fed up with the same songs over and over. If it were our young people and their taste, many would be up in arms. However, this would not be a problem if one were able to hear their own music in their home or business. Which leads to another concern, Mr Scott's opinion of the level of amplification required. Local businesses and homes have little choice but to listen and when approached to request that it be turned down, no matter by whom or how politely, Mr Scott is not responsive. In fact, Mr Scott has been known to become quite contrary and can be angry and intimidating. It is with the knowledge of this that I have not signed this letter.
While I understand that Mr Scott has a fan base who support his continued presence in the park, there are many of us who were thrilled to have a choice of what we wanted to hear for the day. With such a wealth of talent, is Mr Scott the only option, or would other local performers not be pleased to have the centre of town for their art as well as the tourist dollars from busking? After years of being the only show in town, should not Mr Scott and Nimbin be looking for a change? I for one would welcome any ideas that would give a break from the repetition.
A weary listener
Nimbin
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