Letters To The Editor

A fair go

Re K Andersen's letter (Echo, Feb 10).

What we are asking, Mr Andersen, is for the Ballina Shire Council to give all residential ratepayers a fairer go.

In 1993 the State Government realised that the old ad valorem rating system was unfair and out-dated. They altered the Local Government Act so councils could change to a base rate system where the cost of council services made up to half the council rates and Valuer General valuations the rest. You were obviously not aware of this. Ballina Council has failed to change to this fairer system. The majority of other NSW councils have. Because of Council's inaction, ratepayers with higher than average land values have been subsidising all other ratepayers to an ever escalating extent. We all receive the same Council services - why should many have to pay up to 10 times more than the 37 per cent of ratepayers on minimum rates? The base rate + ad valorem system still means that those with high land values will subsidise those on lesser values but to a smaller extent than under the present unfair system. Mr Andersen, when I brought land a Lennox Head it was neither the "right time" nor "prime land". Many of us are long-term residents and hope to remain here for the rest of our lives. We do not wish to be forced out by artificially high and unfair rates which over-subsidise other ratepayers who are just as able to afford their fair share of the rate burden. Mr Andersen, with a lazy Council helping you, I find that really, I have been subsidising your indulgences for some time now. Enough! All we ask is for a good old Aussie fair go, and for Ballina Council to bring in a long overdue, fairer and modern base rate + ad valorem rating system.

R Richardson
Lennox Head

Limited thinking

Just how many accidents does it take to recognise that the Coast Road between Ballina and Lennox Head should have a speed limit of 80kph? The recently upgraded section near Pat Morton Lookout now has an extended 80kph but the section adjacent to the Skennars Head residential area remains at 100kph. It is not only residents who have difficulty accessing the Coast Road but the hundreds of vehicles, including buses, that convey students to the primary and high schools. It is obvious that improved road engineering is needed but in the meantime the RTA should implement an 80kph extension from Flat Rock to beyond the narrow creek crossing near the soccer fields.

John Thornton
Ballina

A taxing condition

To Treasurer Dr Refshauge.

Dear Doctor, I have a pain in the bum. For years I had mild piles, when Peter brought in the GST, and since then I have had bleeding haemorrhoids. When the NSW Land Tax and Vendor Tax was imposed, it further aggravated the condition, so I now have impacted haemorrhoids, and it seems only an operation to remove the clots causing them will give me relief. Is that the only answer?

In South Australia, "The peasants were revolting, so the Rann Government did something about it", giving Land Tax relief to some 121,000 South Australian taxpayers (The Australian, p38, 12/2/05).

How many revolting peasants do you need in NSW?

Your property taxes will increase the numbers fairly quickly.

Ken Macdonald
Lennox head

Dumped on

Right wing think tanks, Murdoch and Packer, anal white Anglo-Saxons and affluent middle classes all conspiring to keep struggle street down to one rubbish bin per household.

If Loretta Mackay wants to be taken seriously and not be laughed at she should tone down the hate and blame trip. Poor Diana Roberts, just moved into Lismore from the country and she gets clobbered with "Mein Kamf" meets the "Communist Manifesto" - among other things, what Loretta is engaging in is racism. What has someone's race and the colour of their skin got to do with rubbish collection?

By the way, Loretta, what did the large family in question do with the $6400 donated last year by the Federal Government (paid for by taxes levied from the "anal" well to do) in a lump child support payment? Your average trip to the tip costs $10 (includes fuel). That's a whopping 55 years of subsidised rubbish removal. The government spent $80 billion on social security last financial year - 43 per cent of all federal spending - which was almost as much as it collected from individual income tax. The question that must be asked is at what point should people get off their arse and actually do something for themselves?

Name and address supplied

Road to nowhere

The new charges for "enclosure" permits are an outrage.

I have a Crown Land road going through my property as access for my neighbour. I do not wish to have this road dissecting my property as it interferes with my management, privacy, security and peaceful enjoyment of my land.

Instead I have to pay the government for this inconvenience, pay for maintenance of the road, mow the verges and control the weeds. My neighbour pays nothing to the government for the privileges of this access. How is this fair?

On the NBN News this week it was stated that $350 (+CPI) does not cover administrative charges. How much does a piece of paper and postage cost? Mr Kelly must be kidding. If the government paid the road maintenance cost (it cost me $665 last year) I would willingly pay my half share with my neighbour. The new charges will nearly double my rates on my property from $412 per year to $762 + CPI. The area involved is less than one hectare. If I paid council rates on this hectare I would pay $846.

I was advised by the Lands Department that I could:

1. Purchase the land (road) at market value, close the road and establish an easement. I am advised by a surveyor the cost of surveying and the application would costs about $5000, plus the value of the land. This process would take at least two years.
2. Fence the road out on both sides (cost 1km at $7 per km makes $7000) all at my cost, but then who maintains the road, mows the edges, sprays the weeds etc. No one.

I wrote to Mr Kelly months ago when this outrage was first announced but he never replied. What about the Surf Life Saving and other volunteer organisations on Crown Land? They are expected to pay these charges to the Lands Dept and then seek a refund from the Environment Dept. And whose the Minister for both - Mr Kelly.

It's time for landowners to stand up and fight. Write to Mr Kelly.

Elizabeth Hamilton
Rous Mill

Cigarette sales

I wonder how many other patrons at the wonderful Sharks vs Eels rugby league match were surprised to see a marquee solely selling cigarettes?

Whilst I recognise that cigarettes are not an illegal substance, the presence of the tent at a sporting event is surely undesirable. Fortunately, we have long since moved away from tobacco sponsorship of sporting events and surely no one relies on the ability to buy these products when they enter the gate.

As Oakes Oval is owned by Lismore City Council, I was keen to discover if Council has any role in authorising vendors at the ground. I have been informed that all vending arrangements for this game were made by the promoter of the event and that Council's conditions of hire do not exclude the selling of cigarettes.

In time, Council may indeed address this matter, but, in the meantime, I would call upon the promoter of the next big game, the Country vs City rugby league match, to consider the message the sale of tobacco products at premier sporting events gives our children and young people and decide not to allow cigarette vending at the match.

Jenny Dowell
Goonellabah

Wasting away

Loretta Mackay is right. It's the manufacturers of waste who should be responsible for its reuse or disposal. As community members we should be demanding the Carr Government introduce producer responsibility, something highly credible experts have been recommending for years. In the meantime our responsibilities as consumers are to avoid packaging and waste generation as much as possible -reduce, reuse, recycle. Landfill disposal must be a last resort, not first port of call.

Loretta suggests the wealthier should assist the less well off with the cost of waste disposal and that the community should subsidise the cost of extra garbage bins for large families. The reason I support user pays for waste disposal is that it provides a financial incentive, albeit small, to reduce waste. Would Loretta's neighbours make the same effort to reduce waste if others were paying to dispose of it?

If such views make me right wing, self-righteous, prissy, anal, middle class - sobeit. I take pride in my constant efforts to minimise waste, especially given the challenges presented by my materialistic teenage daughter. I'm happy you wrapped your meagre organics in my letter, Loretta. I probably did the same, only my organics aren't so meagre.

Diana Roberts
Lismore

Interest protocol

So economic forecasters predict two interest rate rises in upcoming months. Why? Because more Aussies got jobs in the last three months than in any other three month period in the last 17 years. John Howard can't sign the Kyoto Protocol.

Why? Because it will cost Aussie jobs.

I say, sign it now John. It may save us another interest rate rise.

Marcus Davis
Lismore

Locusts levy

Member for Lismore Thomas George in his article mentions a locusts levy for farmers. Does he mean the hopping and flying variety or the two-legged car driving variety from the Gold Coast and Brisbane?

Paul Brecht
Mullumbimby

Amazing mangroves

In the summer of 2000, a cyclone struck the eastern coast of India with winds of up to 300km per hour. The tidal surge, plus the torrential rain, caused rivers to burst their banks and flood habitations up to 15km inland.

Thousands died. Dr Tom Spencer, of the Coastal Research Unit at Cambridge University in the UK, wrote an article for New Scientist in which he said, "This coastline was once covered by mangrove forests. In the past, the mangroves would have dissipated the incoming wave energy. They trap sediment in their roots, which gives the seabed a shallow slope. This absorbs the energy of waves and tidal surges, protecting the land behind."

Dr Spencer was convinced that the loss of mangroves contributed to the extent of the damage. Similar thoughts have been expressed recently. Dr JH Primavera, a marine scientist from the Philippines said, "We humans cannot control the occurrence of tsunamis, but we can mitigate the damage and devastation they cause."

She speaks of mangroves as, "Nature's protection against Nature's fury."

So what do we know about these mangroves, unusual plants that are able to grow on the edge of the sea? Come and find out for yourself.

On Saturday, February 26, at 3pm a video called 'Amazing Mangroves' will be shown at the Goonellabah Community Centre in Oliver Avenue. All are welcome.

Molly Crawford
Lismore

Flawed logic

While visiting friends in the area I happened to read a recent Mungo McCallum column where he parades his thoughts on the recent interest in the abortion issue (Echo, Feb 10).

As I read Mr McCallum, politicians should only take stands on issues that truly represent the majority of voters. Thus, apropos the abortion debate, no pro-life politician should raise their anti-abortion thoughts because the majority of Australians remain in favour of terminating the unborn. Whether or not a majority of voters in any single electorate is pro-choice is moot, but what is entirely clear is the inconsistency of Mr McCallum's argument; for if majorities were the litmus test for open debate and free expression of ideas among politicians, then Mr McCallum should refrain from voicing his (minority) disfavour concerning, say, the overwhelming popularity of an elected PM and Liberal Party, the detention of illegal immigrants and the domestic support for the war in Iraq.

Marc Kay
Panania

Reclaim the light

Am I the only person who rages inwardly at the violence and apathy that dominates Lismore's 'nightlife'?

As our police endeavour round the clock (with cat-like stealth) to do as little work as possible and cover-up their own messes, our town (after dark) remains culturally null and void.

As we continue to lure unsuspecting tourists here to fleece them of their dollars, marks and yen, perhaps we should also warn them that our herbal Rainbow Region is really a virtual wasteland of agro-culture.

While a murdered woman can lay scantly covered in the centre of town for nearly a week while police engage sniffer dogs to harass harmless hippies; while the media light a 'bonfire of the vanities' with every stick of truth available; while talented, pastoral and peace loving people head for the hills, and suburban terrorists on a quest for cut-price hydroponic cannabis (to augment their diet of McDonalds and mindless violence) move in... do any other sensitive souls feel something slimy and sickening stirring in their tummies?

Lismore's insolently lazy and famously stupid police have long passed ridiculous and become criminally negligent. They will get away with it and go on to perform more fatal mistakes.

If you think that parading with a lantern once a year and 'reclaiming the night' once a year is going to dispel the darkness of this night, think again...

Cassandra Syndrom
Lismore Heights

Building blocks

How would you feel about having a three storey residential building right on the side boundary of your single storey home, in a low-density area?

That could happen in Ballina Shire, with the introduction of the State Environment Planning Policy (Seniors Living) 2004.

This new policy permits certain residential buildings, for seniors and disabled people, to be eight metres high, instead of the present 6.4 metres (except for areas such as sections of the Ballina CBD). That means allowing buildings of three storeys instead of the current two.

The president of Lennox Head Residents' Association, Brian Smith, described the new policy as 'an erosion of local government powers', and against community wishes, at the last Ballina Shire Council meeting. He appealed to Ballina councilors to take stronger action against the policy than recommended in the Council staff report.

All the councillors, to their credit, decided to do just that.

The staff report pointed out that the new policy provisions would appear to be at odds with the Coastal Design Guidelines for NSW. Also the new policy is silent about lot size requirements.

The new policy aims to make efficient use of existing infrastructure and services, and be of 'good design'.

How can a three storey building be of 'good design' when it almost inevitably creates more noise, removes privacy, overshadows nearby buildings or reflects radiant heat into them in mid-summer, blocks breezes, and by its very height and close proximity has an alienating effect on occupants of neighbouring single storey homes? Not to mention being out of character with a precinct or neighbourhood.

Wouldn't seniors and those with disabilities prefer and be better served by being close to ground level? (Height is defined as the distance measured vertically from any point on the ceiling of the top-most floor of the building to the ground level immediately below that point. SEPP (Seniors Living) replaces SEPP No 5 - Housing for Older People or People with a Disability.)

Marelle Lee
Lennox head

• Edited for length

Rate and wrong

I was astounded to read Cr Keith Johnson's statements ('Rate Debate Simmers', Echo, Feb 17). They are so wrong that it is hard to believe he made them. Let me deal with them one by one.

"The ad valorem system delivers an equitable rating system across the shire."

Statistically this can be shown to be false. Is it equitable that 37 per cent of ratepayers pay only $383, the minimum rate, earning the council only $1,978,961 or 25 per cent of the total rate income? Is it equitable that some ratepayers pay only $383 while others pay as much as $3600 or more? Where they are in the shire is irrelevant! On every comparison the system creates inequality.

"If a base rate system was introduced rates in other parts of the shire would increase by the same margin."

This is nonsense. If a 50 per cent base rate system was introduced the maximum individual increase in rates in 2004 would have been $109 (most would be less than this) but the relief provided to high value properties would be significant because they contribute the majority of the funds. However, the differences in rates between high value properties and low value properties would remain very high. Instead of being some 10 times the minimum rate as above they would be about seven times that of the low rate.

There is no doubt or argument that some rates would increase to help flatten out the inequity. Because they are spread across so many on low rates those increases will be small.

"Some people pay more because they have more."

Can councillor Johnson honestly believe that ownership of a recently excessively revalued property means that the pensioners, self-funded retirees, young families with mortgages or simply ordinary working men and women in various parts of the shire "have more"? In fact they do not and he knows it. But there is one group that may have more. I refer to the significant number who own units in expensive blocks such as those along Richmond River or North Creek and in parts of Lennox Head and East Ballina. Those people pay very low rates (usually the minimum $383). So do the Lismore workforce who live on the plateau. The analogy with taxation is false because taxation is based on incomes that are the real indicators of ability to pay.

Cr Johnson is described as a "plateau councillor". I hope this is irrelevant to his actions as a councillor. He is a councillor of Ballina Shire with responsibility to all.

Fred Goodman
Lennox Head