Letters To The Editor

Service for self-interest

Obviously, consultation is a thing of the past.

I am horrified by the blatant, money-driven self-interest shown recently by community service providers.

It appears that today's world allows business leaders to ignore their customers' needs, such as Kirklands school bus timetable changes, and now we have Qantas pulling flights out of Ballina, which was a service for local people needing to travel to Sydney and return on the same day, either for economical, health reasons, or other home/business commitments.

I am sure that Rex Airlines will benefit from this action, and wish them well, but can their small planes compete with the large jets?

June Crawford,
Koonorigan

Be afraid

Last week Bob Carr and Planning Minister Craig Knowles announced a new set of rules for the approval of development projects. The Minister now has enormous powers over the planning and development process and the new rules allow him/her to bypass the environmental regulations that NSW has at this moment, as shoddy as they are. The handing over of the State's future into the hands of developers has prompted many conservationists to express grave fears over the ability of local communities to halt undesirable projects that have bad ecological and environmental outcomes. This "stop the clock" legislation provided the few ways that people could stop Government and developers from endangering habitat and endangered species in sensitive areas where development was mooted. It has also been successful in producing sustainable outcomes in projects that would have not otherwise been so. Now that ability has been effectively swept away by Carr and Knowles in an attempt to attract "projects of State significance to NSW". Simply put, the Minister now has veto power over local councils when it comes to allowing large and undesirable projects whilst giving councils 60 per cent of the department's other work. Of course they also have the power to do the opposite but when has a state government done this without the application of the present rules by concerned citizens? Not too many. So when the State Government wants to railroad a new highway bypass through sensitive wetlands, or destroy endangered species habitat during logging, or build a container terminal near your retirement home, or put a sewage treatment plant outfall into a nearby creek, they now have the power to overrule and override the environmental laws that stopped them in the past.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

M Mizzi
Tabulam

Laying down the law

I agree that, if a company is treated in law as an individual, it should be illegal to own them. But, I guess it's safer for many people to own one entity than one person own many slaves, servants, workers. I think without doubt that the main problem with companies being treated as persons is they by necessity have a multiple personality disorder. And I end with compassion for the live unborn individuals that aren't an individual legal entity yet. Good luck humanity. Don't lose it too much.

Keith Stone
North Lismore

Making some noise

Subject: Development Proposal at Lot 4 Section 42DP 758615, 79 Esmonde Street, Lismore.

I have been a tenant of Garrard Lane for over 10 years. Having read all the papers relating to this proposal I find nothing to reassure me about this development.

Garrard Lane is a narrow and difficult lane for any traffic as it is (many cars have had to be rescued after being stuck, including a council garbage truck). It is just enough for one-way present traffic and people walking. Any concept of yet more traffic is unworkable.

Lane noise is amplified at night (the acoustics of the surrounding hills trap sound) in this quiet residential area. This is why the taxi rank outside the shopping centre had to be relocated, as the noise of their radio was amplified to surrounding residents. Even a neighbour's parrot had to be relocated because of its effect on other residents. Anymore noise, which, of course, is inevitable with a 12-room boarding house, is totally unthinkable.

The proposal mentions noise-walls to be built, but takes no account of the noise that will be amplified from the long verandah on the eastern side. All the residents in the area are very upset. I look forward to hearing that this proposed development has been discarded.

J Fortescue
Girards Hill

Pole position

Simple sets of timber poles could clarify the heights and dimensions of the controversial, seniors self-care village proposed for Condons Hill, Lennox Head.

The poles are sometimes called height profiles or height templates. They were installed on a hilly location for a proposed development application at East Ballina, so a shire precedent has been set.

Metropolitan areas use them, and they have been suggested for hillside areas of Byron Shire.

The poles are erected around the perimeters of proposed buildings, and their height is the same as in the DA.

These easy-to-see devices would provide councillors and the public with an on-site view of the size, scale and proportion of the planned seniors' village.

Full-page advertisements inserted in local newspapers by the developer, Margaret Condon, claimed that no building in the complex would be higher than two storeys. But architect's drawings for the scheme include profiles showing dwellings climbing up the hillside, apparently of more than two-storeys. How can both assertions be correct?

Objectors fear the distinctive escarpment of Condons Hill will be 'wall-papered' or otherwise marred by buildings.

Sets of poles, placed accurately, could take out the guesswork, by either allaying or confirming people's fears.

Marelle Lee
Lennox Head

Biala reunion

We are hoping to hold a reunion for Biala Special School next year and are trying to find some information from the years it started operating till 1980. The school was opened in 1973 but we believe that it was actually first held in the Ballina Lighthouse Beach Surf Club and then in a Church Hall? If anyone out there in the community was involved in the setting up of this school, we would appreciate hearing from you, as well as anyone with photos or memorabilia who would be willing to lend these things to us so that we might copy them. They will be returned as soon as possible. Could you please contact Myee on 6628 5113.

Myee Henney and Tricia Puglisi
Biala Support Services

Really good guys

What a wonderful endeavour Gary Fox of 'The Good Guys' Ballina has achieved in the last 12 months. Each month Gary has chosen 'Good Kids' who have contributed good works in our community. These activities varied from raising money for charity to helping the disabled, but all prove that these 'Good Kids' have a kind, passionate, caring nature. To be recognised for their time spent helping others is just great to see. Thank you 'Good Guys' and the other promoters. Also thanks must go to the nominators who have recognised these 'Good Kids', as they really are. As the old saying goes, "behind each good man there's a good woman." But in this case, "behind each 'Good Kid' there's a good parent." Well done parent or parents and well done kids!

Thora Mae Jennings
Ballina

Remember Dr Ryan?

If anyone remembers Dr 'Reddo' Ryan, a doctor who lived and worked in Lismore from 1927-1965, can they please get in touch with me. I am his daughter and I intend to write his biography, and need any information or memories that the people of Lismore and surrounds have of him. My contact phone number is 6688 4337.

Pauline Cumpston
Eureka

Ripped off

$735 for two adults Sydney to Ballina with Rex Airlines. Yes, one way. Hopefully there aren't too many people out there as silly as me who pay this outrageous price. As we missed our reasonably priced Virgin flight to Ballina due to medical reasons, we had no choice. The travel agent kindly informed me that we could have had four days in Vanuatu or a week in NZ for the same amount. As a very regular commuter to Sydney, I would dearly love to support our local airlines and airport. Those wanting to go down and back in the day or spend the whole day in Sydney find that the midday Virgin flight, although much more reasonably priced, and much more comfortable, is not well timed. With the competition from Virgin and the Gold Coast only an hour away, you would think Rex and Qantas would be competitive. We should all try and support Virgin if we can, which may encourage them to add a flight or change to a more convenient time. At $735, that hour in the car is looking very attractive.

Wendy Channon
Lennox Head

Chasing the gingerbread man

I feel like I am chasing the gingerbread man. I am on a disability pension, the rent keeps going up, the council rates keep going up, food keeps going up, household items keep going up and I am fighting to stay in my home in Ballina.

I have written to the Federal Minister about Centrelink payment and the lack of it, and he referred me to the Lismore and District Financial Counselling Service about my rental assistance as I am going into debt just paying my weekly rent.

I have spoken to our local member to see if I could get assistance but the system is so outrageously and unceremoniously diverse and disjointed that I can't seem to catch that little devil who keeps pushing me out of my home.

I have also called the Department of Fair Trading, who referred me to Women's Up North Housing, who then referred me to Nortac. None of those people could help me.

The Department of Housing has a list as long as the knife and fork that feeds me. I have an application from North Coast Community Housing, which has a waiting list of 2000 people for affordable accommodation.

If I move in with my boyfriend we get $80 less from Centrelink as a couple. He is a father of four children for whom he receives no parental payments or assistance from Centrelink.

How long will we follow the gingerbread man!? The community needs to work together now or we will miss out on our future.

Buy locally.

Name and address supplied
Ballina

What a joke

Imagine my surprise hearing on Brisbane's Aboriginal radio station recently the Lismore Mayor's plans of returning his council to the banana bender state of Queensland.

Goodness me, what happened to this mayor and what is so irresistible about Queensland? Could it be that now Joh took his long overdue final departure, Merv King has spotted a vacancy for what? More archconservative leadership?

Are the remnants of the former white shoe brigade hidden away from public scrutiny the great temptation fuelling the Mayor's bizarre intentions?

Whatever the real reasons may be, I do hope that the rest of the Lismore electorate is under no false illusions that life across the border could promise any new beginnings or a better future.

Harsh reality in Queensland is full of ugly facts like that throughout the South East of the state we are being swamped by uncontrolled development, skyrocketing land evaluations forcing low income earners to sell up places they have lived in all their lives, and constant traffic gridlocks on all major roads and highways.

Developers and growth-friendly laws rule the roost up here and ordinary folks all over the place face countless bad planning decisions forced upon whole towns and shires with no way of redress. Crime of all types is alive and well thanks to this rapidly increasing, largely transient population boom, our beaches are full of pollution from sewer pipes discharging barely treated human waste into the ocean and the totally inadequately managed storm water drains tops it up with litter, dog turds and whatever other dregs from modern civilisation.

Our public transport is hopelessly under resourced, leaving the saner survivors of this backward state shuddering in horror at the prospect of declining oil supplies in the future.

Our kids go to schools in this so-called smart state with asbestos roofs above their heads and we have crisis after crisis in most public hospitals.

If the Mayor is still so keen after contemplating these appalling facts, he is most welcome.

Merv King should give the Lismore region a real chance for a better and ecologically sustainable future by handing over his important position to someone less deluded and more competent. Then he could get himself to Brisbane's AAA radio station and entertain the listeners with his fantasies of a groovy life in the Sunshine State. They have been laughing all morning about his latest press release.

Gaby Luft
Maleny

Shame on you

Over the years I have observed so many males and females walking around our streets who don't work and the only income is the "dole". Is it because they don't or won't work? And what has happened to the system of work for the dole or have their benefit cut off?

One only has to look around Ballina for example to see the number of males and females who hang around shopping centres and arcades, drive cars and ride motor bikes around all day and half the night, and receive the dole. What a great shame.

They really should be ashamed of themselves really, but I guess one must be forgiven when one sees rings in eyebrows and lips. Who would employ them anyway? They have no direction in life but live on the dole for years.

Questions should be asked. What does Centrelink think about it I wonder? If they are not prepared to work, cut their benefits off.

Honest people work to get ahead, only to have part of their taxes go towards people who won't or don't want to work and can drive around all day. Shame, shame, shame, I say.

Allan O'Neill
Ballina

A cruel attack

I would like to reply to the letter 'Rogue elements' (Echo, April 14).

I for one am a citizen of Casino, have been for 56 years, and have also been a member of the church for the same period of time.

I know the people to whom you are referring and have always found them to be gentle and caring, especially towards the elderly.

There has never been a moment when monetary gain has been an issue, instead they have provided meals, transport and parties, collected groceries, taken them to doctors' appointments and anything else that they needed, often to the inconvenience of themselves. Did they complain? Well if they did I never heard them and I have never seen them take money or any type of compensation. Oh excuse me, I do remember a beautiful old gentleman giving a crystal vase that was innocently admired once. His remark said it all: "thank you for making me part of the family and all the things you do for me."

As for the next of kin remark, the old gentleman suggested that it would be easier that way. Excuse me Ma'am but I was there and this was at his suggestion.

Finally, why did they need to contact the family? If the family cared so much why did they not know each time he was in hospital? Did he or they not ring each other? Please put your minds at rest: he was lovingly and well looked after every single day. For you to slander them in this cruel and callous manner is reprehensible to me and to involve our church members, if it's true, then all I can say to them is look to your Christian teachings.

No you haven't answered the young man's questions, nor mine.

Patricia Robyn Cooper
Casino

Go Green Power

About 90 per cent of the electricity generated in Australia comes from coal, leading to substantial greenhouse emissions combined with pollution from sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury. In the absence of any national leadership in the field of renewable energy, many people are starting to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their household power use.

One solution is to purchase part or 100 per cent accredited Green Power, largely sourced from recent renewable generation projects. Among the different options, wind and solar stand out as being both the greenest and most popular, and through 'contestability' (the freedom to switch to another power supplier) both of these are now individually available in the Northern Rivers as specialist products.

Until recently, the only 100 per cent wind power option in the region was Australian Inland's AIR Energy. However the company is about to be taken over by Country Energy, and after July 1 AIR Energy may be merged with CountryGreen. From that point onwards its wind content cannot be guaranteed.

Meanwhile, new opportunities are arriving. Victorian-based TXU (133 466) has extended its TXU Wind to this region. Other new choices are Origin Energy's (132 463) Green Earth Solar and Green Earth Wind programs.

At another level, houses, businesses, cars and air travel can all be made 'carbon neutral' through directing funds to activities that offset greenhouse emissions. While this has traditionally involved the planting of trees, apparently such an approach is not ideal. Disturbing the soil releases carbon, and the survival of plantings is subject to several variables influenced by climate change itself.

A carbon neutral company called Climate Friendly (www.climatefriendly.com) is working for energy efficiency and the development of wind power. Being the only Australian carbon neutral option to steer away from trees, hopefully it will receive all the support it deserves.

Martin C Oliver
Lismore

Keep culture alive

Re: Keen Street carnivale.

I would like to publicly thank Kirsten Esdorn, our volunteer event coordinator, for all of her help, dedication and excellence in community event planning and implementation. I would also like to thank all of our local artists including many of the students from the Northern Rivers Conservatorium Arts Centre Inc. In particular Lismore Unlimited Opportunities (LUO) and the business community would like to thank Tim Sladden, Heidi Holland, Judd Biennan, Laurie Aga, Ryan Monk, Adam Wojeshi, Awinta, Nathan Petersen, Hannah Gibbs, Tara Luca, Nick Gibbs and Lee Elsden, and all those who played with them.

The music produced from these young artists not only entertained Lismore and set the celebratory milieu, but made us proud. I for one hope that some of these artists can join us for future events. Since the carnivale I have seen several of these artists busking in the CBD. Of course the contents of my wallet were emptied into the violin case. I challenge everyone to realise that if you want to encourage more artists to entertain us, then support them when they are on the streets. Stop for a while, listen and appreciate them and give them some coins - gold coins. Remember that students from the Con are typically not covered by government subsidies. Your continued support will help make a stronger and more vibrant Lismore.

Amber Hall
Manager
LUO