Issue 750

Letters To The Editor

Lismore Lake Birds not the Problem

At the Lismore Council meeting held last Tuesday evening, six of the councillors decided that there would be no workshop to further discuss the future of the Lismore Lake, thereby overturning the decision of the previous meeting in November.

It seems that six members of council are determined that Lismore Lake will not be allowed to remain the peaceful place that it has been for over two years past, a place for family picnics, a place to go for quiet walks, enjoying the songs of many bush birds, and the antics of some waterbirds.

Regarding these water birds. These are not fixtures on the lake. They cannot be enticed to come and stay, they are wild creatures that come when conditions are right, especially when their food source is present.

Pelicans and cormorants need fish. Swans need submerged aquatic plants including algae. Jacanas need water lilies and the Black-necked Stork or Jabiru, needs frogs and fish. Incidentally, both these last two species are now classed as threatened with extinction, and both are seen at Lismore Lake. The increasing extinction rate of other species that share our planet, largely due to human expansion and activity, it is of great concern to many thinking people. In this instance, a choice had to be made between satisfying a small number of people seeking pleasure in powerboat sport, and the benefit to a natural environment from the retention of the wetland.

Cr Brian Suffolk shows his lack of common sense when he states, 'Birds could easily cohabit with boats.' Perhaps yes, with a few quiet canoes, but certainly not with powered boats.

The red herring drawn by Cr John Crowther who said a bird sanctuary posed a serious safety hazard for Lismore Airport, needs examining.

Maurice Gahan, Hazelton Airlines network manager, said Lismore had one of the lowest bird strike records in the Hazelton network, with only two birds coming into contact.

I wonder from which direction these two birds flew?

A silly question you may think, but I ask it because the Water Treatment Works in Three Chain Road is surely below the direct flight path from the airport, that has been for many years, without being thought of as a hazard, though at times water birds are present in great numbers.

Molly Crawford
Goonellabah

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Cannabis Problems

The letter from Peter Everett (Echo, Dec 13) is both disturbing and confused. The confusion is the way in which the decriminalisation and the health effects of cannabis are intertwined in Everett's emotional diatribe.

These are separate issues and need to be treated as such. I might agree with Everett, as I might agree with freedom fighters such as David Heilpern and others that the use of cannabis should be decriminalised.

However, I am disturbed that a registered nurse would state that cannabis is not dangerous to health and that its physiological effects include such effects as safer driving. Everett's comments are misinformed and very dangerous indeed given that he may be seen as an authority. There is considerable evidence that cannabis use in moderate to heavy doses causes changes to the brain leading to; a deterioration in personality, particularly amotivation; cognitive impairment, such as the ability to solve problems; and emotional impairment such as lability and dysphoria. These are significant health problems at least as serious as those caused by moderate to heavy alcohol use.

Experiments going back to the 1970s have shown that cannabis impairs reaction times in humans at least as much as alcohol. This means that drivers under the influence of cannabis will be less able to respond quickly to a sudden incident, such as a child running out onto the road, than if they had not been under the influence of cannabis.

As for the medicinal use of cannabis. Yes, it has been shown to be effective in the treatment of a number of problems and the criminalisation of the drug does not advance the potential benefits that might ensue from its use. Like a large number of drugs, alcohol included, there is a difference between use and abuse.

Everett's retaliation to Ken Lambeth is simply provocative and does nothing to help him think about the issues. In fact it will probably entrench his beliefs even further. I would expect a more balanced view from a health professional as well as some of the skills involved in health education, which I know is part of the nurse education curriculum.

Dr Stewart Hase
Richmond Hill

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Green power

As a direct result of power deregulation, at the start of next year all business and residential energy consumers within Australia will have the option to switch over to any supplier operating within the National Electricity Market - an area covered by Queensland, NSW, the ACT, Victoria and South Australia.

The North Coast has a higher than average proportion of subscribers to Country Energy's Green Power renewable energy scheme, this electricity largely coming from non-native forest biomass, with some hydro, wind and solar. Unfortunately the only alternative to Green Power is energy generated from the burning of coal which creates large amounts of greenhouse gases. Conventional power may soon be coming from the burning of native forests too.

Green Power participation doesn't have to be 'all or nothing'. A number of energy companies now let commercial customers decide on the percentage of Green Power involvement. Local Government can take advantage of the States bulk power contract, which stipulates a minimum 6% Green Power component.

Australian Inland Energy based at Broken Hill is obtaining all its Green Power from solar and wind. Supporting these will in turn increase their economic viability.

Even though inertia is from some viewpoints attractive, by acting on the basis of an informed choice, opportunities are multiplying for us to put our dollars behind genuinely environmental power sources.

Martin C Oliver
Lismore

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Con-gradulations

I recently had the privilege of attending a graduation ceremony for Dance and Music Certificate, and Music Diploma students at the Northern Rivers Conservatorium Arts Centre (The Con).

The event was an intimate one, a moment shared by students, teachers, family and friends, and the glowing energy in the concert room left me with a good feeling for the Con's achievements both past and present.

So for a wonderful evening as well as their major efforts throughout the year I would like to thank the head teachers, teachers and support staff, and a special thank you to the graduates, without whose abilities to persevere and endure the rigours of education, ceremonies like these would not be possible.

David Evans
Management Committee
NRCAE

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Building study

I am writing to invite your readers to become participants in a research project.

I am conducting research with owner builders about self-build housing in Australia as a research scholar at the University of Adelaide.

The research is being conducted in two parts. The first part consists of a standard questionnaire, which may take between 30 and 45 minutes to complete. Some people may be invited to participate in the second part of the research, involving a telephone or face to face interview. These interviews may take between one and two hours. These parts of the research will be completed by the end of November 2002.

It is hoped that the research will lead to a greater understanding of the experiences of owner builders. Should your readers wish to participate in this project they may write to me for more information.

Caroline Denigan
Research Scholar
University of Adelaide
caroline.denigan@adelaide.edu.au

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