Letters To The Editor
Ring Road no Help to Animals or Humans
I have been following the community debate about Skyline Road and the proposed ring road for some time now. I understood from listening to this debate that there are many koalas to be found along Skyline Road. So, when I had some Japanese friends staying with me recently, I decided to visit Skyline Road in search of koalas.
We were not disappointed. We saw six koalas while driving slowly up the road. I am sure there were more because we spotted six without trying very hard at all. It was raining but I found the unsealed road easy to drive on and had no difficulty passing other vehicles. The unsealed road forced us to decrease our speed, so that we could have comfortably stopped at any time.
My Japanese friends enjoyed the experience very much. I also enjoyed seeing the koalas, but it was with a heavy heart. It is such a narrow corridor of trees either side of the road. There must be quite a bit of animal traffic on the road. It is, in my opinion, a very short-sighted idea to place the ring road through this area.
As I live in North Lismore, I have empathy with the koalas. There is a proposal to put the ring road through the middle of our community too. I am happy living amongst my trees, in a quiet space, in a strong and vibrant community. The ring road will physically divide our community; cut through people's backyard; and require school children to cross a busy four lane road to attend school and classes.
I do not believe that it is sensible to plan roads based on what is cheap and expedient. It seems to me that it is worth protecting our native animals and our sense of community. If Lismore truly needs a ring road, then let's build one that is well thought out. A road that rings our community not divides it.
Vicki Findlay
North Lismore
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Thank you
from Cr Bob
Helen and I have both been overwhelmed by the public response and support after the announcement of my recent diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease and the fact that I had to stand down from all Mayoral duties immediately.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude and thanks from the bottom of our hearts to all who have, in different ways, taken the time to express their sorrow, well wishes and prayers in our time of need.
We are very upset, to say the least, but are now focusing on the positive aspects of the disease and look forward to a few years of quality time together with family and friends.
Our good wishes go to the Northern Rivers community and we hope Lismore continues to flourish and prosper in the future.
Bob and Helen Gates
Mayor and Mayoress of Lismore
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East Timor Language
I have just come across your website whilst researching about Atauro Island, East Timor using the Google search engine.
One of the links connects to 'The Echo Website' and includes the piece (Echo, Mar 28) on the support given to a School Project in the island of Atauro.
I wish to emphasise that the solidarity and effort undertaken to carry out this project is commendable. However, there is a mistake in the text, which I would like to draw your attention to. It regards the mentioning of English as the official language of East Timor.
The two official languages enshrined in the Constitution of East Timor are Tetum (national language) and Portuguese. The Constitution also enshrines English and Bahasa Indonesia as working languages of East Timor. Bahasa Indonesia, after 25 years of occupation of East Timor by Indonesia is still the prevailing language in the education system but a phasing-out education plan has been drawn to replace it in the coming three to five years. English, of course, will always be an important language in the relationship that East Timor will maintain and strengthen with the world and the region.
Paula Pinto
Adviser on
International Affairs
Office of the President
Dili - East Timor
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Good Levee
In reply to "Junction Street Residents Not Happy" by Sharon Zealand (Echo, Aug 15):
Sharon, do you actually live in Junction Street? According to the White Pages your address is listed as Molesworth Street.
As we understand, there is $250,000 being spent on Molesworth and Junction Streets, not $300,000 on Junction Street alone, and not before time. Why would we not be happy, the levee will hopefully keep the flood waters out of our backyards and homes.
The roadworks will improve roads we use that badly need doing. The Department of Public Works have been most helpful and have answered any questions that we have put to them.
To us Council certainly have not by any means been 'cynical' in their approach to the works. Any work is an improvement.
In conclusion, Sharon before you attempt to represent residents of Junction Street, please consult us, as we have no objection to progress.
B & L Foster
G E Pickford
G Wood
Junction Street residents
Lismore
PS: To the Council - kerb and guttering would be greatly appreciated.
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No Threat
Kapow... another hole blasted in Government propaganda! This time at the hands of ASIO.
Three days before the last election John Howard suggested a link between boat people and terrorists.
A week ago the head of ASIO has told a parliamentary committee that no boat person has been assessed as a security threat to Australia.
Sucked in again, were we, Messrs Lenon, Wallace and Newton?
Don't feel too bad though - you were by no means the only Australians to swallow the bait.
Another case of the majority being wrong?
Cloud
Kyogle
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No Benefit
Recently, we received a letter from Lismore City Council's Infrastructure Manager all about the progress of Southern Cross University's new access road.
Interestingly, the Manager omitted Kellas Street residents from his list of people who would benefit greatly from the new road.
At least he was being honest! We all know the Council is only really concerned with meeting the needs of University staff, students and visitors. The rate-paying residents, the people who live here, don't even rate.
J Blackman
Lismore Heights
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Ring Roads Revisited
Obviously concerns raised at the public discussions of the proposed link roads in l997 fell on deaf ears. Here we go again! The Link Road through South to North Lismore along Wilson, Terania and Pitt streets to Winterton parade, thence to wherever, will be a waste of public money.
There is danger to the students at Lismore South Public School, and Richmond River High School from heavy passing traffic. Obviously the Robert White bridge is the preferred crossing, because funds will not stretch to building a suitable new bridge over Leycester Creek, and the Wilson River. Because of the width, safety of approach and in crossing, its questionable strength, and the no visibility of oncoming traffic, this humpty back bridge is extremely dangerous for any increase in heavy traffic flow.
There is no wisdom in putting a road for said heavy traffic through the deep backwater of the Slater Creek basin into Pitt Street. Piping the run off from the hills in wet weather is not the answer because the run off does not cause the problem. It is the flood backwater storage from the overflow of Leycester Creek and the Wilson River at their confluence beside the two bridges.
There is water storage here whenever there is a fresh in the river, a full-on flood just adds more water to stand, thus rendering the road unusable and consequently it will be in need of frequent urgent repairs. Adding insult to injury to North Lismore with even more water deflected here due to the levee bank.
The insidious manner in which this project returns each time there is a change of personnel on the council haunts me. Have another try with the compass boys, and remember that whilst the lines may look straight on your map, the contours of the land most certainly are not.
The village of North Lismore is a very special place, Lismore needs it. Develop it as a place of beauty to welcome tourists passing through to,or coming from the cluster of villages on the northern side of the city. Slashing it in two with a ring road shrieks the mental arrogance of people who consider the movement of vehicles to be far more important than the well being of people.
Valerie Axtens
North Lismore
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Great Place
Good morning. It is August 22, about 7am in Lamar, USA. I read The Echo weekly and each time I begin to get very homesick for Australia.
My son, Alex Fuhr, and I had the very good fortune to spend three months in Clunes with Brian Griffin and his lovely wife, Cheryl. Alex attended Lismore High School for 1 semester in January-March 2002. I spent my days travelling about Australia, mostly on the north central coast. The very best days were those spent walking the streets of your lovely town of Lismore. Breakfast and coffee at one of your fine bistros and lunch at one of the local pubs, followed by a very cold Cascade premium lite beer. Evenings spent at Griffs, sitting on the patio overlooking the lovely mountain side and dining on Cheryl's magnificent cooking.
I cannot begin to express my gratitude to the people of Lismore and the Lismore high school students and faculty and especially to my great mates, Brian and Cheryl Griffin, for the care and love they showed us during our visit. Additionally, it was a great pleasure to meet and visit with the many faculty and staff at Southern Cross University (especially the manager of the coffee shop).
Lismore is a lovely and friendly community and I will always treasure the time I spent there. Thank you all for your kindness and care.
God bless and peace.
Stephen "Doc" Fuhr
Lamar, MO
USA
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Flower Power
I am writing about Daffodil Day. Everyone seems to swing behind this 'noble cause', and I have yet to see anyone question the rationale behind raising millions of dollars for medical research.
So in the interest of proffering a different voice, I want to state my objections to this seemingly charitable drive for money.
Scientific research is certainly a good thing when used for human welfare, and surely this is a prime example of the kind of research we should be doing, so the argument goes.
I disagree in this case. Cancer is due to a lot of factors which include genetics, environmental pollution, quality of food, stress, lifestyle and relationships, and probably more subtle issues such as meaningful work and a sense of purpose in life.
Medical research only addresses a small portion of these influences. The rest are social or interpersonal factors. These do not require medical research. A billion dollars of medical research will tell us nothing more than we already know about what is required for good health. It is not information we need, but action. Not monitoring but prevention.
Social factors are in the domain of our collective responsibility - ie. the government. I suggest this is a better use for our taxpayer dollars than 'border protection'. Its not a matter of the money not being available. Its a matter of priorities.
Its also about the quality of our environment. Chemicals in food, pollution, and other environmental factors are something we can do something about as a society if the will is there. Again, this is about action regarding already proved carcinogenic factors, not more medical research.
Interpersonal factors are a personal issue, but also a social issue. If people are in stressful jobs or relationships it ends up costing us all through the medical system. What is needed is widespread health education, and key social supports such as childcare or low cost counselling.
So lets put our community enthusiasm into something more effective than medical research which only perpetuates the illusion that the solutions are in the future, rather than the present.
Steve Gunther
Lismore
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Correct Words
Just thought that I would like to point out two printing errors, in the last issue of The Echo Aug 15 of a letter that I sent in regards to Cloud of Kyogle about the illegals.
The first mistake was about a Turkey shoot not Aubrey and the other was supposed to be Maralinga not Elleringa - it is was my fault for not making my writing clear.
I hope that it clears up your printing error was mine. I apologise.
J. Lenon
Evans Head
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Great Festival
As chair of the Herb Festival Committee I would like to record my personal appreciation for all those involved in making this Festival such a success, including the amazing group of entertainers, the stall holders, food and beverage providers and of course the thousands who took advantage of what was on offer and came to enjoy it. Although the festival broke the drought, the rain didn't detract from the spirit and enjoyment of the second year of an event which I'm sure will become a long-term feature in Lismore's calendar.
Walking around over the weekend it was great to hear people talking about how much they were enjoying it, and particularly to meet people from other places around the State and indeed the country. Apart from the social benefits of this Festival the economic benefits for Lismore are clear and will grow over the coming years.
In particular I thank Louise Barry, Leanne Clark and John Bancroft for their tireless work and energy, as well as the many volunteers, including the band of young volunteers, who helped to make it such a success. I congratulate Lismore Unlimited for having the vision to provide such strong financial support for the Festival and also Lismore Council and Southern Cross University for their financial support.
It was so good to see our much-loved Lantern Parade being part of this event congratulations Jilly and all your workers. I thought it was most fitting to have our Young Drums open and close the Festival. This talented group of young drummers has gained local, national and international recognition and their energy and enjoyment are a credit to Peter and the dedicated group of people who fund-raise endlessly to make this happen.
Thank you Lismore.
Cr Ros Irwin
Lismore
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Dems Faithful
As a Democrat of almost 25 years standing I would like to disagree with Margo Kingston's (3, Aug 22), and many other journalists, division of the Democrat membership into followers of either the left or the right.
Democrat members and supporters are in the main original thinkers who do not belong to the left or the right of the political spectrum, and join the only party which allows them to exercise this liberty. This freedom of thought is both the Australian Democrat's strength and weakness and for 25 years we have managed to maintain a balance to the great benefit of Australia.
It would be more accurate to describe the party membership as a collection of idealists some leavened with more pragmatism than others held together by a shared belief in Democracy. When the Party managed to exclude food from the GST, at a cost to the Government of perhaps as much as $800 million (19 million people at 50c per week) we were told that we should have blocked the whole GST. Bill in the Senate. An action which would have seen nine individuals obstruct a Government who had been elected by the majority of Australians from bringing into law a policy which had been a fundamental part of the Liberal election platform. How Democratic would that have been? (The Oxford Dictionary defines Democracy as: government by the people for the people).
Interestingly the money now being spent by the States on hospitals, schools, education etc is a direct result of the adoption of the GST as a taxation policy, but how many people appreciate that? The Democrats are a minor Party who have achieved success in the Senate out of all proportion to their numbers for 25 years. It will be tragic both for the party and for Australia as a whole, if our present leaders allow their differences to destroy this very necessary balance of power. We, the membership, hope that even now moderation, commonsense and goodwill will triumph over egotism and power politics and that Democracy may prevail.
Anne Paterson
Lismore
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