We have Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) spending millions of dollars on malls, skate rinks, basketball courts and also a new swimming pool for the Tamworth city. 

I believe this amount could have been better used for water security and giving some assistance to these smaller business, but no they the TRC instead wish to impose an entertainment levy on all business and farms as they too are a business.

If people think back to the 1990s, beer and tobacco companies challenged the states on state taxes and won. Under our Westminster system and constitution it was deemed illegal to put a tax on a tax.

It makes me believe what the TRC is doing with business rates could well come under this.

D Davis

Manilla 

Great Christmas news Barnaby, (NDL 22.12.18), but what a miserable Christmas message to your people to supposedly keep your blind folded constituents voting for you. Everyone can read your great achievements when your speak of finalisation for the APVMA in Armidale, Scone by-pass, Bolivia Hill realignment and so it goes on. That all looks great on your resume but don’t you know what we really want is cheaper power and better management of our water resources.

The situation at Keepit Dam is a disgrace and you, Mr Joyce, were in a prime position to oversee the destruction of fish and total wastage of water and not fall foul to the powers that be and allow the dam to reach its existing low level. You seem to become adept at passing the buck. Well, that won’t wash any longer with your New England voters. So Mr Joyce, you had better start listening to us.

We fishing people are dictated by government rules to throw fish back if under size. Now, under your management, it appears it is quite in order to undertake a massive kill. Who is going to replenish the fish supply in Keepit Dam?

What is going on? I suggest there must be a certain amount of co-operation, for use of a lesser word, between our government bureaucrats and cotton fraternity. What’s more, the proceeds of this cotton mainly goes overseas. Also, why are we allowing our precious water, when it is so scarce, to grow a product that we cannot eat? Beats me Barnaby. I thought we had you to sort out these problems!

Also you would be aware that approximately $3 million has already been spent on preliminary plans for a dam on the Walcha gorges which would drought proof the New England, obviously including Tamworth, for many years to come. To my knowledge, only two people are preventing this going ahead. So where is our strength in representation? Obviously not with you, Barnaby. Why don’t you show us some leadership and get this dam built? Who knows, you may even get your name on it! Or else, tell the electorate why it isn’t being built.

Barnaby, you had better start focusing on the real issues concerning your electorate.

A Nott

Tamworth