It is the one missing link in the cities planned growth and one that needs to be resolved now the momentum is there.

Once the impending state election is resolved the member for Tamworth needs to fight hard for funding for this important initiative.

The current member Kevin Anderson is completely on board with it as are other candidates standing for election.

Richie Thornton

Tamworth 

Letter writer Shane Moran (‘Federal election, 2019’, 14 January) is correct in saying the Transport Workers Union has real concerns about safety in trucking and that the union is pushing for changes that will reduce the risks that cause many horrific truck crashes.

As representatives of thousands of small trucking businesses across the country, our aim is to hold the wealthy retailers and manufacturers at the top to account for continually reducing their contract costs and forcing transport companies onto the margins financially.

It is this financial pressure which results in trucks not being maintained and truck drivers pushed to work long hours, speed and skip their mandatory rest breaks.

While these wealthy companies at the top boost their profits and pay their chief executives millions by slashing transport costs, transport companies are forced into insolvency and the local community is left devastated when loved ones, friends and neighbours die on the roads.

With much needed reforms trucking can be safer and transport companies can be made more sustainable.

Nick McIntosh

Transport Workers’ Union Assistant National Secretary

Water restrictions are upon us. With the level of Chaffey Dam and the current hot weather, this is understandable. I fail to understand how our council has become obsessed by the god of growth at all costs.  

For a number of years, they have approved housing subdivisions willy-nilly. Saturday’s ‘The Domain’ real estate magazine listed three subdivisions with 103 blocks.

This is in addition to all the others, Calala, etc.  An application has been put to council for 62 housing blocks at Nemingha.

With all this growth, remember that we only have a finite water supply. We cannot just turn on a tap to fill the dam. Relying on rain is chancy. 

With all this growth, our country lifestyle is being threatened by heavier traffic flows in the suburbs and more queuing whenever we go to the bank or to a business.  

Three of our primary schools have reported they are at capacity, doctors have closed their books, and with more population, crime will increase.

You may say I am a pessimist, but take a step back and think about it.  Slow down this mad rush to growth. It means for a poorer standard of living.

Keith Riddle

Tamworth