I don't expect it to improve over the next three years, and those thinking otherwise will get mistakes and excuses for their money. The crims are aware of the problem and are apparently casing the homes of the elderly. How good is that.

Neil Forscutt, Quirindi

I weep for Australia and Mother Nature: please act

Australia and the New England Electorate, I weep for you, I weep for us.

I weep for Mother Nature, whose cries for help, seemingly, have gone unnoticed, based on the shock Federal Election result.

This election was meant to have been about climate change. How wrong were we?

Is there hope? Hope that the Prime Minister with his Presidential style, one-man campaign and his "miracle" election will take a step back and ponder tax in the light of our climate emergency.

Water in NSW is running out. Bores that have never been dry are dry. Where I live the average summer temperatures were a shocking 6 degrees above normal. Murrurundi has no water.

I've had two striking conversations with total strangers, who, upon enquiring how I was, received the tearful response, I'm so sad. When I gave the reason - climate change, and the seeming lack of recognition of the huge problems we face, agreed, expressing their deep concern. Both were young women - one in Sydney, one in Quirindi.

"What future do we have," said the young country woman working in a dental surgery.

First, we need some healing, some time-out to recover from this election of dark negativity.

We need real leadership from you Prime Minister to heal a divided nation where many of us are grieving - for our planet.

And Mr Joyce, while I congratulate you on your win, I wonder where your priorities are? Water, needs to be depoliticised, looked at with fresh eyes.

Janie Jordan, Murrurundi

I congratulate Tamworth Regional Council on the building and opening of the new skate board park in Tamworth Viaduct Park.

I was instrumental in causing the building of the original skateboard ramp which is now situated in the park opposite the Police citizens youth club in Peel street in about 1987/88 and was originally situated on the outside basketball court of the Police citizens Youth club of which I was the Sergeant/Manager at the time.

The very first skateboard championships in Police Citizens Youth Clubs were held in New South Wales on this ramp at the Tamworth Club in either 1987/88 and was a great success.

These championships were fully covered by the Northern Daily Leader and many photos were taken at the time.

I would like to know what is planned for the area and the skateboard ramp opposite the Police Citizens Youth Club once the new skate board park is in operation in viaduct Park.

Len Ward, South Tamworth