I understand the value and importance of such halls to local communities that were constructed by local communities as a tribute to their residents who served their country in war and made the supreme sacrifice.

These halls continue to be used for a range of purposes such as meetings, weddings, birthdays, dances etc.

Depth of feeling for the memorial hall is demonstrated by the 269 signatures on a recent petition to retain the hall for its intended purpose which is a significant part of the local population.

I understand the concerns of the Kootingal and Moonbi communities about losing such an important part of their community and heritage. To me changing the purpose of such a hall is an act of desecration.

I also understand the importance to these communities to have a dedicated library. The Kootingal and Moonbi communities shouldn't have to choose between one or the other or be forced to accept something that they don't want for their memorial hall. They can have both surely.

I want to thank the dedicated community members of Kootingal and Moonbi who work tirelessly for their memorial hall and advise that I hear their concerns, am listening and will unequivocally vote to retain the hall for its original purpose as a tribute to Aussies who died in defence of the dearest land of all.

Mark Rodda, Tamworth Regional Councillor

The first question in BJ's poll states: "Which of the following five issues is the most important to you?"

None of these options mentions climate change nor the environment in general.

Considering this is a poll on renewable energy, surely the environment should be mentioned as this is a key reason people choose to have renewable energy.

Melissa Chenery, Tamworth

Barnaby Joyce is right to call for straight talking about the way Australia generates electricity ("We need reasoned debate about renewables", 3/4).

But we won't get it from Mr Joyce. He is biased towards fossil fuels and needs to back up his emotive arguments with some facts.

He claims that our electricity price is "the dearest in the OECD". This is not true. The prices of electricity in the UK, Japan, Denmark and Germany are all higher than ours.

Furthermore, the latest report by the Australian Energy Market Commission shows that residential electricity prices in Australia are falling as cheaper renewables replace coal.

Mr Joyce also wants Australia to get into nuclear power. The UK, Japan, Denmark and Germany, with more expensive electricity than us, all have nuclear power and have commenced decarbonising their economies by employing more renewable energy as we have.

The CSIRO GenCost reports consistently show that, even as far out as 2050, the minimum cost of electricity in Australia from small modular reactors is predicted to be more than double that from solar with storage.

Personally, I'm tired of politicians who don't do their homework and speak off the top of their head.

Young Australians deserve better and will vote for independents who are not beholding to party dogma or donors in the fossil fuel industry.

Ray Peck, Hawthorn

I refer to article "Coalition firing up in a coal poll fight" Daily Telegraph April 8.

The NSW Government has wheeled out the Treasurer Dominic Perrottet to campaign in the Upper Hunter by-election, in which he stated that their coal must not be demonised.

He also stated that Joel Fitzgibbon was powerless, within the Labor Party. The Treasurer must think that the voters of Upper Hunter have short memories after the hapless Matt Kean has been ridiculing and demonising coal together with his close friend Turnbull.

After the by election Kean will be back blathering about renewables. In the NSW State Cabinet if there was a serious divide between coal and renewables, the Treasurer's above views on coal would be in the minority and powerless.

This is because Kean is a member of the dominant left wing faction of the Liberal Party as is the Premier, the Treasurer is not.

The Premier has not publicly pulled Kean into line regarding his demonising of coal, so he has her support.

John Rumble, Albion Park

So NSW has a Net Zero Emissions and Economy Board?

One wonders what they have planned for such a fine initiative if it isn't to plan a just transition from coal mining.

Malcolm Turnbull as head of this new board hit the ground running into the difficult energy transition just as US counterpart John Kerry has done calling for an end to coal fired power.

The science backs these calls with findings this week showing we have hit our highest levels of greenhouse gas emissions at 417.14 parts per million.

Hunter by-election or not this is the conversation NSW needs to be having. It's much more important than winning elections.

Helen Cameron, Tamworth