Dungowan Dam
I would like to comment on an article in the Leader 25th October headlined "Stalled" dam could leave city with bill, where councillor Russell Webb points out that a cost of approx $50 to $80 million could be left to Tamworth Regional Council to pay if the new Dungowan Dam doesn't go ahead.
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Later in the article there is mention of bureaucrats possibly looking for alternatives such as recycling, using Keepit Dam, or water from the Liverpool Plains.
May I suggest an alternative mentioned recently in the Northern Daily Leader by Brian Betts of Moonbi, which I fully support, to look at the option of building a rock wall dam on the Cockburn River north of Kootingal,which would incorporate the inflow from the Mulla Creek.
The huge cost of $484 million to construct the new Dungowan Dam would be more than enough to upgrade the existing Dungowan Dam, and construct a new dam on the Cockburn. It is my thoughts that serious discussion needs to take place between all parties immediately.
Kevin Morrison, Kootingal
Tough road ahead
Barnaby Joyce could well be facing difficult times as Deputy Prime Minister Of Australia and leader of the Nationals who are a Partner in the Federal Coalition party.
In the Nationals party room, as leader, he will be able to express his strong feelings against reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions knowing that he would be often in compatible company.
As Deputy Prime Minister Federal Coalition members will surely require him to express to the public what a great thing it is for the Coalition, including the Nationals, to be heading towards reaching net zero greenhouse emissions. Being open and honest, at all times, will not be an essential ingredient in the mix. Our Deputy Prime Minister will find it necessary to change hats on a regular basis. It is far from a perfect situation and almost certainly not one, I would have thought, that will be acceptable to many Australians.
Brian Measday, Myrtle Bank SA
Kevin Anderson's survey
This week the community survey for the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill should hit our letterboxes. It was previously only available on-line.
The best way to answer it, is to put yourself in the position of the terminally ill person which should eliminate religious and political bias
The VAD bill only covers those with decision making capacity so you are fully aware of the suffering you may endure both psychological and physical. Severe breathlessness as lungs fill with fluid, extreme fatigue, loss of mobility ,and control of bodily functions, nauseau, vomiting, weight loss and pain as the disease progresses. Escalating medication does not control everything.
My mother died of pancreatic cancer at home-towards the end she asked me why it was so hard to die. It was not like the movies.
To be able to die peacefully at a time of your choosing after seeing family and friends and to be able to take medication so you and those around you are not traumatised by your unnecessary suffering would be the kindest thing for everyone.
I ought to know - I was a General Practitioner for 40 years.
Lyn Allen, Tamworth
Keep forests out of firing line
It is alarming to see a plan to burn our NSW forests to make electricity. The NSW government recently moved to encourage far more renewable electricity sources in our state from truly renewable formats such as solar, wind and pumped hydro and was very successful with many investors and projects coming on board. We therefore have no need to burn our forests.
Burning our forests creates carbon emissions and no clever wordplay can deny that. With worsening climate change and the loss of important habitats and threats to species, our forests have an important role to play in supporting our unique wildlife and acting as a carbon sink. If we choose to cut timber, let it be to build houses or other useful structures that last for years and hold carbon, rather than for a moment in a furnace.
Consider also the health impacts on locals as burning wood releases more hazardous air pollutants in an area already significantly affected by air pollution from coal power production and coal mines. I urge the NSW government to say no to burning forests to make electricity and to shut down the market for native forests to be burned in power stations.
Kim Grierson, Teralba
Taxing the sun isn't the answer
A government trying to act responsibly often taxes things that they wish to discourage the use of cigarettes and alcohol. Our state government is beating its chest over waiving stamp duty on new electric cars. In 2027 they plan to increase the registration costs for these vehicles. This is to make up for loss of revenue from fuel excise.
This may prove counterproductive in the long term. If someone charges their electric vehicle using electricity generated by their rooftop solar panels this amounts to the state government taxing the sun. In the near future we are being told that many vehicles will be autonomous. Will our state government then increase registration costs further to make up for the loss of revenue from traffic infringements?
Raymond Anderson, Clarence Town
The price of turning on a light
On the ABC's Insiders this morning, there was an announcement from Matt Kean. Scott Morrison has said that nobody has heard of him, but in fact he's the NSW Treasurer, Energy Minister and Liberal MP for Hornsby.
He said today that he hopes to lower the cost of electricity in Australia's most expensive city and the rest of NSW by $130 a year. That's $2.50 a week. Half a cup of coffee, two-thirds of a loaf of bread, or one whole train ride, off-peak, if you live less than 10km from the City (Hornsby residents, be brave). Every single week!
Only Liberals on hundreds of thousands per year could imagine that ordinary voters would be grateful for this. But when you're a politician who gets just about everything provided for free, even 5c is a lot of money.
G.T.W. Agnew, Coopers Plains