Letters 3 - Not for online
With so many Liberal MPs named by ICAC and this government now fully in control of nearly all planning issues in NSW we hope that Nick Kaldas will place his oversight of corruption issues beyond councillors ("Kaldas to head planning corruption purge", July 28-29.) I hope and I'm sure that all independent councillors and ratepayers will support a concentration on scrutiny for fairness in decision making by the recently introduced state government-controlled Independent Hearing and Assessment Panels, developer influence on government decision making and the outrageous the role of certifiers who rule overwhelmingly against community concerns to the benefit of developers.
Certifiers work in a particularly anti-community way, stopping ratepayers from having any meaningful opposition to local development, denying them any democratic say over streetscapes that may contain Federation homes, ripping down these historic homes and plonking down cheaply built duplexes that spoil the very heart of so many inner city places. Government has re-inforced certification and Mr Kaldas must look at what so many communities see as their outrageous rule over NSW development.
William Tuck, Mosman
It is most encouraging that the proposed audit into planning corruption is to include examining whether there are aspects of overseas systems that could be incorporated into NSW . In order to implement its high-density policy NSW severely limits land release on the periphery of the city. The resulting land scarcity allows huge profits to be made by those developers who succeed in obtaining permission to build high density in low-density areas against community wishes. Such a system is an obvious recipe for corruption. The solution is to alleviate the government-created land shortage. Anyone on Sydney’s outskirts should be allowed to subdivide land subject to reasonable constraints (as can be seen in the United States). The resulting increase in supply would remove the incentive to corruptly pull strings for what is presently scarce development permission.
Tony Recsei, Warrawee
Elizabeth Farrelly has fired me up to join the front-line of this battle for our land, our resources and our people ("Meeting at bowlo", July 28-29). The collateral damage is appalling, and government or company persuasion that it is all necessary for our Energy Certainty is frankly hogwash. One hundred years on from WW1, I will volunteer Elizabeth. Where do I sign up?
Helen Lewin, Tumbi Umbi
Yet another Sydney suburb destroyed by ill-conceived high rise (“Eyesore of the east: the ruin of a suburb?” July 29). Does Gladys ever open her eyes when she is out and about or has wearing too many fluoro vests blinded her from viewing such eyesores?
Peter Miniutti, Ashbury
Off the rails Another weekend of chaos on the Sydney train network. "Trackwork" on multiple lines simultaneously, phantom trains that are cancelled "for today only" with one minute notice, replacement buses that never appear, and crowded platforms of frustrated passengers who are simply told to "reconsider your travel plans today".
Mr Constance, as the minister charged with, and paid handsomely for, overseeing this shambles, it's time to admit that you don't have a clue, and step aside. The public transport system in this, the biggest city in Australia, has become an embarrassing joke.
Andrew Hill, Dulwich Hill
The Sydney to Melbourne train passes through Strathfield station, but for some reason no longer stops there for passengers on its way to or from Central station. On Saturday morning my 84-year-old sister got up and left at 5.30 am to get into Central in time for the Melbourne train at 7.35. On a previous visit she had missed the train because of the heavy traffic along Parramatta Road. The train now takes an hour or so longer than it did when the XPT was first introduced.
My sister arrived in plenty of time at Central, but had to stand in the freezing cold, as there were no seats, nor a warm waiting room. In that enormous space, there is no warm shelter for anyone!
What sort of country have we become? And please may we have the train stop at Strathfield again?
Lauris Elms, Newington
Smith criticism Your article on Dick Smith described how he 'started a business based entirely on Australian suppliers' and then gave millions of dollars in profits away to various charities ("Smith blames Aldi as he shuts down line", July 27). He tried to save Australian jobs and give Australians good quality food grown here in Australia. For doing this your correspondent Alexander Elliot (Letters July 28-29 ) says 'perhaps we ought to put him in a balloon and not let him come down', another , Steve Ngeow, essentially says forget the emotion and get with the program Dick. I think these comments clearly illustrate exactly what the problem is for Australia today. With attitudes like this they will get the Australia they deserve, one in which they will not be able to afford a home, one with a continually degraded environment, and one that is completely run by foreign interests, in which they will eventually have to eat whatever they are damn well given.
Andrew Cronin, Robertson
In regard to Peter Hannam’s article, with dam levels in the 60% range why isn’t the state government implementing water restrictions before the situation becomes critical ("Odds point to big dry across east" July 27). Since the last lengthy dry spell our Sydney population has escalated greatly and will apparently continue to do so. With no rain in sight why wait until water regulations really hurt. Surely the state election in 2019 should not be a reason for not taking precautionary measures now.
Annette Perkins, Killara
My friends call me the Tin Man ("Bionic baby boomers", July 28-29). I have had both my knees, both my hips and both my shoulders replaced. Commonly designated as a geriatric six pack. Airport security loves me. One wonders what they will make of my body when dug up in years hence. Start of the cyborgs.
Rob Smith, Canberra, ACT