Congratulations to Trevor Mott for his well-intentioned letter regarding the “People’s Park” (Mercury, January 24). Trevor was, of course, referring to the idyllic village green, cricket oval and environs of Stuart Park, now in danger of being lost to a commercial venture and obviously involving some cost to Wollongong ratepayers.
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It seems patently obvious that the locals and tourists alike love the Blue Mile but also do not wish to lose full access to Stuart Park for picnics and family gatherings, and consequently have the existing parking spaces reduced.
The 28 planeloads or 19,000 skydivers landing in the park per year are immediately transported back to the aerodrome after they have landed and do not seem to spend any time in Wollongong and environs.
I wonder how many people will come just to see this ‘‘spectacle’’, which can also be viewed at Camden.
I only hope that council members and Independent Hearing and Assessment Panels have thoroughly investigated this proposal, thus avoiding the debacle that has occurred at Bulli Tops after that poor decision, which has also involved unnecessary expenditure – once again at the ratepayers’ expense.
Ian McNeill, Mt Pleasant
The only Australian political figure to emerge with any credibility in terms of understanding what are the important issues of concerns held by the Australian electorate in the week of Australia Day has been Greens leader Christine Milne.
Senator Milne was impressive when making an announcement about the effect upon employment, food security and the future of coastal areas of Australia following the release by CSIRO this week about the effect of global warming on the Antarctic continent.
In contrast to the Milne leadership style, Australians have witnessed what could best be described as “Bibb v Bubb” waffle and a ‘‘silly walks’’ exhibition of non-leadership from both our Prime Minister and the alternative PM.
Tony Abbott handed Australia’s highest civilian award to a very elderly resident of the UK, and Bill Shorten foolishly and deliberately reignited the divisive republic and flag-change debate.
Barry Swan, Balgownie
Tony Abbott’s free trade agreement with China was proclaimed to be a great win for Australia. It was far from the truth. In fact, it will cost many jobs here when we already have rising unemployment.
It allows Chinese companies to circumvent requirements of 457 visas and employ Chinese workers on large projects in Australia.
We have heard little from the Labor opposition, or Bill Shorten in particular, who seems more interested in raising the Australia republic issue than opposing this bad trade agreement.
Tony Foot, Unanderra
Tony Abbott and his government are taking a lot of heat over the budget and for trying to reduce spending in order to address the deficit.
Currently, the interest bill is $11billion per year, which could build eight new fully functioning hospitals.
Meanwhile, Bill Shorten will not talk about the deficit and has committed to increased spending with borrowed money. This demonstrates Labor’s inability to acknowledge the crisis and to recognise the danger for Australia in a weakening world economy.
Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow
