ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR
I can solve our climate crises and create employment. The Australian government withdraws $20 billion from the Future Fund and gives $500 million to forty selected councils and shires. The shires and councils will roughly equally be scattered in area distance throughout the nation.
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Natural or coal seam gas to be readily available within the local government area – if not – another source of renewable energy made available. Each local government area will buy/build two electricity generating power stations one solar and the other from either gas or other recognized renewable energy configuration.
The third tier of government will be solely responsible for the distribution of electricity throughout the country. Private corporations, State and Federal governments will be barred/ineligible from any form of ownership of local government power stations. All revenue collected from council energy generation to be retained by local government with the intention of repaying the Federal government’s Future Fund without adversely affecting ratepayers.
Corporations and government will only be responsible from collecting revenue from energy earmarked for export. Problem solved: Advance Australia Fair.
John Macleod, Berry
PROPOSAL IN THE ROUGH
I am heartened, that in this "age of the corporate bully", we are fortunate to have the Independent Hearing Assessment Panel.
Despite the article which appeared on page four of the Illawarra Mercury on Saturday February 18 which stated the council had approved the application for a driving range at Wollongong Golf Club, subject to time amendments, before the IHAP meeting on Wednesday February 22, this panel of four professional, intelligent people listened to the speakers for and against the Application fairly (five minutes each).
Their 4-0 decision against the application was published on Friday 24th February. Thank you IHAP.
Barbara Mackey, Unanderra
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Mercury reported on February 18 that council staff had recommended the driving range plan be approved. When there is significant public interest over Wollongong council development applications, they are considered first by planning staff - who make a recommendation - and then by IHAP. If the council recommendation and IHAP recommendation are inconsistent, final sign off goes back to the full council - with councillors ultimately breaking the deadlock.
SEATING OFF THE RAILS
South Coast train passengers are probably aware that their new trains, to be delivered in 2019 (just before the election), are to have “fixed” seats, because they're cheap. Half the passengers will always be travelling backwards. This doesn't have to be.
Seats in the upper deck could be reversible, so that tourists, seeking to enjoy the views, could always choose to face forward. Groups of four could also retain the current convenience of facing each other.
The lower deck could have fixed seating, for travellers who don't care, and to save the government some money. There are, of course, other combinations. NSW has a sad history of new trains with fixed seats having to be retrofitted with reversible seats at great cost to the taxpayer.
Kevin Eadie, Eagle Partners, Transport Consultants, Sydney.
SIMPLE SOLUTION
From a punter's perspective I view the potential leadership/PM fiasco in the APH as follows. At the moment Labor has turfed out two legitimately elected leaders whereas as the Liberals one i.e. 2/1 in favour of Labor. In order to square the ledger Turnbull has to go (2 - 2). Then, neither of the major political combatants will have bragging rights....... simple, get rid of Turnbull and the ledger is square.
D J Preece, Balgownie