IMAGINE THE POSSIBLITIES
The government has just approved Adani plans to take groundwater for its mine for nothing.
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According to the Nationals I am "ideological" because I, like hundreds of thousands of Australians, oppose this mine.
I want to ensure there is a safe climate and secure groundwater to help us grow food.
The Adani mine will not produce coal for steelmaking, only for power generation -which we know we can do in other ways. Renewable energy with storage is cheaper than coal and doesn't cause climate change, and is achievable using existing technology.
Unlike trying to feed 10 billion people so they don't have to be refugees if it is five degrees warmer.
No-one knows if that is possible. Is it "ideological" to be concerned about food supply security? Apparently, the desire to protect the Barrier Reef is an "ideological" emotion, whereas the desire to be richer even if it hurts the world (the same mindset as a drug dealer) is a "rational" emotion.
They say it is OK to wipe out jobs in the car industry, the CSIRO, the ABC, the steel industry and Barrier Reef tourism. But apparently coal mining jobs are different, so it is the duty of governments to keep providing new coal mines at whatever cost to the community at large.
But on the other hand, the government says it is the right of the coal mining companies, once the mine goes ahead, to employ as few people as they possibly can.
Strange as it may seem, there are places that have a first world living standard and quality employment, and they do not even export coal. Like Germany and Victoria. But according to the government, that's impossible for Queensland.
Rowan Huxtable, Wollongong
BEING OVERDEVELOPED
I want to express my concern for the over development in Wollongong particularly the eastern end of Crown street and also the commencement at the southern end of Kembla street. Eventually this will move into Evans, Church and Kenny streets. I have lived in Wollongong all my life and have never seen such over developmental. Dick Smith recently quoted that eventually we will all be living in termite mounds. How true this will be. Why should council care as they are raking in millions in rates money for each unit. Also I believe the mall should go and reopened up to traffic all the way to the beach.
It's an eyesore and a total waste of money. Utilise McCabe Park for the markets, entertainment etc and reopen Church street as well. Another major problem is parking especially around WIN Stadium. I believe the council sold the stadium car park off many years ago to developers, hence no parking. Instead of councils City of Innovation it should be City of Over Development.
Jenny Windsor, Wollongong
DRAWING THE LINE
Morrison and Co. plan to create new laws to stop animal rights protesters from entering private property and causing damage and stress to farmers. Will these new laws also cover mining and fracking companies who can currently quite legally force their way onto private property and cause damage and stress? It will be interesting to see who the government is really trying to protect.
Doug Steley Heyfield