SAPPING OUR ENERGY
I can't help but to return to the broad topic of energy. The Federal Government is floundering to enunciate an energy policy, in the face of trying to appease coalition hawks who cannot agree on anything sensible and coherent. We have a federal inquiry into nuclear energy, with practical outcomes 15-20 years away and a cost that will be staggering.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
What we are seeing in the 'real world', are continuing investments in renewable energy (could we envisage a situation where solar energy farming overtakes wheat farming-not as bizarre as it sounds), cities such as Wollongong declaring a climate change emergency and the rise of hydrogen and electric-powered vehicles. The recent Federal election did not give the government a mandate to do nothing, in fact quite the opposite. In fact, the mandate was clear and we see that organisations, both public and private, are taking matters into their hands, with the consequent inefficiencies and costs that generates by not having a framework.
Peter Corkish, Wollongong
HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT
If ever a solution to our worsening transportation systems has been "hiding in plain sight" it is the completion of the Maldon to Dombarton line.
Not only would the completion of the missing sections provide much needed employment in the construction phase but also, reduce the pressure currently existing in the Illawarra South Coast line. The completion of the Maldon to Dombarton line stopped by the Greiner government in the 1980's was possible one of the most ill-considered decisions taken by any NSW government.
The cost to complete the missing link of this proposed line would in 2019, be extremely higher than was the situation in the 1980's. The advantages the completion of the Maldon to Dombarton line would provide to the Illawarra and, the Western and Northern regions would surely out-weigh the costs involved.
The growth in housing and industry in and around Wilton/Picton is substantial adding a further dimension to the completion of the bridgework and rail infrastructure involved in the overall work to be completed.
At this point in time there appears to be some major earthworks being undertaken in the vicinity of the Allied Mills (grain) at Maldon hopefully this is an indication of some progress on the Maldon to Dombarton link?
Barry Swan, Balgownie
REMEMBERING HISTORY
To compare the Vietnam battle of Long Tan as equal to WW2 battles is a gross rewrite of history (Illawarra Mercury, August 22). The Vietnam war was a war of the violation of a small nation. WW2 was a world war against a violation that would have enslaved nations.
We regret and honour those killed in the battle of Long Tan but let's not compare it to the millions killed defending freedom in battles like Stalingrad. And lets not compare battles lets end them. Since WW2 there were the battles in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan .
All have been disasters. Now Morrison has signed us up for Trump's barney with Iran. History's lesson is that decisions to go to war must not be left to the politicians.
Reg Wilding, Wollongong