It ain’t broke so why fix it
I WRITE in reply to Sandra Smith's letter 'Fix the basics first' [Lakes Mail, April 26].
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In it, Sandra requests a 'fancy new sign' for Mirrabooka. Here's what's wrong with the new signs. Firstly, they're almost impossible to read because the text is white on a mottled background, and runs from bottom to top. Secondly, they're easy to miss because they're green and blend into the background. Thirdly, they're set too low, so that they can be obscured by parked vehicles, and easily vandalised, or accidentally damaged. In contrast, the old signs are a model of good design. They are set up high, and the text is black on a reflective white background, reading left to right. It is disappointing when council ignores the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' principle, and wastes ratepayers' money on schemes of no benefit to the community.
Richard Edmonds, Balcolyn
Take back utilities
BUILDING a 200MW [megawatt] gas fired power stations is like using shetland ponies to power public transport .
Considering Eraring power station can produce 3000MW, it doesn't make sense to build 15 power stations to just replace it.
The cost of 15 operations would be enormous, and guess who pays the cost, certainly not investors. I believe it's time for the government to bite the bullet and re-invest in Australia's public utilities.
It was the government who originally built, maintained and managed these public necessities in the first place.If they can't do the same again, then l suggest we have the wrong people running the country.
Carl Stevenson, Dora Creek
Where was consultation
SHAME on Lake Macquarie City Council for voting to go ahead with planning a six-storey apartment building and the holiday units right on the lake foreshore.
These developments should had been sent back to the drawing board and to proper consultation with the Toronto community. Consultation with just the Chamber of Commerce and an historical society is pathetic! We all know that just a short consultation period will just mean small changes to these developments.
Even in 1888, the Excelsior Company developing Toronto gave back a few pieces of parkland. But not this council! Just imagine the outrage from these councillors if buildings were approved all along the foreshore of the Warners Bay walkway or Valentine or Belmont foreshore. Toronto has the least foreshore parkland in Lake Macquarie.
Tourists would love to come to Toronto with foreshore access, planned parking, proper traffic control and consulted development.
Stephen Dewar, Toronto
It only takes an hour
Research led by the Black Dog Institute has revealed that even a small amount of physical activity – as little as one hour each week – can protect against depression, regardless of age, gender or current fitness level.
Depression is a serious public health issue with around one million Australians currently diagnosed. We also know that up to 20 percent of the Australian population doesn’t undertake any regular physical activity, which may significantly increase their risk of developing depression in their lifetime.
The Black Dog Institute’s Exercise Your Mood campaign (30 April – 6 May 2018) aims to change these statistics by encouraging everyday Australians to improve their mental fitness by taking on at least one hour of exercise each week.
Though it can be hard to take the first step, one hour is a very achievable goal and something we’d like to encourage your readers to build into their weekly routine.
If they are already on track, keep up the good work! Your mental health will thank you for it.