All stations to where?
WHENEVER I use the Newcastle-to-Sydney train service I find the carriages clean and quite comfortable. But what really annoys me is the poor quality of the speaker systems.
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It is almost impossible to understand a word that's being said most of the time, due to the crackling and muffled nature of the speaker's announcements. This makes it very difficult for travellers not familiar with the upcoming station stops.
To make matters worse, quite often the person speaking has such a thick foreign accent that the announcements are useless.
My suggestion would be to have pre-recorded announcements by a clear-speaking person and improved speaker system clarity, such as on the metropolitan trains in Sydney. Surely, this is not too much to ask?
- Ian King, Warners Bay
Please fence playgrounds
NEW to the area and being close to my great-granddaughters, aged 1 and 2 years, I have found a lack of safe, fenced playgrounds to take them to.
I love the little area at Wangi on the lake, but I was horrified to see it unfenced.
Council has strict fencing rules for home pools, so why would a playground on the water's edge be unfenced?
My eldest great-granddaughter is a runner, which means she runs away and I can't chase her due to a leg injury. Please, council, enclose your playgrounds.
- Josephine Moon, Morisset
Great theatre restaurant
I RECENTLY had the pleasure of attending a great evening of theatre at the Wangi District Workers Club.
The night consisted of two plays performed by the Catalina Players. The first play was The Worst Day of My Life, and the second The Spy Who Came in for the Phone and both were well presented.
The meal provided prior to the performances were well received. All in all, a great night out.
- John Durbin, Carey Bay
Shower with a friend
AFTER giving away some of our water to the Central Coast (which was needed) we are now on Level 1 water restrictions. We are asked to save four buckets of water a day, restrict garden watering from 10am to 4pm, and wash the car with only a bucket. We've even had a mild suggestion to save water by showering with a friend. I hope my neighbours aren't living in fear.
- Maree Murdziak, Bonnells Bay
Pumped hydro profitable
QUEENSLAND'S Wivenhoe dam pumped hydro system has recently demonstrated how successfully, and profitably, pumped hydro storage systems can support renewable energy in providing reliable 24-hour power. Previously, Wivenhoe pumped water uphill mainly at night, but in August all pumping of water uphill occurred during peak solar daylight hours, at an average price of $18.69 per megawatt hour (Mwh).
Water was then returned downhill to generate power when demand exceeded supply, at an average of $116.02. Even at 60 per cent efficiency (low for a pumped hydro system) this is obviously a profitable process that will encourage the other pumped hydro systems currently under development in Australia. It is estimated only 0.1 per cent of the sites identified as suitable for pumped hydro across Australia will be needed to support a reliable 100 per cent renewable energy system.
- Richard Mallaby, Wangi Wangi
Word on NRL 'system'
MAYBE, Sam Burgess, you and your brothers could return home to England and play rugby league for peanuts if you don't like our system. I am sure there are a number of young Aussie boys who are working hard and would love to take the cash you are making.
- Kerry Redman, Waratah