The NSW local government elections are over and to new beginnings. Once the 18th mayor and councillors sit down and prioritise the issues which voted them into council, it is hoped that one of the most pressing items on the agenda will be about the "vibrant destination and loveable suburb of Broadmeadow" as quoted in the vision in the Broadmeadow Place Strategy, which is a draft.
It is hoped that the new lord mayor will put on his sunnies and read this technicoloured, computer generated piece of fluff. We all know that the project will not look exactly like the brochure in 30 years' time. Therefore, the basketball courts can be included in the sporting precinct and the Novocastrians can continue to enjoy Blackley and Wallarah ovals as they are today.
Hilary Oliver, New Lambton
Public transport due a fare go
The NSW Labor government should follow Queensland's lead by cutting public transport fares to 50 cents ("50 cent fares to stay in Qld - at least for four years", Newcastle Herald 15/9). The Queensland Labor government extended their cheap fare scheme for four years after increasing the use of buses by 16 per cent, ferries by 43 per cent and trains by 22 percent compared to 2023. The report says patronage in regional areas like Mackay was up 30 per cent; Whitsundays 21 per cent and Bundaberg 11 per cent.
Newcastle and the Hunter need cheap fares on public transport
It cuts the cost of living, takes more cars off the road, stretches the budget and supports the environment. Affordable transport fares really help people get out of isolation, go to appointments and into the community.
Generally the poorest people, including the elderly, use public transport. Cheap fares help them instead of being targeted and fined for fare evasion when they can't afford fares. Now's the time for Labor to support public transport by cutting fares.
Kerry Vernon, New Lambton
Not every suburb got early option
FUNNY how we of the never-never suburb don't even rate a pre polling place for the council elections. Just another nail in the coffin. All this from the political parties that shouldn't be part of the process.
John Bradford, Beresfield
Complexities to mall's downfall
JUST before the council elections I was listening to ABC radio, on which candidates for lord mayor were questioned about the state of the Hunter Street mall.
They lamented the number of empty shops and what they would do about it. A caller said she was embarrassed to take visitors there. Some said more public transport was needed while another said parking was the issue. Another said the suburban shopping complexes caused the issues with the mall.
Little was said about the closure of the railway. My belief is that all the candidates made valid points. No one action will bring people back to the city centre.
I still say closing the railway was the most significant act that drove people away from Hunter Street. However, the damage has been done and I'm not sure that the city centre will ever be the same again.
Peter Sansom, Kahibah
Is Trump up to the top job?
YOU'D think that an online post screaming "I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!" would belong to an immature young teenager having difficulty controlling their emotions. But no, it's the latest ranting from the emotionally challenged Republican nominee; the oldest to ever contest the US presidency.
This is the man who will need to interact sanely, diplomatically and tactfully with many powerfully dangerous people he doesn't like. This man will have the nuclear codes. When will the media, as they rightfully did with Joe Biden, begin to seriously question this man's borderline senility and his ability to competently perform the role of president in the interests of humanity - and not just himself?
He continually fails to demonstrate that he has the capacity to deal with serious national and international issues in a way that won't lead to tragic consequences.
John Arnold, Anna Bay
Let's get trains on time before we speed it up
HERE, here Ken Stead ("Nurses pay beats a faster train", Letters, 16/9). As a public transport user, specifically the train, due to a medical condition, I'm wondering how fast the trains will be late? Opal fares go up, yet every week there are numerous delays. I think I can, I think I can said the little train.
Matt McAlary, Waratah
Fields' drainage woes are a drag
I would like to see our council pay more attention to our playing fields which are so important to our citizens and their children. Adamstown Oval has four playing fields which are drained so badly they can't be used after moderate rain, and this problem has persisted for years. At nearby Myers Park nearby, council constructed a great shared path, but engineers did not realise the path would exacerbate the drainage problems. The sloppy drainage, pun intended, of our fields needs attention. One would hope the many council employees could help alleviate this problem.
Paul Nicod, Hamilton South
Correspondent has fallen quiet
IT'S due ... just wondering how long it will be until a new letter arrives at the Newcastle Herald from Scott Neylon now the local government elections are over. Must be soon.
Rick Johnson, Tuncurry
Another record for Trump
TRUMP, after the latest assassination attempt in Florida, is adding to his extremely long list of records that will be never beaten in a 1000 years.
Alan Hamilton, Hamilton East
NRL has footy viewers covered
Geoff Black ("Clear winner in footy code fight", Letters, 16/9), regarding AFL being a code winner especially in Victoria: that has always been accepted, especially with their religious club support they have and their resistance to accepting any change, beer included. The fact that the Storm still has not managed to crack the market proves it. What may surprise you is that the NRL actually outrates AFL on TV. Simple fact is, AFL is such an expansive game it only suits watching the game live to really appreciate it.
Tony Mansfield, Lambton
Sending a message over texts
How dare Labor use mobile numbers to send texts to people. Mine was sent at 3.19pm on September 11. The heading was "NSW Labor pre poll is open to avoid Saturday queues. Vote Labor."
