Short Takes

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday September 30, 2008

GR

This is the forum for those who want to make a point fast. Brief opinions may be phoned to (02) 49795980 between 9.30am and 1pm Monday to Friday or emailed to letters@theherald.com.au

In view of the increasing costs to Hunter residents to pay for the Tillegra Dam ("Water bills set to soar" Herald 26/9), would Hunter Water boss Kevin Young please tell us how many million dollars are going from the Hunter Region to feed the Sydney coffers every year?

Doug Burnitt, Garden Suburb

I have contacted Lake Macquarie City Council about my concerns over the Indian myna bird ("A myna bird disaster" Letters 20/9). Given that the council's own website recognises the major threat to native wildlife this introduced bird poses, I'm surprised more is not being done to reduce the swelling numbers of this aggressive pest. There are now inexpensive, proven trapping methods that could be bought by the council. The captured birds could then be disposed of in a humane way and the problem dramatically reduced.

Ron Holmes, Macquarie Hills

Organisations such as EnergyAustralia should rethink their methods when dealing with the aged. Recently I required it to carry out some domestic electrical work. First, the contractors engaged by EnergyAustralia gave us wrong information concerning the work. When completed, it was totally unsatisfactory. Then, as I later found, the cost was almost double that normally expected within the electrical trade. Their attitude left much to be desired. Pensioners would do well to seek quotes elsewhere. It leaves me wondering whether proposed private energy companies intend to support these types of ethics. Just not good enough.

Jean Anderson, New Lambton

The Federal Government should realise it costs more to board a dog for a week than an aged pensioner receives from the Government, yet millions of dollars are available for retiring politicians. I have also read that former prime minister John Howard has earned about $1 million in the past 12 months on the speaking circuit, on top of his pension and lurks and perks, while the paltry aged pension is means tested. Then again, as another former prime minister said, life wasn't meant to be easy for us lot.

Paul Ruddy, Newcastle

Will Kevin Rudd's $4 billion purchase of mortgages earn him the title of the nation's first sub-prime minister?

Alan Creek, Wallsend

SMS your say

For the short, sweet and textsavvy. SMS your opinion to 0427154176. Please include your name, suburb and a landline. Authorities have got a hide to charge hunter residents for building Tillegra Dam. We are last to need it, and don't want it.

Greg Williams, Jesmond

I detect a rip-off against the Hunter people with water rates going up while our dams r full. I reckon it is all 2 do with keeping Sydney supplied. Let them pay.

Col Page, Adamstown

G8 to hear a good story on rugby league players 4 a change ("Knights by name and by nature" Letters 29/9). Keep up the good work knights.

Lynda Gray, Maryland

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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