Your Letters

Newcastle Herald

Friday June 24, 2005

GR

Electric bike affordable

JEFF Corbett ("A slow ride to danger" Herald 21/6) criticises the use of electric bicycles as unregistered on suburban roads.

He also goes to some lengths to elaborate as to why these bikes should be registered for design safety.

I am certain that we have all encountered erratic drivers who, regardless of the type of vehicles they drive, operate with scant regard for the safety of other road users.

One point that Mr Corbett missed is the socio-economic aspect of many bike owners in the community. He mentions the Department of Housing estate at Hamilton South. It is easy to see that Mr Corbett lives in a more affluent part of the area and knows little of the plight of those who look for a more affordable means of transport.

The percentage of owners in that area represents a small percentage of the people who have bought the bikes from our company.

I would support the imposition of an age limit of 16 years for a rider. Similarly, the same should be considered for all bicycle riders on public roads.

Children do not have an inherent understanding of the road rules and few parents make any serious attempt to instil in them the need to observe safety rules as road users.

When petrol costs continue to soar and we are faced with increasing shortages of parking space and increased associated costs, it is the responsibility of governments at all levels to encourage us to look toward alternative means of transport.

Why not argue for design rules for electric bikes that allow policing of safety standards without the need for costly compliance plates and registration. Perhaps conditional registration could also be considered.

Trevor Patrick

Eazy Ride, Adamstown

June 21

Slow to act on disability issue

THE editorial ("Caring for the disabled" Herald 22/6) was informative and to the point.

However, I query Disability Minister John Della Bosca's sudden acknowledgement that there are problems with a psychiatric patient living in a Maitland home because residents had raised the issue before without a satisfactory outcome.

In early March, as a result of the concerns raised by residents, a question by the Opposition was put on notice in parliament to the minister.

The question made particular reference to what provisions were in place to minimise the impact on the community of any disruptive behaviour.

The answer boiled down to that everything was under control and that the department was in regular contact with the neighbours. It begs to wonder what the minister's definition of "under control" is, while the latter did not occur.

The residents also wondered whether the facility was operated at full capacity, seeing that only one person was accommodated in a four-bedroom house.

The minister's reply was "yes". How that answer can be reconciled with the vacant space in the facility is beyond belief. It finally took the Herald article for the minister to take notice.

Frits Pannekoek

Aberglasslyn

June 22

1080 concern

I READ with some concern that Port Stephens council will lay 1080 baits supposedly against feral aninmals.

How do we know that these baits do not affect carnivorous natives such as dingoes and quolls living in the area?

If these baits are dangerous for domestic dogs then they are also dangerous for endangered native species. Not to mention the carcinogenic effects of 1080 on all animals and humans and the potential of leakage into the waterways.

There has been so much scientific evidence recently emphasising the fragility of the Australian environment, however, we continually pollute it.

There are other ways to cull feral animnals. 1080 is a lethal poison and should be banned.

Sonya Manzalini

Kotara

June 21

Fight for rights

AS a proud member of the Australian Workers Union and a disgruntled employee of Boeing, I would like to extend my thanks to all the people of the Hunter for their enormous support.

We are only asking Boeing to talk to our representatives, the AWU, for a collective agreement. How can I as an individual fight for my rights against a company that employs more than 150,000 people worldwide and has legal representation at their disposal?

I cannot afford to engage a lawyer to represent me for my rights, so I have elected the AWU as my representative.

Boeing does not want to listen and, therefore, we are forced to take industrial action to fight for our rights. Boeing may not back down, and neither will the members of the AWU. We will be here one day longer than Boeing.

Peter Farrar

Thornton

June 22

Strange turn

WHAT is it with Newcastle left turns? Is there some strange magnetic force that exerts itself on cars when they want to turn left that means they have to first move two feet to the right? Did the earthquake do this?

Keith Russell

Mayfield West

June 22

Wild claim on fish stock

IN an advertising feature last week a well known fishing tackle shop claims a tenfold increase in fish stocks in Lake Macquarie. This is a 1000 per cent increase, leading one to wonder how this can be justified.

With results of the 2003-4 recreational fishing survey due out soon we will not have long to wait to learn the credibility of this claim. It may well indicate a slight increase but 1000 per cent is a dramatic and sensational turnaround.

What is really needed in this fish biomass debate is more responsibility and attention to scientific investigation. Wild claims damage the credibility and reputation of the individuals and organisations that make them and do little to develop the potential of this recreational fishing haven.

Alan Keft

Chair, Lake Macquarie Fish Management Advisory Group

Warners Bay, June 22

Letter of the week

Each week the letter judged the best, most succinct and interesting will win a double pass to the next Hunter Jaegers home game at Newcastle Entertainment Centre, courtesy of The Herald. The winner will be announced each Saturday on this page.

© 2005 Newcastle Herald

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