Plan to sidestep planning guidelines might wreck our cities

The Grattan Institute proposal to bypass planning guidelines “anyplace” in capital cities to construct townhouses and three-storey flats is reckless (“Radical plan to revamp nation’s capital cities – and shave $100,000 off home costs”, November 6). It is certainly mandatory to construct extra housing, and crucially, inexpensive housing, but it surely should be achieved proper. Communities have rights and we should not go over the heads of locals. So lengthy as folks stay in them, cities should not the playthings of builders and keen city planners. Build on high of shopfronts on Parramatta Road, and in empty plots. Knock down buildings which are ugly or lack Victorian or Edwardian credentials. Just don’t be reckless with our cities. Will Thorpe, Haberfield

The complete thought of dividing websites into zones of one-storey and two-storey and three-storey and many others buildings is basically absurd. Proper neighbourhoods ought to embrace all forms of households, which is strictly what our current system prevents. However, the essential success issue lies in making use of correct efficiency requirements. There is not any indication that every one the magic-bullet options being put ahead to deal with the housing disaster have given any thought to this side of the scenario. In truth, there appears to be a stampede in direction of cruder and poorer controls within the sacred title of stimulating the industrial housing sector into producing extra however worse housing than it has to this point. If we’re ever to unravel the housing drawback, it shouldn’t be at the price of degraded city environments and diminished dwelling situations. A wide range of selection for all needs to be our watchword. Bruce Hyland, Woy Woy

It’s onerous to know if the Grattan Institute report suggesting a technique to cut back home costs by about 1 per cent a 12 months over 10 years is severe. One per cent a 12 months is hardly fixing the affordability drawback, however permitting three-storey flats and townhouses to be constructed anyplace in Australia’s capital cities will harm the inexperienced lungs of cities by eradicating city gardens and timber. Moving folks nearer to move solely works if such transport might be offered, the price of which might be born by the taxpayer, not the developer. And what in regards to the social infrastructure? It’s not simply the price, which developer contributions to councils don’t absolutely cowl, but additionally the true property required for taking part in fields and parks, and repair services. Dick Clarke, Elanora Heights

Fossilised help

The most annoying side of the Nationals’ resolution – probably quickly to be joined by the hapless Liberals – is that strolling away from their dedication to internet zero by 2050 is full capitulation to the relentless calls for of the dying fossil gas trade (“Australia is now watching the Coalition break down in actual time”, November 6). Our politicians needs to be exhibiting actual management by levelling with the Australian public and explaining that there can be persevering with prices, for everybody, in saving ourselves from the local weather mess, however the price of not performing can be far larger. Deloitte analysis has predicted a $43 trillion enhance to the worldwide financial system if we are able to implement a fast transition to internet zero by mid-century. So how can Nationals’ chief David Littleproud promise Australians a “higher, fairer and cheaper means” of offering electrical energy by utilizing extra greenhouse-gas-emitting coal, extra fuel and costly nuclear energy? It’s nonsense, and he and Sussan Ley ought to reject, outright, the antics of the handful of diehards nonetheless spruiking fossil fuels and taking part in political video games with the local weather disaster. Rob Firth, Red Hill (ACT)

It’s time for Sussan Ley to cease kidding herself that she will be able to sit down with the Nationals and agree on insurance policies and cease the Coalition infighting and disloyalty (“Ley urged to defy Nats on internet zero”, November 5). She must dissolve the Coalition and ship the Nationals to the backbenches because the minor get together that it’s. Then she must learn the riot act to the Liberals, demand loyalty and, most significantly, produce a local weather coverage embracing the Paris Agreement, internet zero, renewables and emissions discount. She can then try to guide the Liberals to enchancment in electoral efficiency and finally success. It will take years, however for the Liberals, it’s the one technique to go. Ken Butler, Mount Colah

Christmas has come early for Albo. The coal-fired implosion throughout the Coalition is a present that retains giving. The plain details are that the Liberals can not win authorities by themselves and the Nationals are dinosaurs ready to be worn out. But neither can politically exist with out the opposite, within the useless hoping of securing an election win someday earlier than 2050. Michael Blissenden, Dural

Why are politicians arguing over internet zero by 2050? Australia is forecast to lose 25 per cent of its coal-fired energy mills in 5 years and 60 per cent in 10 years. Nobody goes to fund one other coal-fired energy station. Nuclear energy would take 15 years – if it was ever tried. And all of the whereas, the demand for electrical energy is growing. The query will not be whether or not we imagine in local weather change or not, however what’s going to energy the air-conditioner or heater when the climate turns unhealthy? Dick Barker, Epping

Back-up wanted

Non-interruptible hundreds on the facility system, akin to hospitals, set up back-up mills. The Tomago smelter has not achieved that, counting on the interruptibility of its potlines and its electrical energy provider’s reserve capability to help it. It is time for Tomago to begin overlaying its personal back-up necessities if it needs to proceed to take pleasure in its rock-bottom energy pricing. Michael Britt, MacMasters Beach

Perhaps it’s Terry Cook who wants a actuality examine (Letters, November 6). To dismiss renewable power as a means of supporting the Tomago smelter ignores what Rio Tinto is doing and has achieved with its aluminium smelter in Gladstone, Queensland. Ditto BHP with its Olympic Dam mine and smelter in SA. Each have contracts to safe provide from firmed renewables. Unfortunately, NSW’s deliberate power transition simply appears to have hit too many procedural or political hurdles, resulting in disaster administration. Jim Allen, Panorama (SA)

Lift photo voltaic fee

Correspondents are suggesting that Joseph Ting is being egocentric for suggesting a method take a look at earlier than receiving three hours of free energy, as a result of the plan will price him nothing (Letters, November 6). What is being missed is the funding in his system, which can take a few years to repay, and likewise the truth that he most certainly is not going to profit from the free grid energy except he’s at house on a boring day. Giving free energy from those that have spent some huge cash on panels and batteries to those that haven’t will even discourage take-up of photo voltaic – why set up panels when you will get free energy from another person’s funding? To make the scheme honest, the speed paid for feeding photo voltaic again into the grid must be considerably elevated from its present low degree to assist recoup the price of personal methods. Alynn Pratt, Grenfell

Lab experiment

It wasn’t fairly “day out” of their bed room”, as Barbara Tregear wrote (Letters, November 6), but our youngsters learnt the fundamentals of gentleness and consent from one thing we known as “tufting”. The sport was that you simply eliminated the free fur from our properly rotund labrador as she slept in entrance of the heater – with out waking her. The largest pile received, but when her eyes opened, you forfeited. She would typically wake and let the youngsters know “I don’t consent to this” by gently grabbing a wrist to indicate “I’ll rip your bloody arm off”. But she by no means, ever relinquished her heater. The children revered Big Sister’s rights. Ronald Elliott, Sandringham (Vic)

Fast prepare coming

Why is the deliberate high-speed prepare route solely from Newcastle to Sydney (“High pace prepare route revealed”, November 6)? Back of an envelope calculation … Brisbane to Sydney to Melbourne is 1800 kilometres. In the house of 16 years, China has constructed a high-speed prepare community of 25,000 kilometres. That works out at 1500 kilometres a 12 months. At that fee, it ought to take us two years at most to construct a route that folks badly want. My spouse and I often journey to Melbourne and are uninterested in being held hostage by the airways. So why does it take us so lengthy? Perhaps a boss’s lounge at Sydney Central station will get the politicians on board. Tim Douglas, Hurlstone Park

After spending numerous rail journey time in Europe not too long ago, I mirrored with embarrassment on the drained previous community we’re provided on this vast brown land. So it’s with nice reduction to learn that the wheels are starting to show to point out travellers, not less than to Newcastle, simply what is feasible in a contemporary rail system. To journey to Melbourne from (close by) Moss Vale in the meanwhile is an antiquated nightmare, belonging nicely again into the final century. I assume I can’t see a quick interstate prepare any time quickly. But a Twenty first-century hyperlink to Melbourne would give rail journey a complete new picture, as patrons see and luxuriate in simply what is feasible. Let’s hope the Newcastle hyperlink will get issues shifting. Greg Vale, Kiama

Not so Aussie, Pauline

Pauline Hanson is paid nicely to be an MP, however she has been absent from the final two sitting weeks of parliament. Instead, she has been swanning round Florida, attending a Halloween get together and giving lectures in regards to the ruinous state of Australia whereas holding up Trump as a beacon to comply with. This appears to undermine her picture of Australia’s final “patriot” (“Hanson assaults Coalition at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago as she closes on Ley in polls”, November 6). Toni Lorentzen, Fennell Bay

Hanson is again to her dog-whistling finest, casting an unreasonably vast internet as she claims “Australia is taking in the identical hateful, radical migrants from international locations which are having an infinite impression on the UK and so many European nations”. She condemns pro-Palestine protesters but says nothing in regards to the rise of neo-Nazis and different right-wing extremists in Australia. Ever the opportunist, she now takes exception, stating that “in case you converse out about it, you’re branded Islamophobic or racist.” Well, if the cap matches. Tim Overland, Castle Hill

Minimal Minns

Chris Minns has been a disappointment for the reason that day he turned premier (“Is NSW now Labor’s drawback little one?” November 6). He has confirmed to be a pal of builders and Clubs NSW, in addition to being anti-protests. And who put the Israeli flag on the Opera House? An insensitive act in a migrant nation composed of communities from all around the world. Why not a dove of peace image or one thing comparable? I’m a Labor voter, however Chris Minns is sinking the ship by himself. Bring on the state election. Michael McMullan, Avoca Beach

Prioritise uni funding

I fully agree with Alison Stewart (Letters, November 6) that universities want extra public funding. My four-year-old grandson can be 40 when AUKUS is meant to be finalised. Imagine all of the modifications in that point. Better to spend cash now on much-needed tasks akin to enhancing universities, constructing housing, healthcare and numerous different extra necessary issues. Valerie Hoogstad, Clontarf

Consider all moms

The proposal for laws relating to start doulas must bear in mind Indigenous Australian ladies in distant communities who might not have the choice of house care however who want, for cultural causes, to provide start on Country (“Victoria and NSW think about legal guidelines to limit rogue start staff”, November 4). They additionally should be thought of earlier than this laws is handed, or they or their household danger being penalised for helping with the start. This might probably result in maternal or little one mortality in the event that they really feel that should conceal the start from the authorities. Karen Weiss, Bondi

History extra advanced

In his victory speech, New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani proclaimed “New York will stay a metropolis of immigrants, constructed by immigrants, powered by immigrants – and 1762415887, led by an immigrant” (“Zohran Mamdani’s 4 phrases for Trump after historic win”, November 6) I’ve a reminder for Mamdani and a takeaway for Australians. First, the land the place New York City stands was initially owned by the Indigenous Lenape folks, fraudulently taken within the early seventeenth century by the Dutch, then seized by the British a number of many years later. So, together with an acknowledgement that New York City is constructed on land misappropriated from its unique house owners would have given a extra nuanced overview, the sort of consciousness step by step creating in Australians. Second, Australia at the moment can also be partly powered by immigrants, one thing to be stored in thoughts within the often-emotional debates over ranges of immigration. Paul Casey, Callala Bay

New York has a brand new mayor who received greater than 50 per cent of the vote in a multi-racial, progressive and younger voters. Many of them are renters who’re struggling financially. This might occur in Australia, the place 87 per cent of the inhabitants stay in city areas. The Coalition has no probability sooner or later if they don’t perceive the altering demographics of this nation. Someone, someplace wants to elucidate it to them, or they’re actually lifeless within the water. Wendy Atkins, Cooks Hill

Fee inflation

What’s unsuitable with dad and mom sending their child to a high-fee personal faculty they understand to be a sensible choice, for no matter cause, if they’ll afford to (“Shore School bumps charges to over $50k a 12 months”, November 6)? Everything’s gone up – wages and prices – so why not charges? Tim Egan, Mosman

Off the radar

More gas for the Bureau of Meteorology debate. Every time I log onto the upgraded web site it asks me to make use of my “present deal with”. When I do, it offers me the climate in Greystanes. I’m certain that could be a good place – but it surely’s 700 kilometres due south of me. Nicolas Harrison, Evans Head

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