Revitalising the east end of Hunter Street? We can't see it

SHARE YOUR OPINION

Email letters@newcastleherald.com.au or send a text to 0427 154 176 (include name and suburb). Letters should be fewer than 200 words. Short Takes should be fewer than 50 words. Disclose political party roles or affiliations. Correspondence may be edited in any form.

Hunting for city improvements

"City surplus comes with $16.8m asterisk as costs climb higher" (Herald, 27/10) mentions that City of Newcastle posts that $12 million was spent on infrastructure in three Newcastle suburbs, one of which was top of Hunter Street, Newcastle. I live in this area and attempt to navigate it almost daily and I have not seen any work carried out. Would those funds have been used partially on the waterpark cost blowout? Revitalising the east end of Hunter Street? We can't see it.

Denise Lindus Trummel, Newcastle

Something to ponder over coffee at the cafe

It's outrageous that a yearly outdoor dining fee of about $4000 can be applied to already struggling cafes in the greater Newcastle area ("Cafe owner slams 'outrageous' fee", Herald, 29/10). That City of Newcastle says that money will be used for beautification in these areas is laughable, considering some of the so-called improvements I have seen. The council needs to get its act together and give these struggling business owners a break.

Tony Morley, Waratah

Frightening incident on school run

On October 14, I was driving on Seaham Road with my wife about 2.40pm heading to Raymond Terrace to pick up our granddaughter from school.

Travelling at 80kmh near Jacaranda Grove Preschool, our car was struck from above by a branch about eight metres long. Luckily only the smaller last three metres of the branch hit the car.

Neither of us was injured, except for being covered with glass. It was more noticeable on the passenger side as that side of the car took the brunt of the impact. We have been told that our car has been written off by the assessor as the damage was so great.

Luckily we were insured comprehensively and are now looking for another set of wheels.

During recent months of dry, unsettled weather, then rain and on the day of our accident strong wind, something had to give.

On this day it was an exceptionally large part of a gum tree.

This part of Seaham Road has several large trees, many of which hang over the centre of the road. I suggest a council-led mission along with the home owners to make these overhanging trees safe, before it happens again, causing injuries or a fatality instead of just someone's expensive machinery.

I have mentioned the council, as home owners would not be able to accomplish the task safely, and do not have the equipment or the authority to close sections of Seaham Road during the work.

David Donnelly, Seaham

Complaint ripple effect

Dorin Suciu's letter raises plenty of objections to the V8 Superboats, but offers little evidence to support them ("High-octane thrills unwelcome on Lake Mac," Letters, 26/10). Where are the attendance figures, environmental assessments or measurable proof of the alleged impacts?

Temporary noise and access restrictions are part of hosting major events. They don't automatically make those events inappropriate.

My concern is the ripple effect. One complaint becomes several, then a campaign, and eventually another event disappears because a vocal minority finds it inconvenient. Newcastle has already lost Supercars. Do we really want Lake Macquarie heading down the same path?

Genuine environmental concerns deserve investigation, but decisions should be based on evidence, not assumptions or personal grievances.

Keep treating major events as unwelcome intrusions, and eventually organisers will stop coming. Then we'll hear complaints that nothing exciting ever happens here.

Mark Olsen, Eleebana

Scary prices at festival

I wanted to raise concerns about the pricing and transparency of children's activities at the Halloween Family Fest at Stockton foreshore.

As a parent, I was shocked by the cost of attending what was promoted as a family-friendly community event.

The organisers advertised rides as costing between two and six tokens. However, the bungy trampoline actually cost seven tokens, equivalent to $14 for about five minutes.

Other costs included:

• $10 entry per person
• $12 for a single turn on the Monster Run inflatable obstacle course.

What concerned me most was that the individual ride prices were not clearly displayed before families paid to enter.

While the organisers had advertised a token range, the actual costs were not made clear, and at least one attraction exceeded the advertised maximum.

For families with multiple children, these expenses add up incredibly quickly, particularly when the activities last only a few minutes.

I appreciate that events have operating expenses, and I want to acknowledge that the staff were friendly and helpful. However, I believe there is a legitimate question about the affordability and transparency of events being marketed to local families.

At a time when household budgets are already stretched, should families be expected to pay an entry fee only to discover that individual activities cost as much as $14 each?

I have already contacted the organisers regarding my concerns.

Joe Fowler, Mayfield

One Nation does it again

At a time when Australia has seen the alleged attempted murder of a prominent politician, One Nation is showing what a low life it is. One Nation has released a cartoon using a popular children's character Bluey running over politicians. Sickening. What are Australians thinking? That's right, they're not thinking.

Colin Rowlatt, Newcastle

Sniff of growing discontent

The growing controversy over the sewage discharge over the Marrickville Golf Club seems to have reached a blockage, creating a smell. Albanese remains undeterred as the challenges clog up the debate.

Grahame Danaher, Coal Point

Albanese swings, misses

It's hard to know what Albo's preferred lie is. He's definitely in the rough and certainly sub par.

Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay