DEAR News Of The Area, UP until recently diabetics on a chronic health care plan received their five visits bulk billed to the podiatrists. Now podiatrists demand we pay a gap of about $30 per visit… on a pension this is another cost-of-living failure by the government. Why doesn’t the government arrange Medicare to pay […]
DEAR News Of The Area, I WRITE in response to Kenneth Higgs’ recent letter regarding the suspension of the Port Stephens Council’s Emissions Reduction policy. Mr Higgs is entitled to his opinion, but his version of events deserves scrutiny. To claim that councillors who voted to suspend the policy acted on behalf of “polluting fossil […]
DEAR News Of The Area, IT WAS very disturbing to read in July’s EcoNetwork newsletter about the controversial Shoal Bay carpark proposal on crown reserve land. I am shocked by the lack of community consultation, transparency and a design that seeks the removal of beautiful, mature, iconic trees that are part of Shoal Bay’s heritage, […]
DEAR News Of The Area, I AM disappointed that a cabal of conservative councillors hijacked a recent Port Stephens Council meeting and suspended our local policy on Emissions Reduction. To make matters worse, it appears that the motion was rammed through without any community consultation, by a narrow margin of five votes to four against. […]
DEAR News Of The Area, DURING a recent meeting with Port Stephens Council, regarding our local dirt roads at Swan Bay, at which 18 residents attended, Council made it abundantly clear they are now only undertaking road repairs based on a quick temporary fix and not repairing them properly. They say it is done this […]
DEAR News Of The Area, PORT Stephens Councillors should be commended for their stand on overhauling drainage issues in Medowie. Could the drainage issues be a result of poor infrastructure planning prior to the mass and rapid urban development of the area? We need improved stormwater drainage and management across Port Stephens, especially in areas […]
DEAR News Of The Area, EVERYONE needs to play their part in reducing emissions, preventing pollution and putting a brake on global warming. We owe it to future generations to take urgent action now. Many scientists are saying it’s already too late. Because of this urgency, I don’t want a Council that is going to […]
DEAR News Of The Area, STATE MP Kate Washington needs to understand that all the talk of funding may make us feel warm and fuzzy, but the problem is the haphazard approach and lack of accountability for how road repairs are being undertaken. Take the intersection of Lemon Tree and Oyster Cove roads. When you […]
PORT Stephens Council has and still is performing above expectations in current economic and climate circumstances. It will take some time to fix major issues like roads but with the professional management team and dedicated staff the future looks bright. I would like Councillors and management to consider the danger of large trees in residential […]
DEAR News Of The Area, LAST Monday night, I attended an industry seminar down in Martin Place in Sydney with the Australian Institute of Energy (AIE) and electrical industry professionals. I’m a member of the AIE Newcastle branch and this seminar was called “The Challenge of Social Licence in the Energy Transition” which was basically […]
