REGARDING the proposed development by The Griffith Group for Boolaroo, how can anyone suggest that more 24-hour fast-food places are in the public interest ('From lead smelter to fast-food centre', Newcastle Herald 13/9)? Ugly imported franchises, drive-through no doubt, right next to a heritage building. What a depressing proposal for the suburb of my youth, lacking in imagination.
THE horrific Climate Risk Assessment raises many questions. ("Deadly and expensive: nations climate threats", Herald 16/9). How can the Albanese government still support our massive and expanding fossil fuel industry, which already sees us as the ultimate home for 4.5 per cent of global emissions? How can they continue to insist gas exports are helping the shift to clean energy when we know they actually displace renewables in developing countries? Why do the forward estimates in the most recent federal budget include $67 billion to subsidise fossil fuel climate-destroyers?
A COLOURFUL brochure was recently delivered to my home. It has what looks like the logo for the City of Newcastle emblazoned upon it and otherwise looks ridgy didge. However it doesn't have a single photo of Newcastle's lord mayor in it. Am I being scammed?
LET'S not forget America's greatness is founded on slavery, pillage, racism, genocide, war-mongering, and assassinations. Charlie Kirk's assassination is one of many. America is a sick, sick society.
JENNA Price ("Coalition's sad song on migration", Opinion 13/9), how dare you spread hate in your opinion of Jacinta Nampijinpa Price on her comments on the Indian population voting Labor, saying in your own words they will never vote for her or her "hateful ways". Jacinta Price never said the word 'hate', you did. Maybe you should apologise to her. While you're at it, the Australian public voted against the Voice. Jacinta Nampijinpa Price holds her Aboriginal heritage in high regard, and I think to say she betrayed them is poor journalism.
THE secret plan to base AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines in Newcastle and Port Kembla ("Secret plan for nuclear submarine base in Newcastle", Newcastle Herald 17/9) is a slap in the face for families, communities and seafarers who simply want to live and work in a healthy environment.
Overseas experience shows that nuclear submarines are a threat to humans and the environment. In the UK, they have reported serious problems and operational risks, including radiological pollution of marine and coastal environments and wildlife; risks of radioactivity doses to coastal populations; and the risk of collisions between civilian vessels and nuclear submarines, especially in the approaches to busy naval and civilian sea ways and fishing grounds.
In May 2025, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed dozens of radiological incidents between April 2024 and April 2025 at Faslane and Coulport nuclear submarine bases in Scotland, involving "actual or high potential for radioactive release to the environment", including discharges of radioactive tritiated water vapour. The UK also experienced 170 "interactions" between civilian vessels and nuclear submarines from 1982 to 2015, including net "snaggings", collisions, near misses and at least 30 suspicious unexplained sinkings in UK waters. These incidents led to loss of life, total loss of vessels and loss of fishing gear. Across the world's oceans, there were a number of other nuclear submarine incidents. Nuclear sub operations would be a serious navigation hazard in the vicinity of maritime channels and port approaches to Newcastle and Port Kembla.
I WAS sad to see the article by Jacqui Daley, chair of Hunter Manufacturing ("Hunter's diverse manufacturers used to heavy lifting", Opinio, 17/9). She forgot to mention one of the biggest industries in this area was shipbuilding and ship repair, with the State Dockyard and Carrington Slipways Building ships until 1991. G.H Varley was also involved. I believe if you are talking about Hunter industries, you need to include those as they were some of the great industries of the area. I spent 20 great years at Carrington Slipways.
THIS month a Sydney newspaper reported that RSPCA officers were deliberately not responding to cruelty cases and animals were suffering and dying. The RSPCA denied this, stating it responds to all calls despite the fact that funds from the government and the public cannot keep up with ever-rising costs.
Apart from the police, only two organisations are empowered to investigate animal cruelty in NSW. These are the RSPCA and the Animal Welfare League. These organisations are not-for-profit charities.
Before the 2023 state election, now NSW Premier Chris Minns' commitment to creating an Independent Office of Animal Welfare was welcomed by key animal advocacy groups, including the Australian Alliance for Animals. Such an agency would address actual and perceived conflicts of interest where animal welfare comes second to some food production systems. Ultimately, an Independent Office of Animal Welfare would deliver better outcomes for animals. Two years into Labor's term, there has been little action. Animals continue to suffer, and charities are left to cope as best they can.
When will you establish an Independent Office of Animal Welfare, Mr Minns?
TODAY I watched the final part of a brilliant, hard-to-watch documentary on SBS called The US and the Holocaust. I was born at the end of World War II, a baby boomer. I'm the daughter of a Digger and a proud Novocastrian. The program was in three parts and showed in very graphic detail (and not for the first time) the attempted annihilation of the Jewish population. I saw lots of troops wearing the feared swastika. Lots of human bodies stacked like cattle carcasses. It's frightening, and it brought to mind a march held a few weeks ago in Newcastle where swastika flags were displayed. I'd like to see all those who displayed that evil sign sit for a few hours and see the repercussions it has caused in the past.
Don't bring that sign here again.