Duplicate highway
It is obvious that all relevant authorities associated with the upgrading of the Princes Highway west of Colac lack vision. The numbers that Cr Chris O'Connor is referring to in making a decision on the highway between Colac and the South Australian border are yesterday’s numbers. Yesterday’s numbers that dictate yesterday’s solutions in building the proposed "2+1" highway. Road users want solutions that will have long-term benefits. Think ahead and count the numbers for 30 to 50 years ahead and you will come up with a dual lane each-way highway. By-pass the towns, as evidence suggests they prosper when that happens. The towns are quieter, it is safer for locals, the environment benefits with reduced noise levels and fuel usage and the most important aspect would be reduced road accidents and deaths. The dual highway to Winchelsea is an instant benefit and it will be even better when it gets to Colac. Build the dual lane highway to the South Australian border. Build it now, do it once, do it right and save billions of dollars in the future. Put yesterday’s ideas in the bin.
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Brian Currell, Dandenong North
Don’t cut penalty rates
Despite what NSW Senator Leyonhjelm says (The Standard, January 16), the cutting of youth penalty rates will do very little to reduce youth unemployment. It may help a few businesses with their bottom line figures perhaps and is likely the main reason for this unjust bill being put forward. Economic rationalism where our job protecting tariffs were slashed, work outsourced to other countries and industries basically told they were not needed or wanted anymore are the real reason for unemployment. The closure or sale of most of our government-run agencies has not helped either.
Why is it always the vulnerable and the disadvantaged who bear the brunt of belt tightening? Because they either do not or cannot vote or fight back in an effective way. Try imposing a new tax or collecting an existing tax on those who can and legally paying their tax and that politician will be unemployed as well. This proposal comes from a person who has a salary of about $200k a year with generous allowances and perks. Politicians claim somewhere close to $500 million each year in expenses. This is what a real penalty rate is. No wonder they fight to get into parliament and stay there. Little wonder they now want to increase the GST by 50 per cent. This relentless beating down on the poor or powerless by governments and their refusal to recognize that some people will always need assistance will eventually do more damage to Australia than any terrorist group.
Ross Ward, Warrnambool
Masterplan concerns
Moyne Shire is due to make a decision on the Southcombe Park Master Plan next week. The conclusion says: “The master plan has been developed to guide the future improvements and management of the reserve ... whilst supporting and enhancing opportunities for broader community use, including ongoing use by the annual Port Fairy Folk Festival.” In reality, the report does little to support the festival’s future. If some recommendations are accepted, the future of the festival on that site is in jeopardy. I am passionate about the benefits of the festival and I have worked for over 30 years so community groups benefit. Organisations in Port Fairy – including the council – should think long and hard about the financial effects of not having a folk festival. In the past 20 years the festival has given $2.4 million in grants – with $950,000 promised for future projects. Additionally, we should add all the payments, about $120,000, made to community groups for providing services during the festival. These groups are not all from Port Fairy – some are from Macarthur, Hawkesdale, Koroit and Warrnambool. At the moment the council see us as just one voice in the master plan, but surely our value to the town is worth more. Make your thoughts known to councillors.
Margaret Whitehead, Port Fairy
