Roads upgrade plea
I find it rather disappointing to learn that it takes a coalition flogging for Roma Britnell to hear the message. Labor put forward a positive plan, the Coalition did not, while suggestions and advice from your supporters fell by the wayside. Instead of working hard, she needs to listen and respect her supporters. Show some representation by answering letters and phone calls in response to suggestions, as so much voluntary groundwork in relation to road upgrades had been done in her favour. We, as a few locals campaigned for three decades to have the remaining 10 kilometres of the Macarthur-Myamyn road and intersection upgraded. We were advised by Mrs Britnell that nothing could be done as money had not been allocated in the budget. Contrary to the advice, we managed to have the minister for roads come with funding and have the road completed within six months. The road would not have been upgraded yet if we had relied upon local politicians, take a look at the Bessiebelle -Woolsthorpe road for example. By criticising the Andrews Labor Government on every move made in relation to road improvements, without a better alternative other than stating "when we get into government we will fix the roads”. This is common practice, to see our statewide network go backwards. One thing in our favour is, we now have a marginal seat. This gives us a chance of getting some response from both sides of politics. However there is a lot of planning to be done to correct the present situation on road maintenance. I look forward to Mrs Britnell’s new approach to represent the electorate over the next parliamentary term. I have been waiting for almost two years to meet with her and shadow minister for roads. Proper and efficient maintenance on our state roads is long overdue. We have put forward a proposal and plans for a trial in the South West Coast area to replace VicRoads with a council-run system. This will see roadworks inspected and built to a specified standard in our area, with road funding spent locally.
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Wallace Hill, Macarthur
Renewable energy critical
With the state election over it’s no surprise to see Cr Jim Doukas spearheading the mainly ideological campaign against windfarms as a renewable resource. The significant economic benefits they and solar initiatives bring to our south-west economy and their critical role in combating climate change seems to escape him and others. Like coal Jim is increasingly a relic of the past and it’s time for greener pastures.
Tony Delaney, Warrnambool
Treatment ‘a disgrace’
Imperial Britain dispatched their disposed on ‘boats’ and colonised and ‘settled’ a country already inhabited. Were they called boat people? As a now existing nation run by a self-interested bunch with no statesman or stateswoman evident, the treatment of offshore refugees is a national disgrace. The premise based on more people coming by boat shows how inept co-national border security is. Parliament closes for the Christmas break leaving no room at the inn for refugees, the nation’s existing disposed by economical tycoons can’t get in either. Looking in their mirrors parliamentarians will see their self-satisfying image, planning a new power coup. For the new year I would hope you’ve been given the ‘bible’ of compassion via good governance.
Marjorie Lamb, Warrnambool
Stay safe on the roads
Far too many people died or were seriously injured on Victorian roads during 2018. So as we enter the busy holiday period, and traffic ramps up yet another notch, we must take even more care when we get behind the wheel. Fatigue is one of the top five factors contributing to motor vehicle accidents in Australia. I urge drivers in the Warrnambool region to watch for the warning signs and avoid driving tired. There are a number of ways to avoid driver fatigue, including getting a good night’s sleep, sharing the driving responsibilities and taking regular rest breaks on long road trips. As a local road safety advocate, I often see the devastating impacts that distracted driving has on families and the entire community. It’s important we don’t allow the stresses and fatigue people often feel at this time of year to negatively impact their driving behaviour. During the holidays it is also important we pay close attention to speed limits, do not text while driving, always wear seatbelts, and watch alcohol consumption limits. We urge all road users to adopt safe road behaviours and take road safety seriously to ensure we all arrive home safely this festive season.
Madelaine Landini, lawyer, Maurice Blackburn Geelong