However, Warrnambool and the surrounding area has been either largely or only slightly affected by fires. People still want to travel and have holidays. People do not want to visit burnt areas. In this context this is an ideal opportunity for the Warrnambool City Council (WCC) to advertise nationally that Warrnambool and the surrounding area has been either been largely or only slightly affected by fires (whatever the actual fact is) and to visit here now.

This advertising campaign should happen even if the WCC cannot afford it as in the current context the WCC cannot afford to NOT advertise. If it wants to do the right thing for Warrnambool and the surrounding area this is what they must do. Warrnambool residents often vehemently make very negative comments about the WCC due to its very poor performance over the decades.

Now is a great opportunity for it to counter this view by investing in a national advertising campaign and be largely responsible for saving the local economy and the livelihoods of the local people. Not only MUST the WCC mount this advertising campaign but it must be done NOW as time is of the essence.

Peter Nielsen, Warrnambool

The denial campaign on climate reached a new low with Anthony Cane's assertion that in relation to the bushfires ''blaming the climate change myth is wicked '' (The Standard, January 18) . These loaded words are highly insulting to the overwhelming majority of scientists concerned about its impact and inadequate action by governments.

His claim that fuel loads are a major cause of bushfires isn't supported by many fire chiefs and others on the ground. Along with arson the fuel load issue is exaggerated by some to deny any role of climate change and scapegoat environmentalists with cries of green madness. Scott Morrison found to his detriment that refusing to meet the fire commissioners last April was unwise.

The bushfires review setup by the Andrews government will help our understanding and how to better respond in the future. Climate change denial does nothing to assist and is a convenient diversion with declining credibility.

Tony Delaney, Warrnambool

I attended the council meeting last Monday night which was lively to say the least. The noisy, anti-horse lobby once again showed they are not interested in listening to facts.

In particular, when Councillor Hulin was speaking about the northern carpark extension near Pavillion Restaurant, he described the proposed area as a haven for vermin. Cr Hulin was heckled for this statement.

In fact, he is absolutely correct. As one who attends this area at least 300 mornings per year, I have witnessed countless sightings, of rats, foxes, mice and rabbits, (all classed as vermin) in around the scrub and pathway in this area.

The proposed car park extension is sorely needed and is part of the Harbour precinct improvements. There isn't enough parking for boat trailers, yacht club members, visitors, and restaurant patrons. It will also help to separate horse vehicles safely away from the public. Warrnambool Racing club is contributing to the funding of this carpark, not ratepayers.

It should be remembered this carpark will be available to the general public every day. Horse vehicles will be gone by 10am. The wider conversation should be about better development of that whole area for the community.

Tammy Good, Warrnambool

Free parking until 10am and then after 4pm through December and January would be a good start and would definitely help those businesses that manage to hang on until then. But, why not make it all year?

Locals need some free parking time to run little errands - go to the bank, drop in to the library or City Council, leave items at the Op shop, etc ... Free parking would make this so much quicker. The City Council would have the added bonus of not needing to change the meters and signage at the beginning of December and end of January which would be quite a financial saving

Merrilyn Crabbe, Wararnambool

I find it bizarre that some people, including some so called climate experts, attribute this summer's bushfires to 'climate change' meaning 1 or 2 degrees of 'global warming' in turn triggering the current drought.

At the same time they ignore, deny or just obfuscate about the role of accumulated fuel load.It is like saying a campfire just big enough to boil the billy, fry bacon and cook some damper is the same as a bonfire used to burn a witch. It is also like saying that being 1 or 2 warmer turns the campfire into a bonfire. It is whacko logic, the stuff of .... 'deniers'.

The weather of this land of 'droughts and flooding rains' is directly affected by the Pacific Ocean El Nino - La Nina phases, the Indian Ocean Dipole phases as well another oscillation in the Southern Ocean all of which are natural phenomena. I guess they are associated with the Earth spinning and gravity, a bit like the tides but on much longer return periods and have sweet fanny adams directly in common with CO2 emissions and 'global warming'.

I would like to welcome all the alarmists back to planet reality but I guess someone has to interact with the aliens. Do you need anything up there? More tinfoil?

Michael Seward, Port Fairy

I for one hope that we save more than $10 per household if we are losing half of our domestic rubbish collections.

This trial really needs some more thought for the larger households. It is up to all of us to try and reduce our waste footprint but not everyone can do it.Young families especially need the extra space in the residential rubbish and need the weekly pick-up.The basic function of councils are roads, rates and rubbish.

I think this new bi weekly residential rubbish collection is disadvantaging the larger households in our community.Not every household sees the need for a glass collection service especially when there will be glass collection points around the city. WCC should listen to its residents and make this service optional only for the households that need it. I hope we see Warrnambool City Council rethink this proposal before it is rolled out across the whole city.

Ben Blain, Warrnambool

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