Sth Coast Gets Dam By Stealth

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday May 25, 2005

HAVING received the shock information (from Brisbane of all places!) about the NSW Government's idea of raising the height of Tallowa Dam in Kangaroo Valley by 5m, I have now learned about a subsequent knee-jerk meeting of senior bureaucrats where a height of 10m was also discussed.

If the mooted height keeps rising at this rate, the Government won't need the expensive pipes and pumps they have been talking about since October last year.

Here we have dam builders, pumps and pipes people, bureaucrats and politicians all running around like chooks with their heads cut off, trying to convince everyone that the Shoalhaven River will be the saviour of Sydney's water woes.

They seem to think that all they have to do is throw 19th century technological fixes at it so we can get on with our unsustainable population and water consumption growth rates without any more thought about the consequences.

The modifications of the dam wall to take the necessary structural changes will come at a significant financial cost. But the real cost will be to the environment.

Clearly this is a plan to make sure even more water can be stored and pumped to Sydney. It is another dam on the Shoalhaven by stealth!

Whether or not the Government can get its head around the concept of sustainable river systems and living within one's means, the people of Shoalhaven cannot be expected to put up with the pumping regime that is trashing our river nor the ill-conceived plans for making the situation worse.

- TERRY BARRATT,

Chair, Shoalhaven River Alliance.

Torture ideas

MELBOURNE academic Mirko Bagaric has created headlines by arguing that torture should, occasionally, be legally permissible.

While one can imagine theoretical scenarios, in the real world even an objective observer would rarely, if ever, have all the information required to be confident that torture - and only torture - would avoid a disaster, or even do more good than harm.

Professor Bagaric has some much better ideas. He believes policies should aim to maximise global wellbeing and has consequently argued that the wealthy should pay a lot more tax and that far more people should be able to migrate from poor to rich nations.

The utilitarian professor might concentrate on promoting these two ideas, and on speaking out against the prevailing glut of indefensible torture.

BRENT HOWARD,

Rydalmere.

Pavilion plan

WHY not consider the refurbishment of the North Beach Pavilion, retaining its character and design, to house the North Beach lifesaving organisation?

This would release the existing surf club building for commercial development and I feel sure that the developer would contribute to the refurbishment, as a lease condition, particularly as the surf club can be extended at the north end.

Would this ensure the long-term viability and use of the two buildings?

- CLIFF SEARS,

Balgownie.

Tough for Harry

ONCE again Allan Parrish shows his total ignorance of the military (Mercury, May 14).

If he makes it, Prince Harry will do a year's tough training at the army officer training unit before being posted to an army regiment.

For Mr Parrish's education, there are no cavalry units as such these days, they have become mobile units (armoured car or tank units). The Royal Horse Guards are used for ceremonial duty only.

- TOM ATHERTON,

Figtree.

Lifelong suffering

SUFFERERS of substance disorder experience lifelong hardship.

Families, friends and the rest of the community are usually affected as well.

Many people with this disorder either end up in prison or dead.

A gene has been isolated in the brain, which is responsible for this condition. It is, in fact, the most common psychiatric illness, ahead of depression and schizophrenia. Unfortunately, the drug and alcohol services and the mental health services are not co-ordinating well enough to meet the ongoing needs of these sufferers.

Those suffering this illness should receive medical treatment just like any other sick person.

- DARREN ELLIOTT,

Grenfell.

Well done, Matt

CONGRATULATIONS to Matt Russell on his advancement in the television industry.

Matt has always been very helpful to all sports but I particularly refer to rodeo and boxing.

The talented presenter has given space to the fast growing sport of rodeo and as publicity officer for the Southern Zone of NSW rodeos, I thank him.

- LES WILSON,

Wollongong.

School names

HERE'S some more colloquial names for Wollongong schools: Corn Beef and Cabbage - Christian Brothers College, Regent St; Jam Tin Society - Junior Technical School, Gladstone Ave.

- L G CHAMBERLAIN,

Bulli.

Why sell Telstra?

THE Federal Minister for Communications Helen Coonan has stated that between 1993 and 2004 Telstra has paid the Commonwealth Government some $18 billion.

As the Government still owns 51 per cent of Telstra, why on earth will they sell this when they get control of the Senate in July and deprive the Australian public of these massive dividends?

It is time to let politicians of both major parties know they are public servants accountable to the Australian people and to privatise public institutions such as Telstra is an act of fiscal treason.

- ALLAN PARRISH,

Figtree.