I was pleased to read that Muslim Faiza Syed has recently been the recipient of friendly gestures from members of the public (Letters, Sunday Canberra Times, December 21). However, I was concerned at her statement that such gestures were only received from women ... her sisters. I am sure that there are many men in our community who would also like to offer a friendly gesture to Muslim women if allowed to do so. There is no 'them' and 'us' in Australia, Faiza, just us.
Kathleen Bonnett, Belconnen
Is growth a good thing?
I agree with much of Catherine Carter's summary (Sunday Canberra Times, December 21, p25) of what's good about Canberra.
But her final sentence 'Canberrans want a better city – and that's what the development industry is delivering', left me wondering if this was true.
I would like to hear what Catherine has to say about putting a limit on growth because, at the end of the day, it is growth that causes so many of our problems, particularly population growth. It causes road congestion, pollution, puts pressure on the ACT Government's finances (and our rates) to build all the infrastructure needed to accommodate more people, infill projects that eat up our green space etc.
It even convinces some developers and the government that we need high rise residential towers to accommodate the growing population. Are these really what Canberrans want, particularly when they can become ghettos of socially isolated people? Of course, they might make the developer a lot of money.
What is Canberra's ideal population size and what do you propose we do when it reaches this size? Growth cannot go on forever.
Eric Traise, president, Tuggeranong Community Council
Marijuana goes on trial
Many years ago a very close friend was dying of terminal cancer. The use, and consequent relief, obtained through marijuana, was denied. The extraordinary excuse given was that it was habit-forming.
I am delighted to read in The Canberra Times that the ACT is hoping to join the NSW government trial of the medicinal use
of marijuana.
Cynthia Moloney, Yarralumla
Govt can not be trusted
As we race toward 2015 two facts become ever clearer. Fact one: we have the same Abbott government that won office on the strength of secrets and lies which were converted rapidly into broken promises. Fact two: there was no budget crisis until the current government assumed power as evidenced by their preparedness to borrow extraordinary amounts and spend frivolously on marketing in efforts at promoting a key broken promise.
They will spend up large trying to gain support for bad policy while crying poor and cutting the services that matter. This government cannot be trusted.
W Book, Hackett
Rare frogs vs brumbies
On Friday December 19, p3, The Canberra Times published a heart-warming article and photograph showing northern corroboree frogs being released into Brindabella National Park. The event was a culmination of many years of effort by scientists and rangers to breed the frogs at Taronga Zoo and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve so as to save this highly endangered species from extinction.
The same day the NSW Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, welcomed an announcement to rule out the aerial culling of brumbies. What a lack of concern for the survival of native species if these highly endangered frogs will continue, along with the sphagnum bogs where they live, to be churned beneath the hooves of feral horses.
Meg McKone, Holt
Opposition to hunting
The hundreds of Eurobodalla Shire residents from all walks of life who have protested in various ways against the Eurobodalla Shire council's undemocratic decision to allow celebrations of hunting, with sale of guns, in a public building in seaside Narooma, do not not deserve to be called "members of a guerilla group" (The Canberra Times, December 24). On the contrary they represent the many Australians who are opposed to gun proliferation, and the indoctrination of children to think killing animals is "fun".
Susan Cruttenden, Dalmeny
Update on 370 search?
Australians are paying for a search for Malaysian Airlines Flight 370.
That's fine, but when did we last hear about how the search is going?
Peter Moran, Watson
Solution to solar shift
In reference to Kirsten Lawson's article ('Fluffy owners must leave solar panels behind', Canberra Times, December 26, p1), the Asbestos Response Taskforce appears to be overlooking an important point when they advise homeowners that they cannot take their solar PV systems with them.
When these systems were installed, homeowners received an up-front rebate based on the value of 15 years' worth of Renewable Energy Certificates for the electricity produced (registered by panel serial number). If these systems are destroyed by demolition, they will not achieve the expected generation under the Renewable Energy Target.
An alternative would be to allow homeowners to engage an accredited installer to shut down the system and unbolt the panels and inverter (the two highest cost items) without entering the premises. All miscellaneous components such as mounting rails and cabling would remain in situ. The panels and inverter can then be installed at the new location, which the ACT feed-in tariff legislation allows for.
It is incorrect to say that homeowners' existing panels will not meet current "solar panel regulations". Changes in the Australian standard for PV systems since the ACT's feed-in tariff commenced in 2009 mostly relate to improved installation practices such as running DC cables in roof spaces in conduit, as a simple example. A new installation should, by definition, meet the new regulations.
Ben Elliston, Hawker
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