Letters to the Editor - Saturday, February 4

Letters to the Editor - Saturday, February 4

Picture: Mark Lynch

Faults in NBN and boundaries

THROUGH no fault of their own our local Federal political representation has been cut in two north of an "unnamed creek near the Sapphire Service Station.

This is a ludicrous decision by the Australian Electoral Boundaries Commission.

The Northern Suburbs of Coffs Harbour are represented by a member based in far off Lismore whose local attention to this quite populated area seems to be based on a few handouts.

When the NBN wireless tower was out of action from Friday 10am to Monday 5pm late last year all internet and VOIP telephone services were lost to a wide area across the boundary of both electorates.

The reason apparently was some unspecified problem "not a NBN fault".

If it was not an NBN problem then just what caused it?

We are supposed to complain to our various service providers (without a phone connection?) and once they are satisfied that it is not "their" equipment then the service providers can contact NBN to investigate - of course it is "not a NBN fault" but the service duly returned after four days as if by some form of magic.

As my complaint seems to have been the only one made I would suggest that the others who were undoubtedly affected now complain to their respective local members about the poor NBN service they might have received. I had enough information at the time from my neighbours to know conclusively that the outrage was widespread and was in felt by multiple service providers. This was a NBN issue 100% and I suggest that we must shake the political complacency that is shown by relying on stock-standard responses based on what are clearly departmental excuses.

If politicians are worried about losing the grass roots support then this is a good example of it.

Tom Caldwell,

Sapphire Beach

Safer to go with Far West Hwy Bypass

THERE are many reasons why the Pacific Highway Inner Corridor is unacceptable

Another two truck accidents on the Pacific Highway today. One north and one south of Coffs Harbour.

Many trucks travelling on the Pacific Highway through our city carry hazardous materials that should be on rail where regulations are stricter and demand tankers to be constructed of metal that is at least 10-15 minutes thick.

A road tanker is required to be made of metal in the order of 5mm thick.

A Brown

Sapphire Beach

Mobile driver drug testing is flawed

I'VE just read a study by the American Automobile Association's Safety Foundation on cannabis testing on drivers.

It found that it's not possible to set a blood-test threshold for impairment from THC as there are far too many variables.

The article can easily be googled for those interested.

Despite this the NSW Police continue to roll out these tests,which don't show up heroin, cocaine or prescription drugs.

Some unfortunates can smoke a joint one day, get pulled over the next day and test positive for cannabis and its bye bye licence.

This is the current law and it truly is an ass.

Jim Mills,

Woolgoolga

Fuel adjustments overdue

WHEN the local fuel stations upped their prices by 20-cents a couple of weeks back it was reasonably explained that it was to balance the price against major centres.

I'm sure all reasonable minded people accepted this without question.

I was in Sydney last week and paid $1.14.

I'm guessing that Sydney was one of the major centres that caused the upsurge.

How come it hasn't caused a downsurge yet?

Ron Strauch,

Arrawarra