Nation has not learned the lessons of ‘worst floods in a lifetime’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has chosen to go to the eye of the storm to be on hand to provide government help in the event of a serious emergency when Cyclone Alfred makes landfall.

It is amazing how an imminent election can focus the attention of the nation. However, I would remind everyone that just over three years ago, Lismore and the Northern Rivers were inundated with the worst floods in a lifetime. The government stated that the area would be not forgotten but not much has happened.

As we wait to be deluged again, the general question here is whether the community will ever learn. Lismore and other towns were built on the rivers for transport in the era before road transport. In this region, money should only be spent on relocation.

If we get another flood like the last one, it is impossible to believe the area will escape without wholesale loss of life.

Tony Hennessy, Casino, NSW

What exactly have the three tiers of government done about developing and implementing flood solutions after Greater Brisbane was heavily flooded in parts three years ago?

Inner suburbs like New Farm, Herston and Windsor were particularly heavily flooded and the message was clear then. Governments and councils had to develop plans, perhaps for walls, and lakes, perhaps with Queensland planning for a new dam, and politicians first visiting places like Holland to see how it manages water, rather than taking excursions overseas concerning the Olympics and locally orchestrating a push for a stadium at Brisbane’s Victoria Park.

Much-maligned former prime minister Scott Morrison came up with cash to help flood victims. Now, what about a plan to seriously address solutions to flooding in Brisbane? What do the Brisbane candidates have to say other than regurgitating their party-central media releases on everything but flooding?

John Dobinson, Herston, Qld

My heart goes out to the people of southeast Queensland and northern NSW who are facing the onslaught of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Unfortunately, studies show that ocean warming is causing these cyclones to travel further south and become more severe. This is not a good legacy to leave our grandchildren.

I wish all the best for our fellow Aussies being hit by this cyclone. Even more than that, I very much hope we can reduce the pollution that is intensifying such disasters.

Anne O’Hara, Wanniassa, ACT

‘Cultural abuse’

The Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation’s bid to have the peak of Mount Panorama legally declared a sacred site and off-limits because its former director Brian Grant’s ashes were scattered there in 2022, apart from being absurd, smacks of patently confected “cultural significance” motivated by opportunistic activism, rather than ceremonial reverence for the departed.

With its inherent premise that the scattering of an Aboriginal person’s ashes and accompanying smoking ceremony renders an area sacred, the Wiradyuri bid, if successful, potentially opens the way for any area of land or water to be deemed sacred and off-limits.

Alongside such absurdity is the sheer manipulative and exploitative nature of an activism bordering on cultural abuse rather than reverent respect, and which has no qualms over weaponising both the ceremony and the remains of a deceased person for a political agenda. The Coalition has promised an overhaul of federal heritage laws to balance the national interest with cultural protection should it return to power. Bring on the election.

Deborah Morrison, Malvern East, Vic

Political money waste

With the upcoming federal election, the usual suspects are asking the traditional question to costly promises: Where is the money coming from?

Surely, it is time for the Australian taxpayers to demand from the government that the waste of their money in funding useless ideas and projects should cease.

John Cunningham, Camden Park, SA

Power price costs us

As Robert Gottliebsen says, Australia could be promoting itself as an alternative to Ukraine as a major source of rare earths (“Hidden message behind the Oval Office clash”, 5/3).

But US companies won’t rush into rare earths investment here when energy costs are double to triple those in the US.

America’s top tech companies are investing in nuclear power because hi-tech developments demand the guarantee of 24/7 and cost-effective power – factors only nuclear can deliver. Peter Dutton’s plan for nuclear power, backed by gas- and coal-powered electricity in the interim, would enhance the attractiveness of Australia as an industrial investment destination.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic