Sadly saving the Big Prawn is only a small part of the battle in attracting tourists to the area. Whilst the debate over the prawn has generated buzz there is no concerted follow through on behalf of the region to take advantage of the free publicity that occurred. Rather than debating the merits or saving the Prawn shouldn’t our elected representatives be now focusing on how to use this free publicity? Rather than just providing a conga line of platitudes about how a rejuvenated prawn will be the a drawcard to the area. Realistically is anyone going to travel from Sydney or Brisbane just to see a fibreglass prawn? The consumer demands more.

The communities of the Far North Coast region are heavily reliant upon tourist trade, but there appears to be more focus on the veneer than providing a robust program for drawing people to the region. All marketing should be coordinated with a view of promoting the significant advantages that the area has to offer, from the amazing beaches, National Parks and marine activities to the desirable local produce, world class restaurants and excellent accommodation options. Within the Far North Coast region we have one of the best Marine Parks in the world some of the most fruitful fishing grounds in the State and yet we are debating the merits of a fibreglass prawn.

Are we so bereft of ideas that this is the best we can come up with?

Firstly, the residents of the Kyogle and Tweed shires, who overwhelmingly gave support for an event which was, to most, an unknown quantity. 

We intend to engage with the community in greater depth in the future in order to improve the event and to rectify any problems from this year. 

Your support and enthusiasm at spectator points, private parties on properties along the route, the Rally Show in Murwillumbah and the Service Zone in Kyogle indicated to us how much you were enjoying the event.

Secondly, the various authorities, particularly the NSW Police and the two Shire Councils, which worked in an extremely constructive and helpful way to ensure the event could be conducted in a safe manner.

Thirdly, the 1200 officials who voluntarily committed their time over long, hard days to put on a world-class event

And finally the media, particularly from the local area, which in the main gave the event excellent and most importantly, balanced coverage.

Thank you

Yours sincerely

Garry Connelly

Chairman of the Organising Committee,

Repco Rally Australia 2009

Many Sydney hospitals have this specialised treatment available but rural hospitals do not.

It can mean that if one can access this treatment, one has a chance to continue living a normal life instead of being non-functional and costing huge $$ supporting the deterioration of one, rather than a chance of a normal life.

Have a listen to ABC Radio National program Health Report by Norman Swan.

It’s outrageous that rural areas are unable to access this treatment which is commonplace in US hospitals and in Sydney.

– Maree Fowler

I have read with great interest various articles on this matter and I have been in regular contact with Philip McKenzie of Tweed rail.

I have researched community rail partnerships in Britain and I believe that a community rail operated passenger train could serve the localities situated on that line and a high-speed inter-city service operating on longer journeys.

QR has proposed running a standard gauge track from Salisbury to Robina (their current narrow gauge line is being extended to Varsity Lakes).

It makes sense that a standard gauge line run between Casino and Brisbane through Cooloongatta airport and a branch should be laid into Ballina/Byron airport, therefore connecting both airports.

The break of gauge has been an ongoing embarrassment to the nation.

For too long railways have been neglected in Australia.

The rest of the world has realised that rail can reduce congestion on the major roads and help the environment.

One can travel from London to Paris in about 2 1/2 hours (yes, they have greater populations in smaller areas).

It is about time that we had a national standard gauge rail system in mainland Australia.
 
Ken Slater
Gatton

The article is so poorly written that I couldn’t determine just what was to happen to the age pension from 20 September 2009.
I was so disturbed by the gobbeldy gook I came to what I now find to be incorrect conclusions.
 
Today I logged on to Centrelink and found a much clearer explanation of the pension changes.

If only someone who really understood what the interpretations would be made from the most unclear description of one of the most important changes in the age pension for years, then her article would have been rewritten to avoid the ambiguities and misleading statements.                                                                                                    
 
The currently existing supplements and allowances will be transferred into the pension and paid fortnightly.

There is no increase in the annual total payment to an age pensioner here.

However, as I understand in my case as one of a combined couple on a part pension, there will be a base figure of $10.14 each fortnight.

Now, however, the total figure including all the supplements and allowances will be subjected to the taper reduction of 40% of each dollar over the maximum allowed fortnightly income.

This reduction of course will not affect any pensioner having an income of $248.00 or less per fortnight.

I am not clear as to if this figure is to increase on 20 September 2009.
 
I apologise for any disquiet I may have caused. I do not apologise for my critiscism of a lamentable and obscure article.
 
Yours sincerely,
A 78-year-old Age Pensioner,
James Blurton.