Sitting at the beach with family I've noticed so many people using kids sand buckets and even the plastic dog poo bags to collect and carry pippis from the beach.

It is disappointing that people are not respecting the law or looking after our marine life environment.

Connie Grant

Salt Ash

Why would Mr Pat Hall want a concrete bath at Fingal Bay (Examiner, page 3, February 9)?

Has he waded at Kiddies Corner?

That area provides all sorts of hidden places for fish.

Please do not place an ocean bath at kiddies corner.

It's a great place for families and for beginner swimmers.

In addition this place is wonderful for snorkellers.

When Fly Point gets too busy or is at low tide, the southern end of Fingal provides a great place to snorkel.

At one of the 'secret' areas there is a small, deep canyon full of fish swimming against the current and plentiful sea urchins.

The proposed concrete bath will destroy the wildlife there.

We have seen zebra fish, pineapple fish and the character Gill from Finding Nemo in that area.

Our suggestion is for any place to have a bath would be at Little Beach or Shoal Bay.

Anyone there during summer would have seen that is a better place for any concrete bath.

Or why not ask the State Government to extend and use the existing pool at the eastern end of Shoal Bay?

Marie & Aaron Eames

Shoal Bay

Class: Economics 101

Topic : Price is a function of Supply and Demand. 

Discussion: The Federal and State Government claim Sydney's soaring property prices are the result of supply failing to keep up with runaway demand. 

Using this premise the Bay's decade-long stagnant unit values could be seen as the result of a lack of demand.

"Not true," says Port Stephens Council. 

Using reverse logic they reason the problem is actually one of under supply.

A problem that could be solved immediately by wooing developers with the promise of 20 per cent profits instead of a measly 10 per cent by allowing them to litter the Bay with eight-plus storey units  instead of the current four. 

The end result? 

Booming demand, booming town, increased values for existing units, happy residents, a very happy council and very, very happy developers.

Assignment : In 200 words or less  "Please Explain?" 

J. foster

Nelson Bay

I have heard the repeated argument, about building heights, density, zoning and building regulation.

Developers say we need more units on our land to make a profit, because of how much we paid for the land.

It is simply supply and demand, which developers supposedly believe in.

If you paid too much, that’s your own fault, cut your losses and sell. Building heights do not need to be increased.

There are to many empty units here now, due to over development. 

More and higher units will not help this area, only spoil it.

Ask the local agents – they can not get enough HOUSES to sell.

Keith Barnard

Nelson Bay