Very little has changed over my lifetime in the way all levels of government, big business and the bureaucracy treat the general population. Bottom drawers must be full of unopened public submissions gathering dust, often encompassing hundreds of hours of meticulous work done in good faith, only to be ignored as just being part of the process.

How often when asking politicians to provide crucial evidence and transparency do we hear the cop out phrase, “sorry, commercial in confidence”?

Critical infrastructure such as sewage and water appear to be ignored or not taken seriously in the push for high rise, high density development. Developers constantly pushing the boundaries and submitting ambit proposals, changing the landscape by stealth.  Maybe when Port Stephens has lost its soul and looks just like everywhere else on the coast will our developer friends in faraway places and their political mates be satisfied. Maybe when our infrastructure finally fails and the stench from our overflowing sewage permeates the Bay will our guardians take notice.

Or maybe, just maybe we can elect a council and government who actually listen, have transparent processes and don’t feed us the weasel words and bulldust so prevalent today. Maybe I am just dreaming.

Also read: Letters to the Editor, October 18

To the person or persons responsible for the desecration of the juvenile banksia trees on the Birubi headland.

You will eventually be identified and face serious consequences due to your senseless act of the cutting down of these trees for your own convenience for a better view. We the volunteers are dismayed as we are trying to give a better outlook of the headland for all to enjoy.

Peter Slater (Letters, Examiner, October 18) was absolutely right about the non-performance of Port Stephens Council on building heights and SRV decisions.

However, the idea of connecting the north to the south of the Port maybe a bridge too far, and unintentionally spoil the natural environment of the Port and the Myall River.

Now, like many, I cannot understand why Port Stephens Council spent so much ratepayers' money, time and resources enthusiastically holding SRV information meetings and carrying out opinion surveys, then virtually ignored results of their own efforts. The majority decision to adopt the 7.5 per cent rates increase for 7 years, was a shock to all except those who could really afford it or have interests otherwise. For anyone who cares to look on the council's own website, good governance is defined as: ‘Accountability, Transparency, Integrity, Stewardship, Efficiency, and Leadership. Governance is the responsibility of the mayor and other elected members of the council, and not something to pass onto member(s) of staff’. 

If nothing else the community deserve a good measure of governance at these difficult times.

Also read: Letters to the Editor, October 11

I have lived in the Bay for 38 years and remember [councillors] saying we had to close the old swimming pool and expand out of the city centre to Salamander Bay so everyone would be catered for.

The current rate rise is to support local business and developers not for residents. We will still have to pay parking fees to use the waterfront and with the influx of new apartments, will still have to put up with limited parking. I agree we need to move on as residents but we still have to pay higher electricity, medical and insurances etc.

Also read: Letters to the Editor, October 4