Some 15 years ago the same picture [artist's impression of the Terrace CBD] was presented to the people of Raymond Terrace and how marvellous it would be.

I was given the job by the Chamber of Commerce to point out to the shopkeepers, particularly those on the northern side of William Street, where a wall was to be built off the existing footpath 80cm high and another footpath built on that wall 120cm wide with steps or a ramp down to the shops. This was to create parallel parking which would also extend to the southern side of the street.

The council's reasoning was that parking was difficult because of the steepness due to the camber of the road and it would be more practical to reduce the road camber than lose parking. Council was prepared to employ a facilitator or coordinator from outside. A meeting was held at the council chambers with a crowd of irate people who soundly rejected the proposal.

By the way, the tress they were going to plant were the same as the trees being pulled out in Nelson Bay's CBD.

During the holiday break my husband and I went to Little Beach, which is well known for families to spend the day.

There are signs along the beach saying no alcohol and no open flame fires. To our disbelief alcohol was free flowing every day and on a day that nearly hit 40 degrees, a family had their own barbecue going with an open flame right underneath one of the signs.

Naturally we fronted the people and their response was ‘I should of seen the sign’, but they kept the barbecue going.

If council puts signs up they should police them and instead of putting our rates up they would make the extra money by fining these people.

Recently, I changed doctors and filled in the form requesting my medical records be sent to my new doctor.

I was disgusted to receive an invoice for $40 for this service. The record that was emailed was barely a page. 

I travelled to Gosford last Friday to meet my daughter for lunch and needed fuel. The E10 price at the Caltex station in Salamander Bay was 139.9 cents per litre. Around the corner at the Shell, the price for unleaded fuel (they don’t have E10) was 145.9.

The Caltex at Bobs Farm was 122.9, and by the time I reached the independent station at Williamtown, I was able to get E10 at 116.9 cpl, so I filled up. When I got to Gosford, I saw E10 at 106.9 cpl, and the average price throughout the area was 109.9!

Given that oil prices are supposed to be at their lowest level for many months, why are car owners in the Nelson Bay area not getting the benefit of lower prices?

I think it’s time that we gave these business owners the message that they are not welcome in our community, by taking our business elsewhere, en masse. 

Now into my 70s, over the years Australians have been continually told by politicians and multinational companies that Australia is abundant with minerals. Whilst overseas companies enjoy the financial benefits our governments have given them, Australians are still paying for their profits. 

Australia is also abundant with clean products: wind, sun and country surrounded by wave power from our oceans. It is time we considered electing governments whose future agenda is saving the planet.