A statement of fact
In reference to the opinion piece by Kate Washington MP on Mambo Wetlands [Examiner, June 6], I agree with most of what she said.
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Except her reference to myself. Ms Washington said Ministers issued a mea culpa through me as the Government's Hunter representative.
That is not correct.
I came to that conclusion without any guidance from the Government and said to a journalist the disposal of the Education site without considering its ecological value was a mistake. It was a straight forward statement of fact. Particularly given the threats to the Port Stephens koala population. After I said that, I informed the Premier and relevant Ministers of my statement and the reasons for it.
Scot MacDonald, former Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter
Also read: Letters to the Editor, June 6
Eyesore seems permanent
Agree with Peter Davey, (Examiner, Letters, June 6) regarding that blot on the landscape, yellow crane that has dominated the Nelson Bay skyline for over two years now.
Sitting idle all this time and still not a sod turned and no activity whatsoever. Clearly nothing at all is happening with this site so why is it still there?
Surprised not more questions have been asked as to why this massive eyesore has been permitted to become a permanent ugly fixture in Nelson Bay. Wouldn't surprise me to still see the thing there in three year's time.
Chris Miles, Shoal Bay
It's time for light rail
I do think that Bruce MacKenzie had a good point about 'free airport carparking to go' at the Newcastle Airport (Examiner, News, June 6).
For a modern airport aiming to fly high to overseas destinations, the essential infrastructure to get passengers to and from the airport is virtually non-existent. Many would testify that they had paid parking fees for their cars costing more than their airline tickets for a weekend away.
If anyone would listen, I could again suggest that it's time to put a light rail on track to the airport from Newcastle or Stockton.
Ernest To, Medowie
Also read: Letters to the Editor, May 30
Take time to donate
It takes 18 people donating blood monthly to treat just one person living with blood cancer.
That is why this National Blood Donor Week (June 9 -15), the Leukaemia Foundation is challenging more Australians to step up and become a regular blood donor. More than 100,000 Australians are currently affected by blood cancer, including people in your local community, and many of these people require regular donated blood products to manage their cancer.
More than a third of all blood donations collected by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service go towards supporting cancer patients and people living with blood diseases - and with good reason. One 470ml blood donation unit includes red cells, plasma and platelets. On average, one acute leukaemia patient will need nine units - or 2.25 litres - of red blood cells each month, or just over 1 litre (36 units) of platelets each month during treatment. This means for every blood cancer patient in your community, we need 18 Australians to roll up their sleeves every month - not just once, but for every month of that person's treatment time, which can be anything from eight months on average through to a number of years.
With 35 people every day diagnosed with a blood cancer in Australia and this number expected to increase to close to 50 people per day by 2025, we know more Australians will become critically reliant on blood products into the future. Take the leap and become a donor legend today. Find out more visit www.leukaemia.org.au or www.donateblood.com.au.
Bill Petch, Leukaemia Foundation CEO
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