As modern engineering capabilities advance, the opportunities to exploit our most iconic natural assets, such as Tomaree Headland, will always be with us.

These will come in welcomed passive form with least impacts on nature and natural landscapes and sometimes in the less-welcomed form of transformative engineering earth works and structures.

Provision for good planning and aesthetic enhancement of natural sites, assets, urban and town centres should always be a first and constant consideration with appropriate state and council regulation that can ensure it happens.

Our scenic volcanic coast is constantly eroding, as has the 'mountain' requiring an understanding of its geological composition, its stability and the vegetation communities that somehow survive there.

Time has ensured its steep slopes are highly vulnerable to water-course gouging so any form of human intervention should be in the form of maintenance, rehabilitation and its natural enhancement only.

Investigation of its geological composition has so far shown it to be comprised of a rhyolite granite (now commonly known as ignimbrite) and with andesites, a permeable and porus sedimentary strata that erodes over time.

This information should be verified by geologists.

A geological survey and assessment should also be initiated if only to inform us but most certainly to ensure we know what we are doing when it comes to the range of possible attractions.

Aboriginal and natural heritage studies including the Headland's wildlife, all with interpretative signage, must also be part of a local knowledge and appreciation effort from local authorities.

Last but certainly not least of whatever happens on the Tomaree Headland, there are the likely impacts on the Shoal Bay business centre.

Being the very restricted 'gateway bottle-neck' to the Headland and in the event of tourist attractions of any form, major rethinking and replanning must now be at the top of all future plans.

Also read: Letters to the Editor, August 29

Initially, I thought the proposed Skywire development for Tomaree Headland was a publicity stunt, then I thought 'OMG, they're actually serious'.

I've lived in the Bay for more than 40 years and I consider it to be one of the most beautiful, picturesque and unspoiled places in Australia, if not the world.

If this proposal was approved, I think it could turn our town into a circus, much to the detriment of many locals and our unique environment.

Personally, I strongly object to this proposal and I'll be sending my views to the Local Member of Parliament at portstephens@parliament.nsw.gov.au and to the Department of Premier and Cabinet via: www.dpc.nsw.gov.au

Also read: Letters to the Editor, August 22

Most of the newly planted street trees outside aged care facility, Salamander Haven at Salamander Bay seem to be dead or dying.

It would do so much for good relations with neighbours if the facility showed more care for its environment.

I was looking forward to mature trees softening the lines of the three and four-storey structures that have been plunked in a two storey, low-density residential zone.

Surely Salamander Haven can look after a few trees on its nature strip as does everybody else.

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