Visitation provides extensive employment and other economic benefits. For example, improved accessibility to our waterways and other tourism products such as access to the Tomaree Headland, boat ramps, swimming facilities, etc. generate economic activity.

So I was therefore very surprised that Mr Barnett would question a possible jetty at the headland as negatively changing our lifestyle. In fact, I would see that possibility as improving access to the Tomaree Headland, simply because of the already constricted parking which also significantly impacts traffic management. Therefore access from the waterway seems very sensible to me with the re-introduction of a jetty. This proposal would also assist in showcasing our waterways to more visitors to see and enjoy Port Stephens.

I am therefore at a loss to understand why we would not encourage such a jetty and for that matter, any boat ramp facilities around our Port. Let's enhance our beautiful area and embrace our visitors.

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Our forefathers fought and died in conflict to keep us safe. They also took the jab for smallpox, tuberculosis, polio and other epidemics also to keep us safe. My father contracted polio before James Salk discovered the vaccine and his doctor said he would never walk again. In spite of his withered legs he never missed a day's work in his life. He also caught TB during the epidemic which contributed to his death in later life. So forgive me if I have no sympathy for you or your rites and your freedom. People are dying out there. Stop your whining, follow your forefathers and get the jab to protect the rest of us.

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A big thank you to the group of kind walkers who came to my assistance on August 25 when I slipped and fell on my walk home via Marine Drive, Fingal Bay. They were good Samaritans, phoning the ambulance, making me comfortable as possible on the bitumen, finding pillows and blankets from nearby cars and houses and chatting to me to keep me calm. Lovely, friendly, helpful people. Thank you very much. My broken shoulder is now healing well. Beware, don't wear leather soled shoes when out walking.

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Our cars are getting safer. We have seat belts, air bags, reactive cruise control, collision avoidance, in the future fully autonomous vehicles, but I am yet to see vehicles with pothole avoidance. On the roads of the Tilligerry peninsula such a system would be working overtime.

Potholes are nothing new I have press cuttings about potholes from 35 years ago; we still don't appear to be able to build and repair roads that will last a reasonable amount of time. Potholes on the peninsula are going unrepaired and are progressively getting worse. Even where more extensive repairs have been undertaken they are breaking up within 12 months of complication and before even the white lines have been replaced.

Instead of council vanity projects we need money spent on maintaining the roads we have. I sincerely hope we get some new Port Stephens councillors at the December 4 council election who will priorities maintenance of our roads.

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