Letters to the Editor from the Courier's readers in 2023

I'm just writing to you as a concerned citizen of West Haven.

I would just like to point out the complete height of hypocrisy and audacity of the new development on Ocean Drive at Kew, behind the child care centre.

The developer firstly comes and cuts down thousands of trees and completely cleared hectares of land and now has the audacity to call the new estate "Woodlands" Estate with a picture of trees on the advertising. What a complete joke.

Maybe it should be called "Woodchip Estate"

I'm not against progress, but a bit of thought and planning of these estates may be a good idea.

The rest of us normal citizens can't even cut down one tree without having to go through a fight with council first, and then still more than likely not get permission..

Warren Dyer, Unhappy resident of the Camden Haven

I am pleased to say that with the help of more than 41,000 Australians - including your readers - we did it. We saved the Medicare Heart Health Check.

The Australian Government has heard and understood the importance of this vital Check to the heart health of Australians and is funding a two-year extension of the Check in the 2023/24 Budget, ensuring they remain available beyond 30 June this year.

We estimate that this means a further 250,000 Australians will be able to see their GP to learn their risk of heart disease before it's too late.

More than 41,000 Australians signed the petition to save the Checks in just five weeks. Many sent letters to their local MPs, who in turn took up the issue with the Government.

Heart disease is mostly preventable but it is a silent killer. As Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler acknowledged in his announcement, the Medicare Heart Health Check is our most potent tool in compelling people to pay attention to their heart health before it's too late.

The Check is available for people aged 45 and over (30 and over for First Nations) and looks at your cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, family history, amount of exercise and what you eat, and provides you with an understanding of how likely it is you will have a heart attack or stroke in the coming years.

We extend our gratitude to the Heart Foundation's extended family: our sector partners, donors, volunteers and supporters, many of whom worked tirelessly to advocate for this life-saving initiative.

Thank you. Your efforts have helped improve the heart health of many Australians and we are grateful for your unwavering commitment to this cause.

And finally - now that you have fought so hard for this Check, we urge you to please take it up if eligible. For more information speak with your local GP or visit www.heartfoundation.org.au

David Lloyd, CEO, National Heart Foundation of Australia

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Heart disease is Australia's leading cause of death and tragically takes the life of one Australian every 30 minutes.

The good news is, heart disease is largely preventable. The bad news? Our best tool for heart disease prevention - the Medicare Heart Health Check - is about to expire.

We are seeking a guarantee from the Australian Government that funding will continue beyond 30 June this year. Nearly 440,000 Australians have seen their GP for a Medicare subsidised Heart Health Check since they were introduced.

The Heart Foundation is asking the Government to invest $11.5 million per year, to continue subsidising Heart Health Checks into the future.

This is a relatively small investment compared to the $1 billion in healthcare costs that could be saved with broad uptake of Heart Health Checks in high-risk Australians and more importantly, the 67,000 heart attacks, strokes and heart disease related deaths that could be prevented over five years.

It's not too late for your readers to take action: I urge you to please help us save Medicare Heart Health Checks by signing our petition, writing to local MPs and sharing the petition with friends and family.

To take action, please visit www.heartfoundation.org.au/save-heart-checks

David Lloyd, Chief Executive Officer, National Heart Foundation of Australia

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We have just concluded a State Election characterised by civility and good manners. It was therefore with incredulity and disbelief that I read comments from Ms Peta Pinson in the Camden Haven Courier, March 28, '23.

Ms Pinson, you do me, my family and friends a disservice when you state that we overlooked the issues you listed. When I placed you at No 8 on my voting paper, I did take into account:

And I voted accordingly.

I know that our successful candidate Mrs Williams had a very amicable and constructive friendship with the ALP candidate and have no doubt that Premier Minns will honour his pledge to work for all in NSW.

Ms Pinson could maybe rethink her response to the election outcome and resolve to "do better" in the future.

Judy Love, North Haven

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Some time back, about four years, my sister was living in Lake Cathie. My brother and myself wanted to see her, knowing that it was possibly for the last time. She was very ill at that the time.

We arrived and were staying at The Port Macquarie motel and had planned to try to get a bus in morning. We went into a cafe near the bus stop. Sitting, having breakfas,t my brother started talking with a local man having his regular breakfast there.

He said 'you don't want the bus', and that he would take us in his car. This he did and said that if we needed a lift the next day that he would be in the cafe the next morning. We never did see him again as my nephew arrived and took all of us to Sydney.

We got to spend time with our sister and her family. Our thanks to the very nice man who would take nothing from us. Sorry, I don't remember his name but I do remember what he did for us.

Peter Hodges, Great Wakering, Essex UK

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I have been compelled to write this letter to you following an incident that occurred while fishing at Laurieton.

My partner and I have have been coming to Laurieton every January for the past 15 yrs - our main purpose being fishing on a catch and release basis, as it's what we love doing.

When we first started coming the fish were plentiful, large and many species were found, however the past few years have been very poor and we wondered why. We may have found the answer.

While fishing in a boat we had hired locally (as we do every year) just up from the Henry Kendall Reserve, around 2pm, we had lines in the water and were enjoying the relaxing vibe and anticipation of what could be ready to bite at the end of that line, when we looked up to see a boat dropping a massive line of netting over our lines, and continuing past us to cover an area of approx 200-300 metres.

No glance behind or to the side, no "hey guys have you got lines in the water". And then once he had dropped his lines, he then doubled back, belting his oar up and down in his boat and slapping the water, presumably to scare fish into his netting - at the same time making sure that any recreational fishermen in the area would have no chance of catching anything. Having netted the entire area, we were forced to pack up and leave.

The area, like many in the state, has had a terrible few years with COVID-19 and floods affecting tourism, with losses to local businesses. Being a popular fishing destination, the idea of allowing netting in these waterways may be yet another blow to an already struggling tourist spot.

Speaking to other recreational fishers on holidays in the area, we all had the resounding [response]; "I'll be looking for a new spot next year as there are no fish".

Also speaking to a few locals, they are disgusted that netting licenses have been given out for the popular tourist fishing spots, and how it will affect local businesses. Recreational fishing is a fantastic family sport and one that is encouraged as a healthy sport. We pay our licence fees, work on a catch and release basis so others have the chance to enjoy, plus [we] spend a considerable amount at local businesses.

If the netting continues and others like us look for new places to stay where netting in enclosed tourist areas is not allowed, then I feel sorry for the locals who have already felt the decline in business.

Where is the forethought in handing out these licenses? Does this give the commercial netting fisherman the right to have total disregard for recreational fishers in the area with lines out? Are they allowed to net anywhere and at any time? Can they block an entire area and force you to move? Is it all about money?

Chris Cort, disgruntled and disgusted

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