Laurel Street school land option for sport growth
Re: The City of Bendigo’s Survey on the internet asking for our opinion as to what we use and need in the Golden Square Recreational Reserve plan to upgrade this site.
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This is a plan which attempts to pit one sporting organisation against the other. Splitting the solidarity of Golden Square residents and users of the reserve in an attempt to close the Golden Square community swimming pool once again.
The survey is flawed and biased, as “anyone” without real facts can complete. It appeals to self-interest.
The numbers that use the facilities are well known by our city councillors. The swimming pool committee report annually to councillors on attendance figures. The bowling club is well used and no doubt could provide figures to councillors. As would all the other organisations.
Have the council officers requested this information or just attempting the thin edge of the wedge?
Councillors cannot think outside the box they have created for themselves.
Read more: Golden Square pool given lifeline
For instance, if the Golden Square netballers are short of space to create new courts and a dressing room complex, why not create a netball complex with modern change rooms and parking space at the now rundown empty primary school area on Laurel St. It is a short walk from the Golden Square Football Ground headquarters.
This would assist the netballers greatly in increasing their opportunities to grow and obtain greater membership – but not at the expense of another sporting organisation, which in my opinion this survey is all about.
The recreation reserve is completely full and has nowhere to expand.
It makes sense to utilise this area of the old state school and provide use for the benefit of Golden Square residents and others citizens of Bendigo.
Certainly it would be better use of our rates and not remove a facility that is serving a very important recreational use for citizens and the children of the new state primary school.
It would also enhance the now derelict area which is a disgrace to the Education Department and our state representatives.
Bill Collier, Golden Square
Where's the energy plan?
According to the IPCC, Australia is well short of achieving its emissions reduction target, set in Paris, in 2015. In 2016, a study into the retirement of coal-fired power stations in Victoria, found that in 1992 the now defunct SEC had a comprehensive plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions 20 per cent by 2005.
In 1993, when the government decommissioned the SEC, unfortunately the plan also went out the window. The closure of Hazelwood has once again pointed to the lack of planning that has led to high unemployment rates in the Latrobe Valley.
Read more: How energy customers bills got so high
Although the Premier has said that emissions will be reduced 50 per cent by 2030, the bleaching of The Great Barrier Reef and the recent wild fires in Southern California leave no doubt that climate change is a threat to life for us and future generations. Clearly the remaining coal-fired power stations need to be closed down as soon as possible; and at the same time we need the creation of an alternative renewable energy industry that also retrains workers with minimal loss of jobs.
Trevor A Scott, Castlemaine
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