Must Set Aside for That Rainy Day
Fingers crossed for the predicted opening of Waterfall Way prior to Easter to one lane; this closure has had an enormous impact for many. The one bright light, subject to weather, has been, for many locals the bypass now named, Brook Waugh Highway as opposed to that lengthy run via Summerville. But on top the big one, the spiralling cost of fuel with diesel taking the biggest hit. No surprise regional areas, transport companies and farmers are severely impacted, their city counterparts much less so. Already diesel three to four dollars a litre even at this early stage. If prolonged already being predicted the impact will be enormous, even our city comrades will feel the pain via the impact in the supermarkets and even overseas holidays.
With the cost of living the hottest topic via the media these days could we start to see back to those earlier days, rather than one car, one driver, people ringing around to share that ride to work or into town for essentials that crop up. How insane that this huge country would only have a fuel reserve for 25to 30 days plus the fact a large reserve would also be a great investment as fuel always seems to be on the up and up. Just imagine if China attacks Taiwan forcing the closure of the South China Sea, our major shipping route. But also, to protect Australia’s largest industry, hospitality, a reserve of coffee, should a boycott occur. Just locally our township of Bello, would be wiped away, plus an enormous impact nationwide. The N.D.I.S would be overwhelmed with applicants suffering from mental trauma, Maybe Canberra should take a leaf out of the farmers book and pop that question (What If) and set aside to provide for that unknown event which could arrive and bankrupt the whole operation.
Darcy Browning
Kiwi Concrete Lessons
Just watched local YouTube from Tyler Thompson’s New Zealand trip. Arthur’s Pass knows how to build roads in rugged terrain. Waterfall way needs this.
Stephen Gillespie
1 FERRY ROAD, URUNGA
Instead of the above, has anyone looked at the site of land where the old Bellingen Bowls Club was. Does council know who owns this site, it’s been empty for years. Why can’t this be used for housing – what’s the problem with this unused land.
Barbara Miles
Diesel access for farms
NSW Farmers welcomes the appointment of Anthea Harris as the Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator. This is an incredibly important opportunity to prioritise securing fuel supply for Australian industry and households, while also shielding them from higher prices.
The first order of business must be to provide assurance that diesel access for farms and the food supply chain will be a priority.
The war in Iran has been raging for almost four weeks now and is quickly escalating, and Australia needs government to act to deliver much-needed fuel, primarily in the independent distribution network which farmers rely on.
NSW Farmers’ position on this is clear, state and federal governments must act today to ensure there is a guaranteed diesel supply for agriculture as a priority.
Diesel prices in regional areas continue to rise rapidly and farmers who can get access are having to absorb significant costs due to prices well above $3/L. Farmers are price takers and many are also facing hefty transport and fuel levies from freight and service providers which they are being forced to absorb.
The reserves we have must be managed carefully in case fuel stops arriving in Australia and NSW Farmers calls on the new taskforce and coordinator to ensure that geographic and/or sector-specific measures are in place to ensure diesel reaches farms.
At the same time, there must be close scrutiny of the dysfunctional behaviour of some middlemen in the fuel supply chain.
Xavier Martin, NSW Farmers President