More Losers Than Winners
David Attenborough 100 years what a legend, he and his team, their contribution to the knowledge of the world’s wildlife and environment.
The Budget, no surprise, continuing to run up debt to an unsustainable level, the roadblock is now unavoidable, a debt within two years 1.2 trillion dollars. The interest could soon exceed our G.N.P. But with all the above said things are going to become worse for Australia and most of its people. The budget is further proof that the government is ignoring history to continue on the same old path to destroy aspiration and incentive to work hard, take that risk to achieve that dream of a greater goal, the very recipe that developed Australia to become one of the greatest countries on earth. Small business once the backbone of the nation, with welfare now the new reality. Labour continues to punish the older generation, those that did work and save to provide for their latter years. Welfare a pittance in those days. The present debate refers to the divide between to-days younger generation, and their older peers referred to as the boomers. A different world to-day our younger generation the end result of a different upbringing, greater affluence and all this stuff they must have.
A time swap for the past and present would be a shock for many of our younger to-day who feel they are hard done by. But there will be winners from the budget, to deal with the complexities, accountants and financial advisers will have a field day, but for many small businesses a bureaucratic nightmare. But for a grin, why isn’t John at work to-day. His workmate said but he is in hospital. That’s hard to believe another said, just last night I saw him dancing with some chic down at the club. Yes, but apparently his wife saw him as well. Just another sad example of domestic violence in reverse
Darcey Browning, Thora
Protecting Our Community in Difficult Times
Bellingen Council is responding to changes brought about by years of cost shifting from State and Federal governments to local residents and a war far from our village. The Plan outlines major investments in roads, footpaths and bridges. These upgrades are important, and many residents — especially in North Bellingen — have been calling for safer pedestrian routes for years.
However, the plan also makes it clear that Council’s main responses to financial pressure are to raise rates and reduce services like cutting funds to Neighbourhood Centres or restricting times at the Pool, For many households further rises to rates are deeply concerning. For pensioners and residents on restricted incomes, it is becoming unmanageable.
The Draft Plan acknowledges that 24% of ratepayers receive a pensioner rebate. That means nearly a quarter of our community is already financially vulnerable. As a pensioner myself, living on a fixed income, I know how difficult it is to absorb rising costs. When rates, water, sewer and waste charges all increase at once — and above inflation — the pressure becomes overwhelming.
We are now facing the very real possibility that another wave of long‑term residents may be forced to leave the community because they simply cannot afford to stay. This is not just a financial issue; it is a social one. Bellingen’s strength has always been its diversity and inclusiveness. If people on low or fixed incomes are priced out, we lose neighbours, volunteers, carers, and the community fabric that holds this town together.
It is also deeply concerning that Neighbourhood Centres may face cuts. These centres provide essential support, connection and practical assistance — especially during difficult financial times. They are lifelines for many people. Every effort should be made to continue these vital services, not reduce them.
At the same time, the cost of hiring public halls and sporting grounds has risen over recent years so that many residents and community groups find the fees rises difficult to pay. Increasing hall fees and sporting fees further will only accelerate this decline and reduce community participation — the opposite of what we need in our small but lively, regional town.
If Council is asking residents to shoulder higher costs, then it is reasonable to expect Council to show leadership in managing its own expenses. One fair and practical measure would be to cap executive salary rises during the life of the Long Term Financial Plan. Many residents are tightening their belts; it is appropriate that senior management share in that responsibility.
I support investment in essential infrastructure. But financial sustainability must go hand‑in‑hand with social sustainability. We must ensure that Bellingen remains a place where people of all ages and incomes can continue to live, participate and belong — not a community where the most vulnerable are pushed out by rising costs and reduced services.
Caroline Joseph, Bellingen
Inland Rail
(Brisbane to Melbourne)
The inland rail has been spoken about since 1889 and after various conversations when in 1979 the TNT founder proposed a route connecting Brisbane to Wallangarra, Orange and Albury.
1995 Queensland rail detailed an inland rail corridor with several issues with the different rail gauges.
1996, the Bureau of Transport and Communications Economics (BTCE) released a working paper assessing the proposal. It found a new route would save ten hours journey.
2005, Department of Transport and Regional Services commissioned a feasibility study , outlining four possible ‘sub-corridors’ between Junee and Brisbane.
2008, the newly elected Rudd government allocated $15 million Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to develop a route alignment following the Far Western sub-corridor detailed in 2006 study.
2010 ARTC’s final report released, recommended a route from Junee to Melbourne via Albury
2011 Gillard government announced forward estimates of $300 million in the 2011 federal budget commencing 2014.
2013 coalition committing to the funding following the election Abbott government
2017 $594 million was allocated to ARTC by Turnbull government to purchase land for the project,[20] with an additional $8.4 billion in funding over seven years.[21]
2020 federal budget, the Morrison government pledged $150 million in funding for grade separation works in NSW, conditional upon a further $37.5 million commitment from the NSW government.[22]
2022, Australian Government announced an Independent Review of Inland Rail,[23] after reports of a cost blowout to a projected $31b and delay in completion to 2030–31.[24]
Undertaken by Kerry Schott AO, the Review report, released in April 2023, “confirmed that Inland Rail is an important project to meet Australia’s growing freight task, improve road safety and to help decarbonise our economy”. However, the Review also found “significant deficiencies in the governance and management of Inland Rail”.
My Comments: Do we need to do projects even if they don’t stack up financially, if they would be good for the country in the long run? Colin Hutton, Thora
Times Have Changed
Today’s young forget that their Parent’s home cost a lot less but then so were their wages. You saved for the things you needed, let alone wanted, since Credit Cards didn’t exist! You ate less, ran around more and read books because that was your entertainment, and fat people were few and far between!
Most of us didn’t know people who used drugs, apart from Bex and Asprin, tho we did know a few people who drank a bit too much before the Pubs shut at 6PM!
We didn’t carry knives or guns, and used restraint in risky situations.
We didn’t holiday abroad several times a year and we paid for our parents funerals when they died.
Today’s young seem to expect everything NOW, while dumping jobs, going on the dole and holding up the Servo in the middle of the night! I’m glad I’m not them!
Dawn Lewis, Bellingen