If it is true, as reported, that a refusal may prove costly to defend, perhaps it would have been wise to get other legal opinions as to how this might be successfully refused.

Was the advice from someone well-versed in planning law or was the council simply reacting to the possible cost of an appeal against a refusal?

It is pointless to promote the Bomen industrial area and a freight hub when a residential development is likely to be in close proximity.

THROUGH your paper, may I put the question of selling Australia’s farms to foreign interests to the candidates for the impending federal election.

Are you for or against selling our farms?

If yes, please explain why. If no, are you prepared to make a stand against it happening?

To the silent majority of farmers and other concerned citizens who I believe find it as stupid and repulsive as I do, why are you silent?

Why isn’t there a deafening roar against this?

NOT ONLY is Malcolm Turnbull the world’s greatest waffler, he is also the world’s greatest exponent of the pork barrel.

He’s out there electioneering, telling everyone that we are going to have the best Australian-built submarines that money can buy, which will make our borders practically impenetrable.

All those people who are thinking that we are vulnerable from possible attacks from the north can now lay back and relax.

This is what I thought until I read where these state-of-the-art subs won’t be in service until around 2030 or even much later!

In the interim, the main protectors of our coastline are those six white elephants, the Australian built Collins-class submarines. However, the only catch being that they find it difficult to even submerge because they suffer from serious defects, including leakage, which is a no-no for submarines.  

So to all those voters out there, don’t become too complacent and be lulled into a sense of false security by the master of spin because these pie-in-the-sky pre-election promises will, in all probability, never see the light of day.

If a week is a long time in politics, then 16 years-plus, is an eternity.

FIVE tree Islands, 27-metres apart, are to be erected on the Burley Griffin Way at Harden.

The tree island works will prevent restricted access vehicles (B-doubles, school buses and other vehicles) from using the rest area.

Heavy vehicles travel this road daily, 12 months of the year.

Access to rest areas is vital under national heavy vehicle law and fatigue management regulations.

I find it ironic that 100 metres away is a driver reviver site.

But those in the heavy vehicle industry will be denied the opportunity to “rest, revive, survive”.

Not only are the heavy vehicles denied the opportunity to use the rest area, but also to source fuel, meals etc from local businesses.

Unlike holiday traffic, heavy vehicles travel this freight route every day, and provide a regular source of income for our small businesses. Safety on our roads should be a priority over shade and street aesthetics.