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The writer COLIN SMEAL couldn't understand how anyone would think that the rampant development of this city is beautiful in every way, or respect the legacy of Walter Burley Griffin.
Every time I drive into the Civic, I feel desperate because its environment is destroyed by the ugly unit development, which affects the focus of our ideal city.
Even the new courthouse has turned City Hill into a joke, and we can look forward to more recent developments.
I came to Canberra in 1963 and was fascinated by its meticulous planning and development. I participated in the construction of the National Library and felt very proud when it was completed.
As for the "consultation" farce of AWM reconstruction, I think I really didn't expect any better. You must be wondering why these organizations pretend that the concerns of the community will be given due consideration.
What makes me angry is that I can’t understand how anyone thinks this rampant development is beautiful in every way or respects the wonderful legacy that Walter Burley Griffin has left us.
Colin Smeal, from citynews.com.au
Will the ACT government and the National Capital Administration explain how northbound motorists on Commonwealth Avenue continue to quickly and easily turn east into Parkes Way after the loss of two West Clover overpasses in City Hill (to "free up" their traffic) ? Land for high-rise real estate development). This is part of the current project approval application to improve the London circuit to facilitate the proposed Civic to Commonwealth Park tram (not to mention how the Woden tram will cross the lake)?
Or will the government continue to simply invest a lot of money on the issue?
There are calls for allowing young people aged 16-17 to vote. It is almost universally accepted that the human brain does not fully develop until 22-24 years of age.
I don't necessarily support or disagree, but I did refer to what medical scientists said, including "adolescent brains and adults." That is: "The anterior lobe is a part of our brain, which controls impulse, emotion, judgment, and empathy in an adult manner.
"The limbic system controls impulse, sexual behavior, emotions, and risk/reward. The developmental speed of the two systems of the adolescent brain is temporarily unbalanced, which poses a challenge for making the right decision.
"Adolescents and adults have the same ability to judge right and wrong, but it is difficult for adolescents to make correct decisions at the moment. Adolescents use the amygdala to think, which is the emotional part of the limbic system. The emotional center and decision-making parts of the brain operate at different speeds. Development leads to more emotions and less thinking when making decisions."
None of what is said is meant to reflect those 18-24 years old.
How much property should the ACT government give to any family? This seems to be a strange problem, but it is not the case.
I know a family of three. They have obtained four properties. Two of them have recently applied for two properties.
They were told that they would acquire these properties next year, which would bring the total number of properties owned by the family to six.
I don't know how generous ACT taxpayers are. I also know that the waiting time for obtaining government housing in the Capital Territory is much shorter than in New South Wales, which makes us a soft target for those who want free housing.
A family of three, all adults, can buy up to six houses. This fact leads me to conclude that 11,600 properties owned by the ACT government are poorly managed.
At the same time, these six properties have been allocated to the family, and there are still homeless people on the streets of Canberra. In fact, last Thursday, I passed by a homeless woman who settled down in front of a shop on East Street for the night.
In my opinion, some people in need in the Capital Territory are more equal than others.
Unless otherwise agreed, the total amount of the construction-related consulting agreement between the ACT government and AECOM Australia Pty Ltd is US$93 million.
Regarding ACT's emission reduction targets, Article 6.1 still insists on the assumption of providing 100% renewable electricity for the region. This is obviously not true!
ACT requires approximately 500 megawatts of power generation capacity. The renewable energy generation capacity of the Capital Territory is all solar (rooftops and solar farms), accounting for about 10% of its total demand.
In order to meet the 100% requirement, the agent of the ACT government (ActewAGL) paid for 90% of the demand for ACT's renewable generators (all wind energy), especially the electricity from New South Wales and South Australia supplied to the national grid, and in turn Charge ActewAGL a floating market price. Based on these figures, the government claims that ACT has achieved 100% renewable energy. Its agent may have bought it, but it is not something that is being consumed.
Nationwide, renewable energy accounts for up to 30% of electricity demand, and the remainder (70%) is provided by fossil fuel generators. ACT households and industries draw 90% of their demand from these generators.
Therefore, in fact, ACT consumers use 37% of renewable electricity, and the remaining 63% comes from fossil fuel generators.
People often hear the argument that "electrons are electrons", which is entirely Greens's sophistry.
Max Flint, Smart Canberra Transport Coordinator
My letter on "City News" (November 4) discussed some of the causes of global warming and the problems it causes to humans. Now is the time to discuss the solution.
The most obvious (partial) solution is to get humans out of fossil fuels as soon as technical and economic constraints allow, starting with coal-coal has caused global warming and remains its main driver.
This can be achieved, for example, by transitioning to renewable energy and electric and hydrogen-powered cars and airplanes, processes that have already begun.
Urban commuters should be encouraged (or subsidized) to use public transportation. We should also improve the energy efficiency of our towns and cities by using LED lights where feasible, turning off unnecessary lighting (most of us will see satellite photos of the earth at night), and improving insulation.
An important part of the solution is to reduce and eliminate (if possible) deforestation, either allowing regrowth or planting hundreds of millions of trees and other vegetation, as well as intensively planted crops.
There are many other steps we can take, but the core of the message is that if we are willing to slightly change our way of life, it is still possible to overcome global warming.
Read columnist Paul Costigan's article on the Dickson Dumaresq Street development project ("A world-class heat island under construction!", citynews.com.au, December 10), if he can, I would be grateful to include other information in his opinion article, such as the EER value of housing design.
And detailed information on insulation (heating/cooling), double-glazed windows, electrical ratings, solar panels, battery storage, etc.; what is the purpose of designing life and living (may be an independent living unit)?
It is also worth noting that artificial grass does not require watering. If it is not on a concrete driveway, where should the car stop. By the way, what is a "passive house"?
I am also a little confused about the term "common in inner city" of double-storey mansions-in such a derogatory way. If they are built correctly, they are great! I personally think that planting one or two trees is not the core of "sustainability", "green plants" and "biodiversity", but these are just buzzwords people use to appear well-informed.
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According to "Canberra Affairs" columnist Paul Costigan, Chris Steele Boy Band provided an hour of performance and rotation for the Woden Valley Community Committee live and in person.
We are facing unprecedented chaos throughout the city, but subversion working groups are everywhere. The question is: are they for or against? This is another "seven days" of IAN MEIKLE.
"Canberra Affairs" columnist PAUL COSTIGAN temporarily praised the NCA, showing some planning spine in a huge development proposal in Yarralumla.
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