If ever there was a subject that would lead to a heated argument - junk mail would certainly be first cab off the rank.
Some people love it. Most people hate it - and in between we have those that skim through the daily pile before consigning it to the recycling bin.
It certainly creates a third world vista when it is uncollected and left blowing about the street and front yards of unit blocks and housing estates.
If it is so unpopular - why do advertisers continue to use this medium - and why isn't there a backlash from disgruntled people who refuse to buy their goods in retaliation for it's use ?
The answer is simple - because it works !
Advertisers carefully collate sales figures that can be directly related to their advertising methods, and on a money for return basis direct junk mail is a worthwhile investment.
It also has certain advantages over newspapers, television and radio. Individual streets can be targeted to promote a particular shop location and the specialist products they stock.
It is particularly handy to alert people to a new innovation established in their area and to concentrate the sales message for a cut price service that will only be available for a short time in that location.
It seems junk mail is here to stay. The obvious answer is to sit back and enjoy it. At least it brings some comfort to the housebound by bringing shopping to their letterbox - and it is a welcome source of income for the army of delivery people !
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Saturday, 29 November 2008
Opportunity lost !
In the middle of this year the price of petrol reached a dollar sixty a litre - and the pundits predicted that we would see two dollars a litre by Christmas !
It didn't happen ! Along came the sub-prime mortgage fiasco - quickly followed by a world wide recession - and with the drop in demand petrol is approaching the one dollar a litre level - and may even dip under that by Christmas.
Dramatic events took place as a result of that price surge. Kevin Rudd bestowed millions of Australian taxpayer's dollars on Toyota to begin manufacturing hybrid cars in this country.
Electric propulsion gained a new lease of life. We are within months of seeing several serious entries into the electric market burst into showrooms, and the prestige European marques have successfully tamed diesel engines to provide amazing economy without the rattle and fumes normally associated with diesel.
The only drawback seems to be the price the oil companies are gouging for that fuel. Petrol may have dropped in price, but diesel - which takes less refining than petrol - remains artificially high and is compounding the inflation rate because of it's impact on the movement of goods.
There was also speculation about increasing the ethanol content of vehicle fuel. The oil companies have been dragged kicking and screaming into providing a ten percent ethanol mix under the " E 10 " banner, but they have demonstrated that they are beyond the reach of government control when it comes to the major decisions on price and availability.
The government may bluster and threaten a control regime with drastic penalties - but the oil companies hold all the cards. When it comes to that commodity - they are the only game in town !
So - We are back to square one. But a great opportunity has been lost.
When petrol prices hiked many people did exactly what the government had been urging for years. They left their cars at home - and took public transport.
What a miserable experience that proved to be !
Slow trains - packed in like sardines - with depleted timetables, incapable of handling the commuter crowds and delivering people late for work.
Buses that left commuters standing at bus stops because they were already full and could take no more passengers. Crowded - inconvenient - uncomfortable - and with no immediate prospect of improvement.
So despite high petrol prices motorists went back to their cars, and now the price of petrol has dropped they are going to stay with convenience and creature comfort.
The fiasco of public transport means that when petrol prices rise again - and they inevitably will - the memory will keep drivers in their cars.
The old adage - " Once bitten - twice shy " will prevail.
They tried public transport - and found it wanting - and the experience will convince many that the car is the only answer to personal transport - irrespective of what sacrifices have to be made in the family budget to make it possible.
The government lost a golden chance to change public culture - and perhaps it's biggest chance to save the planet by reducing exhaust emissions !
It didn't happen ! Along came the sub-prime mortgage fiasco - quickly followed by a world wide recession - and with the drop in demand petrol is approaching the one dollar a litre level - and may even dip under that by Christmas.
Dramatic events took place as a result of that price surge. Kevin Rudd bestowed millions of Australian taxpayer's dollars on Toyota to begin manufacturing hybrid cars in this country.
Electric propulsion gained a new lease of life. We are within months of seeing several serious entries into the electric market burst into showrooms, and the prestige European marques have successfully tamed diesel engines to provide amazing economy without the rattle and fumes normally associated with diesel.
The only drawback seems to be the price the oil companies are gouging for that fuel. Petrol may have dropped in price, but diesel - which takes less refining than petrol - remains artificially high and is compounding the inflation rate because of it's impact on the movement of goods.
There was also speculation about increasing the ethanol content of vehicle fuel. The oil companies have been dragged kicking and screaming into providing a ten percent ethanol mix under the " E 10 " banner, but they have demonstrated that they are beyond the reach of government control when it comes to the major decisions on price and availability.
The government may bluster and threaten a control regime with drastic penalties - but the oil companies hold all the cards. When it comes to that commodity - they are the only game in town !
So - We are back to square one. But a great opportunity has been lost.
When petrol prices hiked many people did exactly what the government had been urging for years. They left their cars at home - and took public transport.
What a miserable experience that proved to be !
Slow trains - packed in like sardines - with depleted timetables, incapable of handling the commuter crowds and delivering people late for work.
Buses that left commuters standing at bus stops because they were already full and could take no more passengers. Crowded - inconvenient - uncomfortable - and with no immediate prospect of improvement.
So despite high petrol prices motorists went back to their cars, and now the price of petrol has dropped they are going to stay with convenience and creature comfort.
The fiasco of public transport means that when petrol prices rise again - and they inevitably will - the memory will keep drivers in their cars.
The old adage - " Once bitten - twice shy " will prevail.
They tried public transport - and found it wanting - and the experience will convince many that the car is the only answer to personal transport - irrespective of what sacrifices have to be made in the family budget to make it possible.
The government lost a golden chance to change public culture - and perhaps it's biggest chance to save the planet by reducing exhaust emissions !
Friday, 28 November 2008
Mumbai !
The terrorist attacks in Mumbai raise an interesting question. Why are there Muslims living in India ?
When the British Raj ended in 1948 Hindus and Muslims agreed that it would be impossible for the two religions to coexist together in a single country with a single rule of law.
As a result, the existing country was split into two totally independent states. India for the Hindu and other religions - and Pakistan for the followers of Islam.
The decision resulted in great upheaval - and bloodshed. There was an exodus of Muslims to Pakistan - and a corresponding exodus of other religions to India, but the separation of religions was not complete.
Many with property or a business on the wrong side of the border elected to stay and many Muslims remained in India because they were not convinced that an Islamic state would remain peaceful - given the split between the two main branches of Islam.
The bloodbath in Mumbai - one of several recent similar events in India - must awaken a desire in many to banish all Muslims in India to Pakistan. That was the original intention of partition - to create a Muslim state to satisfy the followers of Islam.
It could be reasoned that if Muslims choose to live in India they should respect the fact that they live in a non-Muslim country - and respect the laws and customs of that regime.
Every act of terror perpetrated on Indian soil by Muslim extremists will harden the attitude of Indians to having Muslims in their midst - and if that ever progresses to a pogrom to rid the country of Islamists the world will become a more dangerous place.
It could lead to Muslim countries expelling followers of other religions, and if ever the world divided into a Muslim half and a combination of the rest of the world's religions in the other half - then a war would be inevitable.
The answer must rest in the hands of the vast majority of Muslims who simply want to follow their religion, earn a living - and live in harmony with those around them.
The fundamentalists are a relatively small group of people following an extreme version of Islam. They wish to force their religion on all others at the point of a sword - and declare that it is their given task to kill all those who refuse to yield.
Their greatest protection is the tendency of other Muslims to " look the other way " and do nothing - claiming that it is " not their business ! "
If Islam wants peace ordinary Muslims need to pay attention and root out these extremists. Extreme views do not go unnoticed in the Mosques and all it takes is an attitude of mind by peace loving Muslims for the extremist group to be in big trouble.
The future of the religious world rests on that support taking root !
When the British Raj ended in 1948 Hindus and Muslims agreed that it would be impossible for the two religions to coexist together in a single country with a single rule of law.
As a result, the existing country was split into two totally independent states. India for the Hindu and other religions - and Pakistan for the followers of Islam.
The decision resulted in great upheaval - and bloodshed. There was an exodus of Muslims to Pakistan - and a corresponding exodus of other religions to India, but the separation of religions was not complete.
Many with property or a business on the wrong side of the border elected to stay and many Muslims remained in India because they were not convinced that an Islamic state would remain peaceful - given the split between the two main branches of Islam.
The bloodbath in Mumbai - one of several recent similar events in India - must awaken a desire in many to banish all Muslims in India to Pakistan. That was the original intention of partition - to create a Muslim state to satisfy the followers of Islam.
It could be reasoned that if Muslims choose to live in India they should respect the fact that they live in a non-Muslim country - and respect the laws and customs of that regime.
Every act of terror perpetrated on Indian soil by Muslim extremists will harden the attitude of Indians to having Muslims in their midst - and if that ever progresses to a pogrom to rid the country of Islamists the world will become a more dangerous place.
It could lead to Muslim countries expelling followers of other religions, and if ever the world divided into a Muslim half and a combination of the rest of the world's religions in the other half - then a war would be inevitable.
The answer must rest in the hands of the vast majority of Muslims who simply want to follow their religion, earn a living - and live in harmony with those around them.
The fundamentalists are a relatively small group of people following an extreme version of Islam. They wish to force their religion on all others at the point of a sword - and declare that it is their given task to kill all those who refuse to yield.
Their greatest protection is the tendency of other Muslims to " look the other way " and do nothing - claiming that it is " not their business ! "
If Islam wants peace ordinary Muslims need to pay attention and root out these extremists. Extreme views do not go unnoticed in the Mosques and all it takes is an attitude of mind by peace loving Muslims for the extremist group to be in big trouble.
The future of the religious world rests on that support taking root !
Thursday, 27 November 2008
The stack !
The most visible landmark in Port Kembla is the huge stack used to disperse gases from a copper smelter. That plant has since faded into history - and it seems that the life of the stack is now numbered.
It was built in 1964 at a cost of $ 941,000 in present dollars - and at that time was the tallest stack in the southern hemisphere. It weighs 14,000 metric tons and at a height of 198 metres dominates the Port Kembla skyline.
Unfortunately concrete cancer has set in and the outer facing is crumbling, with constant break-aways a threat to those using the area below.
The suggestion of demolition has provoked controversy. Most agree that it needs to be torn down but a sentimental few would like to see it remain as an icon of a past age. Those in close proximity are very vocal and demand that it be levelled. They remember the foul gases and constant upheavals from a smelter plant that couldn't reach it's promised level of containment - and fear that as long as the stack remains some other manufacturer of dangerous products may seek to use it as a cheap way of starting operations.
Demolition seems a certainty. It is old and no longer meets the standards required of stacks when it comes to resistance to earthquakes and powerful winds - and the cost of refurbishing it could easily match the original building cost.
The government has promised that the levelling will not be advertised to avoid another catastrophe similar to when a Canberra hospital was demolished and the explosions went wrong, scattering debris and killing a young girl.
The end of this stack will be a photographers dream - and they will be hard pressed top ensure secrecy - and prevent a barrage of cameras recording the event !
It was built in 1964 at a cost of $ 941,000 in present dollars - and at that time was the tallest stack in the southern hemisphere. It weighs 14,000 metric tons and at a height of 198 metres dominates the Port Kembla skyline.
Unfortunately concrete cancer has set in and the outer facing is crumbling, with constant break-aways a threat to those using the area below.
The suggestion of demolition has provoked controversy. Most agree that it needs to be torn down but a sentimental few would like to see it remain as an icon of a past age. Those in close proximity are very vocal and demand that it be levelled. They remember the foul gases and constant upheavals from a smelter plant that couldn't reach it's promised level of containment - and fear that as long as the stack remains some other manufacturer of dangerous products may seek to use it as a cheap way of starting operations.
Demolition seems a certainty. It is old and no longer meets the standards required of stacks when it comes to resistance to earthquakes and powerful winds - and the cost of refurbishing it could easily match the original building cost.
The government has promised that the levelling will not be advertised to avoid another catastrophe similar to when a Canberra hospital was demolished and the explosions went wrong, scattering debris and killing a young girl.
The end of this stack will be a photographers dream - and they will be hard pressed top ensure secrecy - and prevent a barrage of cameras recording the event !
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Hire and fire !
Precisely a year after winning office the Federal Labor government has presented it's " Fair Work Bill ".
This replaces " Work Choice " and there is no doubt that it has a mandate for change. The then opposition and the unions demonized Work Choice - but the voters clearly saw it as one of the reasons for the big swing to a Socialist regime.
The new bill signals a return to collective bargaining and the unions will again have a prominent position in representing their members at the bargaining table.
There will be a new umpire. The old Australian Industrial Relations Commission ( AIRC ) will be disbanded in favour of " Fair Work Australia ".
We will probably see a return of union thuggery and the new legislation will extend to small firms with a limited work force - and for the first time will cover casuals.
There is just one clause in this new regime that will make it unworkable.
The " Unfair Dismissal " definition now no longer recognises " Operational reasons as an acceptable reason for dismissal ".
This seems to be accommodating the union view that " There never is and never will be a valid reason for an employee to be dismissed ".
This comes at a critical time for Australian industry. We are at the start of an economic downturn and the government expects unemployment to rise as demand for goods and services retreats.
This provision in the Fair Work bill removes the employers right to hire and fire - and that is the basis of economic management.
When things are booming more people are hired - and when there is a downturn it is necessary to reduce the work force.
It seems that we are going back to the bad old days before Work Choice, when employers refused to take on new people and persisted on working a smaller work force with huge amounts of overtime.
This was despite record unemployment and the clear need for an expanded work force - but hampered by the cost and hassle of trying to downsize.
A savvy union official could delay a case in the courts for months - and many employers accepted that it was cheaper to pay an excess member $ 30,000 to resolve the matter than to continue court action.
It seems to be a case of union agitation influencing socialist thinking.
If the economic downturn becomes as bad as some pundits predict this refusal to recognise the employers right to hire and fire will make what is otherwise a good piece of legislation unworkable !
Those seeking work will be the losers !
This replaces " Work Choice " and there is no doubt that it has a mandate for change. The then opposition and the unions demonized Work Choice - but the voters clearly saw it as one of the reasons for the big swing to a Socialist regime.
The new bill signals a return to collective bargaining and the unions will again have a prominent position in representing their members at the bargaining table.
There will be a new umpire. The old Australian Industrial Relations Commission ( AIRC ) will be disbanded in favour of " Fair Work Australia ".
We will probably see a return of union thuggery and the new legislation will extend to small firms with a limited work force - and for the first time will cover casuals.
There is just one clause in this new regime that will make it unworkable.
The " Unfair Dismissal " definition now no longer recognises " Operational reasons as an acceptable reason for dismissal ".
This seems to be accommodating the union view that " There never is and never will be a valid reason for an employee to be dismissed ".
This comes at a critical time for Australian industry. We are at the start of an economic downturn and the government expects unemployment to rise as demand for goods and services retreats.
This provision in the Fair Work bill removes the employers right to hire and fire - and that is the basis of economic management.
When things are booming more people are hired - and when there is a downturn it is necessary to reduce the work force.
It seems that we are going back to the bad old days before Work Choice, when employers refused to take on new people and persisted on working a smaller work force with huge amounts of overtime.
This was despite record unemployment and the clear need for an expanded work force - but hampered by the cost and hassle of trying to downsize.
A savvy union official could delay a case in the courts for months - and many employers accepted that it was cheaper to pay an excess member $ 30,000 to resolve the matter than to continue court action.
It seems to be a case of union agitation influencing socialist thinking.
If the economic downturn becomes as bad as some pundits predict this refusal to recognise the employers right to hire and fire will make what is otherwise a good piece of legislation unworkable !
Those seeking work will be the losers !
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
Mission impossible !
Justice James Wood's enquiry into the Department of Community Services ( DOCS ) handling of child harm cases agrees that it is impossible for the huge number of referrals to be investigated with any degree of certainty.
In future, DOCS will only act where " significant harm " is likely, with lesser cases being relegated to the private sector for followup.
This will satisfy nobody - and it sets the scene for lurid media headlines and a spate of finger pointing further down the track when inevitably a child death occurs and there is the accusation that earlier DOCS intervention could have saved that life.
We have a " mandatory reporting " regime that requires the medical profession, school teachers and others to report instances where they suspect child abuse is taking place.
We have a huge number of " good Samaritans " who look out for children who appear to be at risk - and we also have those who maliciously report child abuse as a " pay back " to extract revenge on a failed relationship or as part of a neighbourhood dispute.
The sheer volume means that it is impossible for DOCS case workers to spend the time necessary to fully investigate each of these reports - and as a consequence - from time to time one slips through the cracks and a tragedy occurs.
In a perfect world money would be no option and the government would provide the number of case workers DOCS would need to do a full in depth investigation of every matter referred to it.
The present decision to only investigate cases where " significant harm " is involved seems to be a case of " making do " with the resources available.
It is not perfect - and there will be future horror stories - but child care will simply have to join the queue alongside the health system, justice system and general welfare in doing what is possible with the limited funds available.
The present financial meltdown means that pool of money will shrink rather than expand in the immediate future !
In future, DOCS will only act where " significant harm " is likely, with lesser cases being relegated to the private sector for followup.
This will satisfy nobody - and it sets the scene for lurid media headlines and a spate of finger pointing further down the track when inevitably a child death occurs and there is the accusation that earlier DOCS intervention could have saved that life.
We have a " mandatory reporting " regime that requires the medical profession, school teachers and others to report instances where they suspect child abuse is taking place.
We have a huge number of " good Samaritans " who look out for children who appear to be at risk - and we also have those who maliciously report child abuse as a " pay back " to extract revenge on a failed relationship or as part of a neighbourhood dispute.
The sheer volume means that it is impossible for DOCS case workers to spend the time necessary to fully investigate each of these reports - and as a consequence - from time to time one slips through the cracks and a tragedy occurs.
In a perfect world money would be no option and the government would provide the number of case workers DOCS would need to do a full in depth investigation of every matter referred to it.
The present decision to only investigate cases where " significant harm " is involved seems to be a case of " making do " with the resources available.
It is not perfect - and there will be future horror stories - but child care will simply have to join the queue alongside the health system, justice system and general welfare in doing what is possible with the limited funds available.
The present financial meltdown means that pool of money will shrink rather than expand in the immediate future !
Monday, 24 November 2008
Stop - at your peril !
In a few days time - on December 1, 2008 - a new law will come into force.
You will no longer be able to stop your car in an area designated by a " No Standing " sign to pick-up or drop off passengers.
All " No Standing " signs will be deemed to be " No stopping " signs, although it may take years for the actual replacement to take place. The police and rangers will hand out hefty infringement fines for those disobeying this law.
The new legislation is supposed to bring this state into uniformity with the other states on road laws - and supposedly the present arrangement is considered a road safety risk - although this would be hotly denied by most people.
It creates a new problem for the elderly and their carers. Just where will it be legal to pick-up and set down passengers who need to visit a doctor's rooms or a specialists office ?
It is illegal to use a bus stop for this purpose - and these days " Loading Zones " are as scarce as hen's teeth.
No doubt the state will designate " pick-up " areas in due course but these will be sited by bureaucrats - and there is no chance that they will accommodate the vast array of people needed by the elderly - doctors, podiatrists, and the vast array providing services for the aged.
The elderly already have " Disability stickers " to designate cars with special permission for longer parking, but these will not provide permission for any sort of pick-up and set down arrangement.
The new " No stopping " regime may have merit, but it will create an impossible situation for the elderly and their carers unless the state government legislates to allow set down and pick-up to legally occur on bus stops and taxi ranks.
Just another case of hasty legislation being enacted - without thinking through the full consequences !
You will no longer be able to stop your car in an area designated by a " No Standing " sign to pick-up or drop off passengers.
All " No Standing " signs will be deemed to be " No stopping " signs, although it may take years for the actual replacement to take place. The police and rangers will hand out hefty infringement fines for those disobeying this law.
The new legislation is supposed to bring this state into uniformity with the other states on road laws - and supposedly the present arrangement is considered a road safety risk - although this would be hotly denied by most people.
It creates a new problem for the elderly and their carers. Just where will it be legal to pick-up and set down passengers who need to visit a doctor's rooms or a specialists office ?
It is illegal to use a bus stop for this purpose - and these days " Loading Zones " are as scarce as hen's teeth.
No doubt the state will designate " pick-up " areas in due course but these will be sited by bureaucrats - and there is no chance that they will accommodate the vast array of people needed by the elderly - doctors, podiatrists, and the vast array providing services for the aged.
The elderly already have " Disability stickers " to designate cars with special permission for longer parking, but these will not provide permission for any sort of pick-up and set down arrangement.
The new " No stopping " regime may have merit, but it will create an impossible situation for the elderly and their carers unless the state government legislates to allow set down and pick-up to legally occur on bus stops and taxi ranks.
Just another case of hasty legislation being enacted - without thinking through the full consequences !
Sunday, 23 November 2008
" Bunker " living !
The " silly season " is fast approaching, but it must be here already because an architect has won second prize in a competition for suggesting people empty their swimming pools and convert them into " granny flats ".
Australia will need 630,000 new homes by 2036 to accommodate the expected population increase. This suggestion is intended to reduce the need for a proliferation of towering apartment blocks.
There are 360,000 private swimming pools in New South Wales and it is suggested that these could easily be converted into one bedroom living space, with kitchenette, bathroom and lounge facilities. Windows would be located in the roof - and the existing family home would still have a nice garden.
The person making this suggestion may know a lot about architecture - but could do with improved knowledge of engineering and science.
For a start, there would be a danger that an empty swimming pool space would " float " if the surrounding soil became inundated with water. This is a phenomenon common to the fuel tanks of abandoned petrol stations.
Such a granny flat would also be claustrophobic.
Presumably it would need to have a toilet. In a flat land suburb it would be impossible to connect a toilet to the sewer from underground without an expensive pumping system.
Ventilation would be a problem - and any unventilated living space could be a health danger from the buildup of naturally occurring radioactive gases. These are known to cause cancer and other diseases.
Finally, access would be a stumbling block. " Granny flats " by their very nature are intended for the elderly - and one thing the elderly do not handle well is stairs.
It is unlikely that we will see a spate of swimming pools being converted into living accommodation - and if the forecasters are right and we are about to experience a sharp contraction in annual rainfall - those swimming pools may be needed in their natural state as a source of drinking water !
Australia will need 630,000 new homes by 2036 to accommodate the expected population increase. This suggestion is intended to reduce the need for a proliferation of towering apartment blocks.
There are 360,000 private swimming pools in New South Wales and it is suggested that these could easily be converted into one bedroom living space, with kitchenette, bathroom and lounge facilities. Windows would be located in the roof - and the existing family home would still have a nice garden.
The person making this suggestion may know a lot about architecture - but could do with improved knowledge of engineering and science.
For a start, there would be a danger that an empty swimming pool space would " float " if the surrounding soil became inundated with water. This is a phenomenon common to the fuel tanks of abandoned petrol stations.
Such a granny flat would also be claustrophobic.
Presumably it would need to have a toilet. In a flat land suburb it would be impossible to connect a toilet to the sewer from underground without an expensive pumping system.
Ventilation would be a problem - and any unventilated living space could be a health danger from the buildup of naturally occurring radioactive gases. These are known to cause cancer and other diseases.
Finally, access would be a stumbling block. " Granny flats " by their very nature are intended for the elderly - and one thing the elderly do not handle well is stairs.
It is unlikely that we will see a spate of swimming pools being converted into living accommodation - and if the forecasters are right and we are about to experience a sharp contraction in annual rainfall - those swimming pools may be needed in their natural state as a source of drinking water !
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Parking Meters !
It seems that Wollongong has lost the plot when it comes to installing parking meters in the CBD.
Parking meters actually decrease the number of cars that can park in city streets. Each metered space has to be big enough to accommodate the largest car - and these days consumer demand is for compact cars.
There are no plans for additional parking stations or improvements to the bus service. Parking meters are a band aid solution which will drive shoppers away from the retail precinct.
There is actually a surplus of parking space in Wollongong. The problem is that this is taken up with city workers using all day street parking for the cars that brought them to work.
The ideal for shoppers and workers alike would be to park for as long as they like right at the door of Myers in Burelli street - or anywhere within a few paces walk of their place of employment.
Obviously this is impossible, so the council needs to take a bold step and increase the time restricted parking zone further from the city centre. It needs to create a disincentive for people to drive their cars, park and walk to their jobs.
It is a matter of priorities. People wishing to park and shop must take preference over people wishing to park and go to work. Most of the all day parking in this city is well within walking distance for shoppers. The problem is that it is not available because it is taken up by the all day parking crowd.
To make this work it would be necessary to provide a reasonable alternative to the worker/drivers - and the obvious way to do this is all day parking further from the CBD - but serviced by a feeder bus delivering workers to and from their area of employment.
It would be the carrot and stick approach. Restricted parking - enforced by rangers - in close areas that are now all day parking to force the all day parking crowd to embrace alternatives.
Compensation to be provided in the form of a free shuttle bus to eliminate the long walk from the parking zone to the place of work.
If this were to be implemented there would be no need for the expense and hassle of parking meters - and Wollongong would look less like Sydney - with all the problems associated with a big city !
Parking meters actually decrease the number of cars that can park in city streets. Each metered space has to be big enough to accommodate the largest car - and these days consumer demand is for compact cars.
There are no plans for additional parking stations or improvements to the bus service. Parking meters are a band aid solution which will drive shoppers away from the retail precinct.
There is actually a surplus of parking space in Wollongong. The problem is that this is taken up with city workers using all day street parking for the cars that brought them to work.
The ideal for shoppers and workers alike would be to park for as long as they like right at the door of Myers in Burelli street - or anywhere within a few paces walk of their place of employment.
Obviously this is impossible, so the council needs to take a bold step and increase the time restricted parking zone further from the city centre. It needs to create a disincentive for people to drive their cars, park and walk to their jobs.
It is a matter of priorities. People wishing to park and shop must take preference over people wishing to park and go to work. Most of the all day parking in this city is well within walking distance for shoppers. The problem is that it is not available because it is taken up by the all day parking crowd.
To make this work it would be necessary to provide a reasonable alternative to the worker/drivers - and the obvious way to do this is all day parking further from the CBD - but serviced by a feeder bus delivering workers to and from their area of employment.
It would be the carrot and stick approach. Restricted parking - enforced by rangers - in close areas that are now all day parking to force the all day parking crowd to embrace alternatives.
Compensation to be provided in the form of a free shuttle bus to eliminate the long walk from the parking zone to the place of work.
If this were to be implemented there would be no need for the expense and hassle of parking meters - and Wollongong would look less like Sydney - with all the problems associated with a big city !
Friday, 21 November 2008
The stench of corruption !
The stench of corruption still hangs in the air over Wollongong council.
This time the spotlight shines on money spent to refurbish Lysaght Oval to provide a new home for this city's two soccer clubs. Just $ 400,000 remains of a $ 2.5 million grant - and yet the ground is nowhere near ready to be classed as a first rate facility.
The soccer people were forced to move from Brandon Park because it was needed by Wollongong University for their new industrial park. Lysaght Oval was to be their new home and Wollongong Council was appointed the trustee to arrange for the work to be done - and to manage the money.
Alarm bells began ringing when corruption was uncovered in dealings between Labor party councillors and developers involving political donations in exchange for the approval of development projects that did not meet council by-laws.
As a result, the council was sacked and administrators appointed - and in due course prosecutions may follow.
Pressure is building to untangle the can of worms relating to work done on Lysaght Oval. An un-named Sydney firm has been appointed to scrutinise invoices for work done - and to compare that work with the schedule promised in the contract.
All this seems to be happening under a cloak of secrecy - and many people are not happy about the lack of transparency.
Why is the name of the investigating firm being kept secret ? Is there any record of political donations between this firm and the state government ?
How was the work on Lysaght Oval allocated ? Was it awarded by public tender ?
Was this tender advertised ? Who drew up the specification of work required ? Who signed off that the work completed was satisfactory ?
The Administrators have failed to answer questions or give information !
Why ?
This is clearly in the public interest and the imposition of secrecy smells of a cover up !
The imposition of possible criminal charges over the sacking of Wollongong council looks like dragging on for months - and possibly years - and this leaves the impression that delay is part of the tactic for the matter to fade from public memory.
There is every reason that this latest fiasco should be dragged kicking and screaming into the public domain without delay.
On present indications, details will be kept hidden away and the legal system used to prevent public scrutiny !
This time the spotlight shines on money spent to refurbish Lysaght Oval to provide a new home for this city's two soccer clubs. Just $ 400,000 remains of a $ 2.5 million grant - and yet the ground is nowhere near ready to be classed as a first rate facility.
The soccer people were forced to move from Brandon Park because it was needed by Wollongong University for their new industrial park. Lysaght Oval was to be their new home and Wollongong Council was appointed the trustee to arrange for the work to be done - and to manage the money.
Alarm bells began ringing when corruption was uncovered in dealings between Labor party councillors and developers involving political donations in exchange for the approval of development projects that did not meet council by-laws.
As a result, the council was sacked and administrators appointed - and in due course prosecutions may follow.
Pressure is building to untangle the can of worms relating to work done on Lysaght Oval. An un-named Sydney firm has been appointed to scrutinise invoices for work done - and to compare that work with the schedule promised in the contract.
All this seems to be happening under a cloak of secrecy - and many people are not happy about the lack of transparency.
Why is the name of the investigating firm being kept secret ? Is there any record of political donations between this firm and the state government ?
How was the work on Lysaght Oval allocated ? Was it awarded by public tender ?
Was this tender advertised ? Who drew up the specification of work required ? Who signed off that the work completed was satisfactory ?
The Administrators have failed to answer questions or give information !
Why ?
This is clearly in the public interest and the imposition of secrecy smells of a cover up !
The imposition of possible criminal charges over the sacking of Wollongong council looks like dragging on for months - and possibly years - and this leaves the impression that delay is part of the tactic for the matter to fade from public memory.
There is every reason that this latest fiasco should be dragged kicking and screaming into the public domain without delay.
On present indications, details will be kept hidden away and the legal system used to prevent public scrutiny !
Thursday, 20 November 2008
The " Taser " question !
Ombudsman Bruce Barbour has expressed reservations about the $1 million roll out of Taser guns to New South Wales police.
The original benefit was that Tasers offered an alternative to the use of deadly force. They would only be used where circumstances warranted an office drawing his service weapon and firing it.
In such circumstances a Taser would temporarily disable a suspect and allow the placement of restraints.
It was argued that the discharge of electricity by a Taser would not seriously harm an adult person in good physical condition, wheras a police bullet would inflict at least serious injury and in many instances - death !
Originally, Tasers were issued in limited numbers and were only to be used by senior police who had undertaken specialist training in their use.
This imposed limitations. Deadly force situations occurred without warning and the first police on the scene were required to handle it. There would be delay problems trying to contact senior police, waiting while a Taser was collected from a police station and transported to the action scene.
It is now proposed that Tasers be a weapon issued to all front line officers and that they undergo special training in their use.
There is a question about their safety. Whilst they pose no risk to a person in good physical condition there have been instances of harm overseas when they have been used on people with heart problems, pacemakers or other debilitating medical conditions.
The Ombudsman is concerned that once issued Tasers will quickly become the weapon of choice when it comes to arrest situations that would not normally involve firearms.
Policing is a risky business. In particular, offenders affected by " Ice " pose special problems. They are extremely aggressive and are less responsive to pain - and have enhanced strength as a side effect of this drug.
Tackling them with batons and capsicum spray usually involves close combat and there is always the risk of infection. Offenders may be suffering AIDS or similar diseases and these can be transmitted from one person to another by way of a bite or transfer of blood.
The Ombudsman warns that there is the risk of Tasers being deployed outside the guidelines - with the police culture manipulating the arrest circumstances to justify their use.
There is reason on both sides of this argument. If the general roll out is to continue it is essential that all officers receive intensive training on their use - and there be rigid rules on how and when they can be used.
It is also essential that the firing of a Taser be subjected to the same enquiry that follows the discharging of a police firearm.
Unless this is done - we will get the worst of both worlds !
The original benefit was that Tasers offered an alternative to the use of deadly force. They would only be used where circumstances warranted an office drawing his service weapon and firing it.
In such circumstances a Taser would temporarily disable a suspect and allow the placement of restraints.
It was argued that the discharge of electricity by a Taser would not seriously harm an adult person in good physical condition, wheras a police bullet would inflict at least serious injury and in many instances - death !
Originally, Tasers were issued in limited numbers and were only to be used by senior police who had undertaken specialist training in their use.
This imposed limitations. Deadly force situations occurred without warning and the first police on the scene were required to handle it. There would be delay problems trying to contact senior police, waiting while a Taser was collected from a police station and transported to the action scene.
It is now proposed that Tasers be a weapon issued to all front line officers and that they undergo special training in their use.
There is a question about their safety. Whilst they pose no risk to a person in good physical condition there have been instances of harm overseas when they have been used on people with heart problems, pacemakers or other debilitating medical conditions.
The Ombudsman is concerned that once issued Tasers will quickly become the weapon of choice when it comes to arrest situations that would not normally involve firearms.
Policing is a risky business. In particular, offenders affected by " Ice " pose special problems. They are extremely aggressive and are less responsive to pain - and have enhanced strength as a side effect of this drug.
Tackling them with batons and capsicum spray usually involves close combat and there is always the risk of infection. Offenders may be suffering AIDS or similar diseases and these can be transmitted from one person to another by way of a bite or transfer of blood.
The Ombudsman warns that there is the risk of Tasers being deployed outside the guidelines - with the police culture manipulating the arrest circumstances to justify their use.
There is reason on both sides of this argument. If the general roll out is to continue it is essential that all officers receive intensive training on their use - and there be rigid rules on how and when they can be used.
It is also essential that the firing of a Taser be subjected to the same enquiry that follows the discharging of a police firearm.
Unless this is done - we will get the worst of both worlds !
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
The greedy versus the needy !
This morning sixty five thousand school and TAFE teachers will walk off the job for two hours to discuss and complain about an increased pay offer.
As a result, many working mothers will lose a days pay because their children will be otherwise unsupervised. Industry will take a hit from this absenteeism - and it will generally cost families and employers productivity.
What are teachers complaining about ? They have been offered an 11.8% pay increase spread over three years. Their salaries will increase 4.8% in January 2009, 3.5% in January 2010, and 2.7% in January 2011.
As a trade-off they will have paid sick leave days off reduced from a whopping twenty two per year - to ten. This will then bring them into line with the rest of the public service.
It seems that these citizens of academia live in a fuzzy little world far removed from the realities affecting ordinary people.
In the present economic climate a pay rise is something most working people only dream about.
We are facing the prospect of the worst recession since the 1930's - and that it something that could easily slip into a full blown depression. Just retaining ones present job would be a big relief to many.
What is the justification for twenty two sick days a year ? The " sickie " is an Australian institution and many people make sure they use all of their entitlements and regard them as extra " holidays ".
There may be a few grim years ahead of us and teachers may find that these hard times intrude on their militant outlook.
Some may have to work a bit longer than the usual retirement age, and class sizes may blow out because there is simply not enough money to pay the present teaching workforce.
Welcome to the real world !
As a result, many working mothers will lose a days pay because their children will be otherwise unsupervised. Industry will take a hit from this absenteeism - and it will generally cost families and employers productivity.
What are teachers complaining about ? They have been offered an 11.8% pay increase spread over three years. Their salaries will increase 4.8% in January 2009, 3.5% in January 2010, and 2.7% in January 2011.
As a trade-off they will have paid sick leave days off reduced from a whopping twenty two per year - to ten. This will then bring them into line with the rest of the public service.
It seems that these citizens of academia live in a fuzzy little world far removed from the realities affecting ordinary people.
In the present economic climate a pay rise is something most working people only dream about.
We are facing the prospect of the worst recession since the 1930's - and that it something that could easily slip into a full blown depression. Just retaining ones present job would be a big relief to many.
What is the justification for twenty two sick days a year ? The " sickie " is an Australian institution and many people make sure they use all of their entitlements and regard them as extra " holidays ".
There may be a few grim years ahead of us and teachers may find that these hard times intrude on their militant outlook.
Some may have to work a bit longer than the usual retirement age, and class sizes may blow out because there is simply not enough money to pay the present teaching workforce.
Welcome to the real world !
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Insurance.
The concept of insurance originated in China centuries ago. Merchants taking their produce to market faced the prospect of ruin when crossing raging rivers.
Should their boat overturn they would lose everything.
A wise man solved this problem by advising travellers to distribute their goods as cargo in many boats. Some might be lost but the majority would survive - and hence each merchant would only suffer a small loss.
This weeks disaster in Brisbane brings home the wisdom of that theory - except that not all people there will be covered by insurance.
Insuring homes, boats, cars and other valuables is optional and those that do insure are slugged with various taxes - including a hefty levy to finance the fire brigade.
When a disaster strikes - as happened in Brisbane - those uninsured cry poverty and the various charities join the Federal and state governments in donating funds to alleviate stress. The loss is not fully covered, but at least those who can least afford it get relief.
The insurance option is not really fair to those to choose to pay premiums and have security. Those that opt out do not pay their share, and consequently premiums are higher than if all were covered.
According to the forecasters global warming will result in an increase in severe storms - and consequent damage to private property. Perhaps this would be a good time to have a long, hard look at the question of insurance.
Perhaps all real estate needs to be covered by a basic insurance against fire, flood and destruction by severe storm. This cover would need to be an inclusion by each council - with the premium forming part of the rates.
Failure to pay would attract the same recourse as the present system used to recover rate arrears.
The advantage is that there would be basic cover for all property with owners having the option to take out private insurance to cover losses from burglary and similar events.
There would also be the advantage that those renting would be assured that there was money available to restore their dwelling after a storm, rather than rely on the owner to have the finances to carry out repairs.
A universal base cover should even out premiums for those wise enough to have private insurance and allow owners to select top up cover to suit their individual requirements.
If we are to get more severe storms because of climate change we need to review our insurance options to reduce the chance of many being left destitute !
Should their boat overturn they would lose everything.
A wise man solved this problem by advising travellers to distribute their goods as cargo in many boats. Some might be lost but the majority would survive - and hence each merchant would only suffer a small loss.
This weeks disaster in Brisbane brings home the wisdom of that theory - except that not all people there will be covered by insurance.
Insuring homes, boats, cars and other valuables is optional and those that do insure are slugged with various taxes - including a hefty levy to finance the fire brigade.
When a disaster strikes - as happened in Brisbane - those uninsured cry poverty and the various charities join the Federal and state governments in donating funds to alleviate stress. The loss is not fully covered, but at least those who can least afford it get relief.
The insurance option is not really fair to those to choose to pay premiums and have security. Those that opt out do not pay their share, and consequently premiums are higher than if all were covered.
According to the forecasters global warming will result in an increase in severe storms - and consequent damage to private property. Perhaps this would be a good time to have a long, hard look at the question of insurance.
Perhaps all real estate needs to be covered by a basic insurance against fire, flood and destruction by severe storm. This cover would need to be an inclusion by each council - with the premium forming part of the rates.
Failure to pay would attract the same recourse as the present system used to recover rate arrears.
The advantage is that there would be basic cover for all property with owners having the option to take out private insurance to cover losses from burglary and similar events.
There would also be the advantage that those renting would be assured that there was money available to restore their dwelling after a storm, rather than rely on the owner to have the finances to carry out repairs.
A universal base cover should even out premiums for those wise enough to have private insurance and allow owners to select top up cover to suit their individual requirements.
If we are to get more severe storms because of climate change we need to review our insurance options to reduce the chance of many being left destitute !
Monday, 17 November 2008
Death of a club.
Things do not look good for Wollongong's troubled Fraternity club. It has a huge debt at an impossible interest rate, infighting at board level - and it's most valuable asset has been downgraded by a council decision.
Fifty years ago the Wollongong Italian community built this club as a place to preserve the Italian way of life. It served good Italian food, played peculiar Italian sporting games - and was a congenial meeting place where people of Italian background could entertain their Australian friends.
The club prospered and over time bought out neighbouring houses to create one of the biggest club car parks in this state - but things went downhill from there. An ambitious expansion plan saw cost overruns and inflation create an unfinished building programme and unsustainable debt.
There have been several remedial plans, all frustrated by an inability to create a board with financial skills. Elements within the club wish to preserve a culture incompatible with the management stresses of a modern club - and there is now a chance that it will go out of existence.
The saving grace could have been the huge amount of car space right alongside a fast developing shopping precinct. There were offers to buy this and lease some back to the club - while development on other sections would ensure viability.
This was scuttled when Wollongong council declared it flood prone land - and indicated that building approval would be refused.
It seems strange that just a few hundred yards away - on perfectly flat land - there is a huge new shopping centre with underground parking nearly completion.
If the club car park is flood prone, what will happen to that new complex and it's underground car park should a deluge occur ?
There may be politics at work in this scenario. Customer parking will be a big issue when the Fairy Meadow shopping expansion is complete. The Fraternity club car park will have little value if it is denied development, but it would solve a lot of problems if it could be cheaply acquired to provide car parking for the expanding shopping centre.
This seems to be a complicated chess board - where a lot of competing interests are in play !
Fifty years ago the Wollongong Italian community built this club as a place to preserve the Italian way of life. It served good Italian food, played peculiar Italian sporting games - and was a congenial meeting place where people of Italian background could entertain their Australian friends.
The club prospered and over time bought out neighbouring houses to create one of the biggest club car parks in this state - but things went downhill from there. An ambitious expansion plan saw cost overruns and inflation create an unfinished building programme and unsustainable debt.
There have been several remedial plans, all frustrated by an inability to create a board with financial skills. Elements within the club wish to preserve a culture incompatible with the management stresses of a modern club - and there is now a chance that it will go out of existence.
The saving grace could have been the huge amount of car space right alongside a fast developing shopping precinct. There were offers to buy this and lease some back to the club - while development on other sections would ensure viability.
This was scuttled when Wollongong council declared it flood prone land - and indicated that building approval would be refused.
It seems strange that just a few hundred yards away - on perfectly flat land - there is a huge new shopping centre with underground parking nearly completion.
If the club car park is flood prone, what will happen to that new complex and it's underground car park should a deluge occur ?
There may be politics at work in this scenario. Customer parking will be a big issue when the Fairy Meadow shopping expansion is complete. The Fraternity club car park will have little value if it is denied development, but it would solve a lot of problems if it could be cheaply acquired to provide car parking for the expanding shopping centre.
This seems to be a complicated chess board - where a lot of competing interests are in play !
Sunday, 16 November 2008
Putting a fee on blood ?
That bunch of incompetent crooks masquerading as the New South Wales government are reportedly considering charging a fee for blood.
The blood bank in this country is run by the Red Cross and hundreds of thousands of citizens are regular donors - rewarded at the end of each session by a cuppa and a few biscuits.
Their blood is available at no cost to the medical profession for those who need it. Without blood the majority of surgery would not be possible.
The government is considering leaving it free for public hospitals, but charging private hospitals. This charge would be cleverly disguised so as to not refer directly to a blood fee, but would instead be called an " administrative charge ".
Whatever name this new " tax " is called, it would be a charge on private hospitals and would either directly go onto patients bills or go against their insurance fund. In either case - it would increase health costs.
It could be the first step on a slippery slope. Donors who support the blood bank could well walk away once they knew that their donation was now being treated as just another source of government revenue.
Our blood bank is a fine and revered institution. Do we want it become like many overseas countries - where people sell their blood for money - and as a result blood is the price of the next heroin hit for addicts - or the means of putting food on the table for the children of the poor ?
Once the political party in office in this state was the defender of the working man and woman.
It has lost it's way. Ben Chifley's famous " Light on the Hill " is in danger of being extinguished because his party is now so concerned with money that it considers it an extravagance !
The blood bank in this country is run by the Red Cross and hundreds of thousands of citizens are regular donors - rewarded at the end of each session by a cuppa and a few biscuits.
Their blood is available at no cost to the medical profession for those who need it. Without blood the majority of surgery would not be possible.
The government is considering leaving it free for public hospitals, but charging private hospitals. This charge would be cleverly disguised so as to not refer directly to a blood fee, but would instead be called an " administrative charge ".
Whatever name this new " tax " is called, it would be a charge on private hospitals and would either directly go onto patients bills or go against their insurance fund. In either case - it would increase health costs.
It could be the first step on a slippery slope. Donors who support the blood bank could well walk away once they knew that their donation was now being treated as just another source of government revenue.
Our blood bank is a fine and revered institution. Do we want it become like many overseas countries - where people sell their blood for money - and as a result blood is the price of the next heroin hit for addicts - or the means of putting food on the table for the children of the poor ?
Once the political party in office in this state was the defender of the working man and woman.
It has lost it's way. Ben Chifley's famous " Light on the Hill " is in danger of being extinguished because his party is now so concerned with money that it considers it an extravagance !
Saturday, 15 November 2008
Demerit points !
A long time ago the only penalty for speeding was a hefty fine. These fines increased on a regular basis as politicians tried to convince voters that they were trying to make our roads safer.
The problem was that fines did not deliver equality of punishment. What was a trifling amount to a rich man was a crushing blow to someone on the minimum wage - and so demerit points were devised to provide a level playing field.
Rich or poor. Accumulate enough points and you lose your driving license.
It was a good idea, but it was quickly corrupted. Loss of points were added for a whole range of minor offences, many of which had little impact on road safety - and then came that electronic marvel - the fixed speed camera.
Suddenly it was a whole new ball game. School zones had varying speed limits at varying times and in general these " revenue raisers " recorded people minutely over the limit - and dished out both fines and the loss of demerit points.
The problem was that the penalty was the same for one or two kph over the limit - or up to fifteen kph over the limit - a loss of three demerit points which doubled if it happened during a public holiday weekend.
License loss often meant job loss - and this contributed to a sharp increase in those still driving on a cancelled license, depriving other road users of insurance protection and causing a degree of public resentment at what was considered an " unjust law ".
Now there are moves to vary this demerit point loss to recognise the degree of speeding.
It is a welcome application of common sense, but it would also be appropriate to give demerit points generally a long, hard look.
Is picking up or setting down a passenger on a bus stop or a loading zone such a heinous crime to deserve potential loss of license ?
Many would think not !
The problem was that fines did not deliver equality of punishment. What was a trifling amount to a rich man was a crushing blow to someone on the minimum wage - and so demerit points were devised to provide a level playing field.
Rich or poor. Accumulate enough points and you lose your driving license.
It was a good idea, but it was quickly corrupted. Loss of points were added for a whole range of minor offences, many of which had little impact on road safety - and then came that electronic marvel - the fixed speed camera.
Suddenly it was a whole new ball game. School zones had varying speed limits at varying times and in general these " revenue raisers " recorded people minutely over the limit - and dished out both fines and the loss of demerit points.
The problem was that the penalty was the same for one or two kph over the limit - or up to fifteen kph over the limit - a loss of three demerit points which doubled if it happened during a public holiday weekend.
License loss often meant job loss - and this contributed to a sharp increase in those still driving on a cancelled license, depriving other road users of insurance protection and causing a degree of public resentment at what was considered an " unjust law ".
Now there are moves to vary this demerit point loss to recognise the degree of speeding.
It is a welcome application of common sense, but it would also be appropriate to give demerit points generally a long, hard look.
Is picking up or setting down a passenger on a bus stop or a loading zone such a heinous crime to deserve potential loss of license ?
Many would think not !
Friday, 14 November 2008
Insanity !
For forty four years various governments of New South Wales have adhered to the policy of running double deck rail carriages on the Sydney transport system.
Why ? Because they carry twice the number of passengers than single deck carriages.
We are in the middle of a $ 9.5 billion contract to build and buy 626 new double deck carriages to relieve the chronic shortage of rolling stock that is crippling commuter use of trains.
Yesterday, Transport minister - and minister for the Illawarra - David Campbell announced a change of plan.
The state government has changed it's mind - and will now change to single deck carriages.
No reason has been given for this flight of insanity - but it will obviously cost many billions to replace the existing stock of 1600 double deck carriages, plus at least another $ 5 billion to upgrade the signalling system to accommodate the new trains.
All this at a time when the state is in a deep financial hole and has just cancelled the proposed " Metro " to service south western Sydney.
It has been stated by many that this government would be hard pressed to successfully raffle a duck !
It might be an act of kindness if it resigned, called an early election and retired it's ministers to a psychiatric institution - provided there is still one surviving the latest cost cutting purge !
Why ? Because they carry twice the number of passengers than single deck carriages.
We are in the middle of a $ 9.5 billion contract to build and buy 626 new double deck carriages to relieve the chronic shortage of rolling stock that is crippling commuter use of trains.
Yesterday, Transport minister - and minister for the Illawarra - David Campbell announced a change of plan.
The state government has changed it's mind - and will now change to single deck carriages.
No reason has been given for this flight of insanity - but it will obviously cost many billions to replace the existing stock of 1600 double deck carriages, plus at least another $ 5 billion to upgrade the signalling system to accommodate the new trains.
All this at a time when the state is in a deep financial hole and has just cancelled the proposed " Metro " to service south western Sydney.
It has been stated by many that this government would be hard pressed to successfully raffle a duck !
It might be an act of kindness if it resigned, called an early election and retired it's ministers to a psychiatric institution - provided there is still one surviving the latest cost cutting purge !
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Coal trucks.
It is suggested that restrictions be lifted to allow the movement of coal to be on a 24/7 basis. At present night movement and transport on Sundays is banned to give residents a respite from noise and dust.
The reaction of residents seems to depend on their place of residence. Those who live near a main road coal route obviously fear their sleep being disturbed by exhaust braking and the general noise of heavy trucks.
The majority of Wollongong residents would be unaffected.
It does make sense to distribute the movement of heavy trucks over a twenty-four hour period rather than forcing them to add to peak hour and normal time day traffic.
The road system is almost deserted during the early hours and this should suit truck drivers. It would bring easier driving conditions - and with the lack of traffic jams would come an increase in the number of deliveries achieved.
There is also the coming road problems of the Port Kembla expansion. We will shortly see a huge expansion of truck movements when both the container and imported car trade is centred on this port - and the present restrictions only apply to coal trucks.
If the government extended night and Sunday movement bans to all trucks in this area the port expansion would become unworkable. We would see gridlock at peak times.
The only logical way out of this problem is to bite the bullet and remove the ban on night and Sunday coal truck movements.
Those that live beside a busy main highway will just have to learn to live with it !
The reaction of residents seems to depend on their place of residence. Those who live near a main road coal route obviously fear their sleep being disturbed by exhaust braking and the general noise of heavy trucks.
The majority of Wollongong residents would be unaffected.
It does make sense to distribute the movement of heavy trucks over a twenty-four hour period rather than forcing them to add to peak hour and normal time day traffic.
The road system is almost deserted during the early hours and this should suit truck drivers. It would bring easier driving conditions - and with the lack of traffic jams would come an increase in the number of deliveries achieved.
There is also the coming road problems of the Port Kembla expansion. We will shortly see a huge expansion of truck movements when both the container and imported car trade is centred on this port - and the present restrictions only apply to coal trucks.
If the government extended night and Sunday movement bans to all trucks in this area the port expansion would become unworkable. We would see gridlock at peak times.
The only logical way out of this problem is to bite the bullet and remove the ban on night and Sunday coal truck movements.
Those that live beside a busy main highway will just have to learn to live with it !
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
The " Congestion tax " !
Many motorists will have a wry smile at this newly imposed " congestion tax ". It is simply a money grab by a state government desperate for funds.
It will do absolutely nothing to reduce congestion. It seems to imply that motorists are bad people who choose to drive to the city in the morning and return after work because they enjoy doing it. They have no choice !
Like all big cities Sydney conforms to " the three eights rule ".
Eight hours at work - eight hours recreation - and eight hours sleeping.
The only problem with that is the " working eight " - which just happen to be between nine in the morning and five in the afternoon.
To conform to that working pattern traffic must approach the city before nine and returns to " the burbs " when work ceases - and that is where the word " congestion " enters the lexicon.
This word congestion then goes hand in hand with the pecking order. Where do you find the best doctors - the most prestigious law firms - the stock traders - the big department stores ?
They are all concentrated in the inner city - and with them the plethora of government departments.
Perhaps the government is taxing the wrong target. Hitting motorists who have no option than to drive to the city - because the city lacks sufficient public transport to provide a viable alternative - is like shooting fish in a barrel.
A better option would be a stick and carrot approach to persuade those concentrated in the city centre to decentralise.
That has been a Utopian dream for decades - but without an action plan.
This increase in toll charges masquerading as a " congestion measure " will mean an increase in taxi fares, courier charges and added costs to every aspect of industry that delivers goods.
It will add to state government coffers - but it will also increase inflation !
It will do absolutely nothing to reduce congestion. It seems to imply that motorists are bad people who choose to drive to the city in the morning and return after work because they enjoy doing it. They have no choice !
Like all big cities Sydney conforms to " the three eights rule ".
Eight hours at work - eight hours recreation - and eight hours sleeping.
The only problem with that is the " working eight " - which just happen to be between nine in the morning and five in the afternoon.
To conform to that working pattern traffic must approach the city before nine and returns to " the burbs " when work ceases - and that is where the word " congestion " enters the lexicon.
This word congestion then goes hand in hand with the pecking order. Where do you find the best doctors - the most prestigious law firms - the stock traders - the big department stores ?
They are all concentrated in the inner city - and with them the plethora of government departments.
Perhaps the government is taxing the wrong target. Hitting motorists who have no option than to drive to the city - because the city lacks sufficient public transport to provide a viable alternative - is like shooting fish in a barrel.
A better option would be a stick and carrot approach to persuade those concentrated in the city centre to decentralise.
That has been a Utopian dream for decades - but without an action plan.
This increase in toll charges masquerading as a " congestion measure " will mean an increase in taxi fares, courier charges and added costs to every aspect of industry that delivers goods.
It will add to state government coffers - but it will also increase inflation !
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
An Australian car industry ?
The Federal government has decided to invest $ 6.2 billion to bring the Australian car manufacturing industry into the twenty-first century.
$ 1.3 billion of this goes to a fund to promote the design and manufacture of " environmentally sustainable vehicles " - in other words - " Green " cars that use non oil based fuels and do not contribute to carbon emissions.
Perhaps this might be a good time to have a long, hard look at the whole concept of car manufacturing in Australia.
This industry has always been a dream of Australian governments from two perspectives - prestige -and the fact that cars are labour intensive - and employ a lot of people.
The history of the car industry in Australia leaves a chain of wrecked dreams in it's wake. Manufacturers have come and gone - Leyland, Nissan and more recently Mitsubishi come to mind - leaving Ford, Holden and Toyota still in operation.
Manufacturing has contracted to each producing a single model in this country - and importing the others in their product range.
We have been through the failed concept of model sharing - where rebadged cars purported to offer competition without the manufacturing cost of individual production.
The world has changed - and is about to change some more. The dynamic South Koreans are actively competing at the lower price end of the market - and Germany has a firm hold on the prestige marques.
Within the next few years we will see imports from both China and India doing battle for export dollars - and this at a time when our car tariffs are about to drop from ten percent to a low of five percent.
We seem to be chancing our luck on developing a car that will attract ecological demand in this country - and it would be a big ask for the existing three manufacturers to all be equally successful.
Is there room for three car manufacturers in Australia in the twenty-first century ?
Or should we bite the bullet and accept that the end of car manufacturing here will mean a sharp drop in available jobs - but that the cars we import will keep getting cheaper ?
And would that $ 6.2 billion be better spent developing some other industry that is sustainable - given our high wage structure and small domestic market ?
Perhaps circumstances will dictate the future of car manufacturing in Australia whatever direction we choose !
$ 1.3 billion of this goes to a fund to promote the design and manufacture of " environmentally sustainable vehicles " - in other words - " Green " cars that use non oil based fuels and do not contribute to carbon emissions.
Perhaps this might be a good time to have a long, hard look at the whole concept of car manufacturing in Australia.
This industry has always been a dream of Australian governments from two perspectives - prestige -and the fact that cars are labour intensive - and employ a lot of people.
The history of the car industry in Australia leaves a chain of wrecked dreams in it's wake. Manufacturers have come and gone - Leyland, Nissan and more recently Mitsubishi come to mind - leaving Ford, Holden and Toyota still in operation.
Manufacturing has contracted to each producing a single model in this country - and importing the others in their product range.
We have been through the failed concept of model sharing - where rebadged cars purported to offer competition without the manufacturing cost of individual production.
The world has changed - and is about to change some more. The dynamic South Koreans are actively competing at the lower price end of the market - and Germany has a firm hold on the prestige marques.
Within the next few years we will see imports from both China and India doing battle for export dollars - and this at a time when our car tariffs are about to drop from ten percent to a low of five percent.
We seem to be chancing our luck on developing a car that will attract ecological demand in this country - and it would be a big ask for the existing three manufacturers to all be equally successful.
Is there room for three car manufacturers in Australia in the twenty-first century ?
Or should we bite the bullet and accept that the end of car manufacturing here will mean a sharp drop in available jobs - but that the cars we import will keep getting cheaper ?
And would that $ 6.2 billion be better spent developing some other industry that is sustainable - given our high wage structure and small domestic market ?
Perhaps circumstances will dictate the future of car manufacturing in Australia whatever direction we choose !
Monday, 10 November 2008
The curse of religion !
Three murderers faced a firing squad in Indonesia yesterday. They were rewarded for the killing of two hundred and two innocent people by a bullet in the heart - and burial in their home villages.
They expressed no remorse. In fact, they urged those followers of the religious sect Jemaah Islamiah to engage in holy war and kill all others who are not prepared to adhere to it's twisted interpretation of Islam.
The leader of this sect, Abu Bakar Bashir officiated at the funerals - and openly called for Jemaah Islamiah adherents to continue the killing spree.
This raises an interesting question. If someone openly calls for murder to be committed - is that not a crime ?
If the leader of a criminal gang openly called on his followers to kill members of the police then retribution would be sure to swiftly follow. He would be charged with inciting murder, convicted and promptly sent to prison.
The difference seems to hinge on one crucial aspect - religion !
Muklas, Amrozi and Imam Samudra killed because they claim their religion demands all non Muslims be killed.
There are about a billion Muslims in this world and only a minute fraction of that number hold this view. The problem is that religion seems to strike terror into the hearts of governments. What is criminal activity in others is ignored once the cloak of religion enters the argument !
Times are changing. Immediately after the 9/11 attack in America Muslim leaders went silent on their views on radical elements like al Qaeda. This was viewed as tacit support by many - but the rank and file have had time to digest world events and Muslim leaders now seemed confident to speak out against the atrocities of this sect.
Eventually the Indonesian government will gain the courage to act. People like Abu Bakar Bashir need to be taken out of circulation and condemned for his call to commit murder.
Religion becomes a curse when it is used as a shield to cloak diversity pitting a small number of fanatics against the rest of the world !
They expressed no remorse. In fact, they urged those followers of the religious sect Jemaah Islamiah to engage in holy war and kill all others who are not prepared to adhere to it's twisted interpretation of Islam.
The leader of this sect, Abu Bakar Bashir officiated at the funerals - and openly called for Jemaah Islamiah adherents to continue the killing spree.
This raises an interesting question. If someone openly calls for murder to be committed - is that not a crime ?
If the leader of a criminal gang openly called on his followers to kill members of the police then retribution would be sure to swiftly follow. He would be charged with inciting murder, convicted and promptly sent to prison.
The difference seems to hinge on one crucial aspect - religion !
Muklas, Amrozi and Imam Samudra killed because they claim their religion demands all non Muslims be killed.
There are about a billion Muslims in this world and only a minute fraction of that number hold this view. The problem is that religion seems to strike terror into the hearts of governments. What is criminal activity in others is ignored once the cloak of religion enters the argument !
Times are changing. Immediately after the 9/11 attack in America Muslim leaders went silent on their views on radical elements like al Qaeda. This was viewed as tacit support by many - but the rank and file have had time to digest world events and Muslim leaders now seemed confident to speak out against the atrocities of this sect.
Eventually the Indonesian government will gain the courage to act. People like Abu Bakar Bashir need to be taken out of circulation and condemned for his call to commit murder.
Religion becomes a curse when it is used as a shield to cloak diversity pitting a small number of fanatics against the rest of the world !
Sunday, 9 November 2008
A new financial disaster !
Just as falling interest rates are promising relief for hard pressed families coping with big mortgages - a new financial disaster is about to descend on working women.
ABC Learning centres have called in the receiver. They owe $ 1.1 billion to the banks and the Federal government has granted an emergency injection of $ 22 million to keep their doors open until the end of this year.
The problem is the sheer size of ABC Learning. They have a twenty-five percent market share and run 1075 centres. They employ 16,000 people - and serve 25,000 children.
Early analysis shows that about forty percent of their centres are running at a loss, making them unattractive to competitors as a take over target. Unfortunately many of these unprofitable centres are located in areas of greatest demand where alternative accommodation is least likely to be available.
As an added problem for the Federal government, there is a real question over the entitlements of those sixteen thousand ABC Learning employees. The sum owed for wages, holiday payments, long service leave - and redundancy payments if centres close - is enormous.
The government has ruled out taking over and running this entity as a going concern. That is a wise decision. The moment the bureaucracy gets involved costs blow out further and red tape ensures it becomes just another bottomless money pit.
On the other hand, to see a quarter of the child minding places in this country close their doors would be a total disaster for working women.
There would be no hope of displaced children being accommodated elsewhere and the result would be some women being forced to give up their jobs - and the emergence of an underground, unregulated child minding regime forced on desperate people torn between the need to work and an impossible alternative.
There is no clear solution to the problem. Between now and the first of January next year the government will need to provide direction - and probably a lot of money - to induce a mix of existing competitors, new entrants, various charities , councils and civic groups to enter the fray and take over services.
It will need to act quickly - because if the new year arrives without clarity there will be a panic that further fractures an already fragile economy !
ABC Learning centres have called in the receiver. They owe $ 1.1 billion to the banks and the Federal government has granted an emergency injection of $ 22 million to keep their doors open until the end of this year.
The problem is the sheer size of ABC Learning. They have a twenty-five percent market share and run 1075 centres. They employ 16,000 people - and serve 25,000 children.
Early analysis shows that about forty percent of their centres are running at a loss, making them unattractive to competitors as a take over target. Unfortunately many of these unprofitable centres are located in areas of greatest demand where alternative accommodation is least likely to be available.
As an added problem for the Federal government, there is a real question over the entitlements of those sixteen thousand ABC Learning employees. The sum owed for wages, holiday payments, long service leave - and redundancy payments if centres close - is enormous.
The government has ruled out taking over and running this entity as a going concern. That is a wise decision. The moment the bureaucracy gets involved costs blow out further and red tape ensures it becomes just another bottomless money pit.
On the other hand, to see a quarter of the child minding places in this country close their doors would be a total disaster for working women.
There would be no hope of displaced children being accommodated elsewhere and the result would be some women being forced to give up their jobs - and the emergence of an underground, unregulated child minding regime forced on desperate people torn between the need to work and an impossible alternative.
There is no clear solution to the problem. Between now and the first of January next year the government will need to provide direction - and probably a lot of money - to induce a mix of existing competitors, new entrants, various charities , councils and civic groups to enter the fray and take over services.
It will need to act quickly - because if the new year arrives without clarity there will be a panic that further fractures an already fragile economy !
Saturday, 8 November 2008
Justice denied !
Juvenile justice has been ordered to make a $ 17.2 million cut in spending because of the parlous level of state finance. As part of this they have announced that they will close the Keelong Juvenile Justice centre in Wollongong from early next year.
Keelong is the only juvenile detention centre in this area. It employs a hundred people and has twenty-three beds for offenders, but often is called upon to house thirty inmates.
The department promises that it will expand by creating eighty new detainee beds in other state centres, but most people will take this with a grain of salt. If it can not afford to keep an existing centre open, how will it finance an expansion at other centres which are already bursting at the seams ?
The losers will be the citizens of this state who will experience an surge of crime by juvenile offenders who should be behind bars - but will be granted parole simply because there is no accommodation to hold them.
Several years ago the government promised a crackdown on lenient parole after case after case was paraded before the media of young offenders using the revolving door system of parole to continue their criminal activities.
It was promised that those who failed to appear in court - and those who committed any sort of further crime when on parole - would have the privilege withdrawn and would await their court appearance behind bars.
It didn't happen ! Those on the bench had no option other than to grant parole because the state lacked the facilities to house such juveniles.
Now we are about to see an extension of lenient parole because of the Keelong closure.
Citizens can look forward to a surge in car stealing, break enter and steal - and perhaps more violent crime because the justice system lacks teeth and is unable to deliver the punishment it promises.
This government has a strange sense of priorities !
Keelong is the only juvenile detention centre in this area. It employs a hundred people and has twenty-three beds for offenders, but often is called upon to house thirty inmates.
The department promises that it will expand by creating eighty new detainee beds in other state centres, but most people will take this with a grain of salt. If it can not afford to keep an existing centre open, how will it finance an expansion at other centres which are already bursting at the seams ?
The losers will be the citizens of this state who will experience an surge of crime by juvenile offenders who should be behind bars - but will be granted parole simply because there is no accommodation to hold them.
Several years ago the government promised a crackdown on lenient parole after case after case was paraded before the media of young offenders using the revolving door system of parole to continue their criminal activities.
It was promised that those who failed to appear in court - and those who committed any sort of further crime when on parole - would have the privilege withdrawn and would await their court appearance behind bars.
It didn't happen ! Those on the bench had no option other than to grant parole because the state lacked the facilities to house such juveniles.
Now we are about to see an extension of lenient parole because of the Keelong closure.
Citizens can look forward to a surge in car stealing, break enter and steal - and perhaps more violent crime because the justice system lacks teeth and is unable to deliver the punishment it promises.
This government has a strange sense of priorities !
Friday, 7 November 2008
Freedom of choice !
One of the tenets of a democracy is the freedom to make decisions - rather than have them imposed by others.
A point of dissension in past years was the imposition on union fees on university students - an obligation removed by the previous Federal government.
Those fess are back now that a socialist government is in power in Canberra, and once again they are generating controversy.
They were never banned - simply made optional. University students were given a choice. They could join the union if they wished - and the fact that the majority chose not to was their democratic choice.
These fees were supposedly for a wide range of activities in the interest of students. They funded a shop selling second hand text books, promoted sporting activities and social functions - but they were also used to organise political agendas - some of which were high on the interests of minority student groups but of little interest to the majority.
It seems that union fees are back under the new title of " Compulsory Student Service Fees " at a capped $ 250 per year. Those experiencing financial stress can add them to their HECS bill.
It seems the dead hand of socialism is again seeking to make unionism compulsory. Those in the workforce have the right to join or reject being a union member, but such a choice will not be available to students.
Many are dismayed by this " big brother " approach and question just what these dues will be used for - and who will manage them.
It seems to be a case of bringing back an unpopular - and undemocratic - regime by simply tarting it up with a new name - and returning to " business as usual ! "
A point of dissension in past years was the imposition on union fees on university students - an obligation removed by the previous Federal government.
Those fess are back now that a socialist government is in power in Canberra, and once again they are generating controversy.
They were never banned - simply made optional. University students were given a choice. They could join the union if they wished - and the fact that the majority chose not to was their democratic choice.
These fees were supposedly for a wide range of activities in the interest of students. They funded a shop selling second hand text books, promoted sporting activities and social functions - but they were also used to organise political agendas - some of which were high on the interests of minority student groups but of little interest to the majority.
It seems that union fees are back under the new title of " Compulsory Student Service Fees " at a capped $ 250 per year. Those experiencing financial stress can add them to their HECS bill.
It seems the dead hand of socialism is again seeking to make unionism compulsory. Those in the workforce have the right to join or reject being a union member, but such a choice will not be available to students.
Many are dismayed by this " big brother " approach and question just what these dues will be used for - and who will manage them.
It seems to be a case of bringing back an unpopular - and undemocratic - regime by simply tarting it up with a new name - and returning to " business as usual ! "
Thursday, 6 November 2008
The Obama win !
Fifty years ago the National Guard was escorting black students past screaming white mobs to integrate schools in America's southern states. Yesterday a black man became the next United States president.
Barak Obama has a huge weight on his shoulders. He has been given the trust of blacks, whites and Hispanics and he has the job before him of pulling America out of the deepest financial hole since 1933.
Besides the financial meltdown, there is the question of what to do about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - and what role the US military should take in future world trouble spots.
Whatever decisions Obama takes will be criticised by many. There is still a strong undercurrent of racism and many would delight in pointing the finger if the first black American president stumbles.
In his favour, he looks likely to reverse the scepticism felt abroad about the policies of his predecessor. He is making a fresh start - and to many world leaders it will be a case of America starting again with a blank policy paper on the Dias.
The weeks ahead will be critical - even before he is sworn into his new job on January twenty-one. The task of selecting the men and women who will have the awesome task of putting his policies into practice will be make or break to success.
Obama is a younger man with fire in his belly. He has the chance to be one of the greatest president's the United States has produced.
He needs resolve of steel - the right people around him - and a huge amount of luck !
Barak Obama has a huge weight on his shoulders. He has been given the trust of blacks, whites and Hispanics and he has the job before him of pulling America out of the deepest financial hole since 1933.
Besides the financial meltdown, there is the question of what to do about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - and what role the US military should take in future world trouble spots.
Whatever decisions Obama takes will be criticised by many. There is still a strong undercurrent of racism and many would delight in pointing the finger if the first black American president stumbles.
In his favour, he looks likely to reverse the scepticism felt abroad about the policies of his predecessor. He is making a fresh start - and to many world leaders it will be a case of America starting again with a blank policy paper on the Dias.
The weeks ahead will be critical - even before he is sworn into his new job on January twenty-one. The task of selecting the men and women who will have the awesome task of putting his policies into practice will be make or break to success.
Obama is a younger man with fire in his belly. He has the chance to be one of the greatest president's the United States has produced.
He needs resolve of steel - the right people around him - and a huge amount of luck !
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Bandit banks !
It has become abundantly clear that the big four Australian banks are not good corporate citizens !
When interest rates were rising their reaction was immediate. Within hours they released media statements claiming the need to increase mortgage interest - and that such a rise would be applied immediately.
When rates started to fall it was a different story. They waited and procrastinated amid rumours that the decrease would not be passed on, and finally agreed to a partial rate decrease for their long suffering customers.
But even that had a sting in the tail. Days and days passed before the actual application of the decrease would occur - and for each day that the old rates applied each of those banks added over a million dollars extra profit to their bottom line - out of the pockets of severely distressed mortgage customers.
The excuse from the banks is that the cost to them of obtaining fresh money has increased. What it really means is that they are not prepared to accept the natural rise and fall of profitability from the market place.
What they are doing is just as unacceptable as a merchant that hikes the cost of batteries, food and survival gear when a flood or other natural calamity leaves people desperate.
It is called " profiteering ".
They can get away with it only because they have a near monopoly - further enhanced by their action in absorbing most non-bank lenders when this credit crisis hit.
Remember the days when there were over a dozen independent banks operating in Australia - and some were owned by state governments - and one was owned by the Commonwealth ?
The giant insurance companies turned themselves into investment houses - and now some of them are likely to be granted a banking license.
With more competition in the banking field it will be interesting to see if " the big four " still have the hide to treat their customers with disdain !
When interest rates were rising their reaction was immediate. Within hours they released media statements claiming the need to increase mortgage interest - and that such a rise would be applied immediately.
When rates started to fall it was a different story. They waited and procrastinated amid rumours that the decrease would not be passed on, and finally agreed to a partial rate decrease for their long suffering customers.
But even that had a sting in the tail. Days and days passed before the actual application of the decrease would occur - and for each day that the old rates applied each of those banks added over a million dollars extra profit to their bottom line - out of the pockets of severely distressed mortgage customers.
The excuse from the banks is that the cost to them of obtaining fresh money has increased. What it really means is that they are not prepared to accept the natural rise and fall of profitability from the market place.
What they are doing is just as unacceptable as a merchant that hikes the cost of batteries, food and survival gear when a flood or other natural calamity leaves people desperate.
It is called " profiteering ".
They can get away with it only because they have a near monopoly - further enhanced by their action in absorbing most non-bank lenders when this credit crisis hit.
Remember the days when there were over a dozen independent banks operating in Australia - and some were owned by state governments - and one was owned by the Commonwealth ?
The giant insurance companies turned themselves into investment houses - and now some of them are likely to be granted a banking license.
With more competition in the banking field it will be interesting to see if " the big four " still have the hide to treat their customers with disdain !
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Opportunity lost !
We live in the big, wonderful world of advertising !
Without advertising their would be no newspapers and no free to air television. Neither could survive without the revenue stream provided by those who need to attract us to buy or use their products and services.
Some find advertisements annoying, but it would be a strange world without them. They inform - and without such messages we would have difficulty keeping track of all those new things appearing with the promise of bringing us a better life.
The advertising industry is huge and a lot of people make a good living designing and producing adverts. It is a creative industry and the best brains delve into science to create special effects to hold our attention - and receive their sponsor's message.
Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the design of television advertising. Here the stream of sound and motion converge to produce action that is not possible in the print media.
The best brains attract the best money - and it is therefore strange to find a glaring example of misplaced thinking leaving many costly advertising commercials missing their mark.
We are into the age of digital, wide screen television - but this new format shares living rooms with countless older non digital television sets.
These older analogue sets show a good picture, but because the channels broadcast in digital format - they delete a portion of the right and left hand edges of the picture.
For some unknown reason the well paid executives who design advertising insist on putting the contact telephone number - often an 1800 or 1300 series - and very often a ix digit number commencing with 13 - off centre of the picture - with the result that either the first or last two digits fail to appear on the older TV sets.
It will be several years before the analogue transmissions cease and all viewers will be using either a wide screen TV or their old TV supplemented with a set top box.
Until that happens, advertising with missing contact digit numbers will simply waste sponsor's money.
Big salaries do not guarantee logical thinking !
Without advertising their would be no newspapers and no free to air television. Neither could survive without the revenue stream provided by those who need to attract us to buy or use their products and services.
Some find advertisements annoying, but it would be a strange world without them. They inform - and without such messages we would have difficulty keeping track of all those new things appearing with the promise of bringing us a better life.
The advertising industry is huge and a lot of people make a good living designing and producing adverts. It is a creative industry and the best brains delve into science to create special effects to hold our attention - and receive their sponsor's message.
Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the design of television advertising. Here the stream of sound and motion converge to produce action that is not possible in the print media.
The best brains attract the best money - and it is therefore strange to find a glaring example of misplaced thinking leaving many costly advertising commercials missing their mark.
We are into the age of digital, wide screen television - but this new format shares living rooms with countless older non digital television sets.
These older analogue sets show a good picture, but because the channels broadcast in digital format - they delete a portion of the right and left hand edges of the picture.
For some unknown reason the well paid executives who design advertising insist on putting the contact telephone number - often an 1800 or 1300 series - and very often a ix digit number commencing with 13 - off centre of the picture - with the result that either the first or last two digits fail to appear on the older TV sets.
It will be several years before the analogue transmissions cease and all viewers will be using either a wide screen TV or their old TV supplemented with a set top box.
Until that happens, advertising with missing contact digit numbers will simply waste sponsor's money.
Big salaries do not guarantee logical thinking !
Monday, 3 November 2008
Free school bus travel.
A combination of the meltdown of the world economy - and the financial incompetence of the New South Wales state government - has caused a shakeout of all forms of spending to achieve economies.
One of the likely areas to be cut is the free transport to school system enjoyed by school children.
It has become a monster since it's inception forty years ago - back in 1968. It costs the state government a whopping $ 470 million a year and this expense is greater than similar systems in the other states.
The government is contemplating adopting the Victorian model in which parent's pay $ 400 a year per child for a bus or train pass, with subsidies for families with multiple children. In Victoria eligibility cuts in when a child lives more than four kilometres from school. In this state the compliance distance is less.
A significant factor to the cost blowout was a decision some years ago to remove the requirement that children attend their nearest local school. This freedom of choice increased the use of the free travel pass to 700,000 kids in this state.
Perhaps the answer would be to reinstate that " local school " mandate. Kids would get free travel to the local and nearest school with those who choose to travel greater distances doing so at their parent's cost.
There would be howls from the religious people and the freedom of choice advocates, but as it stands the state picks up the tab for parents who choose to send their children to the other side of the city to school - when school facilities are available nearby.
That choice would remain - but at the parent's expense !
What it really boils down to is a clash between the right of choice of a parent - and the obligation of the government to pay for a service.
What would cut costs and be reasonable would be to limit that obligation so that free travel remains for those who make a reasonable decision on a local school choice - but retain freedom of choice for those who are prepared to accept the cost of the longer travel alternative.
It delivers the best of both worlds !
One of the likely areas to be cut is the free transport to school system enjoyed by school children.
It has become a monster since it's inception forty years ago - back in 1968. It costs the state government a whopping $ 470 million a year and this expense is greater than similar systems in the other states.
The government is contemplating adopting the Victorian model in which parent's pay $ 400 a year per child for a bus or train pass, with subsidies for families with multiple children. In Victoria eligibility cuts in when a child lives more than four kilometres from school. In this state the compliance distance is less.
A significant factor to the cost blowout was a decision some years ago to remove the requirement that children attend their nearest local school. This freedom of choice increased the use of the free travel pass to 700,000 kids in this state.
Perhaps the answer would be to reinstate that " local school " mandate. Kids would get free travel to the local and nearest school with those who choose to travel greater distances doing so at their parent's cost.
There would be howls from the religious people and the freedom of choice advocates, but as it stands the state picks up the tab for parents who choose to send their children to the other side of the city to school - when school facilities are available nearby.
That choice would remain - but at the parent's expense !
What it really boils down to is a clash between the right of choice of a parent - and the obligation of the government to pay for a service.
What would cut costs and be reasonable would be to limit that obligation so that free travel remains for those who make a reasonable decision on a local school choice - but retain freedom of choice for those who are prepared to accept the cost of the longer travel alternative.
It delivers the best of both worlds !
Sunday, 2 November 2008
Penalties and loadings !
The Australian Industrial Relations commission is working on a new set of employment awards, to come into service in 2010.
To the horror of the business world it seems that the ethics of the present Socialist government are coming to the fore - and there is a strong chance of a return to the " penalties and loadings " regime of the 1940's and beyond.
Older people will remember the " nine to five " thinking of those days. Shops traded during those hours with a three hour stint on Saturday morning - and then everything closed until Monday morning.
No sport on Sunday. No pubs, movie theatres or department stores had Sunday trading. The supermarkets were open - but by law were not permitted to sell red meat. Chicken and fish were on sale, but red meat could be seen but not bought because supermarkets were deemed unfair competition to butchers.
How things have changed. We are now a 24/7 society - and yet there is a chance we will return to the bad old days of " nine to five " thinking if awards change to a " penalty payment " for those working outside those hours.
In some retail areas it could mean a fifty percent increase in the wages bill if we see the reintroduction of " time and a half " and " double time " for shifts outside those hours.
The figures are staggering. 1.4 million Australians work Saturdays. 700,000 work on a Sunday - and 2.5 million work between 7 pm and 7 am.
Penalty rates would be a nightmare for paymasters to calculate - and the added wage cost would obviously increase prices and fuel inflation.
The world has moved on since the 1940's and people accept that the hours they work can be somewhere within the working week - aimed at the times when demand is highest for their particular industry.
Once penalty payments return Australia will pay the price in increased retail prices - and this at a time when we are struggling to avoid the most painful recession in recent memory.
The Australian Industrial Relations commission - and the socialists in the Federal government - should think again !
To the horror of the business world it seems that the ethics of the present Socialist government are coming to the fore - and there is a strong chance of a return to the " penalties and loadings " regime of the 1940's and beyond.
Older people will remember the " nine to five " thinking of those days. Shops traded during those hours with a three hour stint on Saturday morning - and then everything closed until Monday morning.
No sport on Sunday. No pubs, movie theatres or department stores had Sunday trading. The supermarkets were open - but by law were not permitted to sell red meat. Chicken and fish were on sale, but red meat could be seen but not bought because supermarkets were deemed unfair competition to butchers.
How things have changed. We are now a 24/7 society - and yet there is a chance we will return to the bad old days of " nine to five " thinking if awards change to a " penalty payment " for those working outside those hours.
In some retail areas it could mean a fifty percent increase in the wages bill if we see the reintroduction of " time and a half " and " double time " for shifts outside those hours.
The figures are staggering. 1.4 million Australians work Saturdays. 700,000 work on a Sunday - and 2.5 million work between 7 pm and 7 am.
Penalty rates would be a nightmare for paymasters to calculate - and the added wage cost would obviously increase prices and fuel inflation.
The world has moved on since the 1940's and people accept that the hours they work can be somewhere within the working week - aimed at the times when demand is highest for their particular industry.
Once penalty payments return Australia will pay the price in increased retail prices - and this at a time when we are struggling to avoid the most painful recession in recent memory.
The Australian Industrial Relations commission - and the socialists in the Federal government - should think again !
Saturday, 1 November 2008
Land release.
For twenty-one years various New South Wales state government's have dithered and procrastinated on the release of housing land at West Dapto.
It is intended that this new subdivision will house fifty thousand new residents, giving it the status of the Illawarra's third city, but there are several reasons why the planners should think long and hard before committing pen to paper and hitting the " go " button.
West Dapto is situated on a flood plain. All those scientists predicting future weather patterns because of global warming suggest more intense storms and freak rain events. In such circumstances, building houses on a flood plain might not be a very good idea.
The new development is served by a single road - which floods on a regular basis, crosses the main railway line serving the south coast, and is hopelessly inadequate at peak times with existing traffic.
There are plans to extend Fowlers road over the F6 to provide a flood free access, but neither Wollongong council or the state government have signalled a willingness to pick up the tab - and there are no plans for this to proceed in the foreseeable future.
West Dapto represents about half the future housing stock for this area. A big land release is urgently needed to take pressure off land prices and give the Illawarra room to grow.
The question is - should we be considering building on a flood plain ?
Some will argue that many cities and towns are on flood plains and experience regular flooding. This is distressing to residents, but accepted by many as part of the price for building on cheap land or having water views.
The other question is whether a land release should go ahead without first putting in the infrastructure such as a decent access road - and at least committing to the provision of adequate facilities such as schools, medical care and shopping centres.
All too often in the past new subdivisions have been created in a barren terrain devoid of any services for decades - and as a result become an unpopular slum consisting of mostly welfare tenants.
West Dapto has promise - provided the planners bite the bullet and make wise decisions - and then get the money to implement what they promise.
The chance of that happening seems remote !
It is intended that this new subdivision will house fifty thousand new residents, giving it the status of the Illawarra's third city, but there are several reasons why the planners should think long and hard before committing pen to paper and hitting the " go " button.
West Dapto is situated on a flood plain. All those scientists predicting future weather patterns because of global warming suggest more intense storms and freak rain events. In such circumstances, building houses on a flood plain might not be a very good idea.
The new development is served by a single road - which floods on a regular basis, crosses the main railway line serving the south coast, and is hopelessly inadequate at peak times with existing traffic.
There are plans to extend Fowlers road over the F6 to provide a flood free access, but neither Wollongong council or the state government have signalled a willingness to pick up the tab - and there are no plans for this to proceed in the foreseeable future.
West Dapto represents about half the future housing stock for this area. A big land release is urgently needed to take pressure off land prices and give the Illawarra room to grow.
The question is - should we be considering building on a flood plain ?
Some will argue that many cities and towns are on flood plains and experience regular flooding. This is distressing to residents, but accepted by many as part of the price for building on cheap land or having water views.
The other question is whether a land release should go ahead without first putting in the infrastructure such as a decent access road - and at least committing to the provision of adequate facilities such as schools, medical care and shopping centres.
All too often in the past new subdivisions have been created in a barren terrain devoid of any services for decades - and as a result become an unpopular slum consisting of mostly welfare tenants.
West Dapto has promise - provided the planners bite the bullet and make wise decisions - and then get the money to implement what they promise.
The chance of that happening seems remote !
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