Protecting pedestrians
I have read several letters to the editor and articles in The Courier regarding safety at roundabouts. It seems they disagree with my earlier letter. It all comes down to pedestrian safety at roundabouts, and if our laws were changed so pedestrians had right of way, like in Queensland, then people would feel safer crossing at a roundabout. This would reduce vehicle speed in central business areas, thus reducing accidents and near misses, and make pedestrians feel much safer. How hard would it be to change the law, and paint pedestrian crossings at all roundabouts? It's not rocket science.
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Graham Pearce, Ballarat
Part of city
The closure of the Uniting Care Furniture Shop in Albert St, Ballarat is a blow to all of the people from around the state who love and treasure the unique service and products offered. Op shops abound in the Ballarat region but a store where quality pieces can be found and the service provided by the volunteers in the store is of an incomparable level. When you go into the store the staff are interested in what they are selling and in you the customer, they all have an amazing ability to connect to their customers, many of whom are returning for one of many purchases. In a world where we throw away and discard items without a thought, it is a wonderful feeling to be able to reuse and love a pre owned piece. This is further enhanced by the knowledge that the proceeds that are raised by this not for profit store add to the funds available to assist those who need help in a community that increasingly relies on organisations such as Uniting Care.Please reconsider this move as such a unique and loved store belongs in a town like Ballarat, a city renowned for it beautiful streetscapes and heritage buildings a town that should be encouraging and fostering this type of outlet. I understand the need for further space for the outreach centre but please I ask that you reconsider turning this wonderful resource into just another Op Shop. Save this iconic establishment to carry on the work it does and the outlet it provides for both its wonderful volunteer staff and its appreciative customers.
Monica Green, Wendouree
Fernery much more than that
The Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens agree with the comments by Ron Egeberg (Letters 12th January) regarding the need for Government support to replace our derelict fernery.
What is proposed is much more than just a fernery. We prefer to call it a Discovery Centre. Renowned Landscape Architect, Andrew Laidlaw, whose achievements include the popular childrens' garden in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens, has prepared a concept which will engage all the senses and invite exploration. It would be a major drawcard for visitors to Ballarat and cement our Botanical Gardens as one of the best regional botanical gardens in Australia.
We can only hope that State and Federal Governments can also see its potential value and support our Ballarat Council with the necessary funding to achieve the best result for Ballarat. The people of Ballarat would certainly be most appreciative.
Raoul Dixon, President, Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
Enough of false excuses.
V/Line says that trains have to slow down when the temperature reaches 36 degrees and that high temperatures caused poor punctuality and reliability on the Ballarat line in December (Courier 15/1).
According to Bureau of Meteorology data for Ballarat Airport, the temperature did not reach 36 degrees on any day in December. Melbourne (Olympic Park) had two days when the temperature topped 36, the highest figure for the month being 37.6.
We need a reliable rail service in normal summer weather.
Andrew Hackett, Ballarat central
