Tired and disenchanted
The election campaign should last three years, providing the public do not get disenchanted, bored and generally fed up. As such, the theoretical handouts and visits to towns, albeit marginal seats mainly, should be ongoing as we live in 1095 day periods awaiting action.
We keep hearing politicians acknowledge what the problems are and they are sympathetic, but meaningful solutions are not forthcoming in a believable, tangible way. The country's social problems are getting so bad and deep-rooted that soon even money may not fix it.
For 60 years, l have sought the light at the end of the political tunnel. It went out years ago and now there is so much obscurity and obfuscation that l cannot even find the entrance to the tunnel. Nobody has a clue where to properly start, but we have a good idea where the finish will be.
Colin Holmes, Ballarat
There was an article in the Ballarat Courier where Ms. King, Member for Ballarat is asking for $5 million to extend the Ballarat Sports and Events Centre. A good idea but where is Ms King? She is our local member, representing the citizens of Ballarat in the Federal Parliament, but how much time does Catherine spend in Ballarat? Not enough, I think. She has spent a huge amount of time shadowing the Opposition Leader all over Australia. Ballarat needs a local member who spends her time and energy in Ballarat.
Joyce Currie, Wendouree
Well-deserved reward for long battle
I write to congratulate Ballarat local, Jared Tallent on being awarded the Olympic gold medal for the 50 kilometre walk at the London Olympics. Following the disqualification of Serge Kirdyapkin for doping, it is fantastic to see the gold medal finally around the neck of the rightful winner. Jared is an incredible athlete who has now won bronze, silver and gold Olympic medals.
It is wonderful that, after a very long wait, Jared has had the opportunity to celebrate his historic win with family, friends and supporters. I look forward to joining the whole Ballarat community to barrack for our local hero when he competes in the Rio Olympics in a few months' time.
Joshua Morris MP, Member for Western Victoria
LONG TERM PLAN SHOULD INCLUDE A VISION FOR BUNINYONG
The headline of your recent editorial (16 June 2016) concerning the Western Link Road - Thinking long term for a busy way forward - was spot on. That's exactly what the Buninyong & District Community Association (BDCA) has been saying to VicRoads, Council and local political representatives for several years.
The Link Road is a great concept except for the fact that, like several other major arterial roads in Melbourne, it hits a major snag at its end. In this case, the new super road will meet the increasingly-busy (and narrow) Midland Highway at Magpie, funnelling the heavy traffic to be diverted away from central Ballarat, onto the road to Geelong and elsewhere.
The Midland Highway already bisects the historic village of Buninyong, and with the additional traffic seems certain to result in major traffic mayhem and seriously impact living amenity. Our planners and civic decision-makers can't seem to cope with thinking beyond their present terms of office or employment to envisage the impact of the Link Road on Buninyong.
As The Courier editorial noted, there is a need to project current heavy traffic "with an extra two decades of growth". But now, not in two decades' time, is the time to start planning a by-pass of Buninyong. Now is the time to be looking at possibilities for road reservation and land acquisition beyond the end of the super-road at Magpie. Now is the time to think long-term.
Barry Fitzgerald, Buninyong
