Tough search made harder
I am registered with Centrelink as a "voluntary" jobseeker and was in turn registered by them with a local job agency. After providing them with my details and a copy of my resume, I was told they would get back to me in a couple of weeks but they didn't. Three months later, I was sent a notice of an appointment with them. I rang to re-schedule it but was told I did not need to come in at all and was wished "good luck". Only job seekers on "New Start" and the accredited government funding interest these agencies. One wonders why they put on the sham? We need agencies which help all unemployed even if it is only a matter of help and advice.
Paul Locandro, Eureka
Brown Hill left stranded
As a regular user of the bus service to Brown Hill, I was horrified when I viewed the proposed plans to rob Brown Hill of its bus service. Buses currently travel via Humffray Street to Water Street (Shell Servo; Brown Hill General Store) then back into the city. Under the proposed plans, the bus will only travel up Humffray Street then turn left into Stawell Street and another route in Water Street, completely avoiding the Brown Hill area. Yes, Ballarat bus network may need to be updated, but why remove a service that is well-used; particularly by elderly and handicapped persons who will be worse off by the proposed new network.
Reece Carter, Ballarat
Put pedestrian safety first
Recently Vicroads approved funding for a controlled pedestrian crossing to be installed in Buninyong. This is planned to be at the corner of Warrenheip Street and Forest Street (outside the Pig and Goose restaurant). This approval is based on Geoff Howard MP and others pushing for this crossing; a site survey to look at the best location including viewing pedestrian activity here; and the design Vicroads believe is the most suitable for this location.
Buninyong is a township with a wide range of pedestrians. We have our pram pushers, our students 6-16yrs old plus, our shoppers, our bus users, our tourists, our senior citizens, those with 4 wheel walkers, those going to sports and swimming, those with canes and walking sticks, and those like myself, with severely limited vision.
We all need to cross roads throughout the township, something that is generally straight forward and safe. Warrenheip Street however, has a lot of traffic at different times of the day, as well as many parked cars. Even though the speed limit has been dropped to 50km/h in the shopping area, we still have some motorists who seem to be in a hurry to get to their destination. A controlled pedestrian crossing will give motorists something to focus on, as well as giving pedestrians a safer way to get over the road, at their own pace.
How long do you take to get over this road? Would it surprise you to know that some pedestrians take over 25 seconds to cross Warrenheip Street; something a controlled crossing would help them do safely.
Apart from a controlled pedestrian crossing other ways to get pedestrians more safely across roads include what are often called "zebra" crossings with painted stripes across the road for pedestrians, and a round yellow sign on each side of the road with a pair of walking legs shown. The Zebra crossing may also have a pair of flashing yellow lights with the sign. The other most common sort of crossing is the school crossing. Only active for certain times morning and afternoon, school crossings have red and white-striped poles with removable red flags. Although aimed at school children, these crossings are happy to assist any pedestrian across the road during the times they operate. Could many of our pedestrians use assistance in crossing Warrenheip St more safely? Yes. Do we want some form of formal crossing? Yes. What sort of crossing do we need? The one that puts our pedestrian safety number one.
David Morrison, Buninyong
