Tamworth City News

Budget omission

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:58 +0000

Well, the Budget has been published and there is one very glaring omission.
Pensions did not get a mention.
Every now and then we hear someone going on about the Stolen Generation, well let me say that now we have another topic, the forgotten and ignored generation, which correctly describes pensioners.
I urge all pensioners to write letters, get in touch with their local members and get together and stand up and be counted. It’s amazing what people power can do when we all stick together and keep hacking away at the powers that be.
Low income earners are going to benefit, and rightly so, but what are pensioners if they are not low income earners. They are the lowest of the low and, as far as I can see, we are rated on the bottom rung of the ladder in social circles.
So come on oldies, get out there and talk about our plight and keep at it until someone sits up and takes notice.

Margaret Nash
via Email

Professional golf returns to Longyard

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:54 +0000

The Longyard Golf Course recently hosted the Longyard Golf Pro-Am on May 9. The event was a part of the NSW PGA Pro-Am circuit and Order of Merit which includes events all over NSW and the South Pacific.
The Pro-Am format has long been a favourite of golfers, who got a chance to play golf alongside some of the most talented players in the country. Longyard Golf was excited to offer what few sports are able to, an up close and personal sporting experience.
Longyard Golf Course was considered the ideal venue for this professional event, after recently being rated in the Top 10 Public Golf Courses in NSW. The Tournament was a unique, fun and definitely pressure-packed experience for the many talented golfers that attended the 3rd Longyard Golf 18 hole Pro-Am.
With the day proving to be action packed, golfer Brad McIntosh was the eventual winner on the day, his third win in a row.

But residents still worried

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:52 +0000

During the Tamworth Regional Council meeting on May 8, the alternative plan for the link road using King George V Avenue was unveiled by Andrew Wiesener, who is one of the four developers of Peel River Estate.
The plan is to run the eastbound road down the Avenue and the westbound road back up the side, which will turn one line of the trees into the median strip. The predicted traffic flow along this link road to Calala will service 1500+ houses in years to come as the development around Calala continues to expand.
If every house has an average of two cars each and they do an average of four trips to town (the traffic studies state nine trips per household is the norm), this equates to a conservative estimate of 6000 car trips down the Avenue per day. That is an awful lot of cars using this once quiet and peaceful road.
Will this destroy the amenity of the avenue we all enjoy? Or will it be as Andrew stated, “It has never been our intention to destroy the amenity of the avenue,” as he unveiled their latest plan for a link road to Calala using King George V Avenue.
In 2008 The Victorian Government Solicitors Office examined the meaning of amenity under planning laws. They state the following: Considering the effects of land use and development upon communities had been a longstanding feature of land use planning.
They admit that amenity is an elusive concept and its usual meaning in a nutshell is of pleasantness. They go on to discuss its wider meanings and state that amenity has a tangible component which could include character and appearance and an absence of noise and unsightliness. Amenity is said to embrace all features, benefits and advantages inherent in the environment in question. It also has psychological and social components and a responsible council must consider the effect on the amenity of an area in deciding on a development application. The objectives of planning are to secure a pleasant living environment and a pleasant environment equates with amenity.
To which we must ask: “What is the true amenity of King George V Avenue?”
Once we can answer that question we will then know the answer as to whether the proposal for this link road will destroy the amenity of the Avenue. At the end of the day it is not just about the trees – the developers plan for the new link road is not supposed to remove or destroy the trees – is retaining the trees with this new plan for their link road the “amenity” they speak of?
What amenity do the trees and this avenue really provide for the people of Tamworth? From the very first concept of our forefathers the original intent of this avenue was to provide a beautiful place for Tamworth residents to take their visitors that was a short circular drive from town.
For decades Tamworthians and their visitors have enjoyed the amenity of the avenue for its peace and safety. Wedding and school photos are taken on the avenue, parents teach their kids to drive, horse are exercised, dogs are walked, humans walk for their health and ride bikes, people have picnics and lunch under the trees and many have used the peace and serenity as part of their convalescence and recuperation from the stresses of life.
All this will be lost once it becomes a two lane road with one side of the trees as the median strip and 6000 cars trips a day rumbling up and down.
Communities have to fight for their beautiful places in the face of inappropriate development.

Opinion: Christine McKinnon

Anti-crime movie burns its way to Tamworth

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:50 +0000

During Law Week 2012, Tamworth Library will feature the screening of a short film designed to educate young people about becoming involved in serious acts of crime.
The movie ‘Burn’ will be screened tonight from 6pm and will include free pizza.
‘Burn’ tells the story of a typical juvenile robbery offence that escalates into a more serious act of violence, with devastating results for all those involved. It is part of a major crime prevention program run by Legal Aid NSW which aims to illustrate how the criminal law works in a situation where a group is involved in a crime.
Legal Aid represents tens of thousands of young people a year facing serious charges, many of which are for crimes that were instigated by someone else. These situations are often fuelled by alcohol and drugs or just poor decision making but quite often young people also misunderstand the criminal law and don’t realise that they can be accountable for someone else’s actions if they participate in a crime as a group.
Using characters and a storyline that young people can relate to, ‘Burn’ shows how easy it is to be caught up in serious crime situations, just by being present. The film follows the events that unfold when a typical evening for a group of teenage boys takes a turn for the worse. Cruising aimlessly around in a borrowed car the boys find themselves involved in a series of random incidents. When one of the boys spots an opportunity to get some quick cash, events suddenly spiral out of control.
‘Burn’ presents a powerful and chilling depiction of how quickly a crime scene can escalate, and how groups of young people can unwittingly pull each other in. The story ends when two of the boys find themselves in police custody charged with murder.
Following the screening of the film, which runs for about 30 minutes, a Legal Aid representative from Sydney will facilitate discussion and answer any questions. Teenagers, parents, teachers and indeed any members of the public are invited to attend. The film is also of high relevance for anyone working in the area of crime prevention and community legal education.
The film carries an M (Mature Audience) rating and is therefore recommended for young people 15 years and over. It includes some coarse language and low level depictions of violence and drug use. The themes and issues explored are relevant and appropriate, not just for teenagers but also for young adults. The evening will commence at 6pm with free pizza. There is no need to book – just come along. For enquiries please phone Megan Pitt on 6767 5211.

Tamworth City News 16-5-12

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:46 +0000

Tamworth City News 16-5-12

Heated response

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:40 +0000

Charles R Mathews (TCN May 9), you continue to astound me with your seemingly narrow view, not to mention a hopelessly outdated concept of gender equality. I take it as an insult to women everywhere when you imply Gillard has wasted an honourable trail for females in politics. What about the scores of men who have squandered political opportunity, that ruled through hideous dictatorships and lain to waste innumerable countries across the globe.
How do you feel about the rise of the French far-right politician Marine Le Pen? Maybe she can set things right with an agenda that looks increasingly like that of another European country circa 1930s. The PM has withstood more muck than she has ever deserved regardless of the percieved achievments of her office. Undoubtedly pilloried due to her gender, it says much about the shallow views posted in the mainstream media and the readers/viewers who take it on board.
I personally shudder to think of an Australia led by Tony Abbott, a man who somewhat smugly befits the outlook you seem to favour, where the women are in the kitchen, the foreigners are all out to sea and the big multi-nationals plunder us into oblivion. No thanks.

Leigh Ivin
Tamworth

Search on for beautiful hair reaches Tamworth

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:38 +0000

Schwarzkopf took to the streets of Tamworth recently to find “Australia’s Most Beautiful Hair 2012”.
To launch the annual competition, scouts were out looking for the most luscious locks in the country.
“We know from our research that some of the biggest hair-care fans in the country are in Tamworth, so we thought it would be an ideal place to start the search for Australia’s Most Beautiful Hair,” said Schwarzkopf’s National Technical Educator Grant Withnell.
The person crowned with ‘Australia’s Most Beautiful Hair’ will receive $5000 and a photoshoot that will be featured in five of Australia’s biggest magazines. The friend who nominates them will also win $5000 and participate in the photoshoot
If you missed the scouts but think that you, or someone else you know, has the most tremendous tresses in Australia, head to facebook.com/Schwarzkopf.Australia for details of how to enter. You can either nominate a friend, ask your friends to nominate you – or both!

Trees saved

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:34 +0000

Significant community pressure has led to the Tamworth Regional Council deciding not to support the proposed link road that would have led to the destruction of 47 English Oak trees lining King George V Avenue.
All eight councillors at last week’s Council meeting (Cr Ray Tait was absent) also decided to advise the developers to find an alternate access road to link the proposed Calala housing estate to Tamworth’s CBD.
They supported a recommendation to support, in principle, the guidelines for the design of estate which were outlined in a report detailing the outcomes of the public exhibition of the revised Draft Development Controls for Peel River Estate. These include aspects such as lot size, fencing, open space, landscaping and providing access for the estate’s first 150 dwellings using local roads (Gordon and Myrl Streets and Campbell Road).
The future of the trees dominated the debate at the meeting and the strong level of public interest in protecting the trees drew a crowd of about 60 people. Five speakers addressed the council meeting about the report under consideration. They were community members Barry John, Stephen Warden, Robin Gardiner and IllyYstra and Peel River Estate’s Andrew Wiesener.
A desire to protect and nurture the avenue of English Oaks, planted in 1935, was common among them.
Mr Wiesener revealed an alternative link road proposal which would avoid the need to remove any trees. He told the meeting that it was based on maintaining the avenue ‘as it exists in its current environment’ and using the current roadway in King George V Avenue as an eastbound single carriageway incorporating a cycleway and pedestrian path. A new westbound roadway would be built on the other side of the trees and overhead powerlines would be put underground, he said.
“It has never been our intention to destroy the amenity of the avenue,” Mr Wiesener said.
“To date we have sought to create a new and desirable community in Calala and as a result of the public consultation it’s become clear the initial proposal for the avenue was not acceptable. That’s why we decided to propose the alternative.”
The report tabled at the meeting said council received 243 written submissions and several petitions in excess of 6000 signatures in response to the public exhibition. They included 119 individual submissions (several letters from the same person/s) and 124 ‘standard’ letters (again with several from the same person/s).
The overwhelming majority of the submissions and petitions were in the form of an objection to the proposed use of King George V Avenue as a link road to the CBD, particularly the proposed removal of 47 English Oak trees from the avenue.
Other issues raised included concerns about the capacity of King George V Avenue and Paradise Bridge to handle the predicted traffic, potential adverse impact on properties and/or commercial viability of agricultural activities near the proposed link road and potential impact on local road traffic in Calala.
Now Council has supported the Draft Development Control Plans for Peel River Estate in principle, it will now move forward on considering a development application which was recently lodged.
The development application is expected to be made public soon – including the alternative road access Peel River Estate has proposed – to allow the community to make comment.
As a matter arising from last week’s debate, Cr Juanita Wilson requested that Council actively pursue having the King George V Avenue trees heritage listed.

Fair trial

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:33 +0000

Prime Minister Gillard established Fair Work Australia as a quasi judicial body and, under section 361, removed the presumption of innocence. After nearly four years Fair Work has handed down its finding of guilt but Gillard, Labor and their supporters refuse to accept their decision as it doesn’t suit their political needs.
The findings of Fair Work clearly established that union funds were used for prostitution, meals, travel, cash withdrawals, on Thomson’s election campaign. The authority also stated Thomson was untruthful in his explanation on these matters.
These findings are most serious and, if committed by a company executive, he would at the very least be removed from his position and more than likely be facing serious criminal charges. There is also proof that New South Wales Labor paid Thomson’s legal bills to keep him from bankruptcy and ensure the survival of the Gillard Government. There is a stench about this whole sleazy matter and, whilst people continue to sweep these matters under the carpet and allow Thomson to hide behind some mistaken claim of innocence, it will not go away.
It is essential that not only Thomson provide the parliament with an explanation but the Prime Minister, who for so long continued to express full confidence in him and continues to accept his tainted vote in parliament, also come clean on her knowledge of this sordid affair.
As Thomson hasn’t been convicted of an offence which carries a penalty of 12 months or more imprisonment, he remains eligible to sit in the parliament.
Our system of democracy, among other things, depends upon integrity and honesty in government and those elected to this high office have a duty to ensure that this so. To ignore the tribunal’s findings does nothing to engender confidence, respect, or enhance the standing of parliament or our politicians.
All this talk about Thomson being entitled to the presumption of innocence is a red herring designed to delay any early election and ensure the survival of the Gillard government. In view of the findings of Fair Work, and in the interests of restoring honesty and integrity to the parliament, Thomson should resign and if he fails to do so, the Independents should withdraw support for the Gillard government and force an early election.

Don Campbell
Port Macquarie

Take the kids to ride Thomas this weekend

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:33 +0000

All aboard the miniature trains this weekend.
Miniature trains will run again at the Tamworth Botanic Gardens on Sunday, May 20, from 10am to 3pm.
With more than 100 members in the Toot Toot Club, it’s hoped more children will join on Sunday, as organisers are looking forward to the extended running tracks opening in coming months.
The Oxley Loop track laying is now nearly complete, with only two junctions remaining before an extra 500 metres of track, complete with Bailey Bridge, will open to the public.
The Joblink Plus sponsored club rooms will also be opened in coming months as the Tamworth and District Model Engineers Club solidifies its position in the Botanic Gardens precinct.
Toot Toot Club membership is just $15 and includes a T-shirt, Membership Certificate and 10 free rides in 2012.
Tamworth and District Model Engineers operates the railway and public running days occur on the third Sunday of every month, featuring rides for adults and children for just $2. As an important safety feature, all train riders are reminded to wear covered in footwear, ie. no thongs, scuffs, sandals or crocs. Loan shoes are available on site.
The Miniature Railway is situated alongside the Tamworth Botanic Gardens at the top of Piper Street (just past the TAFE). It boasts two circuits (plus a tunnel). A number of trains will be running on the day and a sausage sizzle is available.
The next running day will then be the third Sunday in June (17), followed by July 15 and August 19.