A working Sydney Harbour is absolutely essential for NSW

I am horrified that the NSW government is contemplating removing the remaining active ports from Sydney Harbour (“Harbour port faces axe”, July 25). I live in an apartment building very close to Glebe Island. We moved here in 2008 because of its proximity to the port where we can watch the large ships being manoeuvred into position by the tug boats guided by the pilot boat. Our building has double glazing so noise is not a problem. Maintaining the working harbour is absolutely essential as it removes thousands of large trucks from our busy roads. Many essential building raw materials are delivered in bulk to Glebe Island and White Bay by ship including gypsum and cement. The Port Authority of NSW also proposes to build a facility to receive sand and aggregate shipped to the port in bulk. Currently, aggregate is moved from Shellharbour south of Port Kembla by trucks which grind their way up the Illawarra Escarpment emitting noise and pollution as they go. The Port Authority is in the process of requiring all ships using the port to be able to access power from the shore, thus eliminating the need for the ships to run their engines while docked. It is proposed that this power will be delivered by renewable energy sources. Bulk transport by ships is the least carbon-emitting way of delivering critical building products to building sites around the city. If the government is serious about tackling climate change it will not proceed with this inquiry. Elizabeth Elenius, Pyrmont

We talk about food miles and lament the resumption of accessible farming land in the Sydney Basin. The same should apply to building materials, especially at a time when affordable housing is an issue. The mixed use of the harbour is an opportunity to both celebrate its history and embrace each of the elements that contribute to the economic vibrancy of this cosmopolitan city. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls

How exciting to hear that the unsightly remnants of a city that once built things will be replaced with the next stage of urban renewal. We can only hope that government and developers will continue to work closely until every old factory is a block of apartments for investors or cashed-up Boomers and every laneway is an “eat street” of bars and street food outlets. Workers won’t notice, since they can’t afford to live anywhere near the places they used to enliven. Colin Stokes, Camperdown

Two questions. Do both massive redevelopments, a stone’s throw from the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, fulfil their glossy promises to enhance the world’s most gemlike harbour and lift the spirits? Reading Tom Forrest from the developer’s lobby claiming the Bays Precinct has “the potential to be Sydney’s next Barangaroo” answers the other one, “Will they learn to do it better”? Peter Farmer, Northbridge

What is it with Chris Minns and his obsession for high rise? This is certainly not what I voted for at the last election. Whether or not he gets my vote at the next election is yet to be determined, but one thing for sure is he’ll get the vote of every developer in the state, which worries me greatly.
Peter Miniutti, Ashbury

Losing election could spell danger in US

It’s difficult not to agree with Sean Carney that our favourite ally and protector is now a failing empire with the frightening prospect that if MAGA disciples don’t get their way in November, there is the real possibility of serious civil unrest (“Time to reassess No.1 ally”, July 25). This may be their problem, but it has serious repercussions for us and the rest of the world. Trump is increasingly looking like other despots who contributed to the failure of past empires, being authoritarian, shrill and vindictive and unlikely to accept any choice other than his election. Max Redmayne, Drummoyne

Here’s an example of the crumbling of US values which Shaun Carney outlines: a conservative Supreme Court judge is being urged to step down after flying a “Stop the Steal” flag shortly after the violent January 6 insurrection and more recently at his holiday house. This blatant display of partisanship will become commonplace if Trump wins and adopts his terrifying MAGA manifesto, Project 2025. Its values don’t reflect our values. If Kamala Harris can win, good. If not, let’s reassess. Alison Stewart, Riverview

It is hard to argue with Shaun Carney. It is also at times difficult “to apply a rational and ethical critique to our relationship” with the US, at least publicly. Anyone seriously considering Australia’s relationship with the US is hit by the rise of apparently crazy ideas running amok, aimed at the seemingly forgotten Americans, those disaffected, desperate or hopeless soul who have long lost faith in their own country. Their convoluted, corrupt electoral system doesn’t help inspire faith. However, there are still good people in enough positions to try to fix their myriad problems. Hopefully our government, if not our opposition leader, has commenced preparing for a plan B; one which preferably coincides with a new leader emerging in the US, who can rebuild their tarnished image and their economy, giving hope to their disaffected. I believe that can happen. Geoff Nilon, Mascot

It is more than unlikely that Trumpism will die with Trump. The people voting for Trump are indeed a cult believing a supposed lost greatness can be restored. They define their identity as white, supposedly Christian and essentially nationalistic. They will continue to vote for whoever identifies themselves in those terms and they will not accept anyone else as their leader. America has long ceased to be able to protect its own citizens let alone its allies. Mark Porter, New Lambton

Burney’s legacy

For your excellent public service and inspirational commitment to your portfolio, thank you, Linda Burney (“Burney says she’s ‘loved every minute’ of her political career”, smh.com.au, July 25).

You’ve given so much to highlighting, progressing and solving what sometimes seems like an intractable societal issue that continues to afflict our nation. Your considerable contribution, often so heartfelt, will not be forgotten. Cleveland Rose, Dee Why

Road to chaos

How to avoid a repeat of the Rozelle chaos (“How to avoid repeat of Rozelle chaos when airport link opens”, July 25)? Well, one good way is for the people designing the overhead signs to line them up with the directions on our car navigators. They never do. If you vaguely know where you are going you might be OK, otherwise, you can end up lost and cranky and ready to do a fierce U-turn. So please go and check – we may have got over Rozelle, but we won’t be forgiving again. Jane Waddy, Boronia Park

Growing problem

The fall in the number of births will be viewed with dismay by our “growth is good” culture (“Sydney slumps into a ‘baby recession’”, July 25). On the other hand, the “sustainability is best” believers will see the upside, since our life-supporting ecosystems are in decline, with root causes such as excessive consumption and population growth to blame. Our children’s future will be best served if we recognise that healthy ecosystems underwrite the future and that stabilising our ecological impact is essential. Alan Jones, Narraweena

Economists would never consider that some people might take into account the dire future in store for any children born this century. The planet would welcome fewer humans causing so much environmental damage. Karen Joynes, Bermagui

There is an inverse correlation between interest rates and fertility. This is an RBA-induced recession. Mustafa Erem, Terrigal

Robo-debt 2.0

Last week, my husband received a breach notice from the Australian Tax Office, accusing him of exceeding his non-concessional contributions to superannuation. We lodged an objection. After some research by the ATO, they have now conceded that the letter was sent in error. We are not in breach.

One of the worrying things about the letter was the advice in it, which says, “for most people, it is easiest to do nothing”. It then goes on to say that the ATO will handle things from now on, by taking the penalty directly from our super fund without us having to be involved. Luckily, since we are the trustees of our own SMSF, this would have been prevented, but imagine if the ATO was able to extract what it wanted from our super fund without proper reason.

It would be better for the ATO to advise “do your own research to make sure we are correct, because we might not be”. Had I been one of the “most people” who do nothing, we would have lost around $10,000 in unjustified penalties. The fact that our government taxation office can make such a fundamental mistake is unbelievable. It’s like robo-debt all over again, just this time directed at those who can probably afford it. Nicole Taylor, Hurlstone Park

Rate wait

Yet again highly paid economists waste their time, fill newsprint and no doubt waste someone’s money stating the blindingly obvious (“Reserve Bank risks recession with August rate rise”, July 25). Of course further increase in interest rates will further dampen the economy. Do they think the RBA, with its access to vast amounts of economic data, does not know that? The fully independent RBA will make its decision on August 6 with no input from outside “expert” advice, so we should all be patient and if necessary sit on the edge of our seats. Geoff Harding, Chatswood

Which is the biggest problem? Cost of living or inflation? The recent article by Ross Gittins suggests that not only is the impact of the cost-of-living crisis unevenly spread, but it is those who have large mortgages that are suffering the most (“Who’s really feeling the pinch?”, July 24).

And that’s why rising interest rates have been such an integral part of the cost-of-living problem, and why the government is so keen on rates being cut. Inflation is just the icing on the cake. Does it make sense to use a blunt tool like interest rates to solve one problem if it makes the other problem worse? The RBA might risk more than just tipping the economy into recession if it raises interest rates in August. So, is inflation the problem, or cost of living? David Rush, Lawson

Ross Gittins decries the unfairness of using interest rates to control inflation with the resultant impact on mortgage holders. Australia is in the fortunate position (thanks to one P. J. Keating) of having an alternative and very effective method of controlling inflation. This is to vary contributions to our compulsory superannuation funds with the effect of removing money from the economy, but not giving the windfall to banks. When inflation returns to the target band the impost would be progressively removed until the standard contribution is reached. Such a policy would act as an automatic stabiliser for the wider economy, and would not only spread the load much more fairly, but would result in higher superannuation balance accessible on retirement. Geoff Bryan, Mayfield East

Fair play

We are reaping our babysitting rewards (Letters, July 25). Our teenage grandsons are now happily our technical support and while very patient, they gently remind me how often they have had to explain it all before. Elizabeth Kroon, Randwick

Why anyone would pass off the opportunity to recapture the carefree moments of youth is hard to imagine. The magic, the spontaneity and the joy of craft, dress-ups, kite flying, tea parties, baking, reading, board games, bubble-making and gardening with our little ones are far better remedies for the ailments of advancing years than any prescribed medicines. Elizabeth Maher, Fiddletown

Latin lessons

Like most Sydney selective high schools, Sydney Girls High has an excellent Latin department (“James Ruse principal to leave for all girls school”, July 25). All past and present Latin students would know that Rachel Powell, the newly appointed principal at Sydney Girls High, would have written to the alumnae, not the alumni. Liz Stephenson, Elderslie

Not likely

Revamping Parramatta Road, how often we hear this cry (“‘Time is now’ for Parramatta Road revamp”, July 25)? This will soon be followed by turning William Street into the Champs-Elysees of Sydney. To borrow from Emmanuel Macron “I don’t think, I know” this will never happen.
Ian McNeilly, Darlinghurst

Sight seeing

Your correspondent writes of “a stone fence along the entire Pacific Highway (which) was once topped with a chunky bronze chain” (Letters, July 25). I would have liked to have seen that.
Ross Drynan, Lindfield

French folly

What a great letter about the appalling homeless cleansing of the streets of Paris for the coming Olympics (Letters, July 24). Perhaps compassionate humanity will prevail. Perhaps the city will house the unfortunate homeless in accommodation made available when the athletes return home? Oops, just saw some pigs flying by! Sheila Meixner, Yass

Men do cry

I remember when I first saw a man cry (“My dad’s tears frightened me. But to cry is to be human”, July 25). It was on November 22, 1963 the day JFK was assassinated. I was in a junior high school in Toledo, Ohio in a geography class. I can’t remember the teacher’s name but when the schools PA system came on and told us that JFK had been shot, the teacher sat at his desk and cried. William Bielefeldt, Kembla Grange

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