2407msletters3

Coalition bulldozed heritage

No one should be surprised at the lack of protection of heritage assets in NSW (“Heritage watchdog’s database in woeful state”, July 24). The previous NSW government, with its thinly disguised contempt of all things heritage, made it a mission to eradicate any historic building or structure that was in the way of its ill-conceived and unwanted pet projects. A lot of damage has been done: Windsor Bridge, Willow Grove, Royal Oak Hotel, Parramatta Park and more. The current government needs to act swiftly to prevent further damage and protect our precious heritage assets.

Bob Edgar, Westmead

Thank you so much, Sydney Morning Herald, for exposing how bad the care of heritage has been in NSW for years. So now surely something will happen. What is left of old Parramatta might survive, perhaps the Powerhouse will survive as the world-class museum it was, perhaps Sydney Living Museums might get back on track and look after the state’s most important domestic buildings, including the historic towns on the Hawkesbury River. The NSW Coalition government was a disgrace when it came to heritage.
Clive Lucas, Neutral Bay

The NSW Auditor-General’s findings are a timely and sobering read. This dire situation is no surprise to all who have fought for years for the state heritage listing of the Powerhouse Museum.
In fact, the 2022 Robertson & Hindmarsh report, Architectural Heritage of the Last Quarter of the 20th Century, commissioned at the request of the Heritage Council, recommends its listing. However, the nomination of the museum has been constantly “deferred” for more than two years by the Heritage Council. Meanwhile, the previous government’s plans for the demolition and destruction of this much-loved museum are still in play. Minister Penny Sharpe should ensure that members of the Heritage Council have professional expertise and knowledge in the field. The people’s museum, one of NSW’s four foundational cultural institutions, deserves better.

Jennifer Sanders, Russell Lea

Hot houses

Why have planning authorities continued to allow huge houses with no gables and dark Colorbond roofs to be packed into newer suburbs over the last few decades (“Summer heat stress worst in treeless suburbs, new estates”, July 24)? Is it the greed of developers? Is it the aspiration to have a large house with little gardening maintenance required? Tree cover will never be possible in these estates as tall trees all invade gutters and drains if planted close to houses. Street and park planting have to be presented as an alternative.
Katriona Herborn, Blackheath

Surely it is obvious that houses, masses of them all together with no trees in sight, is a huge contributor to unbearable heat in summer. What is needed is a canopy of green to stop the heat on roofs. Where was the planning for this? It should be obvious by now that our summers are getting longer and hotter. Building codes must be changed as soon as possible, if it is not already too late.

Dorothy Gliksman, Cedar Brush Creek

Really? Who could possibly have thought? In my area of Sydney, existing canopy continues to disappear, presumably with permission from our alleged planners, to be replaced by the inexorable arrival of the hideous, overblown, concrete-encrusted McMansion.
Rod Hughes, Epping

Eye for the absurd

Thomas Mitchell should be doing more serious reporting. He clearly has an eye for the absurd. Political reporting needs him. But if he had been caught in the rip, I suspect the headline would have been “Adult grandson joins grandma in watery death while honouring his grandmother’s last wish”.

David Neilson, Alice Springs (NT)

Recognise the custodians

They lived in the arms of nature, didn’t need the wheel, took only what they needed until Western settlers arrived and taught them the sad experience of private land ownership and gunpowder.

The First Peoples are asking for recognition of their custodianship of this island continent for thousands of years through drought, floods and fire (Letters, July 24). The Voice will give them a say in the debate about continuity and belonging at the most difficult time for the country since the sea level rise of 100 metres after the mini ice age 20,000 years ago. The new weather being experienced around the world will benefit from their indigenous thinking and experience.

George Clarke, McMahons Point

I feel that in the future we might look back with disbelief that our overwhelmingly non-indigenous population was tasked with deciding what’s good for our First Nations folk. And we’ll be profoundly ashamed if that vote denied them a mechanism that might make a huge, positive difference to their lives. Yeserendum!
Tim Parker, Balmain

For those voting in the referendum, please think hard about the morning after. If the Yes vote gets up, will you be distraught and broken-hearted? Probably not. If the No vote gets up, will you be smugly delighted with yourself while seeing the look of devastation on the faces of the 3 per cent of our population? Don’t fall into the trap of being responsible for the inability of fellow citizens to simply be recognised.

Peter Hudson, Manly

Some people think that acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and listening to them is too much; others think it is not enough. But many think it is just right. It’s in the centre where most people feel comfortable, where we can all hold our heads up high and say “Yes” to this generous invitation to walk together and make a better future for all Australians.

Deb McPherson, Gerringong

The Test of time

To all the people complaining about Test cricket: give yourselves time, nothing worthwhile is learned overnight. When I was about 18, my then boyfriend, a first-class cricketer, landed me with the job of scoring for his team. Being forced to concentrate in those years as scorer, I came to love it; the skill of the batsmen and bowlers, the brilliant catches, the run-outs, the tactics, the drama, the downright fun of Test cricket. I am now 91 and still learning the finer points.
Coral Button, North Epping

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