“Kids and adults will be forced to give up their indoor sports competitions. How can such well used and valued assets be ripped away from the community they have served? Shame ACT government, shame!” says letter writer DIANNE DEANE.

How appalling that, with next to zero community consultation, the ACT government approved the rezoning of the Eastlakes Football Club’s Kaleen Sports Club.

These community facilities will be demolished to make way for three blocks of apartments.

It is abhorrent that Eastlakes stands to make a small fortune out of selling this land to a developer after many years of neglecting maintenance on its sport’s club building.

Community leases should never be used as a future slush fund for clubs or organisations. Currently, some 1000-1500 children and adults play organised indoor sport competitions here every week and many more attend Snap Fitness Gym which is open 24/7.

The Bristol Club family bistro and events/meeting venue will also disappear. Will there be compensation for the owners of these businesses who have faithfully provided a community service for many years?

A gym is not permitted in the proposed new development and there is no other similar indoor sport centre anywhere in northside Canberra.

Kids and adults will be forced to give up their indoor sports competitions. How can such well used and valued assets be ripped away from the community they have served? Shame ACT government, shame!

Dianne Deane, via email

Planning changes will destroy joys of urban living 

In the final draft of the proposed new planning reforms (DPA-04) dated October 2025, the Barr/Steel regime has finally confirmed its barely concealed intentions for a massive destruction of the majority of existing Canberran’s urban residences – in particular those currently zoned RZ1.

More townhouses, row houses, duplexes and low-rise apartments are the specific identified targets of these reforms.

These RZ1 residences, in the main, comprise free-standing, single homes on the traditional quarter-acre block. This planning format is a long-cherished Australian tradition that allows families to raise their children with space to play and be outdoors in a natural environment with significant tree and plant coverings to protect from the harsh Australian climate. These blocks also attract myriads of birds and other fauna to complete this lifestyle. Canberra, in particular as the Bush Capital, is cherished by families as permitting this lifestyle.

Not any more, however, if Barr and Steel, the planning bureaucracy, developers and the ACT and Capital Region branch of the Property Council of Australia have their way, as proposed under the DPA-04 blueprint.

Particularly concerning for existing RZ1 homeowners should be Chris Steel’s comments made during his recent National Press Club speech hosted by the Master Builders Association. He explicitly stated that he expected the outer suburbs of Belconnen, Weston Creek, Woden Valley and Tuggeranong to be where most of the low-rise apartments, townhouses and terraces (stipulated under DPA-04) would be built. 

Moreover, he indicated that he will be looking at faster approvals through streamlining assessments, pre-approvals and also DA exemptions for some of these proposals; and additionally the Property Council has also indicated its intention to seek to have third-party appeal arrangements amended.

If such development is allowed to proceed at scale in these localities, these new developments will destroy the existing amenity of these well-loved and cared for suburban streetscapes.

DPA-04 has been referred to the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Transport and Planning (SCTP), which may consider conducting an inquiry into the proposals.

Existing home owners on RZ1 blocks should ensure that they lobby their local LA members and members of the SCTP, if they have any concerns about the proposed reforms in DPA-04.

Ron Edgecombe, Evatt

Parton could star in the ‘killing season’

On November 12, Mark Parton became the leader of the parliamentary Liberal Party in the ACT Legislative Assembly when then leader, Leanne Castley, resigned.

On November 18, Jess Wilson became Leader of the Opposition in the Victorian Parliament when Brad Batlin lost a spill motion in the Liberal Party room.

On November 21, Kellie Sloane assumed the mantle of leader of the parliamentary Liberal Party in Macquarie Street when the incumbent, Mark Speakman, announced his resignation after a delegation of Liberals advised that he had lost the support of the party room.

With speculation rampant that Sussan Ley’s hold on her position remains tenuous at best, is it any wonder that this time of the year is known as the “killing season”.

At this rate, Mark Parton will be the longest serving Liberal leader in the nation by Christmas.

Ian De Landelles, Murray’s Beach, NSW

‘Moderate’ Parton? What’s a hardliner look like?

Anyone who thinks that Mark Parton is a “moderate” within the Liberal Party (Michael Moore, “Last chance for Libs to climb out of the sandpit”, CN November 20) should have a look at his policy positions on key issues.

In Legislative Assembly debates on sensible, evidence-based poker machine reforms in 2020 and 2024, for example, Parton argued that he is not prepared to support reforms to reduce gambling-related harm if these might pose a threat to clubs’ viability.

He made it clear that he has no problem with – and indeed enthusiastically endorses – the continued exploitation of club members by predatory, designed-to-be-addictive gaming machines.

As gambling losses increase at the same time as the ACT’s poker machine numbers decrease, he justifies these losses on the grounds that local suburban sporting clubs rely heavily on licensed clubs.

I don’t know about you, but I do not want my child’s footy jumper subsidised by poker machine revenue, which comes disproportionately from addicted gamblers.

If this is a “moderate”, I’d like to know what a hardliner looks like.

Karina Morris, Hawker

We need to pull well back on immigration

Stephen Saunders’ letter (CN November 13) touches on the immigration issue. It is a significant issue for Australia with many rightly opposed to the seemingly uncontrolled immigration under the current Labor government. 

The current government does not have an immigration policy, but is allowing relatively unfettered immigration in lieu of policies to actually support and grow the economy.

High immigration does the job of pushing GDP up so they can claim they are growing the economy, see no recession, no depression, aren’t we good! 

Australia doesn’t need immigration, we could do okay without it, though many of our retailers and others whose business depends in part on an increasing population would throw a hissy fit. 

We should have a firm annual limit to immigration which should be debated and agreed by parliament on a three to five-yearly basis. It should accommodate some refugees and family reunions and not exceed a set proportion of the current population, not a number but a percentage. I would suggest 0.5 per cent of the national population as assessed by the ABS at the previous January 1.

The debate should be about the percentage, not a yes or no to immigration. I am sure there are some one-percenters out there and they need to provide reasoned argument and evidence in support of their preference. We need to pull well back from the nearly two per cent this government has taken us towards.

Geoff LeCouteur, Dunlop

When a clown enters a castle… 

Columnist Michael Moore’s concluding adage in his epistle on democracy (CN November 13) attributed to Edmund Bourke on the triumph of evil vis-à-vis the indolence of good men is quite apt ,but prompted me to recall a Turkish proverb pertaining to the current leadership: When a clown enters a castle he does not become a king; the castle becomes a circus. 

John Murray, Fadden 

War memorial is no place for cultural diversity

I am not a racist and adore the sound of the didgeridoo, but a proposal by the AWM to have on display “Australian Frontier Wars” – the supposed conflicts between white settlers and the indigenous tribes – really gets up my nose, like a blowfly without wings! 

The AWM Canberra (and other war memorials throughout Australia) is no place for cultural diversity. 

Forced upon us is the inclusion of “welcome to country”. I do not need a daily reminder of Australia divided by displaying three flags.

I have previously written: “Let the silent voices of the Australian war dead etched on the Cloister Walls of the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, and the many other memorials throughout Australia be the only reason for one flag, one nation!”

I am proud of my heritage and soldiering. In a far western town, I went to school with my Aboriginal mates, we swam in the same dam, played sport, swapped “sangers”, went to war fighting beside one another and were bloodied as one on the battlefield at Long Tan South Vietnam, August 18 1966 and the many other foreign soils our government sent our armed forces to do their bidding. 

There is no reason for racial division in Australia. The Voice referendum failed because “unity is strength – advance as one!”

Ross E Smith, OAM, JP via email

Minor incursions are not invasions!

Christopher Ryan (letters, CN November 20) repeats Ian Pilsner’s nonsense about “invasions” in World War II.

Several minor incursions – a few Japanese sailors wandering around Admiralty Gulf in 1944 – do not add up to invasion. 

Read my book Invading Australia rather than repeating exaggerations and myths.

And a U-boat landed for water in Northland – so Nazi Germany invaded New Zealand!

Peter Stanley, Dickson

Is this where being kind has no place?

It is disappointing to see the same callous disregard for animals (wildlife, introduced and domestic) shown by the ACT government reflected in the letters written by Canberrans.

Sitting behind a computer, writers so casually blame animals for a multitude of problems. It doesn’t seem to matter whether it is a kangaroo, a duck, a fox, rabbit, dog or bird. It is as if their lives don’t matter.

While the ACT government declares some animals as “pests” that somehow need to be “managed” by either poisoning, trapping and shooting. Drivers recklessly kill many more because the government refuses to build wildlife-friendly road infrastructure. I see what remains of their smashed bodies as I drive around Canberra.

Is this what the Bush Capital is turning into, a hard-hearted and thoughtless community? Where harsh treatment of animals is accepted practice? Where being kind and helpful has no place?

What is clear is that this tone is set at the top and that is the responsibility of the ACT Government. And the impact of the government’s cruel policies towards animals upon Canberra is undeniable.

If Canberrans want a compassionate society, we should be striving to protect the environment, our animals and the vulnerable in our community.

Robyn Soxsmith, Kambah

Thermal drones used to cull kangaroos

Wildlife lovers are thrilled that a previously unknown group of koalas have been found living in the Blue Mountains, NSW.

These koalas were found using thermal drones. Drone technology has other positive applications for wildlife, including finding animals who have survived bushfires so food and water can be supplied to them.

This is not the case in the ACT, however. During this year’s 17th kangaroo “cull”, the ACT government used drones to hunt down and terrorise kangaroos at the Aranda Nature Reserve. 

In addition, instead of using drone technology to estimate kangaroo population numbers, the government uses the Walked Line Transect method whereby amateur volunteers physically count kangaroos in the reserves.

These numbers are then extrapolated to estimate the kangaroos that are “not seen”. This outdated method is known to be problematic, especially given the kangaroos hop away when approached, resulting in potential duplication in the count. 

In 2025, more than 3500 kangaroos and joeys were killed under the Kangaroo Management Plan. 

Given the suffering involved and the large number of lives at stake, you would think that the ACT government would want to obtain the most accurate figures possible, wouldn’t you? 

It seems that the ACT government uses the most up to date technology to kill kangaroos but not to count them. 

Rebecca Marks, Palmerston

Murrumbidgee deserves better than Fiona

Fiona Carrick MLA campaigned as an independent, but she’s no Pocock, nor Emerson.

Real independence means deciding based on the whole community, not just the NIMBYs she feels like listening to.

In her centrepieces – Burrangiri, “liveability” in Woden, Save Woden Pool – where are the young people? There’s over 25,000 in the electorate. She cannot claim to represent this electorate while never consulting this group of people.

From opposing mixed-use housing to attempting ‒ and failing ‒ to derail vital health infrastructure in the Canberra Hospital expansion, Carrick routinely puts her and her NIMBY chorus’ short-term wants ahead of long-term needs.

As former chair of the community council, Carrick built her profile by resisting growth ‒ and now continues that approach in the Assembly, prioritising exclusion over inclusion.

On the Woden Pool ‒ opened when I was 37 years away from birth and a facility as old and tired as Carrick’s ideas ‒ her campaigners have resorted to abusing people like me, and when I raised this, I was met with radio silence.

Murrumbidgee deserves far, far better than Ms Carrick. For the future of my generation in this community, and for a better Canberra, show her the door in 2028.

Michael Bourke, Fadden

Another name for Andrew?

Perhaps King Charles should consider calling his younger brother, since he has been stripped of all his titles, by his real name: Andrew Battenberg Hannover. 

Both paternal and maternal surnames were changed by George V in July 1917, during World War I, because they were “too German”.

Tony Pintos-Lopez, via email

Out-of-step town’s not changing

John Quinn, in his letter “Tragedy of living in a ‘progressive’ Labor town”(CN November 13), correctly points out that between 2001 and 2025 his rates went up from $46 a month to $261, nearly a 600 per cent increase.

I make the point that, for the same period, the minimum wage went up from $11 an hour to $25, an increase of just over 100 per cent. 

This out-of-step rates increase doesn’t seem to matter to the majority of out-of-step voters who made the ACT the only jurisdiction in Australia to vote an out-of-step “Yes” in the Voice referendum.

This progressive Labor town (as Quinn says ) has returned a Labor member for 69 of the 76 years since representation began in 1949, and it doesn’t look like changing any time soon.

Paul Temby, via email

We want leaders who can see the future

Paul Dorin’s cartoon (dose of dorin, CN, November 20) neatly shows that while Opposition Leader Sussan Ley may have jettisoned the weight of net zero, her position is still precarious.

Declan McGrath (letters, CN November 2020/11) goes further, arguing that with three-quarters of younger voters (now a majority) naming climate change as a key voting issue, “nothing can save Sussan Ley”. And now that Ley has denounced new coal-fired power plants, it’s highly likely the fossil-fuel diehards in the Coalition will want to topple her even sooner. Toppling Ley might claw back a few votes from One Nation, but most Australians will prefer leaders who can see the future, not ones dragged backwards into the past.

Ray Peck, Hawthorn, Victoria

We are stuck with rising costs of electricity

Lesley Walker (letters, CN, November 20) failed to mention the context in which investment in renewables is taking place in the US states of Texas and Florida.

Both states have a dominant base load capacity fuelled by natural gas (51 per cent in Texas, 75 per cent in Florida) and a nuclear power industry (7 per cent in Texas, 11 per cent in Florida).

With this reliable base load capacity, those states are proceeding to replace their coal-fired generators with renewables and batteries, at a pace that is not affecting the cost of electricity (see texaselectriicityratings.com).

The state of electricity generation in Texas and Florida is the envy of the Opposition in Australia. It should have been the goal of AEMO when it was established 16 years ago, but ideology took over.

Changing course now will be a difficult sell for the Opposition, because keeping the cost of electricity down at the same time as re-equipping with large gas turbines will be nigh impossible, not to mention the policy on gas exploration in Victoria.

So, we are stuck with rising costs of electricity until the renewables and stored energy of the AEMO Integrated System Plan can meet most of the nightly demand.

That leaves many unknowns, to quote some: reliability without base load generators, the threat of cyber-attack, acceptance of the state of the environment when hundreds of new renewable sites and their connections pop up all over the countryside. Then there is the question which would worry any engineer: could transport really run on batteries?

John L Smith, Farrer

Claims against Roberts-Smith are legally true

Recent correspondence from Ross Smith (Letters, CN November 6) and Vi Evans (letters, CN November 20) fails to understand some basic facts about the actions of Ben Roberts-Smith (BRS) in Afghanistan and the case against him.

Both correspondents claim that BRS did what he had to do, with Ms Evans asking if any of us would have done anything differently. The answer to this question is “Yes, almost all of us would have acted differently”.

It must be remembered that the accusations against BRS were not made by journalists or by Afghan citizens. They were, in fact, made by other SAS operators that fought alongside BRS, saw what he was doing and reported him to their superiors.

These superiors then acted to investigate the actions of BRS and a few other SAS operators. The, now-Liberal MP Andrew Hastie was one of those reportedly appalled by BRS actions.

For those seeking to excuse the actions of BRS and a few other SAS operators in Afghanistan, two excellent and well researched books have been written in recent years detailing these actions and providing statements from eyewitnesses.

Should anyone think that these books make false claims, BRS launched defamation proceedings against the relevant authors, with the court finding that the claims contained in these books to be true.

In a last- ditch attempt to have this overturned, BRS sought an appeal to the High Court earlier this year, which was totally rejected. Claims about BRS crimes in Afghanistan are, therefore, legally true.

Mike Desmond, via email