“Hopefully our elected politicians will learn from Los Angeles that spending funds on fortifying our city against the natural disasters of climate change is more important than their pet project of running a tram across the lake to Woden before it is too late,” writes BEATRICE BODART-BAILEY.

As the cause of the enormous damage of the Los Angeles fires are being examined, it is becoming apparent that the spending on firefighting and prevention has been insufficient despite warnings, with even the number of fire fighters reduced as the city was growing.  

As a Canberra resident, I cannot help but wonder whether those in charge of the ACT budget take this as a lesson. Millions and soon billions are spent on a tram where a rapid bus transit system would provide faster and more convenient transport for a greater number of residents, while the expenditure for essential and emergency services remains insufficient.  

One must wonder why the experts, who no doubt are engaged to supervise the extension of the tram, fail to understand that inner-city rail transport with its inflexibility, inability to run express services and the production of CO2 and enormous expense of construction became outdated the moment electric buses became viable. 

Climate change with the storms, floods and fires we realistically have to expect also in Canberra, further highlights the problems of the light rail system. 

Electricity failure, damage to the overhead wiring, large objects blown across the rails, such as large branches and trees will stop the whole system from end to end. Buses can load their batteries elsewhere, avoid blocked roads and pick up people for evacuation. Most important at times when the speed of assistance saves or forfeits lives is the fact that “bus only” lanes throughout Canberra would provide an unhindered run for emergency vehicles. 

In contrast,  with tram rails running  in the middle of a raised London Circuit, where are cars to go if a crowded road instantly needs to be cleared for emergency vehicles?  

The myth that building the tram has Labor winning elections keeps those who profit handsomely from the extension of the line confident that the work will continue. 

When will people understand that the ACT electorate consisting overwhelmingly of public servants is more concerned about job security than the tram?  

With the federal Liberals using Canberra bashing and the reduction of the public service as a vote winner, the ACT Liberals again missed out narrowly at the last election. 

Perhaps if the local Liberals had spoken more emphatically about how the absurd expense of the tram was draining the budget of essential services – especially dangerous in the times we live in – they would have achieved a better result. 

Hopefully our elected politicians will learn from Los Angeles that spending funds on fortifying our city against the natural disasters of climate change is more important than their pet project of running a tram across the lake to Woden before it is too late.

BM Bodart-Bailey, via email

LA is on fire, are Australian cities even ready?

‘Truly disappointing’ entry to nation’s capital

A few days back, having missed the turnoff to Majura, I was obliged to enter our city via Northbourne Avenue.

I felt sorry for the holidaying mums, dads and kids having to undergo what has become a truly disappointing entry to the national capital – the dreary plantings by the tram line, the uninspiring new buildings and the dreadful state of the road itself, presumably in this condition because a lack of funds prevents more regular maintenance.

Further along, visitors view the moonscape created by the raising of London Circuit before experiencing the more open vistas around Commonwealth Avenue Bridge. 

I hate to tell them that if the light rail proceeds as planned, this area too will be trashed as the behemoth continues its inexorable progress towards Woden.

We will never know what the light rail has cost us, but the effects of it are everywhere. Never underestimate the power of a really bad idea.

Dr Jenny Stewart, Torrens

Can we thrive in a polarised world? 

Will the world, Australia and the ACT thrive in the polarised world of 2025?

Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, brilliant men, champions of free speech and liberty or evil, amoral, arrogant and heartless neo-fascists, spreading lies and misogyny?

Donald Trump the messiah or a dangerous, lying, deranged, irresponsible, narcissistic autocrat?

Netanyahu the saviour of Israel or the butcher of Gaza?

Putin the protector of mother Russia or a vicious expansionist war criminal?

President Xi a great leader taking millions out of poverty or a threat to world peace?

Modi the creator of modern India or a suppressor of non-Hindus?

Albo a limp lettuce leaf or a strategist who will defeat the divisive, deceitful Dutton?

Peter Dutton a genuine addressor of energy needs and climate change or Gina Rinehart’s and the fossil-fuel lobby’s toyboy?

Are the Greens and the Teals woke, middle class do-gooders or the only hopes to achieve real action on climate change and housing inequality?

Will Emperor Barr base his actions on analysis or the opinions of inner-north hipsters?

If greed, revenge and hate are not replaced by the virtues of humility, honesty, integrity, compassion, fairness and justice, 2025 will be, too, an interesting year. Let’s hope we survive it.

Mike Quirk, Garran

Smartphones are a mixed blessing

In his column “Today, survival means keeping the wi-fi stable” (CN, January 16), Clive Williams refers to the hazards of passwords and voice recognition. 

I confront so many passwords every day that I have to write the least used ones on pieces of paper and reassure myself that no one else could possibly see them.

As for voice recognition, the AI creatures inside my computer and smartphone must be hard of hearing. Either that or my voice keeps changing, when I assumed that phase of my life ended many decades ago.

On a more technical note, I have learned – the hard way – the importance of preventing the modem that generates the wi-fi signal from overheating. The consequences of failing to do so range from seemingly endless frustration to a total breakdown of communications. The latter includes contacting my NBN provider, who is based in Perth.

Computers and (no-so-)smartphones are a mixed blessing.

Dr Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin

Fine dining comes with a price shock 

My husband and I recently dined out with our son and daughter-in-law at a fine-dining restaurant in Civic.

The menu was not extensive, and I found it difficult to find something that took my fancy.

Further, I thought the prices of the entrées were over the top – a small, very small, plate of charred octopus was $32, and certainly wasn’t anything to write home about 

My main meal was tasty, but it didn’t blow my mind. And, if you wanted a side, there were choices of a couple of salads and some vegetable dishes. And very pricey!

The service, décor and ambience was quite good, however it was the bill that did blow my mind (unlike my main meal).

When we first arrived, we were asked if we would like still or sparkling water; we all chose still water.

However, at the end of the meal, when the bill was placed on our table, we noticed we had been charged $20 ($5 each) for our still water.

Further, there appeared no way to bypass providing a tip, as there was a 10 per cent minimum required (and no bypass tab) – so, for our meal, it was just shy of $60! So, in total, that was close to $80 that we didn’t see coming. While I usually tip, I like to decide how much.

Suffice to say, I won’t be returning to this particular restaurant, where hidden costs come as an unwelcome surprise at the end of the meal.

Is this actually legal?

Janine Haskins, Cook