Would it not make more sense to invest in major infrastructure upgrades to facilitate faster roll-out of electric buses and, for that matter, other battery electric vehicles, asks letter writer RICHARD JOHNSTON, of Deakin.

I READ recently that the ACT government is “just weeks away from announcing the successful tenderer for the $37.5 million contract to replace 34 of the oldest diesel buses in its fleet” (of 451 buses) with new electric ones. 

Why so few? Apparently “the ACT power grid is already at capacity, and Transport Canberra cannot introduce too many zero-emissions buses at once without… risking major infrastructure upgrades and impacting services”, according to Transport Canberra’s own “transition plan”.

There is an obvious challenge to the ACT government here! 

Instead of wasting $2 billion or more on a single route, inflexible, highly disruptive, old-technology tram, which will substantially increase journey times for southside residents, would it not make more sense to invest in the required “major infrastructure upgrades” to facilitate much faster roll-out of electric buses and, for that matter, other battery electric vehicles?

It is also said that “electric buses, when charged and not in use, deliver a secondary role in helping manage energy demand and stabilise the grid”. 

In other words, the buses can send power back to the grid in peak energy demand periods. Local manufacture is also a possibility as is the payment of a fee per kilometre to the private company that would carry the costs and risks.

I suggest the government scrap Major Projects Canberra, which seems to exist just to push highly expensive and unjustified “headline” projects such as Light Rail Stage 2, together with its aptly named “Disruption Taskforce”.

Richard Johnston, Kingston 

I love the tram

I love the tram and I vote.

Danny Corvini, Deakin

Greens want the ‘scared’ teens

A BILL being sponsored by the Greens to lower the voting age to 16 (and eventually to 14) can have only one objective, being to capture the vote of teenagers scared witless by Greens propaganda about climate change. 

That would be a recipe for disaster for the Labor Party and for Canberra. Labor politicians would be crazy to support this Bill as it would certainly mean that, instead of 10 ALP and six Greens in the Assembly, there would be more like 10 Greens and six ALP at the next election. Canberra is already Greens heaven; what would it be like with their total control of legislature?

However, are they also going to advocate lowering the military recruitment age to 16? After all, that was the argument for lowering the age to 18 years. Would they be allowed to run for a seat in the Assembly? If not, why not? 

Max Flint, Erindale

Northbourne tourist tax of $301!

CONGRATULATIONS to letter writer Gil Miller (Letters, CN January 20) for exposing the Northbourne Avenue tourist tax of $301 for interstate visitors like me.

This is the only way I can describe the speeding fine ticket received in the mail back in Sydney after a wonderful week visiting the national capital.

Jefferson Lee, Leichhardt, NSW 

Pining for well-dressed gents

I THINK it’s high time that critical commentary about “men in suits” was made. 

For far too long they have been ignored while “women in suits” have taken the brunt of critical commentary since women in public life were visible on television 50 years, or longer, ago.

Male politicians, male TV presenters, male journalists, males in advertisements and almost everywhere, including in other countries where men wear suits, only the top button has been secured, leaving the bottom button undone. 

Often the shirt above the suit trousers and the tip of the tie are visible with the vent left by the bottom button being undone. This looks rather provocative and yet contemptible and unrefined. Not a good look. What makes a well-dressed gent no longer applies.

Jenny Holmes, Weston

Climate paper ‘worth a read’

I WAS heartened to read Max Flint’s letter titled “Climate Criticism” (CN February 3) and looked up his research paper at the Australian Logistics Study Centre. 

This should be made available to all schoolchildren in Australia, let alone their parents, so that they get a balanced view on the climate. Well worth a read.

Carol Dunnet, Wanniassa

Admire the tramline weeds

PAUL Costigan’s column (CN February 3) laments the lack of native plantings in the ACT. However, there have been some efforts; my out-of-town visitors and I admire Canberra’s homage to the ‘Mallee Scrub’ cleverly camouflaging the light rail along Northbourne Avenue.

Additionally, while adhering to the 40km/h speed limit on Northbourne, motorists have plenty of time to admire the native wildflowers (and weeds) at the light rail terminal.

Rosemary Harrison, Yarralumla

Take Woden buses underground 

SURELY, it’s not too late for the ACT government to change the new Woden bus interchange arrangement, so that Callam Street can remain the vital through-traffic and comprehensive servicing route that it was always meant to be; and in the process, save quiet Easty and Wilbow Streets, and neighbouring residential, cemetery, and recreational areas, from the diverted traffic, with its associated noise, vibration, fumes, and dust pollution. 

Instead of installing the new bus interchange on, and blocking Callam Street, it should be installed underground (as successfully in Brisbane’s CBD), say, below the new CIT scheduled to go in on the former bus interchange site – in an attractive, climate-controlled space with accompanying shops, cafes, etcetera. 

This arrangement could also simplify the design and siting of the proposed Woden tram station on Callam Street.

Bleak and desolate bus “layovers” should also be excluded from Easty Street.

Jack Kershaw, Kambah

App update too late

HAS anyone noticed that in the new covid rules that recently changed, the words: “The app is currently being updated to enable automatic notification of users if they have been at a higher risk setting during a COVID-19 exposure. While this technical work is still underway, we expect to have this feature ready in the next couple of weeks.” 

This should have been available when the app was first introduced, not now that it is being reduced in requirement. NSW had it, so why didn’t we? What’s the point of doing it now when people no longer need to scan in at most places? 

Another issue is that the government is no longer updating its website on contact locations, so how are we supposed to know where the infected people have been. 

If people were expecting to be notified and did not look at the website, they would not have known if they had been in contact with anyone infected. At the moment, it appears it is pot luck.

Vi Evans, Macgregor

Why no boosters for visitors? 

ON an Australian government information TV ad about what vaccinations are needed for those entering Australia is the quote: “Australia has announced the re-opening of its borders to vaccinated tourists and other visa holders for the first time in almost two years.” 

“If you’re double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

Double vaccinated? I saw NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant on the TV news almost begging all Australians to have the third shot (booster). Accompanying her comment was a report that only 44 per cent had so far had it. 

So why do non-Australian visitors have a lesser obligation to protect all in this country ?

Colliss Parrett, Barton 

Did the leopard change spots?

GOSH, did I just see a leopard change its spots, reading Robert Macklin’s “Road to Damascus” column? (“Canberra’s cooked, the Barr-becue has to end”, CN February 3).

What next ? I’m scanning the skies for flying porkers.

Tina Faulk, Swinger Hill