Snowy Hydro has plenty of installed capacity and is geared to provide for peak load and emergencies. But power generation is limited by available water, and perhaps regulation and financial incentive.

The pumping station at Jindabyne is relatively small, perhaps using 25MW of off-peak surplus power.

The pumping capacity at Tumut 3 could perhaps make use of up to 400MW of surplus energy. The pumps at Tumut 3 only utilise a quarter of the hydraulic capacity of the headrace channel, pipelines and tailrace channel.

There would seem to be scope for development of pumped storage.

It should be feasible to modify present structures to allow the building of additional pipelines.

This could be done for much less than the $2 billion of Snowy 2.0.

Extra baseload generating capacity may best be achieved by (a) gas thermal plant, quite separate from, but in conjunction with Snowy Hydro.

Development at Tumut 3 would involve issues of excavation and slope stability but significantly less geological (and probably environmental) concerns than 27 kilometres of tunnel and associated works.

There is a need for a team of engineers to develop a well-thought out program to handle the energy crisis. And, of course, the government's political resolve to carry out the necessary works.

Denis Woodhams, former Snowy engineering geologist, Stirling

I would have thought that CEOs of Australia's top companies make political statements every day of the week. Mostly those statements relate to company tax rates, overtime penalty rates, 457 visas or anything else they think is in the interest of their respective companies.

When this occurs the government never thinks to raise an eyebrow. On the other hand now that 20 CEOs have made a political statement supporting the rights of a minority group, the government is crying foul.

Since CEOs of our top companies are rarely idiots, they will no doubt have been asking themselves: Is this issue supported by the majority of Australians? Is the proposed reform morally just? Has the government deliberately been devising means of dragging its heels?

And most importantly of all — Will supporting this cause add to our standing in the community and therefore enhance the value of our brand?

It is very simple. The majority of Australians support same-sex marriage and the government can legislate change but will not. Whether it's putting a price on carbon, allowing same-sex marriage or any other issue that the government is tying itself in knots over, CEOs have every right to point out to the government that they were elected to govern, not to sit about dreaming up ways to win the next election.

Mal Wilson, Campbell

Malcolm Turnbull says he doubts the government can work effectively with new ACTU boss, Sally McManus ("'Not much we can do with her': Malcolm Turnbull says he can't work with new ACTU boss Sally McManus", Canberra Times, March 17).

Seems like some people have all the luck.

As for Peter Dutton's suggestion that Ms McManus is a "lunatic", that surely is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

John Richardson, Wallagoot, NSW

Purls of wisdom

"Stick to your knitting" Peter Dutton told the CEOs.

As convener of Phoenix Knitters I strongly object to the denigration of the noble and ancient art of knitting as in Peter Dutton's advice.

Each winter Phoenix Knitters provides beanies for homeless people in Canberra, for refugee children, cancer patients, and premi babies; knee rugs for the aged and infirm and for the dying; and Care Bears for frightened and distressed people.

So, Peter Dutton, choose your words more carefully next time.

Gwenda Bramley, Torrens

Why, of course, Jane Timbrell of Reid (Letters, March 20) do go out and break a law you don't agree with – the more dramatic the better. A bomb threat on a Canberra-Sydney flight or attempted assassination of the PM or a visiting head of state will do nicely and ensure you're following Sally McManus' call to break the law if and when you don't agree with it.

You and Sally may even end up serving in the same correctional facility, in which case there's the distinct possibility that you'll be interviewed by Leigh Sales.

Christina Faulk, Swinger Hill

Women will never have social equality while, on marriage, their identity is subsumed into that of the man.

Not only does the changing of her name to his indicate ownership (its original purpose). Pre-marriage friends who knew her only by her own name are left to wonder: who is she now?

A man goes though life by the same name.

He never suffers such sense of disappearance.

Women will never achieve equality of respect until they achieve this equality of social status.

Joan Webster OAM, Castlemaine, Vic

It is rich for Malcolm Turnbull to criticise Jay Weatherill's broadside at the federal Minister For Energy And Environment after his own less civilised diatribe last month against Bill Shorten and his purported class disloyalty.

Alex Mattea, Kingston

For years I have been endeavouring to shame AFP Community Policing into rostering beat patrols in Canberra City (Civic).

The underbelly, drug and alcohol affected, wander aimlessly, urinating in laneways, not stepping aside for the elderly and for prams, swearing, vomiting, resenting all and everything.

We mugs, workers and ratepayers (for the likes of that mob of bigger mugs, the ACT government), need to be ever vigilant for our safety.

Glebe Park (truly beautiful) can be very lonely when the "hoodies" appear on a hot day, on the lookout for victims.

The AFP has given policing over to Transport Canberra traffic officers in the Bus areas. Even they have to wait up to 30 minutes for police attendance.

As a young policeman in the 1970s, beat work was part of the job. It is where rookies learn the art of "coppering", and senior police pass it on.

Mr Winchester as a sergeant was not too proud to pound the beat on a Friday night. And take a few blows, if necessary, in execution of his duty.

Protection of the public. Remember us?

Christopher Ryan, Watson

SHOUT (Self Help Organisations United Together) has advised the community that we will be ceasing activities as at May 31.

A letter from the minister expresses disappointment that the SHOUT board has made the decision to close our doors on that date.

However, advice from our accountant is that we are solvent until May 31.

We are advised that if we continue our services to the community beyond that date then the board is responsible for acting when our organisation is insolvent.

The minister has suggested that we apply for funding from NDIS, but SHOUT does not fit into the model. Yes, we can apply for ILC funding, but that is for projects only and does not cover our administrative costs.

SHOUT does not deliver services directly to those in our community who are living with or caring for someone with a chronic condition.

Our role is to provide administrative assistance and resources for self-help/mutual-support originations who provide that invaluable support for members of thecommunity.

Without guaranteed funding into the future then SHOUT must close our doors.

That decision has been a difficult one for those of us who have been associated with the organisation for many years.

Paula Calcino, Oxley

The article "'Gungahlin-ised': Forrest Residents Group slams approval of seven-storey hotel" (canberratimes.com.au, March 15) seems intended to denigrate the aspiration of residents to preserve Forrest as a historic garden suburb, as was envisioned under the ACT government's own Forrest Neighbourhood Plan, and have the residents written off as a bunch of spoilt whingers.

The main point that should have been made is that due process has once again not been followed, and the community shut out when it comes to substantial revenue generation.

That should be a concern for Canberra residents in general (including those of Gungahlin) as it could happen anywhere inthe ACT.

C. Williams, Forrest

In "A minute to midnight for Ginninderra Falls" (March 18, Forum, p11) Professor Jenny Stewart has again highlighted improper management of ACT land.

The ACT does not need Gininderry; it was devised solely for the benefit of the owner/developer.

If the government wishes to have land developed, it should invite all developers to bid for defined development work; provisions, such as conservation corridors, should be clearly included in the invitation to tender.

However, for the Ginninderry proposal the government intends to give one developer exclusive development rights with inadequate environmental protection.

Also, if the government wants land, standard procedure is that it compulsorily acquire it at a price based on existing zoning. In the proposed development, the government rezoned the land, thus giving the owner a windfall gain.

Many, perhaps most, ACT residents would prefer the NSW land to be protected for environmental purposes.

I recommend adoption of ethical procedures and more environment protection in ACT, and that the NSW government acquire the NSW land for a national park.

Bob Salmond, Melba

Visitors to Canberra, we wanted to watch the Raiders' game on Sunday. We missed the match-day bus from the Canberra Labour Club by seconds and were discussing our options when a young staff member approached us and offered to drop us off at the stadium. Thank you Morgan, thank you Raiders for a great match, but best of all what a story to tell the Canberra bashers back home.

Barbara Carrick, Adamstown, NSW

Just a note of praise for the hard work and doggedness of the BlazeAid organisation.

This entirely voluntary and donations-funded initiative has helped restore or replace hundreds of kilometres of damaged farm fencing for many hundreds of bushfire-affected properties.

Its efforts and success, in bolstering community spirits, ties and co-operation between neighbours, local businesses (some supporting with lower fencing material prices) and support agencies such as SES and the RFS are laudable.

However, it would be a wonderful thing if the Palerang council could also show support by assisting already burdened ratepayers with the removal and recycling of the hundreds of bails of burnt fencing wire now accumulating at roadsides.

William Gray, Bungendore

One can only hope that the collection of the green waste bins is more efficient than the delivery of the actual bins. The truck delivering them to my street drove past my house five times yesterday. The deliveries did not include mine, so obviously they will have to come back again.

John Williams, Rivett

MANNERS MAKETH MAN

It costs nothing to be civil, respectfully courteous and statesmanlike in public even to someone you don't like. This seems to elude Trump. (Yet) when The Donald meets the Queen, or the Duchess of Cambridge, he'll be a fawning, forelock tugging, blubbering mass of blubber.

Graeme Rankin, Holder

STUMP UP MORRISON

The federal Treasurer recently said slow wage growth was a serious economic issue and it would be addressed by the government. Perhaps, as the federal government is a large employer, he might address the fact many of his employees have not had a pay rise for over three years. Bit cynical really. Very Trumpish.

C. Lathbury, Chisholm

WHO DECIDES?

Jane Timbrell says she is "very angry" at the comments made by Bill Shorten in response to answers Sally McManus gave to Leigh Sales (on the ABC) last Wednesday (Letters, March 20). Why should we accept Sally McManus as arbiter of "good laws" and "bad laws"?

Don Abey, Chisholm

BERRY A LEGEND

In the words of John Lennon, "If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry".

Peter Crossing, Glengowrie, SA

DOUBLE STANDARD

Malcolm Turnbull says it is unacceptable to pay secret monies to unions. Wasn't it a Coalition government that paid secret monies to the people smugglers to return their boats and refugees to Indonesia?

Allan Mutch, Nicholls

ODD ENTERTAINMENT

Sue Wareham has highlighted the contradiction in using Hornet fighter jets as entertainment (Letters, March 21). Add the huge cost involved in flying jets from Williamtown and the toxic pollutants added to the atmosphere. What fun.

Paul Kringas, Giralang

DUTTON OFF MESSAGE

I got the impression that the Turnbull government, with all the debate around 18C, was very keen on freedom of speech. However, now we have Peter Dutton telling CEOs to keep out of the marriage equality debate.

Felicity Chivas, Scullin

POWERING ON

The Australian Wholesale Electricity Market as it currently operates is not needed and never was.

We can stop using it tomorrow and electricity will continue to flow. Regulators will continue to set prices and depending on their whims they will go up or down.

Kevin Cox, Ngunnawal

Email: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au. Send from the message field, not as an attached file. Fax: 6280 2282. Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610.

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