A family endures the development from hell ("Neighbours feel abandoned", Sunday Canberra Times, March 28), the failings appear to commence with being unable to engage with the appropriate area within the ACT government in a timely manner. Extraordinarily, they had to get their lawyers on the job - something which seems to have disturbed the reverie within the planning/complaints ranks. But something which should be totally unnecessary.
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We also had the construction from hell. Similarly, we were unable to find the right area to deal with it or engage with us in a meaningful way. Eventually we did, but there were many occasions where the response (after logging the issue via the Access Canberra facility) was very many weeks (sometimes months) after the initial approach. And within the contact there are different silos for construction issues.
It seems the Access Canberra model isn't working. Those who should respond to complaints and inquiries are hidden away behind some massive edifice, in a similar way to how Telstra and other large conglomerates protect themselves. When the one-stop shop was introduced it may have made sense; but those who use it for its intended purpose, particularly where there are construction issues, bemoan its unsuitability. The other disappointing element to this sorry tale is the unavailability of the minister "before deadline" in your story. This would suggest that nothing will change. A sad reality for a minister in the job less than 12 months.
Helen M Goddard, Turner
This 'layabout' is very proud
I refer to the letter by Simon Ford ("Air Force show wasted on Canberra", April 1). Being a retired veteran of 48 years of service in the RAAF and a proud resident of this fine city, I guess I qualify as one of Simon's so-called Canberra layabouts. Simon, I really enjoyed seeing my Air Force on display yesterday under the clear blue sky of the wonderful place. The celebration centred on the presentation of the Queen's Colour to the Air Force by the Governor-General at Government House, so it was most appropriate that the flypast coincide with that event. If you were so keen to see the flypast live, maybe you could have taken the time to visit Canberra to view the event.
Bob Cooper, Amaroo
No lowflying bogies
I am relieved to report while driving to work during peak traffic on Wednesday, I didn't crash into any low-flying RAAF aircraft who had turned up a few hours early for the flyover. Many thanks to the ACT government for mitigating this risk by reducing the speed limit on the Parkway to 60km/h.
John Howarth, Weston
Failing the 'grub test'
Let me introduce you to the grub test. Like the pub test it's not about outcomes of court cases or inquiries. Women measure the grub test through experience and knowledge of certain types of men. The grub test sees right through the denials. Women know too well the arrogance and entitlement wielded by certain men. Arrogance and entitlement fed by wealth and privilege, positions of power, physical power and dominance. This arrogance and entitlement is used to sexually abuse, control, dominate, harass and hurt women. Women know these men that see themselves as superior we know their victims; ourselves, our friends, our daughters and in my case, my mother. Women know the grubs. We don't need court cases or inquiries.
Theresa Gordon, Kingston
A dose of reassurance needed
Simon Blake ("Fuelling injection phobia", Letters, March 31) has highlighted the campaign being waged against vaccination by the media, wittingly or not. On the evening news on ABC on Sunday, March 14 I counted 20 close-up clips of skin penetrations in a 15-minute segment. This seems excessive. The printed media also refer to injections as 'jabs'. A jab is defined in my dictionary as 'to poke roughly, stab, thrust (thing) abruptly (into)'. I have had my first. It was not a 'jab' and it was less annoying than a small mosquito. I have felt no after-effects in six days.
In Britain and in the US the anti-Covid vaccination is abbreviated to a 'shot' or a 'dose'. May I suggest a 'vacc' or 'vax'.