YOUR VIEWS

THE person who suggested that those opposed to the filling of the cesspool use the term Black Swan Lake is to be congratulated as it is a masterstroke of misleading advertising. I have only ever seen one nest of swans there.

I can show you many pictures of black swans and many signets in front of my property, who live in a wholesome environment, as do many other bird species. Is it not better they live in that environment than in a cesspool?

I trust you have inspected the site, especially from within the Magic Millions stable area. I am afraid that people have been sadly misled by a few residential owners who may be correct in thinking their properties could be affected, who subsequently have the money, power and contacts to continue to delay something that is in the interests of the majority of Gold Coasters.

We have thousands of kilometres of healthy waterways and nesting places on the Gold Coast far more suitable than a cesspool. Just because birds return to their birth place does not mean it is a health resort, it’s called instinct.

I would be interested to know how many of the people opposed to the filling of this cesspool spent as much effort to help those poor people who had to move for the sake of the majority, for say The Bermuda St extension, the Helensvale Tram extension and so on. ALLAN HOWARD, ROBINA

I AGREE with comments that the justice system is not working. Police do a great job at bringing culprits in and then a magistrate lets them off with a tap on the wrist and no conviction. They laugh at the law. If they do the crime they should do the time!

Maybe the courts are told to release crims because of crowding and the cost keeping them in jail. Tough. We need bigger gaols – ones that are a deterrent to inmates, with basic amenities/meals and no privileges unless they work for them.

That would keep them off the streets longer, give them time to think about how and why they got there and let the police get on with their work. BOB CONGRATULATIONS are due to the many newspapers who were happy to join the S.O.S. push to convince the Palaszczuk government to increase its emphasis on swimming lessons for children. (GCB, 31/1).

While tuition has usually been available for those in the early Primary Schools Years, there should be greater stress put on these lessons for all younger children.

However, many drownings are the result of unintentional lack of supervision near water and it will behove all parents and guardians to be 100 per cent diligent if this S.O.S. program is to be successful. KEN JOHNSTON, ROCHEDALE SOUTH

I WAS stunned to see Ric Birch giving advice to the Commonwealth Games ceremonies people after being shunned for the contract and throwing his toys out of the cot in protest. Remember, this was the genius who left Tasmania off the map at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. DON KELLY, CURRUMBIN