YOUR SAY: A politicians' guarantee seems worthless

Well, what an empty promise that has proved to be. Now that a petition hand-signed by 10,700 constituents has forced a parliamentary debate on this issue, Mr Evans and the Liberal Government have yet another opportunity to start doing the right thing.

As the debate is broadcast online, I wonder if my local member will value his "guarantee" and our drinking water ahead of the profits of an American mining giant?

Rob Taggart, Engadine

Woronora Dam and the catchment area, and our water security should never be put at risk. The coal mining under this precious resource is infuriating. How can the councils, state governments and Scott Morrison let it happen? The original stream bed filling our dam has already been damaged. Why oh why let our drinking water be put at risk? We remember the drought, the millions spent on the desalination plant. The Woronora never used to get low, but the mining is destroying our vital water supply. What is going on? How can this happen there is plenty of coal elsewhere but few dams. Come on, everyone.

Joanne Hunter, Gymea

Further to the Woronora dam disgrace. Water NSW still has showing on their site all the activities available. Trouble is on the same site tucked away is a notice 'Closed To Public'. I have phoned and emailed Lee Evans concerning this issue with no reply. This attitude to the environment is typical of this government. Old-growth logging, Feral Horses in the Snowy, Destroying Heritage Buildings, Planning Laws changed without consultation and the list goes on, unfortunately.

Zuzu Burford, Heathcote

I'd like to back up Tim Payne's letter May 27. My daughter lives behind Kareela Oval. l mind my grandson often. We go for a push in the pram but staying safe is challenging as there are no footpaths in here and surrounding streets. Like Tim l have contacted the council about installing footpaths but was told her area is not a priority. Such a demoralising and insensitive response.

Paul Stephenson, Putney

I agree with everything that Mark stated. Re the carpark, The car park area behind the Jannali shops is the last open space left close to the Jannali shopping centre. Unit towers will soon surround this remaining open space and loss of this buffer will cause all sorts of loss of amenity in the future. Remember that the carpark is owned by us the community, NOT by Council employees. It's your infrastructure, so I urge everyone to write to the council to reject this money-grubbing exercise. The railway car park can easily be built over the rail line just south of the bridge. This option would be perfect for direct access to the station.

Sharon Firmstone, Como

It is disturbing to see our local member and Prime Minister proclaiming his intention to return to the excessive levels of the skilled permanent migration policy as soon as possible. He claimed that cutting the program would put unnecessary pressure on particular communities (SMH May 6).

In that latter regard, it is notable that the older skilled on temporary visas without significant assets get little sympathy despite paying taxes for many years and have to leave. This is while immigration agents line their pockets lining up vast numbers of new immigrants to the approval of those like property industry lobbyist, Shane Geha, who gets a free run on our ABC to push the case for more housing demand.

To back his case, Geha produced the old furphy about the need to reboot an ageing population with young immigrants. This is a totally dishonest claim debunked by the Productivity Commission in its Population and Migration: Understanding the Numbers report which pointed out that migrants age and any effect is temporary.

No independent assessment of Geha's claims were of course allowed by our supposed fact-checked and independent ABC that ad nauseum tells us we are all one but apparently feels that it is a one that needs to swell at an alarming rate. I would welcome an analysis of the property interests and connections of the ABC Board.

With most immigrants flooding into our major cities we can expect increasing deterioration and pressure on the amenity of our playing fields, parks and beaches while ownership of a house and yard will be a fading prospect for our children. The massive cost of new infrastructure to keep pace with the rapid population growth is a misdirection of funds away from the need to diversify our economy and its reliance on the sale of raw materials to foreign powers.

Notably, advocates like Lucy Turnbill for the joys of packed living quarters in places like New York have very spacious grounds available for their enjoyment. Having the space to relax and enjoy life has been a feature of the Australian lifestyle now under threat from property profiteering as is our water supply, soils and wildlife. Nothing better, however, than a packed metropolis for a virus to spread.

Richard Moran, Caringbah South

How wonderful to see the burn off taking place, in the Royal National Park recently, and also doing it in the colder months and not in Spring when all the baby animals are being born. I don't how many people thought as I did when those terrible fires over Christmas and New Year were happening wondered when the park would go up. There hasn't been a burn off there for some time. This is one resident who is happy to see the burn off taking place.

Kay Pittman, Engadine

I have 3 reasons not to download this App:

Robert Gilbert, Cronulla