YOUR SAY: When is work going to be done at the hall?

Just imagine the state of the inside of Heathcote Hall now after the torrential rain we have had over the last month.

When is something going to be done?

In correspondence to Sutherland Shire Council dated 27 June 2019 page 4 the Heritage council have stated that:

"a. The applicant is to enter into a heritage agreement with the Minister for Heritage - and have it registered on the title of the property - to ensure: "development and implementation of a comprehensive maintenance plan which identifies urgent, short, medium and long term maintenance works in perpetuity."

Why have the authorities failed to act and ensure that this historic building is protected and maintained? It appears to the community that the Heritage Council, the Sutherland Shire Council, the Owners of Heathcote Hall want this Historic Building to fall down.

Sutherland Shire Council were party to the approval of the Development of the site with the vision of Heathcote Hall being restored. HAHA.

B Koppe, Heathcote

The redeveloped Cronulla surf club, to my eyes, is tasteless and dominating. One peers through the glass at the back to see the fancy boardroom - really necessary?

Much could be forgiven if adequate public toilets had been provided in the re-development. The toilet number, dimension and changing spaces are grossly insufficient. Beaches are shared Australian spaces and people travel across the Shire and across Sydney to enjoy Cronulla. Very disappointed with the public provision that has been made. Can this be remedied?

Christine Jorm

I was a delight to read in the weekend paper about the recently formed group WeAreHughes. There has been a continued perversion of the pre-selection process within the Liberal Party in the electorate for several election cycles, resulting in an overwhelming need to find a candidate that better represents the concerns and views of the electorate of Hughes rather than a soapbox advocate for fringe views such as Big Coal, climate denial, hydroxychloroquine etc. The Liberal party have taken the 'quiet Australians' of Hughes as mugs for a long time and it's well overdue there is a push back underway from the grassroots.

Can the next Zali Steggall please come forward?

John Gunn, Jannali

The Leader does a good job of informing our community about the various developments happening in the Shire. I am sure there are many readers like me, who want to see these new developments are taking into account the changes that are happening now because of Climate Change and those that will occur into the future.

Last night I watched a webinar that put an exciting new perspective on this. The Cities Power Partnership gave councils from around Australia Awards for doing just this. There were big city councils, local councils, and regional councils. Craig Reucassel, the MC, congratulated Councils on continuing to lead on climate solutions with projects such as a world-first Hybrid Solar and Battery Off-Grid Stadium and Relief Centre, such as electric vehicle charging strategies, such as work protecting from sea level rise and rehabilitating coastal flood plain land, and such as huge emissions reductions. I look forward to the day when the Leader will be able to proudly boast that Sutherland Shire Council has been the recipient of a Cities Power Partnership Award too.

Judy Walker, Bundeena

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit all Australians hard and tragically taken the lives of more than 900 Aussies who've left behind heartbroken loved ones. But what many don't know is in 2020, more than 4,000 Australians will die from asbestos-related diseases caused from exposure to asbestos fibres either in the home or in the workplace - that's over 3000 more deaths compared to the number of Australians who will have died from COVID-19 this year.

For more than 100 years, Australians have been dying from asbestos-related diseases and as with COVID-19, the most effective means of preventing more deaths is to avoid exposure to the cause. So, while we've listened to the warnings about COVID-19 and adhered to lockdown and quarantine laws; we've been meticulous in washing our hands; worn PPE and masks to limit community transmission and had on the job COVID Marshals; now it's time Australian's listened to the warnings about asbestos so together we can stop the spread of asbestos fibres that can kill. In Australia, asbestos was used extensively in the manufacture of more than 3000 products, products that can be lurking in any home built or renovated before 1987 including brick, weatherboard, clad and fibro homes and even apartments. But what if these products are disturbed during renovations or maintenance? That's when fibres that can kill could be released into the air and inhaled by any bystanders, including children. We know that Aussies are pretty keen renovators and we all love doing a bit of DIY, but with the cause of asbestos-related deaths directly linked to DIY and renovating and more than 4000 Australians dying every year, the only way we will stop this third wave of avoidable deaths is to listen to the warnings and manage asbestos safely. During National Asbestos Awareness Month we want renovators, DIYers, tradies, property managers, demolition, construction and farm workers to absolutely make it their business to learn how to manage asbestos safely by visiting asbestosawareness.com.au because it's just not worth the risk!

Asbestos is one product that may look harmless, but it's not. In 2011 I lost one of my best mates, actor Harold Hopkins to mesothelioma, as a result of being exposed to asbestos fibres on building sites. Having the opportunity to warn people about the dangers is very personal and important to me. So when renovating or doing DIY, always remember to go slow, as Asbestos is a no go. It's not worth the risk. Who knows, the life you save could be your own or that of a loved one.

John Jarratt, Ambassador, Asbestos Awareness Month Campaign