Letters to the editor (October 21)

Level playing field needed for speed cameras

While watching A Current Affair the other night it was interesting to hear Victoria Police state they allow a tolerance of plus three kilometres per hour on a mobile speed camera and plus 2kp/h on a fixed speed camera. 

This is a very interesting fact because, unless things have changed, this is the tolerance that the cameras are at when sent for certification. 

In other words they are not as accurate as the police would like you to believe. 

Taking all this into account means you are not given any allowance as they have stated, only what the camera is certified at. 

Surely if the government wishes to keep its credibility it must change the Australian Design Rules from where it is acceptable for speedometers to be produced with a plus or minus factor of 10 per cent to one per cent so everyone is then on a level playing field. 

Robert K Smallpage,
Huntly 

Confused in White Hills

What confuses me, is the apparent low state of the American economy. 

When I look at their business interests in other countries, which include such projects as Disneyland, Sea World, supermarkets, films, television shows, newspapers, manufacturing, insurance and so many other interests that I have not mentioned, why is that country so badly in financial remission?

Usually American businesses rely on their overseas commitments, charge a capital utilisation fee of 15 per cent or higher on the total assets of their investments, plus a large proportion of the yearly profits. 

With that in mind I wonder whether the USA has deliberately induced the present downturn in the economy for their own devious reasons.

Perhaps a more educated person may be able to explain this confusing dilemma I find myself unable to understand. 

Ashley Young,

White Hills

Call to comment

I am writing to encourage local CFA volunteers to comment on the State Government’s new Green Paper, ‘Towards a More Resilient and Safer Victoria’.

The Green Paper raises for discussion significant changes in the way Victoria’s emergency agencies are organised, so it is extremely important that emergency service volunteers have their say on what is proposed and how best our services can be supported and co-ordinated to benefit all Victorians.

The Green Paper proposes formalising an “All Hazards/All Agencies” approach, recognising CFA Brigades also respond to floods, rescues, road accidents, industrial incidents and more.

It also discusses; a statewide body to oversee all emergency services, new ways to encourage volunteerism, expanding the Fire Services Commissioner’s role to include other large scale emergencies, co-locating different emergency organisations, joint training standards and a potential top-level amalgamation of emergency services.

Representing CFA volunteers, Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria has placed the Green Paper and a simple point-and-click questionnaire on our website www.vfbv.com.au, with responses going to the team preparing our submission and discussing the Green Paper with CFA.

Victoria’s emergency capabilities would not function without volunteers on the front line and in senior incident management roles, so we must have our say. 

The Green Paper suggests changes at the top level, but we can also talk about what works best at the community level. It is Victoria’s emergency services volunteers who will have to make any new arrangements work, so it is vital that we make our voices heard. 

Peter Thompson,

VFBV District 2

Representing CFA volunteers

Easter cuts sensible

Council’s decision to scale back on the Easter celebrations in Bendigo is a good one.

It gives them a chance to focus on improving what is a much-loved tradition, but one that has become a little tired over the past few years. 

This way, the celebrations can be more focussed, and hopefully the parade can become what it used to be, a colourful community event.

Alice Jarvis

Strathdale