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I don’t live in one of your nominated NIMBY suburbs (“Populations plunge in NIMBY suburbs”, August 29), but I can relate to seeing nothing but grey hair. Now in my dotage and prepared to investigate freeing up my house for a younger family by moving into something smaller, I joined a tour of a newly built local retirement “village”.The “village” was a 28-storey apartment complex. Yes, the individual apartments were very stylish and the facilities were enticing – pool, billiards room, craft centre, workroom, library, gym and so on – but the only inhabitants were very much grey-haired, and governed by an age requirement of over 55 to move in, some sort of legislated necessity. This may be attractive to some, but it’s extremely off-putting to others, me included. Why can’t these apartment complexes be open to everyone? I’m sure the billiards room, pool, craft room, library and so on would be much more enjoyable with some young voices and active people able to share them.
The particular complex I visited also had four floors of aged care/nursing home. A complex open to all ages would provide a great opportunity for the carers working there to live above their workplace. Childcare could also be easily incorporated. The bizarre idea of isolating the elderly from the rest of society is one reason many of us prefer to stay in our own freestanding homes. Heather Johnson, West Pennant Hills

Give us what we want, what we really, really wantCredit: Getty Images

I’m sure one of the main reasons the population of these so-called NIMBY suburbs has dropped has a lot to do with children growing up and moving where they can afford. These suburbs are close to the city, and building apartments does not necessarily mean they will be affordable. Developers are in the business of making money, so the more they build, the more money they make. The state government and those that follow it must ensure the character of our suburbs isn’t traded to line the pockets of developers. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury

Why is there no photograph of a sign reading “Newcomers not welcome” in Shane Wright’s piece on alleged nimbyism? People have a right to object to any kind of development where they live. The housing issue won’t be solved until we examine its root causes. So far, all we are hearing is “build, build, build” from developer lobby groups. Chris O’Rourke, Bathurst

“As you walk around the eastern suburbs or the lower north shore, all you see is a sea of grey hair,” says Centre for Independent Studies chief economist Peter Tulip. We apologise for living, Peter. I’m going off to the hairdresser for a colour change. John Flint (aged 89), St Leonards

Delusions test us

I am a retired clinical psychologist. Cam Wilson gives us a valuable reminder (“No quick fix for conspiracy theorists”, August 29). We cannot help conspiracy theorists by punitive measures. Such measures can only exacerbate their paranoid delusions. What we can do with empathy and compassion is to show some understanding of their uncertainty and anxiety which drives the delusions. There is always some hope that we can help them to cope with anxiety and uncertainty if we pay attention and listen. Mark Porter, New Lambton

At the heart of the so-called sovereign citizen concept and its baseless claims of broad legal immunity is a selfishness and a childish disregard for the society in which its advocates live. It’s also hypocritical that people who insist on cherry-picking the rules they’ll agree to abide by will happily stick their hand out to receive all of society’s benefits. We all wish that life was simple and care-free, but it isn’t. And refusing to play by the rules just because you don’t like them solves nothing, while acting like a big sook about it also destroys any chance of sympathy for your cause from the rest of us. Adrian Connelly, Springwood

I vote net-positive

What a great curiosity it is that our Coalition parties are arguing about what they don’t believe in rather than what they do (“Net zero may be ground zero for Ley”, August 29). It’s surely going to be hard for people to support what was once a contender for the Treasury benches, until some positive policies emerge. So, Coalition, tell us what you do support rather than what you don’t. Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls

Credit: Alan Moir

Your correspondent (Letters, August 29) is a tad selective in shining a light on Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s newfound balance towards the Albanese government’s actions. Yes, she did support the expulsion of Iranian diplomats, but almost in the same breath she criticised the alleged time taken to convert information to action.
I suspect Ley will have this “two bob each way” habit for some time, as she has been truly wedged between the majority of voters tired of a shallow, obstructive Coalition and those in the Coalition earning those adjectives. Brian Jones, Leura

The biggest irony about the net zero opponents is that they possess zero sense or logic. Tony Doyle, Fairy Meadow

Artful dodge

A quick fact check shows the state government is spending $1.2 billion of our dollars to “improve rugby league facilities” at two stadiums, tossing in an extra $110 million to upgrade the West Tigers ovals (“Gallery frames higher cost for tickets”, August 29).
There are about 1.3 million rugby league supporters in NSW but far fewer attend big games. On the other hand, over 2 million a year actually visit the Art Gallery of NSW, including large numbers of tourists, yet the gallery faces significant government cuts and job losses. This seems like crazy logic until commonsense kicks in. Peter Farmer, Northbridge

Staff protest outside the Art Gallery of NSW, following the announcement of 51 job cuts.Credit: Steven Siewert

In response to suggestions that London’s theatres be closed during the Blitz, Winston Churchill is said to have responded: “Then what are we fighting for?” Similar rhetoric could be levelled at the Minns government as the Art Gallery of NSW struggles to make ends meet, torn between celebrating our culture and keeping its treasures accessible. Funding for the gallery, museums and similar institutions in Sydney and the regional arts scene should not be divvied up from some subjective and intransigent budgetary number. Such a Peter-robbing-Paul approach will always weaken what must be the essential centrality of the arts to our society. It should not be considered a peripheral inconvenience – evidently that is the philosophy the gallery is struggling against.
Arts Minister John Graham needs to fight more vigorously for the sector. One wonders how the parliament in Macquarie Street might cope with the prospect of losing a tenth of its support staff. Bradley Wynne, Croydon

Blow the whistles

Richard Boyle Credit: Joe Armao

It was a huge relief to read Richard Boyle has been spared jail with a $500 good behaviour bond (“Whistleblower avoids prison and conviction”, August 29).
Instead of being applauded for exposing unconscionable debt collection practices by the ATO, he was charged with disclosing protected information and faced 160 years in jail. Seven years of legal action followed, no doubt causing enormous financial and emotional stress. If we care about a well-functioning democracy, we need whistleblowers. They perform a vital role, highlighting problems that need fixing. This case highlights the dire need for an independent whistleblower protection authority. Anne Matheson, Gordon

We’re all immigrants. Your point?

The organisers of the protest march seem to forget their own heritage (“White Australians and neo-Nazis: Who’s behind anti-immigration rally”, smh.com.au, August 29). As their families were originally immigrants themselves, I wonder if it ever occurs to them that the actual “Australian heritage” they describe is Aboriginal, not “European white”. The organisers are immigrants and need to read some history before taking to the streets to object to people doing exactly what their families did. Judy Hungerford, Kew (Vic)

Tony Burke says, “there is no place in our country for people who seek to divide and undermine our social cohesion”, selectively applied to March for Australia.
Some might argue this is biased, regardless of what people protest about, in a democracy claiming to support free speech. Reports seeking to link a march, approved by NSW Police, with “neo-Nazis” must provide evidence for this, or apply the same assumptions about malignant drivers of any march in a complex population.
It might be argued that we have enclaves of complex differences in our society now, with the latent potential for unrest, division and conflict. However, the issue that potentially breeds protests deemed unacceptable on immigration is the sustained refusal by our polity to have a conversation with all the Australian people about our rapid, significant population growth. The refusal of politicians to admit to the link between this and the demand side of our housing crisis, homelessness, generational inequity, inadequate infrastructure and services is unrepresentative and contemptuous. This is entirely unrelated to race or culture. Robyn Dalziell, Kellyville

If the anti-immigration movement is trying to protect “Australian heritage”, they should be focused on Indigenous Australians. This “new” movement seems to be a throwback to the White Australia Policy of years ago. What is it about a skin tone that is not pearly-white that scares them? Most Australians come from immigrant origins and will proudly tell you which country their grandparents came from, but deny they are from “immigrant” stock. Double standards? Of course. Marjie Williamson, Blaxland

What this parade needs is a good floatCredit: Scott Barbour

In my day, when there was a march we decorated a float as part of the participation. I can’t wait to see what Advance Australia, the neo-Nazis, sovereign citizens, Sky News After Dark opinion broadcasters, and all those who want a return to “white Australia”, come up with as they protest around the country. However, I think the participation rate could be small, as it takes a lot to get some of them out of their bedrooms/cellars and off their computers and into the light. Wendy Atkins, Cooks Hill

Katter’s callout

Bob Katter would seek to deny migrants from finding a home here in Australia and building a life all the while becoming enraged when the suggestion was put to him that he is a product of a migrant background (‴⁣⁣Gloves are off’: Katter rips into Nine reporter”, August 29). All Australians are the product of migration. Even our Indigenous people migrated here across a land bridge. To curb future migration is hypocrisy in the extreme that ignores the foundation that this nation was built on. Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Hill

Bob Katter: when is an immigrant not an immigrant?Credit: Nine News

In my neck of the woods we call people who make outbursts similar to Bob Katter’s, if you excuse my language, “dickheads”. Con Vaitsas, Makronisos (Greece)

Bob Katter claimed his family had been in Australia “since the dawn of time” and cites 140 years. That’s 0.23 per cent of the amount of time Indigenous people have been here. Keith Binns, Goulburn

In my former career as a teacher, I operated under the understanding that any unprofessional behaviour would see me suspended and probably sacked. How does Katter get to publicly threaten to punch another person and seemingly only get an “Oh well, that’s Bob” response and keep his job? Phil Armour, Yass

What plane are they on?

I think it’s an innate sense of loyalty together with the solid record of airline safety that keeps me climbing onto the more expensive ageing Qantas fleet for international travel (“Lucky for Qantas, we love travel more than we hate them”, August 29).
This despite the ongoing, fairly confronting media coverage of its questionable business practices. In return, I don’t, however, get any indication that Qantas treats my loyalty with much respect. Elizabeth Kroon, Randwick

All the right (slow) movies

Maybe Cherie Gilmour needs to go way back for films (“Enough fast and furious: Children need slow movies”, August 29). We showed our granddaughters (seven and 10) the classic Howard Hawks Bringing up Baby. At first, we had complaints because it was black and white. Within three minutes they loved it, laughed uproariously, adored the rapid fire language, loved Baby the leopard, and “Best film ever, Nanna”. Look back for inspiration. Corinne Johnston, Gymea Bay

Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant in Bringing Up Baby

It is not only children who need slower, more thoughtful film viewing opportunities.
Our local U3A film group tries to look for the unique and interesting in film, and often has to look into the past, overseas or wait for timely film festivals. These “slow” films can offer some respite from the Marvel-related or CGI-engorged. However, most cinemas pander to the adolescent and fail to program for a wider audience. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer

(Nor)way to go!

Your correspondent (Letters, August 29) describes some of the ways in which Norwegians take year-long advantage of the seasons, including winter. But she fails to mention the disadvantage that many residents of Sydney have to overcome to enjoy our winters: the ice box known as the Californian bungalow. John Bailey, Canterbury

Further to your correspondent’s comments on the outdoorsy, healthy lifestyle of the Norwegians, where she “was never cold”, let me add how much they walk. Outside in the snow. When we met primary school children on a walk in the mountains outside Bergen, they told us they had walked two miles, which sounded reasonable. Until we learnt they meant two “Norwegian miles”, which equates to 20 kilometres. Not bad for school sport. Josie McSkimming, Coogee

POSTSCRIPT

This week started and ended with Sydney’s favourite subject: real estate. First it was Woollahra and the old/new railway station and many new flats. Of course, letter writers immediately started adding things up. “10,000 new homes? Who is the premier trying to kid?” On one hand, the recent permission for a block of 80 studio units to be demolished and replaced by a block of 34 bigger units was roundly mocked. On the other, calculations for “1900 homes” showed that it would need 16 new blocks, each 12 stories high – and where would they be built, Mr Minns?
The next subject to stiffen the sinews and summon up the blood of writers was George Brandis calling Anthony Albanese “a weak and diplomatically clueless prime minister” about America. A great whoosh of emails arrived defending the prime minister and supporting his apparent indifference to Donald Trump and his tanties.
Then it was back, again, to Israel and the deadly bombing of another Gaza hospital. This moved on to whether Albanese was right to expel the Iranian ambassador after evidence was uncovered that Iran was orchestrating many of the recent antisemitic attacks in Australia. Many writers demanded an Iranian apology as well for giving the world the impression that Australians are antisemitic.
Intergenerational inequality brought a lot of discussion, but, unfortunately, no real answers. Cathy Wilcox’s cartoon summed up the problems for most people.
Supermarkets got another of their regular thrashings, lambasted for not having enough staff to work the check-outs and far too many security machines, although there were some dissenters who actually like self-service shopping. Could a return to more staff in stores slow down the rates of shop theft? Opinions differ.
Then came more real estate. Premier Chris Minns was attacked again, still on the subject of over-stuffing existing suburbs near the city. Letter writers are adamant that not everyone wants to or needs to live within cooee of the harbour. Finally, grey-haired writers strongly objected to being considered nuisances who should just tidy themselves out of the way of young people in older suburbs.

Credit: Cathy Wilcox

Harriet Veitch is acting letters editor

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