RE DEADLINE LOOMS FOR NBN SWITCHOVER IN SOUTH MORANG (Weekly, March 11)
■ Any providers out there offering just a phone service? I couldn’t find anything so I had to get internet and phone for my parents who don’t have a computer.
MARC VIA ONLINE
WURUNBIK A SAFER SUBURB NAME, SAY BEVERIDGE RESIDENTS (Weekly, March 4)
■ Gwynedd Hunter-Payne [chairwoman of Wurunbik Working Group, pushing for a part of Beveridge to be renamed Wurunbik] needs to understand that communications on the weekend of Black Saturday were in disarray everywhere; so her “argument” is just a furphy. As for all emergency services going to central Beveridge, she needs to talk to the personnel involved, who will tell her that with today’s technology her claim is not accurate.
As a user of police, ambulance and fire services, I have never had a problem with them finding my address; and a neighbour has even had the Air Ambulance pick him up. So the requirement for a name change is not there.
And one other thing: although we live east of Merriang Road, and still in Beveridge (I believe Gwynedd Hunter-Payne is on the west side, “the Beveridge Central side”), we did receive text messages warning/advising us of the Mickleham fires as the warning system has been greatly improved since Black Saturday. If Gwynedd did not receive a text message, I suggest it is due to her geographical location and not her locality name.
ROCKET VIA ONLINE
TAKE ACTION ON VIOLENCE
■ Incidents of family violence have increased to alarming levels under Denis Napthine. In the past year, some local government areas have seen more than a 60 per cent rise in family violence incidents. Crime statistics also reveal an increase in breached intervention orders.
Macedon Ranges had a 62.2 per cent jump in family violence incidents, Whittlesea 14 per cent and Hume 8 per cent.
Family violence is a devastating crime and those at risk need our support. Premier Napthine has cut funding to women’s health services, community programs and family violence research. Prevention should be a priority and Dr Napthine must take action.
DANIELLE GREEN, STATE LABOR MP FOR YAN YEAN
