Tourists are OK
Public advocates of worthwhile issues deserve attention and respect. Lorraine Droga (BMG 27.4.2016) certainly fits the bill in regard to the bus set down and parking problems in Leura. I must, respectfully, point out to Lorraine that the bearing of Leura involves tourism and her derogatory undertones towards tourists is not shared by all. Lorraine, have you ever been in, say, Darwin or London, enjoying the landscape and history and suddenly nature calls? In your own language, where do you go to pee? Throw in a dab of anti-corporatism by jagging Woolworths, and there you go, Lorraine has just about hit the proverbial side of the barn. The core issue, buses, deserves a bullseye through focus and energy.
Brian Jones, Leura.
Widespread benefit
Lorraine Droga expressed her view about the number of tourists visiting Leura. She asked "is it of any great financial benefit to anyone in the village other than Woolworths?". I suggest she ask this question to the owners of all of the cafes, restaurants and shops in Leura and I think the overwhelming response would be yes. Without the tourists visiting, these businesses would be closed within weeks and hundreds of people out of work.
Damien Booth, Wentworth Falls.
Bus blues
Top marks to Lorraine Droga for her timely and extremely relevant letter in the Gazette (BMG 27.4.16). Her frustration regarding the adverse impact of tourist coaches and mini buses on Leura is shared. If there was a satisfactory solution to the problem I'm sure it would have been adopted by now.
I do not hold my breath on the consultation sessions scheduled for May 4 since the 10 proposals generally just do not work.
I don't believe it is up to the tourist bus companies to come up with a solution nor is it the responsibility of the coach drivers to welcome layover or parking solutions. Accommodating heavy duty vehicles and mini buses in residential areas is not an easy task but nevertheless cannot be ignored and should not be permitted.
Certainly this scenario cannot be sustained in accordance with Mrs Droga's vision or the vision of 'residents in revolt'. It is not an easy task for anyone to solve, including council.
In the remaining weeks to come it is hoped that the community will take the challenge and present as many viable solutions as possible no matter how unlikely they might be. There is always a solution to an insurmountable problem!
Watch out for similar problems, different issues, with Leura's Railway Station which is now under threat at the same time as the tourist buses.
Ian McMillan, Leura.
Crappy situation
To the dog who crapped outside my house on Tuesday morning - would you mind next time either waiting until you get home to defecate or reminding your owner to bring a bag big enough to clean up after you? A green big bin liner should suffice. Thank you.
