In a car, the reception is Cooma, but intermittent in the surrounding regions.

When can we expect an upgrade to the 21st century in our ABC 1602 AM radio reception? Especially in times of emergency broadcast situations which the ABC has the sole responsibility to broadcast.

Brian Curzon, Cooma rural resident   

Decades ago wind turbines, an alternative, renewable, power source, became common-place. There were many varied objections to their construction, including from (then) PM Abbott described them as "visually awful". Still objectors, predominately those deriving no fiscal benefit from their placement(!), pointed to negative effects from "infrasound". Design modification significantly reduced noise, while NH&MRC studies, albeit advising further research, did not observe untoward health effects.

By contrast airplane engines obligatorily create noise, lots of it. People who live near airports, or under flight paths, do so with the resignation that air travel - despite negatives of security hassles, land appropriation, noise, traffic congestion, parking difficulties, kerosene fumes - is a quintessential ingredient of a developed society. The "community consultation...forecasts" would doubtless have emphasised the airport's intent to deliver "world leading best practice aircraft noise abatement" (Chronicle/QA, September 27, p5). However, airport and political spin-doctors did not - if they were aware of the possibility - alert residents Singapore Airlines, despite having the necessary equipment to do otherwise, would use the "centre line approach". This is unacceptable, even if, as claimed, "only a minority of people were affected". Research irrefutably demonstrates noise has many and varied negative health consequences.   

Airport access is a federally approved privilege, not a right. It might be reasonable to conjecture if reciprocal landing rights were granted Australian access to Singapore, would there be requirements that strict curfew and routing rules be adhered to?

Albert M. White, Queanbeyan

A recent Guide Dogs NSW/ACT survey has revealed one in two people waited more than two years between diagnosis and seeking the help they needed to maintain their mobility and independence. A staggering 26 per cent waited more than 10 years before asking for assistance.

Although we understand there are many reasons why people wait, such as not realising their vision is limiting their mobility, relying on family members to get around and concerns about the stigma of vision loss, it is important that help is sought to reduce the risk of trips, falls, isolation and depression. Vision loss poses substantial challenges to healthy ageing and is associated with double the risk of falls, three times the risk of developing depression, four to eight times more likely to have a fracture and admission three years earlier to nursing homes.

As we launch our new campaign, Don’t Delay, Seek Help Today on October 15, I ask readers to consider if they, or a friend or family member is experiencing issues with vision loss and let them know assistance is available at no cost, no matter where they live. 

Dr Graeme White, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT CEO