Residents of Newcastle and the Hunter region have raised a spectrum of pressing issues in letters to the editor, spanning from local food affordability to international diplomacy. The correspondence, published in early January 2026, highlights community concerns and personal experiences that paint a picture of the current local and global landscape.
Population Growth Strains Food Production and Water
One reader from Whitebridge, Don Owers, has expressed concern that government planning is overlooking a critical consequence of population growth and climate change: food security. While welcoming the recognition that these forces necessitate a new desalination plant for the Central Coast, Owers argues that the same logic applies to food supplies.
He points out that Australia's population has grown by 45 per cent since the year 2000, while food production, particularly in the crucial horticultural sector, has been highly variable. This mismatch, exacerbated by the loss of farmland to urban sprawl, has driven up fruit and vegetable prices. Owers warns that this inflation is forcing some people to reduce their consumption of fresh produce, potentially risking their health.
Positive Experiences with Disability Access Highlighted
In contrast to the concerns over resources, several letters praised the compassionate service received by people with disabilities in the region. Fred J Saunders of Waratah West, whose wife Margaret lives with the late effects of polio, shared a largely positive history of travel using wheelchairs.
Detailing experiences on NSW trains to Sydney and Brisbane, as well as with various airlines, Saunders noted that staff at stations like Broadmeadow, Hamilton, and The Interchange were consistently helpful, ensuring ramps were available. "We are so thankful that we have been fortunate enough to strike the right people at the time we have needed them," he wrote. A similar sentiment was echoed by Denise Lindus Trummel of Newcastle, an ageing polio survivor, who appreciated John Tierney's recent article on respect for people with disabilities.
Global Political Shifts Draw Local Scrutiny and Satire
The foreign policy approach of the Trump Administration has also sparked commentary from Novocastrians. Charlie Crispin of New Lambton Heights drew a stark comparison between the post-World War II order his grandfather fought for and today's climate, describing a shift towards a "developer's new world order" where military force is used with the casual brutality of a property deal.
Crispin cited actions in Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, and strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities as evidence of this shift, questioning how America can credibly advocate for rules-based order in Ukraine or Taiwan after such actions. This concern was amplified by Colin Rowlatt of Newcastle, who warned, "This means he could suddenly decide he would like to possess Australia."
Meanwhile, Michael Gormly of Islington responded with satire, writing a mock request to Donald Trump: "Dear Donald, I too need Greenland. While we are at it I also need the whole suburb of Wickham, especially the pubs."
Other Letters Touch on International Conflicts
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas also prompted brief exchange. Peter Dolan of Lambton challenged another writer to name Palestinian child victims, citing the 2004 killing of 13-year-old Iman Deerweesh Al Hams. In a separate letter, Dolan also provided context for a quote about Ukraine, linking it to a historical statement by former Israeli leader Golda Meir.
The collective correspondence, submitted to letters@newcastleherald.com.au, showcases the diverse and engaged readership of the Newcastle Herald, connecting local lived experiences with national and global debates.
