Red tape thwarts quick fix
WHEN I was informed by Bigpond that my internet connection would be moved from the ADSL 2 system, I thought it would improve on the good service that I had from ADSL.
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However, for a fortnight after connection I was not able to connect to the internet, which I regularly use for several purposes.
Over the fortnight I contacted various people at Telstra and Bigpond and was given a range of advice including ‘it’s an outage outside of your premises’ and ‘technicians are working on it now and it will be fixed by tomorrow night’. When this did not happen, the time estimate was increased by days.
Later, when I indicated my frustration and disbelief, I was referred to a higher level of advice and told that the problem might be my modem. Finally they agreed to have their local technicians visit and investigate. Within a few minutes the technician ascertained that the landline and modem were fine.
The problem was caused by the incoming line having to pass through a surge protector, which was fine for ADSL but not for NBN. I have two comments to make.
Firstly, Bigpond surely must know this. Why don’t they advise users about the problem? Secondly, why can’t we have access to a local operator? In the two major problems that I have had with Telstra and Bigpond their local technicians fixed the problem in 10 minutes or so after I had been given the run around higher up in the organisation.
RUSSELL GREEN
Horsham
Remain vigilant
WITH spring growth flourishing across the region, GWMWater has taken the opportunity to remind property owners to remain vigilant about water infrastructure around their boundaries.
The high growth along fence lines is obscuring the air valves and pipeline pots that are an integral part of the pipeline system and farmers are in danger of damaging them when ripping, slashing or spraying.
Landholders are urged to be aware of this infrastructure when maintaining their boundaries ahead of the summer fire season. We ask farmers and property owners throughout the region to be careful when clearing growth so that they will not damage our assets or their equipment.
The location of GWMWater infrastructure around property boundaries can be viewed on our website www.gwmwater.org.au/map
Property owners are reminded that reimbursement of costs may be sought for damage to GWMWater assets.
Landholders who have any queries are encouraged to contact GWMWater on 1300 659 961 during business hours.
MARK WILLIAMS
Managing Director, GWMWater
Work with motorists
IF we keep going on the current trend, there will be 30 more Victorians killed on our roads before Christmas.
After decades of reductions in road trauma, Victoria is set to record the highest number of fatalities in three years and regional areas are suffering the most.
I fear we have become accepting of road trauma as a price we have to pay for a modern transport system but I refuse to believe that 300 people have to die each year on Victorian roads. For those of us who live outside the city, it is alarming that you are more likely to be killed or injured on regional roads than anywhere else.
Road safety needs to become more of a partnership between governments, police and the community. Each of us has a role to play as we push towards safer drivers, in safer cars on safer roads. As individuals, it is time for us all to take responsibility for our own safety on the roads and the safety of our passengers and other road users.
No more excuses for speeding, drink driving or checking text messages – we owe it to each other to adopt a safety culture every time we get behind the wheel.
It is also time for governments to work with motorists rather than blame them.
It is time for record spending on better roads and it is time for police to stop hiding behind trees and have an increased visual presence across the state.
I fully support enforcement measures to detect offenders but a hidden speed camera has no influence on drivers’ behaviour until they receive a fine in the mail a couple of weeks later. A marked police car in a high profile location has an immediate impact and serves as a reminder to slow down and obey the road laws at all times.
This week, the federal government announced a $345 million rural and regional roads package which will be matched by the state government. It comes on top of existing funding commitments for highway duplications, road blackspots, safety treatments and heavy vehicle rest areas. It is a major commitment to building better and safer roads because we understand the link between a safe road environment and reductions in fatalities and serious injuries.
We know that sober, drug free drivers who are not speeding will still make mistakes and we need to work with all levels of government to provide roads which offer more protection, particularly in regional areas.
The need for ‘protection’ extends to the vehicles we drive. There is a reason why the Coalition government supports the Australasian New Car Assessment Program to crash cars and provide transparent information on the results. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program star ratings are an independent guide to assist car buyers – you owe it to yourself and your family to buy the safest car you can afford. It may save your life or the lives of the people you love.
Road safety is not the government’s problem and it is not a problem for the police to solve. The best Christmas present you can give is to get home safely.
DARREN CHESTER
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport