The DCP requires that "effects on heritage items be minimised and complement existing structures" and "New structures are to be located so they do not impact the setting of the heritage item". The 2012 Bellingen Heritage study noted, "The current list of heritage items in the town centre does not include a number of buildings that are significant and contribute to the heritage significance". Further, that council increases the use of the Heritage Advisory Service and prepares a Main Street Study for Dorrigo.

It appears a Heritage Impact Statement has not been sought. The 'Water Cloud' sculpture in its proposed installation site will visually detract from a range of heritage buildings and structures in the streetscape that, as yet, have not been compromised by modern infrastructure and characterless concrete facades.

The philanthropist's gesture is generous but he and the Creative Roads consultant have an obvious pro bias and outcomes have been tightly controlled by limiting consultation to those with a vested interest, select councilors/artists and staff of council. A transparent consultation phase should not include councillors or council staff. This tactic has unfairly severed the right of local residents without a pecuniary interest to have a say.

The table 'Concept Development' in the 2014 Public Art Plan stipulates that only local artists should be engaged for a Dorrigo sculpture. In that case why is the sculpture being manufactured in Western Australia? How does an aluminium spaceship-like sculpture with programmed lighting "visually communicate the commemorative stories of the Shire"? How does it "contribute to social sustainability and town activation"? How can the sculpture not impair views of Dorrigo's heritage buildings when it is "suspended across the main street to provide a dramatic element and high visibility from multiple vantage points as it would be above streetlights"? Why, when the sculpture is to attract tourists is their opinion considered unimportant?

It appears there is a designed 'nod/wink' strategy to rush council's formal consultation phase through during the Christmas break. Community consultation has been further stymied by the council's tricky 'Create' portal that hasn't been processing comments reliably and discounts the views of many locals that don't use computers.

Once installed, it will have a negative visual impact on Dorrigo's heritage streetscape. A better site for the proposed sculpture would be nearby Bielsdown Park in Hickory Street where impact on heritage streetscape values is minimised, ideal RV parking is available and in a location conducive to art appreciation/photography.

This is an important moment for Dorrigo and will likely set a precedent. Given the issues occurring presently with digital submissions via the council's 'Create' portal, I urge the community to make a hand-delivered submission or email comments to APattinson@bellingen.nsw.gov.au before January 8 to ensure your views are received.

Glen Little, Dorrigo

We truly appreciate everything you have done for us after the loss of our beautiful Coup. From the bottom of our broken hearts we thank you for your support during this very sad and difficult time. You have made an awful time in our lives more bearable with the love, kindness and understanding that you have shown us.

What an amazing community and family we have and how lucky we are. How quickly and selflessly you have stepped up and shown such love and compassion with thoughts, prayers and deeds. We are so grateful for all the love you have shown us by bringing endless food, Go Fund Me donations, practical and legal help, phone calls, messages, cards, flowers and drying our tears.

Coup would have been overwhelmed by the numbers that came to his farewell celebration to say goodbye on his final journey. He would have loved seeing all those familiar faces from far and wide. For someone who suffered from social anxiety his whole life, he certainly had made a lot of special friends along the way. Coup often spoke of you all and how you had touched his heart in one way or another, he had such love for you all.

This grief is still very raw and very real, we wish he was still here with us. We hope you to remember the good times and Coup at his best, showing his love and compassion to you.

We ask that if anyone of you have been affected by Coup's death please seek help and reach out to those around you. Life is good, there is light, there are good kind people around us. We appreciate what wonderful friends and family we have in you all. Thank you.

Deb, Momo and Roan, Bellingen

December saw the loss of two outstanding women from our community.

Pia Dollmann from the Landcare movement has for a long time inspired many of us to look after the land as custodians and enhance the natural environment where necessary. Pia's book Weeds of the North Coast of NSW has become an important part in eliminating introduced weed species in our region.

Julie Woodroffe's work for Catchment Management in general and her work in instigating the restoration of the riparian part of the Never Never River has had a major impact on the health of this vital waterway.

Both these women have been active in the environmental movement. Not in front of the bulldozers and chainsaws, but through their common sense advocacy to the people in the system and has lead to many vital changes on the ground.

To Peter and James, I feel sad for your personal loss. For the world, we will find it hard to replace these outstanding women.

Leif Nielsen Lemke, Thora

Melinda #NotMyRepresentative Pavey mischaracterises her constituents' concerns in one glib sentence, claiming "The people in my community at the moment are not interested in a climate debate" ('Fire-ravaged towns want sensible, practical talk', SMH, 14 December 2019).

The conversations we have been having with young and old these past weeks and months across towns in her electorate are about the anger and abandonment we feel at the hands of state and federal LNP, and lack of policy and will to address our accelerating climate emergency.

The NSW government has engaged in unprecedented (yes, that word again) clearing of our rain-producing forests for years. Right now, even as fires rage up to our doorsteps, Melinda Pavey is backing Forestry's continued loss-leading removal of old-growth trees from our precious native wet sclerophyll forests, despite vigorous community protest.

Together with the derelict lack of federal LNP policy to transition our nation away from its reliance on coal and fossil fuel barons and their undue influence on our political democracy, these acts of forest degradation are contributing to our towns' water crises and fire threats.

What is absolutely needed right now is sensible and practical discussion and the political will and action to implement the solutions that are already at hand. What we don't need is our so-called leaders shutting us down, mischaracterising our needs and wilfully misleading the media and public. You do not speak for us.

Melissa Murano, Lynda Lane, Lisa Siegel, Steve Coates, Deb Hatley & Suzanne Douglas, Bellingen

This morning, having coffee in town, the only available reading matter was the Daily Telegraph, 24/12/2019. On page 39, I read a short article by Terry McCrann titled 'If only climate hysterics did a Scott', which has shocked and depressed me and prompted this letter.

The gist of the article endorses Morrison's evasion of the climate change catastrophe that now threatens our planet by twisting it into a claim for level-headed wisdom in the face of "climate-obsessed ... very, very stupid 'elitists'" such as the ABC, The Guardian and "mixed assorted journalists". In a cheap verbal play, he draws on Rudyard Kipling's rather imperial 'If', exemplifyng Morrison as the calm, dignified "wise man" riding out this unruly fanaticism, in contrast with Rudd ("not Rudd 'hard yards' as in boy-PM Kevin" but Rudyard, in a total reversal of the reality we really face at this tipping point in human history.

As if this were not low enough, he then argues that "if" bushfires are caused by climate change, then there's nothing we can do about it and we have no right to expect our PM "do something" .

What concerns me most is that this twisted tripe is the 'truth' so many readers and viewers of News Corp media swallow, which gives the current government a 'free pass' from responsibility to acknowledge and act on our climate crisis. This is what we need to tackle most, and SOON. Why is it that, at a time of greatest need and urgency, we end up with such corrupt and dishonest leadership. It's already apparent that these dangerous times are exposing and polarising the differences between our elected ('democratic'?) leaders and we, the people. We must not give up and become cynical.

Suzanne Ferris, Bellingen

Ms Pavey, what on earth is your government thinking! A 50 per cent cut to Urunga Fire & Rescue crew? Did anyone run this past you before it was decided? Honestly, I feel like Alice watching proceedings at the Mad Hatter's tea party. I believe more cuts are planned, this is insane. Is there any point trying to reason with you people? For God's sake fix it

Deb Borodin, Kalang