Jeanette Keough, Bellingen

On the surface, the style and position of a contemporary sculpture doesn't seem like an overly controversial issue. There are two main aspects of disagreement. The first is that the design and scale of the proposed structure and the aluminium ring shape are controversial to locals and tourists alike who feel it clashes with the quiet ambience of the historical streetscape. Those promoting the sculpture frequently reject any opposing comments as made by those lacking artistic understanding and taste, arguing it somehow complements the heritage rich streetscape.

The second area of contention is not so debatable although the pro Hickory Street CBD lobby continues to deny the CBD actually has heritage-listed buildings when significant 110-year-old buildings are directly adjacent to the site within 10m. They argue, if street trees can partly obscure heritage assets, then contemporary suspended aluminium sculptures should be acceptable. The monument is designed to dominate and will dwarf the cenotaph and town clock. The sculpture will be seen from hundreds of metres away and will visually detract views and the fabric of these important NSW heritage-listed structures.

Council targeted local businesses and residents at the northern end of Hickory Street for feedback when we really needed council to facilitate transparent consultation with the whole community. As images and information spread many locals felt increasingly marginalised from the consultation process. Council's touted 'Create' portal limited comments to only 255 characters (about two sentences) effectively shutting down meaningful dialogue leaving no opportunity to question council decisions or policies. The Arts Council of Dorrigo in an email campaign declared an extension to consultation had been approved by council after an overwhelming number (over 850) of locals and visitors alike rejected the proposed Water Cloud Sculpture through letters and petitions. BSC failed to advise all stakeholders and didn't update the 'Create' web portal. In in all fairness submissions received after the originally advertised consultation date must be disregarded.

The design is to "provide a strong visual attraction/marker for pedestrians and motor vehicles". A consequence of increased visual distraction will be the likelihood of accidents as motorists take their eyes off the activity occurring at street level. Pedestrians attempting to photograph the sculpture may inadvertently trip on the roadside gutter. If the sculpture was installed in nearby Bielsdown Park this safety issue could be totally avoided.

The concept fails to visually represent the design in BSC Public Art Plan brief of connection with the significant Indigenous dreamtime story (Old Man Dreaming/ McGrath's Hump), waterfall/nature-based themes, frontier town and rail connectivity. Although the current design is claimed as only a draft concept the key artist from WA and his proposed 'Water Cloud' have already been chosen.

The heavily weighted pro Hickory Street sculpture steering committee comprising the mayor, councilors, council staff, Arts Council of Dorrigo, Chamber of Commerce and proponent have not reconciled to the Bellingen Shire Council Heritage Strategy 2017-2020 to inform, engage and involve key stakeholders groups e.g. local historical society, property owners of heritage items and family history groups. Council is obligated to proactively conserve and manage its heritage assets.

Glen Little, Dorrigo

Since the 1939 Black Friday fires there has been 57 formal reviews, inquiries and Royal Commissions. "Instead of wasting time and resources on inquiry 58 we should commit to fully implementing the recommendations of all the previous investigations," Kevin Tolhurst wrote in The Conversation.

The National Bushfire Management Policy Statement for Forests and Rangelands, signed off by all COAG members in 2012 identified 14 national goals, including the development of an efficient and effective fire and land management program. There has been little or no action taken in implementing this policy. Why?

Why have our elected representatives failed to mitigate for the effects of climate change?

The length, extent and intensity of the current bushfires is unprecedented but "these changes were anticipated based on basic physics of the climate system". The first Australian study to link rising temperatures and humidity changes caused by climate change to an increase in the severity and length of fire seasons was published by Dr Tom Beer in 1988.

Has scientific evidence been deliberately ignored because of lobbyists? The revolving door between politicians and the fossil fuel industry has undoubtedly stalled effective action on reducing carbon emissions.

Lives lost, towns and communities decimated, millions of hectares burnt, entire natural ecosystems destroyed. The cost of climate inaction is incalculable and indefensible. Yet the terms of reference of this inquiry appear to focus on one aspect of the current crisis: vegetation and land management policy. What an abrogation of responsibility by those elected to protect all Australians and our environment.

Jenny Dawson, Dorrigo

Federal Nationals MP Pat Conaghan's letter (Courier-Sun, Jan 15) gave an insight into global warming denial. The first trick deniers use is to delete the substance, hence no phrases such as 'global warming', 'greenhouse effect' or Greta Thunberg's, "we are in the beginning of mass extinctions". Unlike Mr Conaghan, Greta states the science. There is nothing definitive in MP Conaghan's letter. He has a vague 'changing climate' which then diverges to "vegetative and land management policies and their effect on the intensity and frequency of bushfires". Deciphered, reframe the conversation to denial.

Most Nationals parliamentarians share the flat earth view of science, they sit on the wrong side of history. Their one time leader Barnaby Joyce held a lump of coal in Parliament - a bushfire in his hand. No amount of perverse alchemy turns carbon to gold. MP Conaghan, in his pre-election handout last May, made no mention of global warming. By far the most important question of our time, he avoided the matter. MP Kelly aired his thoughts on British television. Unwise because the Brits are well advanced on carbon abatement. Kelly copped a bucketing and the British got a look at denialism Aussie style. The perversity of the cane toad illuminati laid bare for the world to see. What an embarrassment.

Warren Tindall, Bellingen

It came as no surprise when the prime minister on ABC Radio revealed that half his cabinet didn't know who was the Minister for the Environment in the NSW government. A quick phone survey amongst the National Party members of Parliament revealed that 45 per cent had no knowledge of the natural environment at all.

Of course that doesn't matter to them if the only agenda is 'what's in it for me'. All they need to do is to throw a bit of taxpayers' money about at election time and the poor country bumpkin will vote for the Nationals again. What matters for the rest of us is the total inactivity by these people in dealing with man-made climate change and the consequences to the natural world and future generations.

Leif Nielsen Lemke, Thora

Poor attendance at the DPC Inc Annual General Meeting on December 11 and lack of demand and interest in its role led the committee to suspend operations with immediate effect. Future community support projects should be directed to the Dorrigo Chamber of Commerce and the Arts Council of the Dorrigo.

DPC Inc's role as a legal entity provided insurance cover for small groups to operate. It also applied for and managed government funding for community projects and services for all unincorporated groups in Dorrigo.