Just looking at two countries:

In England I was made aware of how government incentives of £4940 had made solar panels a solid investment. 

The UK wants to have 10 million homes with solar panels before 2020 so that the government can fulfil its renewable energy targets. In order to hit these targets, the  government is giving homeowners huge savings on their energy bills and tax-free cash earnings.

In Austria, you see so many homes with solar panels and now they have non-dam hydropower as a trial solution for the future.

According to Patrick McCully writing on the International Rivers website: "One of the most exciting innovations in hydropower doesn’t use dams. Instead, ‘hydrokinetic’ turbines capture energy from the flow of water in rivers, estuaries and ocean currents. Hydrokinetic turbines look just like underwater wind turbines built on the riverbed or hanging upside down from barges anchored in the river.

“Non-dam hydropower could have a lower impact than dam-based hydropower and other conventional generation technologies, with no significant engineering challenges to install or operate the turbines in rivers.”

The Nepean could certainly use these generators. Alternatively, when surrounded by ocean, where is wave power going?

Well, of course. We all know. No tax for our government from renewables. 

WE would like to thank everyone who attended the fire on the Edith Road on February 17.

These include Oberon Council's works manager Scott Rowlandson, grader operator Tony Curry and Steve Wilson in the water tanker, who saved the day.

Also, we would like to thank Oberon and Bathurst fire brigades, the Rural Fire Service from Oberon and Bathurst and Fire and Rescue, who protected the house.

We thank all the people who gave assistance to contain the fire. We are really grateful and appreciate the prompt and efficient response that was given to us to control the fire.

THANK you for the editorial on the matter of the online edition of Autumn Colours (“Embrace the future but don’t forget the past”, March 1).

Council's decision here seems to have been one of those that sound fine in theory but don't meet the mark in practice. Happens in government (and life) constantly.

An online source of information is valuable and should have come as well as, not instead of, the printed version. Those visitors who seek information online can then have the opportunity to pick up a copy of the booklet when they are here.

You mention the elderly as being wary of technology. In many cases it might also be a lack of access to a computer, or simple preference for the printed page.

The fact that the choice is available should be the critical point.

One final point on the matter of the council election for mayor. There is an unforgivable imbalance within council, which has every appearance of being overwhelmingly a boys' club.

I am aware that Councillor Monica Morse would like to see more women on the council, something which is becoming increasingly important in this growing city.

Meanwhile, the little cliques jostling for position has a sense of "It should be my turn on the bike now".

Hopefully, there will be some fresh faces in September.