The draft plan has now been released, and I hope the public will take up the opportunity to comment on the ideas.

Reading the story gives a strong impression that the CBD and environs will undergo a major transformation that will, not the least, impact on traffic and pedestrian flows as we now know it.

No one can deny the CBD suffers from traffic congestion and a lack of convenient parking, particularly in the area of the major shopping complexes.

The compacting of the major centres was something the council of the day had to grapple with.

It was faced with the dilemma of keeping things central or allowing development some distance away that might harm the CBD.

That development centred on a site close to where Bunnings now stands. Protecting the ribbon development of the main street “golden mile” was paramount to the decisions made.

The former won out and here we are today.

And, while council is looking at the future plans, it could do worse that explore a site close to the CBD for tourist coach comfort stops. Compared to other towns and cities we are sorely lacking in this regard.

I would like to publicly thank the manager of Rover Buses, Ashley, for going above and beyond his duty on Thursday, May 11.

My wife has had to show our autistic son how to catch a bus home from school and she drove to Cessnock High to meet our boy at school's end and catch the bus with him, but she missed it.

My wife and my son walked to the bus depot and inquired about the next bus to Ellalong. They missed it by five minutes.

At this time my wife was quiet upset, knowing this could trigger my son to become very anxious. So Ashley proceeded to get the courtesy bus and personally drive them home.

It’s deeds like this that I think need to be recognised, I am extremely thankful.

And then on Friday afternoon Ashley came to the school to make sure my wife and my son caught the right bus.

This type of service is exceptional, again, thank you.

Recently there has been a lot of press regarding the new Hunter hospital, which only shows the people making the noise have got no idea as to the original concept.

So let me enlighten you; it was to take the pressure off the John Hunter.

Metford should not even come into the equation.

The most appropriate site that suits the criteria is the Branxton-Greta off-ramp; ample room for a hospital and within 200 metres from the freeway.

There would be no restriction on for the rescue helicopter, there is an adjacent area for helicopter stand-by if so required.

There is no need to build alternative off-ramps, saving millions of not-needed expenses.

There are a lot more reasons. Let us progress in a positive nature and not continue chasing.