Saturday, June 23, 2007

Surprise, surprise. Read all about it

Kulim, the town where I come from, is to have LRT system and airport by 2020.

Kulim is poised to be a Smart City by 2020 complete with a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system and a regional airport.
The proposals for such mega projects are included in the Kulim Local Plan draft dubbed Kulim 2020, drawn up by the Town and Country Planning Department.
The proposed LRT system from Bertam in North Seberang Prai to Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kedah through Padang Serai will complement the development of Penang's integrated transport network, said development planning unit 1 project manager Mohd Sharif Che Din.
A regional airport for light and medium aircraft has been proposed in Padang Meha, he said.
“The proposed airport will not create air traffic conflict because it is located 50km away from the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas and 100km away from the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Alor Star.
“It will cater for private jets, community airline services such as Malaysia Airlines' FireFly and medium-sized cargo planes,” he said.
Other proposed mega projects to boost development in Kulim include the Central Spine Highway, South Kedah Highway (LEKAS), a spacious 112.22ha container depot in Padang Meha and an extended railway system linking Penang to Kulim.
The Central Spine Highway is part of the Kedah Structure Plan to construct an alternative central highway stretching from Jitra in the north to Bandar Baru in the south.
LEKAS will link the eastern part of Kulim to Selama in Perak through Mahang and Baling.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Winter solstice

To-day is the last day before the sun starts its journey southward towards the Tropic of Capricorn. It is marked by what is called the winter solstice ( or Summer solstice in the case of the northern hemisphere. This is the time of the year when you can view the sun at midnight if you happen to be on the Acrtic circle). It is the shortest day of the year here in Australia ( not just in Australia but also all the countries south of the tropic of capricorn)
The days will start to get longer although it will not be very perceptible for the first few days. The good news is it will sooner or later get warmer -- what a pleasant thought. The fear is it will get warmer than usual due to global warming as we experienced last year. Whether we have left the steps taken to combat global warming too long remains to be seen.
Have a happy winter solstice day, whatever you have planned to do.

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Global warming is the question.

The winter cold is beginning to bite but not too severely. It is now June.
Legend has it that the cold spell usually sets in a day or two after Anzac Day but, of late, the weather has remained quite warm. The cold spell is just setting in and it is already the second day of winter ( June 2nd). The days have been warm and the nights cool with a few exceptions when the temperature dropped to -1.
The plants are showing signs of uncertainty. I think they are misreading the signs too. Usually May remains the most beautiful months for Canberra when the leaves of deciduous trees turn yellow and red but this year, being very dry, the trees are completely bare of leaves. Some of the diosama shrubs are actually flowering when it should only happen in Spring. The rose shrubs are shooting new leaves as if to welcome the warm spring-like weather. The only Canadian maple in the back yard is showing young buds but they appear to be holding back because of the cold nights of late. There seems to be a general state of confusion. The roses are blooming gloriously when they should be going into hibernation.
I will be watching the birds and smaller insects to see if they have detected any change in the cyclic nature of the climate. Please report to me if you have noticed anything unusual.
Will keep you informed.