The argument over sunlight saving is on its way to parliament

AS THE clock ticks down to the start of this year’s daylight saving period, locals have raised concerns about a move to extend the controversial time-shifting plan by a full month from next year.
A Bill set to be passed in the NSW Parliament, which will see daylight saving start and end on the first Sundays in October and April respectively, has caused debate between the equally ardent for and against campaigners.
For people who enjoy sports and outdoor recreation and favour the extra hour of sunlight, it comes as welcome news. For those traditionally against any tinkering with the clocks, such as farmers, the extra month will rub salt into an open wound.
But on whichever side of the debate people sit, there are very real consequences stemming from shifting the big hand forward a measly hour.
St Patrick’s Primary School assistant principal Christine Calabria said this year the school had altered its breaks to allow students who have to travel in the dark a decent lunch earlier in the school day.
“We have students that travel from Rankins Springs, Binya, Yenda and Goolgowi, so we’ve shifted our lunch time from 1pm to 11.15am and we have
afternoon tea at 1.35pm, which means that it will benefit those children that travel early, because otherwise it becomes a very long day for them,” Miss Calabria said.
The NSW Farmers’ Association has taken up the cudgel for all those against the amendment, passing a policy condemning the extension at its annual conference.
“Our members have long held opposition to daylight savings, due to its effects on their families and their business,” association president Jock Laurie said.
“Members say they have trouble getting their children to bed at normal times and farmers indicate that they work longer days.”
But summer – and soon increasingly spring and autumn – is the domain of sport and many local organisations are licking their lips at the prospect of extended twilight competitions.
“We’re definitely in favour of it,” said Karren Strachan of the Griffith Touch Association.
“You can have a few more games, especially in our big mixed competition, and it means that we will able to start the competition earlier in October and end it a bit earlier in March.”