Building local benefits

Commenting on the story: Local company wins tender to build Adelaide Oval hotel

As a long term taxpayer in South Australia and a long term member of the manufacturing environment in this state, I wonder how the building of this hotel will benefit the majority of South Australians.

Of course we will hear about the economic benefit brought in through attendees of the football and cricket fraternities, which is great, but what about the investment in construction.

Is Australian-made steel, BlueScope or Liberty OneSteel going to be used, or will Built Environs source Chinese or other offshore steel and utilise construction personnel from interstate or overseas?

Is there a guaranteed level of localisation in the contract to build?

I certainly hope that the Marshall government has secured jobs for local workers and SME’s through the granting of $42m SA funds to the SMA.

I wonder what the occupancy rate is of all hotels within close proximity to the city of Adelaide and whether the decision to build was after a thorough investigation and projection into occupancy rates in the future.

Certainly our investment in the tramway extensions would be of benefit to the city hotels rather than the AOH.

I have a distinct lack of trust in large corporates and government or public service heads to make decisions which are best for the state, rather than their individual coffers or kudos.

How can we assure the integrity of the process and therefore be guaranteed of the best outcome for SA? –Greg Mills

It is with proud achievement that the Adelaide Parklands have been almost wholly handed over to private entities, and the best bit is that it is all funded by the willing taxpayer.

A win,win for everyone. – Bill Hollingsworth

Never too late

Commenting on the story: Disability rate among children in care a “travesty”

Your story was good but didn’t put enough attention on the parenting and trauma they suffer before they go into care, and then the delay they experience due to poor placements.

I have four children in permanent care and adoption – only two still at home, the others grown up – and my last and youngest was a good example of what you are talking about.

When he arrived to me at the age of three, almost four, he was all lined up for disability services for ID and developmental delay.

In three months I had him caught up to his correct level, and he no longer qualified.

He had simply had no teaching. His life was so chaotic no one had taken the time to teach him to count, recognise his colours or all that sort of thing most children get as a matter of course.

He is now 16 and despite having ongoing issues related to his difficult beginnings, is very bright.

He is an example of one who could easily have been included in those statistics. If carers were given the support they need they would all be able to do what I did.

It’s not rocket science, just time and some dedication and patience. I wasn’t going to have a smart kid labelled as ‘disabled’ for no reason!

Please keep these stories uppermost; we still have a long way to go to truly help these kids properly. – Gina Scuffins

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