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Your views: on vacant public housing, bushfire recovery and smoke

Today, readers comment on derelict public housing on a prime spot at Parkside, plans to overcome bushfire damage, air quality and a royal commission.

Jan 16, 2020, updated Jan 16, 2020
Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily

Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily

Commenting on the story: Millions unspent as Parkside public housing block sits empty

This really is a scandal.

There is such a pressing need for social housing in SA, and over the last decade Housing SA stock has been progressively sold off (greatly reducing the number of homes available) and the number of desperate people still increases.

It can take years for people in desperate circumstances to get Priority 1 housing, in diverse areas with diverse community resources, and access to services.

Yet property worth millions here is sitting vacant.

Perhaps that is the problem – economically more advantageous to sell to developers than provide for those in need.

Not really good enough. And not good enough to say “not enough money” – there is enough money, the policy makers just choose not to direct it to this purpose. – Margaret Castles

We’re on the other side of Robsart Street down from Namaste.

It was a relief to finally see one of the blocks being rehabilitated and (quite naturally) we assumed that the other blocks would follow to provide much needed housing from those on low-incomes.

On our walks through the neighborhood we’ve gotten to chat with a few of the tenants and they’re brilliant, lovely folks.

I can’t overstate just how good it is for a local community to have spaces utilised for housing.

Props to InDaily for this excellent article highlighting some of the details with regard to funding and the stall in progress. Now, where did the rest of the $4m go?

The cynic in me doesn’t like the possible reasoning and I’m detecting whiffs of neoliberalism, which would go hand-in-hand with the sell off of public housing stock in SA.

Is the current government waiting for this complex to slip into ruination to conveniently evict tenants, raze the block, sell off the land and build luxury ’boutique’ apartments?

I sincerely hope not, but I’m cynical when it comes to things like this. – Tristan Louth-Robins

As the local elected member for Unley, this site has been of great concern to me and members of the community.

Since taking office 12 months ago I have raised my concerns twice with the City of Unley about the accumulating rubbish and possibility of potential squatters at this site.

Following inquires with the relevant government department, they were not very forthcoming with information about the nature of the planned upgrade or timeframes for completion.

So we have been waiting for the State Government to decide what upgrade is to occur.

At the local level we can’t do a lot but my community and I would like to know what is planned.

We don’t want to see this site continue to deteriorate and be deemed inhabitable as this would be a waste of good public housing. Jane Russo, Unley councillor

Commenting on the story: Green shoots: Fire-ravaged Hills grape growers hope for speedy recovery

Andrew Spence’s inspirational article on steps being taken by Adelaide Hills wine growers so soon after the disastrous fires which devastated so many vineyards has some salutary lessons.

Firstly, it illustrates the Australian strength of character in overcoming adversity.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it illustrates how the younger generation such as Charles Rosback as quoted in the article have introduced technology of absolute world class.

Surely this is the way ahead and why Australia leads the world in this area and is a lesson for the younger generation to draw from.

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What guts and determination aided by a large dose of initiative!

We wish all affected by the fires a quick and complete recovery, even though we know this is not possible in all cases. – John Edmonds

Commenting on the story: What are we inhaling from bushfire smoke shrouding Australian cities?

My many thanks for a detailed and well-explained article on air pollution.

The health impacts from the current bushfires are yet to be determined. Air pollution is associated with diseases throughout life, including premature births, low weight babies, impaired lung development in children, asthma, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.

Medical GP practices are reporting higher numbers of people coming in with respiratory-related issues, not just amongst patients with existing lung or heart problems, but also fit and healthy people with no previous history of respiratory troubles.

The health consequences of the climate emergency is real, and it needs be taken seriously.

It is not good enough to resign ourselves and our children to poorer health outcomes, when the government has a responsibility to protect the people they represent.

Is it therefore not unreasonable to demand for genuine climate action from the government? Ching Ang 

Commenting on the story: Firefighters tell PM: don’t bother with bushfires royal commission

I totally agree a Royal Commission would be long drawn out, expensive and unnecessary.

A succinct formal inquiry without all the legalese focussing on causes, mitigation , funding, government body co ordination etc. with findings by 31/8 is all that is required. – John Lewis

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