Commenting on the story: Richardson: Rex vs X

I thought the article was going to discuss the relative merits of both candidates. Instead it was all about Xenophon.

I would have appreciated more of an evaluation of Rex Patrick. Although my political beliefs are quite different to Senator Patrick’s, I think he has established credibility as a person of integrity and some courage, with expertise and experience in areas sadly lacking in most politicians. – Anne McMenamin

I thought that Tom might have mentioned the mugging that Nick received from the AHA, The Advertiser, the Liberals and Labor.

His high approval rating dropped from the time the AHA purchased adverts on the front page of The Advertiser with the claim that the majority of the 26,000 jobs in hotels would be lost, when there was only 3,000 mostly casual jobs in SA working the poker machines.

Nick’s plan wasn’t to ban poker machines, it was to reduce them and introduce betting limits. The Griffith University Study said that there would be minimal impact on employment because the money saved on gambling losses would be spent on other entertainment. But The Advertiser couldn’t find any space to print the Griffith University study. The Liberals and Labor were also silent because they had a very comfortable duopoly. – Graham Wilson

Commenting on the story: Labor puts brakes on Old Belair Rd roundabout plan

I do not agree with this.  As a user who lives very proximate to and uses both Old Belair Road and James Road, the Old Belair Road and James Road roundabout is a necessary improvement to the road system in the area. DIT has consulted often and widely.

Once again, this is a complex issue and a thoughtful solution has been developed which has taken into consideration a great deal of feedback. I know there is a small minority that do not want the intersection changes to go ahead.

Whether we like it or not, James Road is a significant road for Hills users. It is one of the few ways to exit the Mitcham Hills that doesn’t have a train crossing. People use Old Belair Road in the morning peak hour over James Road because you can’t easily/safely turn right from James Road onto Old Belair Road. This sends a lot of traffic down Sheoak Road to turn right onto Old Belair Road and even Serpentine Road (which should be called Serpentine Lane with its blind corners and a width which is barely passable for two cars). Frighteningly, Sheoak Road, James Road and Old Belair Road are all regularly used as alternatives when there are accidents on the SE Freeway.

There are things in the DIT plan that I don’t particularly like, for example, at Sheoak Road; no right turn will be allowed onto Old Belair Road, and cannot turn right from Russell Tce onto Main Road. But on balance I can see what DIT is trying to do and can live with these things that I don’t particularly like.

A bit of leadership is required on this issue and kowtowing to a small minority of vocal detractors is not going to help this growing area which needs these types of infrastructure improvements. – Sandra Vallance

Commenting on the opinion piece: Finding home in a land of increasingly crowded plains

All well and good, but the projection is a prediction, based in turn on policy to achieve that population by 2050. The prior question remains: Do we want that size of population (by 2050 or at all)? The ‘population boom’ as the authors put it, is not a fait accompli. – Charles Gillam

Commenting on the Theatre review: Girl from the North Country

Murray Bramwell’s review of North Country was both insightful and informative. The production is remarkable and superbly sung/acted. My only reservation was that the performers were not given due recognition in the show’s publicity. – Damien Mugavin

Commenting on the Opera review: Bohème on the Beach

A fantastic production, the singers were superb. So loved it from start to finish (including the fireworks). – Gail Knott

Thank you for a wonderful musical evening. Great cast and orchestra. Fantastic audience. – Lynn King