Your views: on health versus history and more
Reader contributions
Today, readers comment on the “binary choice” of a hospital over heritage, an East End high-rise, hydrogen and airport security.
Commenting on the story: Police barracks to be razed for $3b Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Dear Premier.
The History Council of South Australia (HCSA) is an independent, non-government body that speaks for its membership, which comprises individuals, professional associations, cultural, academic and government institutions, local libraries, museums, and historical societies.
On behalf of our members, the HCSA opposes the South Australian Government’s proposal to demolish heritage buildings such as the SA Police Barracks and use this site and surrounding areas for a Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
We believe that the politics of heritage has been triggered by the conflation of two issues. The premise of “health over heritage” is presented, creating a polarising binary approach.
The public would surely agree that women’s and children’s health would come before many other matters as well, be they cricket, car yards or commercial premises (all options that would offer alternative sites for the new hospital).
We naturally support the creation of the best possible health facilities for South Australia, and we strongly resist the suggestion that the Government has no alternative but to destroy and disregard our heritage areas and buildings. Overriding heritage listings for any building or area creates an extremely dangerous precedent.
We look forward to your conscientious contemplation of this matter to find a way to deliver a positive health outcome in conjunction with an appropriate heritage outcome for the people of South Australia. – Gillian Dooley, president, History Council of SA
Commenting on the story: Your views, Wednesday October 12
Once again, a nauseating flood of overwhelmingly negative opinions to what is a development of relatively minor height.
There seems to be a notion among some, that any sort of high-rise development by default takes away the “character” of the Adelaide CBD. This is absurd, antiquated and frankly, laughable.
In the past decade or so, I have witnessed the CBD change from a relatively dull and sleepy place, to something much more vibrant. This is in no small part due to the increased density created from apartment developments such as this one. Most simply put, more density means more people, which in turn means more businesses and vibrancy.
If Adelaide is to remain relevant into the future, encouraging our younger population to stay and people to migrate from interstate and overseas will be crucial. So while these developments might seem like relatively minor changes (despite the catastrophising you see amongst InDaily comments), they help create a broader feeling that things do happen in Adelaide, and that it’s a place worth being.
Surely that’s a better outcome for all of society (not just the vocal minority) than a city that’s gradually depopulating and a CBD which feels like a ghost town after 5pm? – Louis Rankin
I am in disbelief that a 21-storey high rise building would even be considered being built in the East End Precinct. So inappropriate.
The city of Adelaide needs to embrace its history and enhance its beautiful old buildings. Short-term gain for developers has led to many parts of Adelaide now looking very ordinary. – Cheryl Cross
Commenting on the story: Premier’s ‘handshake’ trip focuses on energy
Unfortunately, SA will make hydrogen for export purposes instead of utilising what we produce to drive down local energy costs.
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We currently see high gas prices in Australia because of the large quantities being exported and like our local fish produce, we will have to pay a premium just to consume what is on our doorstep.
It appears the hydrogen plant at Whyalla is nothing more than Government creating an energy business to bolster Government revenue. That’s fine as long as that revenue then subsidises SA energy prices, but history shows Governments tend not to do what is expected. – Martin Burns
Commenting on the story: Security breach prompts Adelaide Airport chaos, delays
Thanks. As a member of the travelling public, despite the inconvenience I am happy with the processes to keep me and my family safe. – Mike Garrett
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