Commenting on the story: Police blast Govt over $90m Gepps Cross barracks

How absurd that the barracks and stables for these police units should be housed 14 km from the centre of Adelaide.

For ceremonial duties only the location may be fine, but useless for urgent response activities. Another inept decision from this government costing nearly $90 million. Where is this money suddenly appearing from? – Gary Anderson

As Convenor of the WCH Alliance I am appalled at the politically motivated $90 million decision to relocate the police horses to Gepps Cross, along with unresolved concerns about a staging facility in the CBD.

This decision will delay the clearance of the Thebarton Barracks and therefore the construction of the new hospital by up to 12 months. It is unconscionable to add this delay to the already eight years lead-in time before the existing hospital can be rescued from its inexorable decay in structure, resources and clinical services.

If the original plan to use a desolate and unused corner of Park 21w had escaped the irrational objection of the park lands association and the Adelaide City Council, and the need to protect Adelaide MP Lucy Hood, the move of the horses would have been much cheaper and faster. This would have allowed construction to begin, as originally scheduled, early in the new year. – Warren Jones

Surely it’s time for the government to announce it stuffed up, get back to square one, reverse the decision to destroy the old police barracks, and consolidate the existing Women’s and Children’s Hospital? – Sandra Kanck

Why not relocate the police from Thebarton to Keswick? Closer to the city and some buildings could be repurposed. – Chris Taylor

Only one other question – where’s Lucy Hood, MP for Adelaide? Perhaps the most silent MP for the electorate in the long history of the electorate. Full of ‘protect the park lands’ pledges before the 2022 election, and now… nothing to say. She’s leaving it all to the Premier’s senior ministers, spinning, ducking and weaving on her behalf.

It’s an ugly business, and Lucy has years to run before the next poll. Already all the bridges are burned. All the political capital is spent. – John Bridgland

Commenting on the story: ‘Significant’ issues behind ‘visibly tired’ and closed Tandanya

Instead of allowing the North Terrace cultural centre vision to collapse, the state government should shift its focus to revitalising Tandanya which wouldn’t cost anything like $1 billion. It’s a great site and should continue to be so. – Chris Beal