Letters, August 2, 2023

Battle for bushland

The battle for our bushland in the Hills is heating up.

First, we have the alleged illegal clearance of half a hectare of healthy forest at Mt Lofty.

Next, I read that John Schutz, the soon-to-be-ex chief executive of the Department of Environment and Water, the agency responsible for protecting our natural environment, is minimising the clearance as though it was a minor event (The Courier, July 19, 2023).

Any reputable ecologist will know that once land is cleared down to clay, removing all topsoil, seeds and micro-organisms, the chances of full recovery are close to zero.

And now we have a proposal for a massive resort complex at the Stirling Golf Club in a highly sensitive area for hydrology, native bushland and threatened wildlife, not to mention the extreme bushfire risk.

Those of us who value the natural character and biodiversity of the Hills had better prepare ourselves, as the battles will only continue.

Amelia Hurren, Crafers

Cat stats wrong

Even if Michael Cornish (The Courier, July 19) was right in his claims about the damage done by cats, there is no excuse for the atrocities being committed against cats or for allowing the atrocities involved in shooting native ducks to continue (‘Agonizing Deaths’, The Courier, July 12).

Actually these figures are, at best, ‘guesstimates’, all originally based on a false claim made on Landline in 2014 by Greg Hunt that the Action Plan for Australian Mammals (2014) stated 20 million feral cats were killing over 20 billion native animals a year.

Fact Check contacted the authors of the plan who said the plan contained no such statistic.

The species killed by cats quoted refer to a study of stomach contents of cats in the Kimberley.

This figure is wrongly applied to the whole of Australia.

Studies in other areas found rabbits to be the main diet of “feral” cats.

All subsequent propaganda to demonise cats is based on these two fallacies.

Seventy percent of native species are predators. Native species can cope with predation. They can’t cope with habitat destruction.

Leila Saredakis, Angle Vale

A kinder world

Oh dear, a rodeo (‘Rodeo set to ride into Strathalbyn’, The Courier, July 21).

Back to the Dark Ages.

Like Kathy Angel, I too am a passionate Australian, but the Australia I love is one that is moving to a kinder world with respect for all sentient beings.

No animal ever volunteers to be in a rodeo event, hardly “fun” for them.

Alice Shore, Birdwood

Unrepresentative

The decision to discontinue the awarding of Australian citizenship on Australia Day, January 26, by the Adelaide Hills Council would be disappointing to many of their ratepayers who apparently did not have a say in this decision.

What happened to the following statement on the council’s website, after the last council elections: ‘Council members play a vital leadership role by representing the interests of the community’?

They obviously forgot the part of the community that wants to retain the Australia Day celebrations, including the awarding of citizenships which makes the day so special for many in becoming an Australian.

Will the council staff not be allowed to take the public holiday and so still have to work and provide ratepayer services on the 26th?

According to the State Government’s website regarding the role of elected local councils:

‘Councils provide essential services to communities while planning for future needs and growth to ensure our suburbs and regions are liveable and thriving.’

So, what has this got to do with changing the date of our national day and tradition?

S. Tarrant, Hahndorf

Controversial position

I read with surprise that the Adelaide Hills Council is to forfeit any events on January 26 and chooses not to celebrate Australia Day on that date.

In doing so, it has shifted the Hills community into the political spotlight, which is not what the councillors have been elected to do.

This is a controversial matter which is being hotly debated at the national and State level.

It can be fairly described as divisive.

I am not expressing a view one way or the other, but simply protesting that the council’s decision is unwise.

Just because some other metropolitan councils have chosen to do the same is no reason to “follow the leader”.  

The council should stick to its knitting, not draw its ratepayers into any controversial position.

It’s not what the council is there for.

Big mistake!

Chris Short, Aldgate

Thanks for caring

Following the death of my mother in May, I wanted to say a very public and special thank you to all those who work at St Pauls Lutheran Homes, Hahndorf. Mum was initially a very reluctant resident with the onset of dementia an increasing health challenge.

During my regular visits I was able to observe first-hand the amazing staff at this wonderful facility.

I watched with enormous gratitude all staff show mum great respect and encouragement with patience and genuine care for this often feisty, once independent and proud lady.

After some time and much love mum came to refer to the staff and residents as “a good mob”.

Old fashioned but a perfect description.

Every single person in my experience working at St Pauls was cheerful, welcoming and provided the most amazing care to some of the most vulnerable and elderly people.

The staff are often dealing with very challenging work and often we only hear negative public comment.

For many residents these staff become their family and sadly are often their main human contact.

A heartfelt thank you to a group of people who provide the best possible quality of life for our loved ones.

Adrian Raison, Littlehampton