Letters, June 21, 2023

Housing solution

I HAVE been worried about the delay that is happening with finding a genuine ‘quick fix’ for the housing crisis.

Many people are struggling with rental availability and eviction by landlords wanting to increase the income that they rely on to support the purchase and maintenance of their rental properties.

There seems to be a distinct lack of creative thinking to resolve the political blockage that is occurring.

A simple solution that can make a difference right now would be for government to negotiate directly with motel owners, particularly large franchises, to secure a proportion of rooms that are not occupied at 100%, and allow rental shock, homeless individuals and families to occupy these rooms at a reasonable (concessional) rate, on the basis of short-term occupancy until low cost housing developments are ready.

We are not talking about multi-storey luxury hotels, but the more basic conventional motels that offer relatively low cost accommodation.

This provides a simple solution, that can be implemented across all states and territories, that will:

• provide an instant solution to the desperate;
• assist people who are struggling with cost of living increases and unemployment to take control of their situation;
• provide motel owners with a guaranteed base income for whatever vacant rooms that may be available;
• allow the government to negotiate a base cost for the short-term with motel operators;
• provide employment for staff to service the motel units, that would not otherwise be occupied during ‘off-season’ times;
• and reduce the reliance on emergency accommodation facilities operated by under-resourced but well meaning charitable support services across the country.

Our politicians are letting us down by bickering about how long it will take to fix the problem, when there are obvious solutions that can make a major impact today, not next year or five to 10 years in the future.

Garry Coff, Scott Creek

Crime excuse

MODERN life has become fast and furious for many people of all ages and backgrounds.

Notwithstanding this situation, why is our legal system repeatedly using mental health as an excuse for crimes brought before the courts?

Of course, there are genuine cases of need and some heartbreaking circumstances, but more and more recently it has become a fall-back position as a way of receiving minor and lesser sentencing. Maybe we should reflect on a phrase by a former Prime Minister: “life was not meant to be easy” or should that be that life is easier if you can afford a good lawyer!

Glen Chenoweth, Goolwa North

Totally abandoned

READERS of The Courier will be well aware of the traffic problems plaguing Hahndorf and Mt Barker.

There have been many plans to solve these issues, but ultimately it comes down to money and neither tier of government is willing to properly fund a workable solution.

I can’t help feeling totally abandoned by both State and Federal governments when funding is clearly targeted at marginal seats in town or suburbia at the expense of country people.

The latest proposal in Mt Barker is a case in point: a more efficient and ridiculously overpriced roundabout near Mt Barker High School will solve our problems according to the Government, but totally misses the point.

Four major roads converge here and even a gold plated roundabout won’t cope with the ever increasing volume of traffic in Mt Barker. I am already looking forward to the roadworks ending in 2026! When will the fun start?

Hahndorf and Mt Barker both suffer from the same problem.

Instead of a real solution such as a ring road around both areas we are treated to band-aid solutions.

Personally, I am sick and tired of the spin that comes out of Adelaide and I have totally lost faith in the current government. How can we stop this?

Wilfried Westermann, Kuitpo

Information available

I REFER to the constant complaints from fellow citizens regarding the so-called lack of information regarding the exact changes or wording of the proposed changes in the upcoming Referendum.

It’s easy folks.

Get out your little iPad and punch in “info about The Voice to Parliament”.

Surprise, surprise, up come several exact answers under different headings such as:

• referendum question
• constitutional amendment
• constitution alteration bill
• referendum 101.
• find out more about the voice.  
• referendum 2023 – get the info you need.

I am 92 years old, mid-secondary school educated, certainly not computer competent and I am thinking maybe there’s a bit more mental frailty about than we think.

My question is: how will the proposed Voice differ from big business lobbying?   

Pam Hailstone, Bridgewater

Why eat birds?

I FIND it bizarre that anyone nowadays can claim duck shooting as a source of “food” (MP rejects claims of opposition to duck hunting, The Courier, June 14).

A shot duck would be full of pellets and very skinny. Why eat birds at all?

And in a world where the phasing out of dairying is on the cards, it is rather old hat to be encouraging primary children into dairying (Cows program provides industry experience, The Courier, June 14). I am certain those three-week-old calves would rather be with their mothers.

Alice Shore, Birdwood

Out of date

I HAVE friends who agist their horses adjacent to the Mylor oval where I am extremely disappointed that yet another fundraising bonfire and fireworks display is scheduled to take place, disrupting the peaceful environment. The explosions and unexpected light flashes cause havoc, distressing residents’ loved pets, native animals run into fences and roads, and birds fly from trees in the dark.

The environmental pollution alone is a great cause for concern.

This archaic form of entertainment has long passed its use by date.

Diane Cornelius, Seacliff Park