Letters, May 17, 2023

Whose economy?

WITH draft budget time fast approaching in Alexandrina and with public consultation part of the approval process, it is worth remembering last year’s budget where residential rate revenue increased by a horrific 10.9%.

Despite an overwhelmingly negative feedback response by participating ratepayers, the council passed the budget as proposed by council administration, moved and supported by a Strathalbyn-based Councillor who subsequently failed to be re-elected.

One might hope, therefore, that lessons have been learned and the recent propensity for yet more expensive capital projects and their associated levels of debt will have been trimmed back to make residing in Alexandrina more affordable for everyone, but especially for those on fixed incomes who have no room to move when costs go up.

In recent years, the Alexandrina Council has prided itself on ‘growing the local economy’, spending substantial amounts of ratepayer’s money in the process, and has indeed won awards for their success with this, and yet rates have increased at record levels.

The question must be asked – just whose economy is it that council has caused to grow?

Trevor Harden, Milang

Land tax increase

RECENTLY I received my land tax and, to my surprise, noticed a whopping increase of 603%.

I wonder how many other land owners had the same exciting news.

Like anyone would, I contacted RevenueSA about the matter.

I was told I was “in arrears” which I found strange as I have always paid the land tax before the due date on all the invoices supplied by RevenueSA.

I was then informed that a delay of almost three years was due to “system restrictions” – whatever that means.

I’ve learnt recently that there’s 6000 homeless people in SA and many others that can’t get affordable housing.

The Government sold many of its affordable rentals in a grab for cash, expecting the private investor to pick up the slack.

This increase of land tax further causing the increase of rent (and homelessness) is just another example of a cash grab. I feel sorry for the tenants caught up in this.

Perhaps a letter to your local politicians could make a difference.

Allan Maywald, Victor Harbor

Bird loss

THE International Union For The Conservation Of Nature advises that sea birds are one of the most endangered groups of bird  species.

Sea birds have been decimated by humans who have industrialised planet earth during the last 200 years.

Estimates indicate that the global sea bird population has dropped by 70% since the middle of the last century.

Will humans only halt their relentless destruction of nature when the name of the book, Silent Spring, becomes a reality?

The book, published in 1962, was a landmark concerning the development of the modern environmental movement.

Brian Measday, Myrtle Bank

Tram correction

I AM writing in response to the article titled “$1 for one-way tram to Bridgewater” which was published in The Courier on May 3, 2023.

I wanted to clarify some inaccuracies in the news article regarding Tram 361 which was relocated from Glenelg to Bridgewater at the end of April 2023.

The City of Holdfast Bay did not hold a competition to find new owners for Tram 361, nor did we sell the tram.

Rather, it was offered to the public via an Expression of Interest process held in late 2022, providing opportunities for the community to preserve the heritage value of the tram, optimise its tourism potential, and achieve community benefits through its reuse.

Adelaide Hills business, Mist on Bridgewater, was chosen as the successful applicant.

Tram 361 was installed at Glenelg’s Wigley Reserve in 2012, and not 2006 as stated in the news article.

H-Type trams were decommissioned in 2006 and The Tramway Museum, St Kilda stored Tram 361 for several years.

It was then gifted to City of Holdfast Bay and was relocated to Wigley Reserve in Glenelg in 2012, where it stood as a static display.

We are very pleased that the new owners have committed to restoring and preserving the history of the tram, so that it may continue to be enjoyed for many more decades to come.

Amanda Wilson, Mayor, City of Holdfast Bay

Unnecessary inconvenience

I AM writing to complain about the speed restrictions posted on the Princes Highway where normally a 100km limit is in place.

On a three lane highway with light traffic, placing signs over 4–5km from where roadworks are potentially occurring is both unnecessary and overly restrictive.

At 7.40pm there are usually very few vehicles travelling and posting 60 and 40km/h signs at excessive distance from workmen is unnecessary.

Road signage should be adjusted according to traffic flow.

Sure, at peak traffic such distances may be required, but traffic management should adjust according to traffic conditions.

Having speed cameras set up when there is no danger to anyone is just revenue raising.

It has nothing to do with safety.

Rick Henshaw, Stirling

Poor disadvantaged

WHY is it the poorer people who are most disadvantaged are targeted to bring down inflation?

Instead of the banks making a huge profit on higher interest rates, some of workers’ money could be isolated in to their super fund.

This isolates money from spending, provides for a better retirement and spreads the money over many share types in workers super funds.

The system can be easily managed for free because employers are already the ones who send money each payday to the super funds.

The percentage increase in sacrifices to super is the same as what is already being decided by the RBA.

Susan Rowlands, Echunga

No voice

WHAT many do not realise is that our Constitution is meant to represent every Australian equally and separating one group for special mention is unconstitutional.

In addition, in a democracy we each have a vote and so we all have an equal voice to Government.

To give one group an extra vote, and their own louder voice to Government is undemocratic.

Such a voice is said to be sourced in a need to address the problems faced by this group when the vast majority have no problems greater than the average and have no gap.

They are fully assimilated into the modern world.

They have nothing in common with the small group who struggle in Aboriginal communities because they are not assimilated into the modern world.

There is no united voice in Aboriginal communities, driven by familial and clan divisions and so there can be no united voice even from all Aboriginal communities, let alone every Australian with some Aboriginal ancestry.

Is it really worth compromising our constitution and our democracy to create another body for the minority who are struggling in this group?

The sensible answer is no.

Roslyn Ross, Mt Barker