Letters to the Editor
Reader’s views on preferencing local companies, Adelaide’s urban density and gay pride.
NORMAN ETHERINGTON, President, National Trust of South Australia: The figures on density published in InDaily (Adelaide’s density barely changed in 30 years, 7 November 2013) expose the futility of urban planning based on the faulty premise that development is caused by planning approvals.
Although for decades now we have allowed buildings in the CBD over 100 metres, the result is pathetic. Three buildings –one built in 1975, one in 1988 and one in 1989. Many other ultra-high rise proposals have been approved but none have been built. The sad results are the derelict and vacant sites we see all over the city square mile, especially west of Morphett Street.
Where people once lived and did business, we now see empty lots and parking stations. By making the planning approvals so easy to get the State Government actually reduced densities.
The most successful urban densification project of the last half-century was the widespread renovation of historic cottages as residences in North Adelaide and the the city in the 1970s and ’80s.
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If the government were serious about densification and development we would see something on the Makris site in North Adelaide, which is a standing rebuke to everyone who thinks planning approvals promote development. Approval has followed approval, but still nothing happens.
Adelaide has established a lively trade in planning approvals but precious little in the way of results. Making approvals easier to get on the fringes of our parklands, as promoted by new DPAs and the touted 30 Year Plan threatens to blight existing residential districts of great visual and historic value with more derelict lots.
RICHARD ABBOTT: It is incredible how Labor’s festival of belated bright ideas is now emerging (Govt events to preference SA food and wine, InDaily, 7 November 2013).
Perhaps Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Gail Gago could suggest at the next Cabinet meeting that ALL government contracts have a substantial local South Australian company weighting, over the current rock bottom price policy which often results in “out of state” wins.
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These financial treasury “savings” actually contribute to the overall decline in the state’s economy, as subsequent downsizing or closing of local businesses only adds to the state’s growing unemployment.
HARLEY SCHUMANN, Convenor, South Australians for Marriage Equality: It was great reading Suzie Keen’s article on all the reasons why we still need gay pride marches (Why we need gay pride, InDaily, 7 November 2013).
I would only add, as a straight man who is also a campaigner for marriage equality, that gay pride marches are also an important opportunity for straight Australia to come out and show their support. Because a pride march isn’t just about an individual saying “I’m proud of myself”, it is also about the community saying “we’re proud of you”.
So I too will be marching on Saturday, because I want to say to the LGBTI community that there is every reason to be proud of who you are, and that for every Anthony Mundine out there, there are many more straight people who will come out to support and celebrate you.
And the LGBTI community will welcome me, as they will welcome all straight supporters on Saturday night. Because generally you will find that gay institutions are very inclusive of straight people getting involved. It just doesn’t always work the other way around.
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