Responding to Empty stands at much-spruiked Adelaide world championship

The key issue with this: no youth in Adelaide.

The second problem is that they put it in the heart of the city, and finding parking there is impossible.

Maybe they think that they have done everything possible, but it’s far from it. Adelaide Royal Show is organised better than this. – Andrey Kylivnyk

I must say that I have seen virtually no coverage of volleyball games on the evening ABC news, and certainly minimal hype from any of the radio commentators there either. Have there been any activities presented on the free-to-air stations, or has all the coverage been locked up by commercial (for-profit) media outlets? – Aussie Kanck 

Didn’t know it was on until it started. – Chris Branson

The basic and ongoing problem with beach volleyball, even with some of the excellent athletes involved, is that it is boring to watch.

Two by two on sand is like baseline singles tennis after the players have had Valium before they play. Two by two was introduced instead of four by four in Sydney because of the cost restriction of accommodation for the additional athletes.

So, they have continued to pump up the marketing with noise and colour for two by two. Four by four would be different and better in many ways. So, why not four by four as well?

When you look on TV at the Memorial Drive facial expressions of the limited number of discounted Adelaide attendees lured by the large and continuous marketing campaign, it is not one of interest and excitement. I see on their faces more puzzlement and boredom. I have seen more interest and drama at a good lawn bowls contest, if you like slow sports. – Brett Stirzaker

Responding to Premier brands Adelaide’s failed bid to host climate conference ‘obscene’

I can’t understand how we chop down significant trees in our beloved park lands for sport on the one hand, then throw our hands in the air when we don’t get a climate conference.

Hopefully, the algal bloom, which is getting worse, will be fixed so we can get back on the front foot with our so-called environmental credentials.

My content company will be missing out on tens of thousands of dollars by COP31 not proceeding, so not the result anyone wanted. – Philip Hopkins

So, the failed COP31 bid has put SA on the global events map, according to our once-in-a-generation premier. The master of bread and circuses knows his stuff, so who could argue?

Criticism around minor niche issues like the algal bloom is so misinformed and frankly obscene.

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My kids played with contaminated sand in Adelaide – here’s what I want you to know

Still, now that the world knows of us, a future COP is still possible; we just won’t mention the fish. – John McKinnon

Responding to Mount Barker 15 years on: Planning minister says urban ‘sprawl’ is not a dirty word

My observation is the impact of street parking.

With the impact of older children staying longer at home, we will see street parking becoming an issue, resulting in two-plus cars for the parents and an additional car for their children. In addition to homes having shorter driveways, together with people who are also converting the garages into another bedroom.

Together with smaller backyards, young children play out in the street with their neighbours. – Alex Hay

Responding to Exclusive: Greens unveil plan to new ban connections gas from SA households

The Greens are full of big promises and have delivered nothing.

Transition workers to equal pay jobs. Are they dreaming? I don’t know where there are equally paid jobs for these people.

Have they any idea what they earn?

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Transition to electricity from gas. We will be lucky to have enough electricity to run the needs of the state with all the AI (artificial intelligence) and electric car needs of the future, let alone the extra required to heat, etc, our homes. What happens when there is no sun or wind?

Fix the algal bloom, how?

Where is all the money coming from? Have they cost all these big dreams?

I bet they still drive and fly.

Party of fantasists. – W.E.K Pumpa

The only good thing you can say about the loony Greens is that they will never be in power. – John Lewis 

I’m not sure that we live in the same universe, but this idea doesn’t appear to stack up.

How do you save $500 a year when you have to convert your hot water service to electricity?

Apart from the cost of getting and installing a new hot water service, you will pay significantly more in power bills to cover hot water costs.

There are over 1,000,000 homes in SA, and the real statistics would be how many have gas that need to be converted.

Even if it were only for new homes, it seems ludicrous to suggest that you could save $500 a year by using electricity, which continues to escalate in price, over gas. Something doesn’t appear to add up. – Eric Granger

Responding to New SA fish kill among worst since bloom started

I am calling Professor Steer out on his comment on InDaily (November 18) that the massive recent waves of leatherjacket mortalities have actually died at sea and then floated to the surface to then be washed up. As a citizen scientist doing daily patrols of the beach at Glenelg, I frequently witness these juvenile fish wash up alive, flip around for way too long, and finally suffocate and die. When they first die, their colours are quite vibrant, fading rapidly as time since death elapses. It is a heartbreaking thing to witness, and I wish that the gurus who make their regular pronouncements would actually come to the killing fields at the beach graveyard coalface to actually observe first-hand what is happening. And another thing, I have plenty of videos and photos to substantiate my comments. – Dr Susan Belperio

This time last year, I saw a similar event with hundreds of leatherjackets floating offshore of Troubridge Point before the algae was present in the Gulf St Vincent. Or maybe it was here all ready and nobody knew it! – Damien Healy 

We received a 16-page booklet from the government today in our post box outlining an algal bloom Summer Plan.

Well, what a total waste of goodness knows how much taxpayers’ funding!

Mali and his merry troop are obviously hoping they will get enough votes next year.

They still won’t get mine … – Sue Bruyn

I love reading your articles and have never once complained.

But seriously, that photo with the dead fish is so ridiculously sensationalised.

It makes the fish look 10 times bigger than they are because of the photoshop of Mike Steer.

I walk my dog every day at Port Willy, and you are correct, there are a lot of those small fish that have been washed up. – Doug Govan

Responding to Feds pump more millions into Bedford as preferred buyer flagged

As a taxpayer, I’m more than happy for that money to be spent on giving people with disabilities the opportunity to learn skills and undertake meaningful work. It’s a no-brainer. – Sonja Graetz

Responding to Smithson: Is Opposition’s attack over Bedford rescue a wise move?

I felt on the day that it was a poor response by the Opposition, particularly Michelle Lensink, given the extreme anxiety of the Bedford workers.

The Opposition needs to think about their relationship with ordinary people, give credit where it’s due (and it was due in this case) because they are winning no friends with the continual carping. – Anne Smith 

This report deserves a considered response; however, there are unfortunately no words to describe the incompetence of the current state opposition. – Philip Rundle

Responding to SA Chief Justice’s fight for court workers’ road safety

I suggest making Gouger Street a mall just like Rundle Mall, with car park access off Wright and Grote streets. – Maria Morris

Responding to PM’s Adelaide COP call as deadline looms

If Anthony Albanese was at all serious about “doing something for Pacific Islands”, his government would stop approving coal mines and fracking projects. The greenhouse gases released by burning fossil fuels are driving the sea level rise that threatens Pacific Islands. Actions speak louder than words, and the PM’s words ring hollow. – Donella Peters

Responding to Report warning: Gas-led Whyalla Steelworks transition a $2bn taxpayer ‘Santos subsidy’

It could be anticipated that Western Australian Hazer Group’s (close to CO2-free) hydrogen and graphite technology from natural gas may well eclipse water electrolysis and create a viable graphite industry for SA, given the recent increase in world demand due to battery demand.

There is an existing Santos pipeline to Point Bonython to the existing Santos LNG export facility that could provide economic leverage. Is that pipeline not big enough?

The technology is maturing quickly and could generate hydrogen with only one seventh the electrical demand of electrolysis of water,a nd support green steel production

Graphite production is currently controlled by China, and the West is looking for other sources

Has this technology been considered by the think tanks? This could be a win-win for SA resources. – Geoffrey Parker

Responding to Long-term Adelaide Fringe chief steps down – just before next festival

I cannot think of a better appointment to take over the wonderful space that is Carrick Hill. – Cate Fowler 

Responding to SA Health ranked in nation’s biggest govt Facebook ad spenders

Tom Koutsantonis’s hero Paul Keating once said, “Never get in the way of a premier and a bucket of money”.

When it comes to our treasurer, it would be more fitting to adjust the metaphor to never get in the way of Tom Koutsantonis and the chance to elevate the interests of the ALP over the public’s.

It is surely a coincidence of epic proportions that as South Australia’s democratic process moves to prohibit private political donations to parties and candidates, we see the ALP engaging in such slimy tactics of using taxpayer funds to fill the gap just months out from the next election.

The treasurer claims governments “have always budgeted for important community messages”, which implies that SA Health’s spending on META’s platforms would always dwarf the rest of his own government’s spending on the platform throughout the entirety of a parliamentary term, not just during a period so close to an election. This suggests a number of things, not least that the Health Minister and his department are incredibly poor at communication, and that any government of any political persuasion is justified in unlimited taxpayers’ funds being used for “important community messages” on whatever is deemed necessary by those in power.

Surely a treasurer presiding over budget deficits, ballooning debt, and anaemic economic growth would be concerned about such ideas taking hold? Apparently not; we’re told that without such questionable use of limited public funds, more people will die on our roads and in our hospitals. No doubt the treasurer has some sort of data or research that led him to this dire and extreme conclusion.

Personally, my suggestion is that the ALP refrain from any further advertising about the state of the health system, lest they repeat the same mistakes of the last election campaign in making false claims that require adjudication – and penalty – from the electoral commission.

A win-win for your “important community messaging”, Tom. – David Lodge

Responding to Cooke switches on new Adelaide electric motorbike start-up

Fabulous concept! Sure to be a huge success. – Marsha Dearden