Source : the age
Credit: Matt Golding
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TRANSPORT
Once again a petty punch-up over parking in a privileged pocket of Melbourne’s east (“School parking stoush at Caulfield Grammar reignites as new rules floated”, 20/5) hides a deeper issue. That this topic has now come to a head indicates that an increasing number of parents are ferrying their young ones to school, in vehicles that have similarly ballooned out in size, while causing greater traffic congestion.
All this in an age when the evidence of global warming, including that caused by vehicle emissions, is clearer than ever. No doubt this affluent demographic would also otherwise see itself as being at the leading edge of such awareness. Except in this case, an example of NIMBYism of the worst kind. What must the school students themselves make of this contradiction affecting their future? What kind of example is being provided by such bickering, simply caused by excessive car usage and bloated affluence?
Marish Mackowiak, Ormond
Would parents tolerate this at their homes?
Why should people be stopped from parking outside their own homes just so parents can drop off and pick up their little darlings at their own convenience? If people want to send their children to these institutions they have every right to do so, but if they insist on dropping off and picking up their children every day, then the school should be required to provide an off-street parking area where they can do that at its own expense; this should furthermore be large enough to cope with the numbers so that cars don’t become backed up down the street.
Alternatively, the school can provide minibuses to transport the children to and from home or the kids can (shock, horror!) walk, cycle, or use public transport.
I wonder how long these parents would tolerate such disruption of their own residence? Perhaps if these well-heeled institutions were required to spend more money on such facilities instead of expensive sporting equipment or iPads for every student, these problems wouldn’t arise.
Peter Christopher White, Hawthorn
Model behaviour
So it’s now too much to ask people to obey parking laws and show basic courtesy? Respect for others isn’t radical – it’s just part of living in a community. Your children are watching you. Model the behaviour you want them to emulate.
Catherine Ross, Sandringham
Flow-on benefits
The other side of the free public transport plan for Victorian kids that is not being mentioned is that we will see a benefit to drivers as more kids will use public transport to get to school rather than being driven and the massive associated reduction of traffic build-up around schools especially during the morning peaks. We will also notice a big reduction in road maintenance required owing to less kilometres being driven, better quality air and greenhouse gas emission reductions, greater time savings (from not having to do the drop-off, pick up chore) and fewer accidents owing to less vehicles on the road from people who are driving vehicles far too large for their ability (Not you, I’m talking about the other parents with their oversize utes and SUVs).
It’s a $700 saving annually for parents per child (if their kids already took public transport), however if they were driven and take up the option, that figure is going to be significantly higher after you factor in fuel and on-road costs. It’s something that should have been done decades ago.
David Blom, Nunawading
Rewarding the righteous
The state government’s pledge to provide free public transport to anyone under 18 is an excellent policy because it only rewards those who do the right thing. So for the honest ones who tap on and off on every journey as required, this policy provides welcome cost of living relief. And for those fare evaders who ignore the rules, the benefit of the policy is absolutely zero.
Tim Wood, Doreen
THE FORUM
Regulations or red tape?
David Vorchheimer (“Melbourne’s character and liveability is being bulldozed – we should all be alarmed”, 20/5) is correct in saying that taxes, construction costs and labour shortages contribute to the housing affordability problem. However, even before these issues arose the main issue was council obstruction of medium density developments. Vorchheimer says councils have spent over $1 billion on “strategic work” to create a regulation framework for medium density developments and in his view the state government is casting this aside with its intention to fast-track developments. My experience as an urban economist and planner is that the regulation framework created and applied by councils is nothing more than a means of tying up applications in red tape. It does nothing to encourage good design. It ignores the pressing need to create opportunities for people to downsize from obsolete 50-year-old poorly built dwellings to new affordable townhouses and villas. While the state government’s approach may be seen as an over-reaction, planners must acknowledge that they have been complicit in creating the need for this type of response.
Rodger Gibbins, Ivanhoe
Follow the rules
The government has adopted the role of demolisher of Melbourne’s prized liveability. Households in areas where new planning rules will allow multi-unit redevelopment have been sent leaflets reassuring them that the government will consult them about where and how new homes can be located. This is a smokescreen. The development sector is licking its lips as planning rules that control building scale and protect heritage are binned. The leafy suburbs, the valued streetscapes and the lifestyle enjoyed by millions of Melburnians are soon to be eroded. The great shame is that this is unnecessary. Councils across Melbourne are working hard to identify suitable locations for higher density. Much has been achieved and is continuing without destroying viable suburbs. Concerns raised by local community groups, the Planning Institute and councils about these changes are falling on deaf ears within government. Planning rules are designed to manage growth and development responsibly and for the better.
Jim Holdsworth, architect, San Remo
Faux chateaus
I take issue with David Vorchheimer’s analysis of the effects of planning reforms on Melbourne and his claim of damage to urban character. The contrary view is that strident opposition through the past two decades to many medium density development proposals in the inner east of Melbourne for example resulted in the loss of opportunity to make better use of large plots of residential land. The result has in part been the burgeoning of construction of vast single dwellings (with basements comprising four or five car spaces, gyms, wine rooms and theatrettes) of monotonous and lazy low-quality design (faux chateaus) that tower over existing streetscapes and with more toilets than anyone could ever use. If that’s not damaging to urban character I am not sure what is.
Brandon Mack, Deepdene
Trial separation
Not since Tim Fischer has there been a notable party leader of the Nationals as evidenced by David Littleproud’s rant about the Liberals yesterday. His press conference diatribe appeared rather like a teenager packing their bags while telling their parents that although they’re leaving home they might come back with their washing – if that’s OK.
Simon Clegg, Donvale
Protections needed
The Age report “Number of mentally ill Victorians killing parents doubles as health reforms stall” (20/5) highlights the failure of the new Victorian Mental Health Act to protect those with serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, as well as protecting the community. It also draws attention to the ongoing failure of mental health professionals to treat seriously the concerns of relatives who, over many years of experience, have learnt to read the signs of serious relapse in their loved ones.
My son has had almost 40 involuntary admissions to a psychiatric ward over the last two decades or more. Each time I have attempted to get health professionals to work with me and my husband in trying to help our son. It took a threat by him to kill when he was very unwell for us to be taken seriously. Before that crisis was reached our son suffered terrible delusions, and we, his parents, were frantic with worry. When he announced his murderous intention I felt relief as I knew finally I would be listened to and I could get help for him.
People suffering from serious mental illnesses who lack insight into their condition can be kept well and stable if they are required to accept treatment under a community treatment order. However under the new act such orders are made for only six months. Extensions have to be applied for at a Mental Health Tribunal hearing. My son has successfully contested an order many times and stopped his medication soon after. For those, such as him, without insight into their illness, this can mean a rollercoaster life of relapse after stopping medication, hospital, early discharge on an order, off the order six months later and around we go again. Bad for the person, bad for the family and bad for the community. We should be able to do better.
Name and address supplied
Fitting in
Thank you to Caroline Zielinski for highlighting the tricky issues of being able to assimilate into a middle-class environment (“As the only child of immigrants, I know the discomfort of moving into the middle class,” 19/5). One of the interesting aspects is having your ethnic name Anglicised, especially during the ’70s which is what my mother did to make me “fit in”. Yes I have the best of both worlds, I’m educated, bilingual and can deconstruct issues through that unique prism especially with my career in the arts sector. Sadly our media is still too Anglo-centric in comparison to other Western countries and we still lack genuine diversity in the fourth estate.
Mel Smith, Brighton
Rich learnings
Mozart, Paderewski and Marie Curie. All brilliant Poles. Like Caroline Zielinski, I, too, am a child of Polish migrants who lived through the Nazi Occupation and takeover by the Soviets. Like millions of other young Europeans they fled to the “new world” and safety. They came with nothing but their identity. And hope. But unlike your correspondent, they were not bereft of “cultural capital” as she puts it. Poland has a rich cultural heritage, unlike the “white bread” culture my parents moved to. Our home was rich with music, literature and a history of storytelling. Above all else, they valued culture and education. My parents struggled but were forever grateful for the peace that Australia offered them. They were not bereft of culture or education. They took a risk and I am a beneficiary of that risk. We have much to learn from each other.
Elizabeth Potter (nee Tarasin), Brighton
Compassionate response
Congratulations to Larissa Waters on her ascendancy to leader of the Greens. I know with her background in environmental law she will be emphasising laws relating to climate and nature, while addressing the daily issues that we Australians are facing but I am hoping that with her party holding the balance of power in the Senate, she may be instrumental in bringing about a compassionate Australian response for we who feel helpless at the plight of the children and grieving mothers of Gaza that we see on the news, daily. I wish Waters wisdom and courage as she takes up the challenges of her new position.
Glenda Addicott, Ringwood East
Ongoing tragedy
No matter how hard the Israeli government and followers in Australia spin it, the scenes of the Gaza residents fighting for food when the trucks arrive with their meagre offerings is simply heartbreaking.
Yes, one can blame Hamas for all the ensuing misery that has occurred, however, all parties must share the blame of the loss of 40,000-plus lives lost in Gaza. How does one rationalise this? In pursuit of eliminating Hamas from Gaza, Israel has chosen to destroy whatever remains, with the consequence the innocent people of Gaza are paying a shocking and dreadful price.
The war in Ukraine has to some extent overshadowed Gaza. No words can adequately describe this ongoing tragedy.
Bruce MacKenzie, South Kingsville
End the war
Your correspondent is correct to point out that Hamas chooses not to release hostages and give up their arms and so has responsibility for the continuing war in Gaza and the disruption and cessation of aid (Letters, 17/5). But to liken Russian aggression to Hamas aggression because it initiated the conflict in October 2023 cannot absolve the Israeli government and the Israeli Defence Force of aggressor status in this conflict. Both sides, now, bear responsibility to end the war, not just Hamas.
Brendan O’Farrell, Brunswick
Peace I needed
I was just days into losing “the best dog in the world” to cancer at the age of almost 15, when I read “the project that might boost your dog’s lifespan” (Good Weekend, 18/5). I had been spending all my energy trying to figure out what I could have done differently to change the outcome, if only for a short while. Your article unexpectedly bought me the peace I needed: “pet your dog, cuddle your dog, love your dog”. I can confidently say I accomplished that every day, I would not have done that any different.
Maybe there was nothing more to be done. When we are confident we have done those three things, the only thing left to do is grieve.
Caitlin Macmillan, Macleod
AND ANOTHER THING
Credit: Matt Golding
Coalition
Wow, this was an election that just keeps on giving. Now it’s blown up the Coalition. Albo must have got the Pope to use his divine contacts.
John Walsh, Watsonia
Well done Sussan Ley for standing up to David Littleproud and refusing to let the minor party dominate.
Robyn Westwood, Heidelberg Heights
How long before the Nats and the Libs make up? Because neither of them will ever get enough seats to form a government on their own.
Tim Durbridge, Brunswick
Nuclear power has split the Coalition just like communism split the ALP 70 years ago. Will they spend as many years in the political wilderness as Labor did?
Pete Garfield, Echuca
Thank heavens the Nationals will no longer be able to force the Coalition into a nuclear policy, which was never more than a ploy to delay real climate action.
Ralph Frank, Malvern East
Pesutto
Of the many incomprehensible things to arise from the Moira Deeming vs John Pesutto defamation case, the legal costs of $2.3 million are probably the most unfathomable.
Mark Hulls, Sandringham
If the Liberal Party can’t look after one of their own, they may as well shut up shop.
Jenny Bone, Surrey Hills
Furthermore
I do smile when I see reports about free public transport for students. On my bus route 906 many seem to have free transport already.
Breta Cohen, Blackburn North
Morning frost at last!
Glistening lawns and gardens
How long has it been?
Claire Merry, Wantirna
If our gifted Abrams tanks won’t cut the mustard on the battlefields of Ukraine, as “US officials” suggest in reports, should we be giving them to the Russians?
Brian Burleigh, Cowwarr
Finally
When did indicating become obsolete?
Susie Holt, South Yarra
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