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In a city like Melbourne, so far south of the equator, making winter shadows from high-rises that much more depressing from the autumn to spring equinox, no wonder high-rise apartments cause so much concern in local communities set to lose their amenity for the sake of someone else’s profit. The paltry standard of high-rise apartments approved via Victoria’s planning system over the past two decades only reinforces those grounds for concern. However, given it’s nearly 40 years since then new planning legislation stated a primary objective of planning in Victoria was sustainable development, wouldn’t it be wonderful if the new high-rises the planning minister was making way for, all came with their own renewable energy supply, on-site grey water processing for on-site landscaping which, thereby, left room for some sunshine and a ratio of one EV per 10 apartments for hire by local residents, instead of the ridiculous waste of money and space being devoted to private car parking that is mostly unused? Oh and don’t forget the rooftop deck for morning yoga and nighttime star gazing and communal vegie garden.
Now, that just might justify removal of third party appeal rights by guaranteeing better living standards for everyone.
Bernadette George, Mildura
Changes reflect government panic
The state government’s proposed changes to planning demonstrates anything but measured planning in response to severe housing shortages which have been in the making for over a decade. Instead it reflects an element of panic, aiming to compensate for years of ignoring the mismatch between population growth, housing construction and the government’s lack of investment in social and affordable housing which was effectively dropped and left to the market. The proposed strategy to allow residential towers up to 20 storeys high in designated activity centres and typically up to six storeys in activity centre catchments, rewrites key sections of the Victorian planning scheme relating to important amenity elements such as neighbourhood character, overshadowing and overlooking, issues over which there is considerable community concern, reflected in the number of cases referred to VCAT on these issues.
Anticipating community backlash, the proposed strategy removes the power of residents to appeal residential developments within the 10 activity centres, a heavy-handed measure that can only promote community resentment particularly when the effects of those developments reveal their full impacts on residents.
Liz Burton, Camberwell
Narrowing of power to minister is a concern
There is likely merit in creating more certain planning rules around permissible building envelopes in activity centres (″New rules to make building faster, easier″, 22/8). However, I find it disingenuous to use the “housing crisis” to switch off notice and review provisions so as to appoint the minister for planning as the ultimate decision maker. While this will eliminate local council and citizen involvement in the planning process, it will also substantially reduce transparency of the planning process. As things stand, there will be no legislative requirement for public information on development proposals or the assessment of those planning permit applications. And importantly no opportunity for the merits of proposals to be tested by expert evidence of professionals from a range of disciplines before any tribunal. The community should be very concerned about these planning changes, given both the metropolitan importance of the selected activity centres and the large area to which the proposed changes will apply.
The minister will become the all powerful ″city shaper″ of the future. For good planning outcomes, collaboration and partnerships with all activity centre stakeholders (including councils and citizens) will be essential, but these proposed legislative changes will mitigate against that. They should also be roundly rejected as they will greatly diminish the public transparency of town planning.
Ian Gibb, Melbourne
THE FORUM
Encourage cycling
I would add to your correspondent’s comments (Letters, 22/8) about Danish cycle lane networks that many Danish cyclists own two bicycles and use both in their daily commutes. They cycle from their homes to stations, catch trains, and cycle on to their places of work. Melbourne used to have the Parkiteer system of lockable bicycle cages adjacent to stations which encouraged cycling, but they seem to have disappeared. Where elevated stations are built, surely the underneath areas are perfect for commuter bike storage. The Danes actively encourage cycling; can we do the same?
Elaine O’Shannessy, Buxton
Transport dilemma
The Age is correct when it calls on the state government to hit pause on the Suburban Rail Loop project (Editorial, 24/8). However, the Allan government has created an almost impossible dilemma for itself by signing contracts committing Victoria to the SRL. If it decides to continue with the project, the government will put Victoria’s credit rating at risk. Moreover, it will have to deal with the consequences which will most likely result from being unable to adequately fund essential services across the state.
On the other hand, if it does pause the SRL, the government will be obliged to pay compensation to contractors which will make the Commonwealth Games payouts pale into insignificance. And what has already been built will serve as monuments to the government’s perceived financial incompetence.
Ivan Glynn, Vermont
Caught in a loop
The Suburban Rail Loop is not a project of national importance and I would urge Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King to not provide further funding to it (″Rail loop funds warning as Canberra targets value″, 24/8). The business case for SRL never stacked up. It was based on dubious patronage figures and was contingent on all 90 kilometres being built, not just the section from Cheltenham to Box Hill, which the state government is only committing to build now.
Yvonne Bowyer, Surrey Hills
Mobile distress
Thank you Tony Wright for the article ″Are Telstra, Optus set to silence the bush?″ (24/8) regarding the concern in the country when 3G is discontinued.
We cancelled our landline due to the number of spam calls and are now regretting it. Worried if we have an emergency we won’t be able to get help. We are both in our mid-70s.
Having suffered a severe fracture I understand the importance of triple zero.
After numerous emails to the mobile maker and the company I bought the mobile from I still don’t know if my mobile will work for emergency calls. I also contacted the network supplier and it just advised the same recommendations.
I’m told to turn on VoLTE but my mobile doesn’t have an option for it but the mobile indicates I’m using 4G but when texting 3498 it states I’m using 3G for emergency.
Very concerned and confused.
Pam Christensen, Leongatha North
Heartwarming Assembly
I write to add my praise to the ABC for the program The Assembly. In this ″safe place where anything can happen″, we see a group of autistic journalism students, under the gentle encouragement of Leigh Sales, test their interview skills with subjects drawn from all areas of life.
Their questions, often informed by their own experiences, are both probing and poignant, while their subjects, unsure at the start, gradually open up in a very different way from the interviews we have seen in the past. One of the delights is seeing this ″safe place″ become joyful as connections are forged and laughter is shared. Indeed, for the observer, a lump in the throat is not an uncommon reaction.
This is television at its best, both informing and entertaining as well as being heartwarming.
Miriam Gould, Malvern
An article of sadness
The Good Weekend article ″Error of Judgment″ (24/8) is prescient in the fact that Australia made a huge ″error of judgment″ in the failure of the referendum for the Voice to parliament. To read the article a rush of sadness was overwhelming, reminiscent of a great right that was abandoned. The article also carried the wisdom that we should never use ″ignorance as an excuse″ to disrespect Indigenous people anywhere.
Judith Morrison, Nunawading
Off the buses
I was surprised to read the letter (25/8) suggesting that buses are a reasonable alternative to e-scooters. I must respectfully disagree. Buses are the most unreliable form of public transport. They are slow, jerky, and often have large gaps in their timetables. In my experience, they frequently do not turn up at all.
Moreover, this argument misses an important point: e-scooters fill the gaps where other forms of public transport fall short. Many times, after work, I have found myself waiting 20 minutes for a tram, with an even longer wait for buses. In contrast, I could get home in 20 minutes on an e-scooter, allowing me to spend more time with the important people in my life.
If we are to consider a form of public transport as the gold standard, buses certainly do not fit the bill.
Tony Wright, Fitzroy North
Remember the fans, AFL
It was interesting when reading all the issues listed for the AFL to address (″Issues that need a fix for game to hit new heights″, 25/8) not one mention was made of supposedly the most important ingredient when it comes to games – the fans. In particular the “Gather Round” means the supporters of only two of the 18 teams can actually see their team in person, unless you’re prepared to fork out a fortune on flights and accommodation.
Give more importance to the fans and less to the broadcasters and advertisers. Also, the AFL must be the only major sport in the world where the rules and interpretations change from year to year and even during the season.
Players, umpires and fans are continually confused about what set of rules will be enforced or interpreted differently from week to week (see ″holding the ball″ rule this season). Set the rules, confirm the interpretation once then leave it alone.
David Parker, Geelong West
Faster on foot
My experience of the east-west buses in the inner north is different from your correspondent’s (Letters, 25/8). The 504 and the 510 are too infrequent to travel on without checking a timetable, and the frequency of the 506 and the 508 is poor if you are not travelling during the day on a weekday. The 506 doesn’t run at all on a Sunday. They are simply not a competitive option for east-west travel, either individually or considered together as a patchwork jumble. Often it is faster to walk.
Samuel McMahon,
Parkville
Taxing questions
Your correspondent (Letters, 24/8) is correct “my cohort ( I’m one) must learn to live without excessive concessions”. Major tax reform is essential given the massive country debt and would be best undertaken without a national credit rating downgrade. We appear unprepared to accept changes for the benefit of all given the major parties’ approach is telling taxpayers repeatedly they are entitled to keep more of their hard-earned money.
Taxpayers also want more and more from governments while paying less and less tax, so it is hard to see either major party proposing a changed tax regime with a federal election so close.
Howard Brownscombe,
Brighton
Just stop the nod
Just once, only once, wouldn’t it be an absolute belter to observe the nodder behind a politician indicate a definite ‘no’ to a statement without said politician’s understanding of the nod. It’s so tiring and predictable surely the lacquer has worn off this stupidity by now. Sadly how wrong I am.
David West,
Essendon
All stop, Gisborne
Every AFL game this year whenever Collingwood or Richmond have played at the MCG it has been standing room on the V/line services for 90-plus passengers to Castlemaine. Surely someone in V/line could allocate an extra carriage for these games. On Saturday evening, one elderly standing passenger, hoping there would be a mass exodus, started a rumour that Dusty Martin would be signing autographs at the Gisborne Station platform.
Kevin Brown, Moonlight Flat
Let’s all walk into the light
I nominate the letter “We must live lighter” (24/8) as letter of the year. It is compulsory reading for anyone interested in solving our nation’s economic and socio-political challenges.
Your correspondent nails intergenerational inequality as today’s young adults and coming generations facing heavy taxes and education levies, massive housing crises and explosive climate change threats.
He warns us that “this inequality is a breeding ground for discontent and conflict”. For the sake of social cohesion, he challenges his cohort to “learn to live without excessive concessions related to handouts such as franking credits, liberal tax concessions” etc.
I love that instead of highlighting self-interest, grievances and ideological obsessions, he appeals to our better angels of altruism, stability and prosperity for all. His summary is brilliant, namely that “we need to live lighter that others may simply live”.
Kevin Burke, Sandringham
How will we cope?
It will now take about four minutes rather than two to travel from Arden to Parkville stations. How on Earth will we cope?
Michael Helman, St Kilda East
AND ANOTHER THING
Trump
Donald Trump could always borrow the Popemobile for rallies.
Robin Jensen, Castlemaine
JFK and RFK must be spinning in their graves over RFK jnr’s support for Trump.
Les Aisen, Elsternwick
Donald Trump needs a campaign song. I think It’s Hard To Be Humble might fit the bill.
Andrew Walker, Wangaratta
I watched the Trump/RFK rally in Arizona on Saturday night. Thousands laughed and cheered an insane corruption of reality.
Andrew Taylor, Merricks Beach
Furthermore
Politicians only say ″we realise voters are doing it tough″ when they’re up for re-election.
David Cayzer, Clifton Hill
The Northern Territory election surely represents the sentiments of Australians in the current economic, housing, banking, security, health services, immigration and overall cost of living crises.
Ross Kroger, Barwon Heads
It is all very well being told where house sellers are doubling or even tripling their money when they sell their house. All that means is that the price of the next house they buy – even in a retirement village – will cost them twice or even three times as much.
Tony Haydon, Springvale
Coalition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan said the government was ″failing to provide clarity about what’s happening″ with Gazans seeking refuge. Maybe that is because the Coalition keeps muddying the water.
Alan Inchley, Frankston
There is no justification for gambling ads.
Bill Burns, Bendigo
Oh good, “there’s huge export opportunity”, says Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy, for Australian-made $4 million missiles.
Ian Macdonald, Traralgon
Finally
Memo Hawks. Where there’s a Will, there’s a Day.
David Price, Camberwell