Commenting on the story: Green light for new West Lakes housing plan

In respect to the newly rezoned land at West Lakes and Minister Champion’s comments around public transport provision, it seems somewhat ironic that in 2019, as Opposition Leader, Peter Malinauskaus, actually protested against the removal of the Route 350 bus that traversed the road adjacent the newly rezoned site.

Clearly there must be demand for public transport in the area if the Premier was lobbying for this service to be retained a few years ago?

It’s also interesting that Minister Champion believes that bus services follow density. This necessarily isn’t the case – areas dense by Adelaide standards still lack adequate bus services (e.g. no evening services at Oakden, no bus service at all along Fullarton Rd outside the Glenside development and no bus links from Bowden to nearby centres such as Prospect and the Brickworks, nor is the nearby North Adelaide Railway Station operational outside of peak hours). – Joel Taggart

Commenting on the story: Hope for regional businesses amid housing crisis

This article should be headed ‘More hopelessness for regional businesses amid housing crisis’. Thirteen homes – across three regional centres. Are they serious? That’s four houses each in those towns! Is this the best we can do?

While we’re talking about the ‘potential’ to build thousands of new dwellings which are desperately needed in the capital, this story only emphasises the state government’s disdain for our regions, where we generate over 60% of SA’s revenue. Truly pathetic response to the needs of our country centres.

And shameful that, as the original national leaders in social housing with the establishment of the first landmark public housing programs in the 1930s, our properties for low-income and disadvantaged sectors of our population are less and less available to those who need them most, while rents continue to skyrocket and developers and investors reap the benefits. Shameful and wrong. – Kieran Weir

Commenting on the story: Hyundai goes all in on hydrogen-powered cars 

“Hyundai has previously touted that hydrogen as a fuel source makes more sense for SUVs, utes and long-distance travel than electric vehicles because of range and power.”

Fully agree with this statement for the Australian context. Too difficult to go on a last-minute interstate trip via Broken Hill, Alice Springs or the Nullarbor with an EV. Bring on hydrogen vehicles! – Tony Brown

Commenting on the column: Ask the Expert – combatting retiree worry No. 1: running out of money

My  experience is that a few things will reduce ‘savings’ of those retired, although for most $1.7 million is far more than most have and will accumulate.

So for those near to or already retired, things like maintaining an older large family home with a big garden would factor in. Medicines needed but not on the PBS would be another.

At the other end of the scale, needing to access Residential Aged Care and not having a partner also can deplete the balance (as the value of the ‘family home’ is counted towards contributions). But most do stop travelling by mid 70s and there are limited things that older folk want/need.

Once you get to that age buying new expensive cars or jewellery is not always important.What sometimes becomes important though is you certainly can help/assist children and grandchildren. – Helen Chadwick