Why were pool tiles used that have lead to cuts and grazes?
Not even three months after the grand opening of this great new whizz-bang Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre in Kangaroo Flat and it has been exposed that there are health and safety problems ("Children’s cuts and grazes at Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre prompt investigation”, Bendigo Advertiser, January 13).
The poor response from the (City of Greater Bendigo) Acting CEO Ms Vicky Mason detracted away from the real issue by saying that kids’ skin is soft and being in water for long periods their feet become softer.
Ms Mason also stated that the tiles met the Australian Building code for non-slip tiles and goeson to say that they are aware of other centres experiencing the same problem. If that’s the case it appears there is a problem with the tiles. Just because the tiles meet the required standards that doesn’t mean to say that those tiles had to be used. Why couldn’t it be painted cement. There are a lot of very effective non-slip paints available!
Reading comments made by parents to life guards, the replies fell short of trying to make any reasonable assistance other than that you just need to put up with it. How much time will it take for the tiles to become less abrasive? Ms Mason also stated that they weren’t going to close the pool, so the safety of the patrons doesn’t appear to be important.
Meanwhile, the council is still jostling with various user groups in Golden Square to get their way and close the Golden Square Pool. They won’t take up the option of taking a peppercorn rent on the Old Golden Square P.S in Laurel Street to assist sporting and recreational groups because it is not their desired plan. Never mind that they were elected into council to represent the wishes of the constituents not your own agendas.
Ivan Kitt, Bendigo
Negative gearing debate
The negative gearing debate, could be described as "don't cry for me Australia". The top 1% owns 50% of the nations wealth. The top 20% owns 80%, so anyway you look at it there is not much left for the rest, and the argument regarding this is that these concessions are being subsidized largely by PAYE taxpayers.
It has been highlighted for years that the largest tax losses in Australia are by the wealthy, big businesses, a large percentage overseas owned, legal tax minimization schemes unable to be accessed by " ordinary people" and the cash economy, which has seen people allegedly earning large incomes declaring a minimal amount and hiding down in the lower class of taxpayers.
Most, if not all of these "legal tax minimization schemes" were initiated when Australia's economy was booming, but it still does not excuse the fact that lower income earners were, and still are, subsidizing other peoples incomes in regards to negative gearing.
Australia is a much different country even from a decade ago, and there has to be serious thought given to the future role of Government in respect to the fairness given to all Australians, and a complete examination of all " tax minimization schemes" which is costing our country billions of dollars a year is desperately needed.
In the end it is the future of our country and our grandchildren we are talking about.
Ken Price, Eaglehawk
Letters must carry the name, full address and telephone number of the author. The writer’s name and suburb/town will be published. We reserve the right to edit letters. Letters which are deemed inappropriate will not be published.Send letters to Bendigo Advertiser, PO Box 61, Bendigo 3552 or at bendigoadvertiser.com.au
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
