Buyers and sellers will pay the cost
The Age
Thursday January 7, 2010
THE Government's intention to introduce an upfront infrastructure tax on new housing in fringe areas (The Age, 5/1) appears to be backfiring. Instead of negotiating with opposition parties or introducing a tax at the point of development, John Brumby would rather delay it until after the election. It indicates how little the Government understands the impact this will have.Developers who already hold land will become liable for the tax. This cost will pass to first-home owners, adding at least $6500 to the price of a house lot the moment the infrastructure tax legislation is passed. Not a good policy running up to an election, considering that interest rates are rising, the first home owner's grant is winding down and housing affordability is a major problem. Those who are trying to sell will find a market racked with uncertainty as developers and landowners grapple with an impending tax liability.Michael Hocking, chairman, Taxed Out, Clyde NorthYes, there is a choicePOOR old developer, Delfin Lend Lease (The Age, 6/1), unable to open up more grasslands to flog off unsustainable future ghettos. Apparently the only way to afford a home in "Melbourne" is to buy one of its houses and enjoy all the future driving, health and social costs thereafter. There are no shortage of alternatives; for example, living regionally (it's quicker to get the train to the CBD from Geelong than Berwick) or doing without a backyard and living near a park instead. But, as they say, it's all about "My Choice". Well, I would like the choice (having decided to live in a modest house, with no yard) of my countryside to remain as country when I escape town occasionally, rather than becoming one massive sprawl of obese housing estates so that private companies can flip a quick profit.Patricia Bakacs, SeddonA dangerous tradeWHY are we exporting anything as sophisticated as computerised communications systems to the Burmese regime (The Age, 5/1)? If its government is buying these high-frequency radio sets and associated data modems, which can carry voice, data, email and fax, what is it using them for? Swapping recipes or love letters? It is naive to suggest that such equipment will be used for anything other than suppressing the Burmese people. The Australian Government should stop Barrett Communications from continuing this order.Simon Jenkins, FawknerMake mine localI LOVE food, shopping and the Queen Vic Market. Like many shoppers, I am keen to purchase fresh produce from local growers, so wish more stall-holders displayed where their goods were grown. Recently I queried the origin of carrots and was told: "South Melbourne, Melbourne. What does it matter?" Feeling dejected, I shopped without any more questions and, to my amazement, arrived home with kiwi fruit from Italy. I appreciate Italian products €” I married one €” but believe that Italian kiwi fruit at the market is ridiculous.The market is a wonderful asset, but it will become a second-class shopping experience if it does not acknowledge the community's interest in food, including where it comes from. If Aldi supermarkets can identify its produce's origin, why can't the market?Pauline Serafini, East IvanhoeCheaper? Really?PEOPLE who are paying $3.40 for a senior's ticket on the Metcard system will be amused €” or bemused €” by this statement on the myki website: "With myki money, you will never pay more than the Seniors Daily Cap for travel in Melbourne. So if you are travelling with your senior's myki in zones 1 and 2, you will be charged $3.30; whereas if you bought a daily concession short-term ticket, you would pay $5.60. That is a saving of $2.30 simply by using your senior's myki."Bev Roberts, NewportKnow when to leaveIT IS good that James Higgins (Letters, 6/1) is alert and prepared to defend his property, but I think he is confused about the term "catastrophic". In the nationally agreed arrangements for bushfire advice and alerts, the term was given special meaning. It is used when predicted conditions are such that fires may be uncontrollable and fast-moving, and well-prepared, constructed and defended homes may not be safe.This is at a Fire Danger Index of 100 or above. People in the path of fires that start in such conditions may be killed or injured, and authorities advise residents to leave well before there is a danger of being caught.It is sobering to realise how many times "catastrophic" has needed to be used this season. Perhaps this is a sign that the norm really is changing.Naomi Brown, CEO, Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council, East MelbourneDangerous, not funTHERE was road carnage in my local area this week and I cannot but feel for those involved. This leaves me questioning the behaviour of drivers who alert others to the presence of police and traffic cameras by flashing their lights. I experienced this twice on Monday.On Saturday, I watched in disbelief as five vehicles hooned their way along the Bass Highway. At one point, the lead driver pulled his car on to the wrong side of the road for 400 metres. He was not overtaking vehicles, just hooning. At Kilcunda, the second car tried to overtake the first one as oncoming traffic closed towards them. I managed to report three of their registration numbers to 000. Those who have been "touched by the road toll" know what that feels like.Stephen Gough, Coronet BayBack to businessTHE last Victorian premier to oversee the opening of a new suburban rail line was Edmond John Hogan. No, I hadn't heard of him either €” the line was opened in 1930. Now, with that trivia dealt with, let's get back to the important business of building new freeways.Richard Lester, YarravilleOur new mindsetREPORTS that the Government is poised to relax Melbourne's water restrictions (The Age 5/1) are disturbing. The rationale is that soon extra water will flow through the contentious pipeline, tiding us over until the expensive and power-hungry desalination plant comes on-line. What a short-sighted approach.From my observation, Australians have accepted that we need a new mindset. We are planting different types of gardens. We mulch more. Domestic consumption of water has dropped significantly. Our shorter showers have less flow through the rose and we make considered decisions before we flush. Many people have installed water tanks to catch rain. Let's not further deplete rural Victoria of its water. And let's send a message to our leaders that urban Victorians are more committed to a new approach than they seem to credit.Alistair Macrae, Brunswick WestHardy horsesBELINDA Burke is concerned for the welfare of Melbourne's carriage horses (Letters, 6/1). They are required to stop work when the temperature reaches 36 degrees. Horses are more than capable of working through the summer. They drew Cobb & Co coaches in the mid-19th century, travelling through outback Australia and covering long distances. Also, racehorses train and race throughout summer without a problem. The Arab is a foundation breed for many of our horses and it derives from Arabia's dessert.She was also concerned about the "boiling hot bitumen". The horses wear steel shoes held in place with long nails. These shoes, before being nailed, are adjusted for fit by being heated to a red-hot state and then applied to hooves. This produces smoke and a charred outline on the hoof. Adjustments can thus be made.Victor Radywonik, Ascot ValeI'm naturally thinI AM fed up with a body-image debate which ends in criticism of thin people. I am 30 years old, 173 centimetres tall and weigh 50 kilograms. I eat well. In fact, I tend to over-eat and do not exercise enough. My first memory of fending off an insult about my weight was at primary school. I endured taunts at my all-girls' high school.Nothing has changed €” except now I have to deal with a disdain for thin people from the media. The term "skinny" is derogatory. "Stick-thin" is mean. I do not need to eat more or "put some meat" on me. It is not acceptable to stigmatise overweight people. Why is it acceptable to stigmatise thin people? Body image is much more than weight. It is about blemishes, freckles, moles and A-cup breasts. It is personal.Lee Carroll, East Melbourne
© 2010 The Age
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