Letters To The Editor - May 17, 2018

Positive Ageing Service Review engagement process

Dear Editor,

The Surf Coast Shire has commissioned a review of the Positive Ageing Service area.

The federal government is introducing changes to how aged care and disability services are delivered.

Back in April, the shire produced, in my opinion, a substandard discussion paper that would help the community understand these changes and to seek a response.

As a resident and concerned community member, I submitted a response.

A phone call from the shire’s Business Improvement Officer on Friday, May 4 informed me that the shire had received 133 written submissions; 118 of these are from current clients. Council, as I understand it from the Business Improvement Officer will receive a report on May 22 with a recommendation for going forward.

Any dramatic proposed change in service delivery with such a community response would normally trigger a Hearing of Submissions so that our sitting members can hear first-hand from affected and interested community members before a decision is made but alas this is not to be done.

Good governance should absolutely warrant this process. Again, from the Business Improvement Officer, he stated that the engagement process has been so comprehensive that there is no need for a Hearing of Submissions.

The engagement process must have been good to only trigger 133 written responses!

I urge shire councillors to reconsider this process decision.

Due process and good governance must be done for the citizens of SCS around this very important service.

Janice Lane
Torquay

Pick your project in Western Victoria

Dear Editor

I am writing to inform readers of an exciting new project which will allow locals in Western Victoria the chance to nominate and decide on their own funding for projects.

The new grassroots democracy program, Pick My Project, will be backed by $30 million from the Andrews Labor Government, giving every community across the state the chance to benefit

All residents aged 16 and over will be able to submit their idea for consideration under the program.

All they’ll need is an idea that helps build a stronger community and the backing of a local organisation able to help deliver the project.

Ideas could include anything from sporting and recreation infrastructure, community arts projects, improvements to community facilities or the local environment.

Projects will need to be feasible and have landowner consent, but there will be no restrictive guidelines – meaning many local priorities that fall-between the cracks of other grant programs will be eligible for funding.

Communities will then get to vote for the projects they think are most important, giving residents in Western Victoria the first and final say on the best way to improve their area.

We want to hear from young people, sporting clubs, community groups, schools, everyone who is active and involved in Western Victoria – because they know what is needed.

Projects between $20,000 and $200,000 will be eligible under the program.

This will put community funding decisions back in the hands of communities – helping people to come together to improve their neighbourhood.

To register your interest, visit pickmyproject.vic.gov.au.

Winning projects will be announced in September 2018.

Gayle Tierney MP
Member for Western Victoria

Embarrassing questions

Dear Editor,

A boy once took to swearing at the dinner table.

His parents objected, and he explained these words were being studied at school. A bit too clever.

The City of Greater Geelong has a dislike for embarrassing questions.

The local law for public question time, of April 2018, therefore forbids embarrassing questions at meetings of council; even the intent to ask an embarrassing question is precluded. One hardly suspects it, but this also a bit too clever.

After all, as we know, the chief executive officer, chair, and half the board of management have resigned just now over embarrassment in the public eye of mistakes in governance of business at AMP.

Peter Linaker
Ocean Grove

More money needed for stroke care

Dear Editor,

The Stroke Foundation has welcomed the federal government’s 2018 budget record investment in health (announced on May 9) and called for a targeted focus on support for Australians to avoid and recover from stroke.

The government’s commitment to essential services provided reassurance, but for the Australians who will suffer more than 56,000 strokes this year and their families, more is needed.

It was encouraging to see the government’s continued commitment to improving the health of Australians through funding to our hospitals, Medicare and pharmaceutical benefits systems.

These services are at the heart of our health system and all Australians can have confidence in continued access to health care, however it is important to recognise not all access is equal.

Currently, there is no guarantee all Australians will have access to the best practice stroke care we know saves lives and reduces disability.

In fact, we know many will not. Regional Australians are among those most impacted. Research shows regional Australians were 19 percent more likely to have a stroke than their metropolitan counterparts. Regional Australians are also more likely to die from a stroke or be left with an ongoing disability simply because they do not have access to specialist stroke treatment and care.

This budget acknowledges current inequalities within the health system, by increasing focus on improving health services for rural and regional Australians. This is an important first step, but I would implore the government to take them further.

There is an enormous opportunity to improve health services for rural and regional Australia by utilising digital health technologies and establishing a national telehealth network.

Too many Australians are dying or being left with an ongoing disability as a result of stroke.

Patient outcomes vary depending on where you live and your access to time-critical treatment. This needs to change.

A national telehealth network will remove geographical barriers and improve access to not only time-critical stroke treatment but diagnosis and treatment of other conditions.

Stroke Foundation also welcomed the Federal Governments $154.3 million dollar budget commitment to support Australians to take up healthier and more active lifestyles and the 45 and 65 year check.

There is one stroke in Australia every nine minutes, yet up to 80 percent of strokes could be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Chronic disease is Australia’s biggest health challenge. We must look after ourselves and each other to stay out of hospital, this plan will provide people with some of the tools to do so.

Regular exercise, healthy eating, and managing blood pressure will go a long way to preventing stroke and reducing the associated spiraling costs to the health system and economy.

It is exciting to see the government build on its investment in research.

Australia is home to some of the world’s leading research minds. Research takes time and money. This funding will give our researchers the time and support they need to deliver the next breakthroughs which will benefit Australians for generations to come.

I look forward to continuing to work with the government to deliver Australian families much needed guarantees.

Sharon McGowan
Chief Executive Officer, Stroke Foundation

Great Ocean Road traffic management

Dear Editor,

Re: pedestrian/vehicle parking/traffic strategy Apollo Bay to Separation Creek, Lavers Hill and Forrest etc.

The movement of vehicles and pedestrians along major routes such as the Great Ocean Road is critical to public safety and future economies.

My major concerns:

Appropriate accommodation of buses
Safe crossings for pedestrians
Facilitation of healthy communities
Protection of environment.

No heavy vehicles should be permitted to park on unpaved surfaces, particularly the foreshore as organisers of major events currently so direct.

Drivers have little choice and may even park with front wheels mounting footpaths or cause serious hazards by double parking on blind corners on the Great Ocean Road. eg Telford/Nelson streets or in residential areas. Tired bus drivers urgently need assistance.

A solution might be compulsory long-term parking in industrial estates with a taxi call service complemented by short-term CBD drop-offs.

People need pedestrian crossings across roads with clear directional logos in two languages.

Yvonne Francis
Apollo Bay

The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal

Dear Editor,

For more than 50 years, The Salvation Army and the Australian community have united to bring hope where it’s needed most through the annual Red Shield Appeal.

The Red Shield Appeal is the lifeblood of The Salvation Army. It ensures that we can continue to support the women and children who are fleeing domestic violence, the people trapped in drug and alcohol addiction, the youth who are sleeping on our streets, and so much more.

It is the Salvos’ main fundraiser, helping keep the doors open to our many support services. But with more and more people from all walks of life turning to us for assistance, this year we will need as much help as we can get.

So we are calling on community groups, sporting clubs, workplaces, families and individuals to get on board and volunteer for the Red Shield Appeal during the month May.

And we are asking people across the country to please donate to this year’s appeal. Even just a small contribution can make an immeasurable difference in someone’s life.

Every day, the Salvos live, love and fight for the needs of our community.

We can only do this because, year after year, Australians come together to give hope where it’s needed most.

So please, get involved in this year’s Red Shield Appeal by phoning 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) or by visiting salvos.org.au, because no one should have to go it alone.

Lieut-Colonel Neil Venables
The Salvation Army’s National Secretary for Communications