ACCOUNTABILITY NEEDED
In the local leadership vacuum prevailing alongside the Naracoorte community's rejection of the proposed itinerant workers' camp at the town's former TAFE site, the silence from beef processor Teys/Cargill has been both surprising and disappointing.
The Teys/Cargill abattoir has a massive presence in the South East in terms of its positive economic and philanthropic footprint.
As such, it is incumbent on the Qld/United States company to actively demonstrate some transparency and accountability by participating publicly in the local discussion about abattoir worker accommodation.
Teys/Cargill has the greatest single interest in well-planned and sustainable long-term residential capacity in the region and, as such, the company should be playing a more visible leadership role in finding acceptable solutions.
Unfortunately, the company's effective silence since the unpopular accommodation plans emerged in November raises questions about how far the processor's sense of social responsibility extends in our local community.
We want Teys/Cargill to have a positive presence in the SE for decades to come and for its abattoir workers to be a sustainable presence in Naracoorte. Part of that future requires more meaningful, effective engagement and two-way communication with our community.
Tom and Katie Dawkins,
Naracoorte.
MANY RESIDENTS FORGOTTEN
The newly-announced national radioactive waste dump is not in Kimba.
It is at Pinkawillinie and is closer to the Wudinna and Cleve districts than the Kimba township.
Coming from a neighbourhood that is split by council boundaries, we are seeing the equivalent of the Berlin Wall dividing this area.
I have strongly advocated equal treatment based on distance to the waste dump throughout the consultation period, but to no avail. It is now the case that Australian citizens and residents who live and work closer to the waste dump than the majority at Kimba have lost all their rights.
The Kimba council ballet was never designed for this type of decision. Not only have we lost voting entitlements, we have now lost any compensation from this nation for having this waste nearby.
It is not just gloves and gowns but the temporary storage of used fuel rods from the nuclear industry in Australia.
This whole selection process makes the sports grants saga look like kindergarten games.
I don't see happy days ahead for us or our children. Sure, the offer of many millions of dollars is tempting, but when it is used for obtaining political outcome it can only mean trouble ahead for us.
Terry Schmucker,
Cootra via Kyancutta.
PUT AUSTRALIANS FIRST
Listening to an Australian fresh flower producer implore Australians, just before Valentines Day, to purchase Australian-grown flowers, rather than those from overseas, epitomises the farcical situation our farmers and manufacturing sectors are facing.
Australian consumers, in their insatiable pursuit of cheaper products, are ensuring that the viability and sustainability of locally-grown and manufactured goods are so badly affected that their closure is imminent.
As a direct result of our high standard of living, it is impossible for Australian industry to compete with the much cheaper imports from overseas countries.
Government action is urgently required, or Australia will quickly become a nation of just consumers and not producers.
Like or loathe him, President Trump is putting American jobs and industries first. Our government needs to do the same.
Ian Macgowan,
Ceduna.
- Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Click here to sign up to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.