Dear editor,
Unfortunately, the lack of bins and other facilities, such as toilets, in South Australian rest areas leaves us as the laughing stock of Australia (‘Additional bins could help reduce rest stop mess’, Eyre Peninsula Advocate, October 2).
From Port Augusta going north to the NT border there are two public toilets in the rest areas (930 kilometres), but most of the major rest areas do have industrial waste bins, which do get emptied very regularly, particularly in peak times.
Going west from Port Augusta to the WA border, toilet facilities in rest areas total number is zero.
In other states quite a number of major rest areas do have toilets and a good supply of bins.
Attached is a picture of one of many in remote Queensland – located east of Innamincka, just north of Noccundra, south of Eromanga.
They employ contractors to clean and empty bins on a very regular basis.
Perhaps the SA Government should take a leaf out of other states’ agendas, especially when they want to encourage tourism.
David Scott, Port Augusta
Identify causes and act
Dear editor,
It is a sad indictment of our education system when SA Police lowered its pass marks for reading, writing, and numeracy in 2023 because 61 per cent of applicants failed to meet the necessary benchmarks, as reported in ‘Police testing dumbed down’ (The Advertiser, October 2).
Further evidence is provided by Australia’s annual results in PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), which tests reading, science and mathematics, showing that a significant long-term decline has been noted since 2003, with roughly half of Australian students not meeting proficiency standards.
When KPIs (key performance indicators) indicate negative progress or achievement, it is usual for extensive reviews to be conducted in order to identify what causal factors contributed to this decline.
On most occasions, responses to address these falls in basic skills standards are usually followed by generous increases in the levels of funding provided, rather than examining what strategies and programs were used when our numeracy and literacy levels were much higher.
One key factor, often ignored, could be that, given the length of our school day has not changed significantly, the current curriculum is overcrowded.
Most classroom teachers agree, but their opinion is repeatedly ignored by those who wish to introduce further subjects/activities/perspectives, which results in a reduction in the time available for basic skills development.
In December 2024, media reports about the return to old-school teaching methods, which saw students’ results go through the roof, provide clear evidence that some changes to teaching methodology have been unsuccessful and confirmation that the old ways did work.
Ian Macgowan, Ceduna
Take the lead from China
Dear editor,
Some responses to Ian Macgowan’s letter published in the Port Lincoln Times on September 18 (‘All need to participate’).
Who is responsible for emitting most greenhouse gases?
Chinese citizens are responsible for producing about 10 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per person per year.
Australians are responsible for more than 22 tonnes per person per year emitted within Australia, plus many more tonnes emitted overseas as a result of burning millions of tonnes of exported Australian coal and gas.
Who is taking the most effective action to address the problem?
China long ago recognised the very serious problem of atmospheric pollution from fossil fuelled industries and transportation, especially in cities.
It has done more than the rest of the world during the past 15 years to comprehensively address this.
China has electrified its urban bus fleets, developed and mass produced more efficient batteries, photo voltaic cells and panels, inverters, electric vehicles, wind turbines and high voltage transmission systems.
Very significant cost reductions have been achieved in the production, installation and commissioning of these components that are essential for transformation of the world’s energy systems and infrastructure.
Australian governments have started too late and are still proceeding too slowly with the essential transformation from expensive fossil fuel dependency to safe, clean, reliable, lowest cost and sustainable energy systems.
During last year China provided the world with more than 50 per cent of the equipment needed for installations of renewable energy systems and electric vehicles.
China’s lead with transformative energy policies and urgent actions at enormous scale are providing crucial environmental, social and economic benefits, not only within China, but across the globe.
John Scott, Louth Bay
