Letters to the editor

IT IS reassuring that services at the Renmark Paringa Aged Care Facility meet accreditation standards according to Country Health SA (The Murray Pioneer, 24/1/12).

This means that issues of governance, procedures, systems and delivery are meeting Australian Government standards.

However, intangibles such as dedication, commitment and compassion – particularly at senior levels – are also needed to provide good aged care.

The community is concerned that these important elements of good service are being placed at risk, with operations and services appearing to be completely driven by budgetary considerations.

The community wants the best possible environment for the residents and staff of the Renmark Paringa facility.

Budgets and accreditation cannot be the only measures of the success of an aged care service.

Staff must also feel comfortable in being able to express their concerns without fear of being punished, and issues raised by residents and their families must not be ignored.

TIM WHETSTONE

Member for Chaffey

Nursing home impressive

OUR HUSBAND and father has been residing at the Country River Village in Renmark for the past two and a half years.

We have found the staff to be caring, helpful and friendly. Nothing has been too much for them to do.

The activities program is fantastic. Every day is a different venue and there are so many choices for the residents.

We are very impressed with the beautiful botanical gardens and entertaining areas. Even the ducks and birds have made themselves at home there.

Some of the residents have their own gardens, which is great therapy for them.

Any visitors we take there are impressed. In our opinion, the Country River Village is the best in the Riverland.

The Country River Village is the hostel part of the Renmark Paringa Nursing Home.

VAL KRUPA and MARTINA ROBERTS

Loxton

Basin plan a failure

THE SECOND Murray Darling Basin Plan is a failure.

When is the government going to recognise that the personnel who took so much time and incurred so much cost do not qualify for the job of water management?

Irrigators who grow a variety of crops do have first-hand knowledge, not just theory. How many irrigators were on this committee?

The problem of water management between the states will never be rectified until all are on the same starting level.

Forty years ago South Australia did away with open channels, but not the eastern states. Consequently, a vast amount of water is lost in evaporation. It would fill many storage areas.

The South Australian Government must go to Canberra and see to it that it becomes mandatory for all states to have the same method of distribution. Only then will we have a workable plan.

SHEILA HOLLINGDRAKE

Renmark

How the plan affects you

HAVE YOU seen the dry blocks in our area?

The Murray Darling Basin Plan is having an impact on our district and will continue to do so until 2019.

Do you know what impact it will have on your horticultural block, the value of a house in your town, your businesses in your town, or in fact the whole town?

Water is the engine that drives our economies and it is important that we understand the impacts of the Murray Darling Basin Plan on our region.

South Australia has already played its part in respecting the river and its water resource. Water entitlements were capped in 1969, however the MDBA has decided to use a common starting point at 2008 for determining baseline extractions.

Over 20 per cent of our state’s irrigation entitlements have been bought for environmental use.

We agree with our Premier when he says that no further water claw-backs should come from South Australians.

South Australia should see some reward for its historically responsible behaviour in water management.

I urge all of our community, irrigators, business people, employees, retirees and residents to attend the Murray Darling Basin community consultation meeting in Renmark later this month to gain an understanding of how this plan will affect you.

ROBERT SMYTH

South Australian River Communities
Cadell

Invasion Day

MEDIA REPORTS suggest that Peter Garrett wants Australian school students to be taught that Australia Day is also Invasion Day.

Australia Day is not simply a day to mark the arrival of the First Fleet. In its historical context that is the day the colony of New South Wales was founded.

Australia Day is the national holiday when we celebrate the achievements and the great nation that Australia has become over almost 225 years.

That includes the achievements of both indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

CHRISTOPHER PYNE MP

Federal Shadow Minister for Education

Adelaide