For shame
YOU could decry the loss of gravitas, which the highest offices of elected government used to be associated with, the decay of decorum, when you witness the empty click bait behaviour, the polarising culture wars, the obvious showboating and the constant lying today’s politicians engage in.
On the other hand, it might be favourable not to be hiding behind a veneer of political correctness anymore, to openly admit to the mask-off moment of the so-called rules-based order, because we all know the corrupted deeds behind both options are exactly the same.
When Donald Trump announces On February 4th that America will take over Gaza, permanently resettle the Palestinians “somewhere nice”, clean the strip up and turn it into the Riviera of the Middle East, everyone is accustomed to such grotesque, crude and downright repugnant rhetoric. And admittedly, despite of his two main donors Adelson and Musk being rabid Zionists, he probably does not mean it word for word, it’s part of his bargaining style, the art of the deal.
But the dark reality behind it is undeniable: the IDF has, under the direction of the Netanyahu Government, intentionally slaughtered tens of thousands of women and children and laid to ruin square kilometres of densely built urban space, executed with military hardware made in and paid for by the USA.
Instead of being prosecuted as war criminals they will now be rewarded with a free clean-up, a “final solution” to their Palestinian problem and valuable beachside real estate.
So, when Peter Dutton comes out immediately and praises Donald as a great deal maker and big thinker, when he opines that it is not an unreasonable expectation to have Israel’s neighbours pay for the mess they themselves created, the reaction of the public is a big yawn instead of an outcry of total condemnation.
I am ashamed to have a budding Prime Minister that can’t see the utter moral bankruptcy in that, I am ashamed to be Australian.
These are my personal opinions.
Simon Zeller, Roseworthy
Not a moment too soon
WITHOUT a doubt, women have suffered discrimination throughout history.
Fortunately, the situation has dramatically improved for them recently, except for female sports.
Credit should be given where credit is deserved.
( ‘Trump signs order barring trans athletes’ – The Advertiser 7/02/2025) US President Donald Trump needs to be congratulated on signing an executive order seeking to “ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports”.
He is correct in saying “we will defend the proud tradition of female athletes, and we will not allow (trans) men to beat up, injure and cheat our women and our girls”.
These thoughts reflect the vast majority of our community, but are too afraid to publicly express their opinion due to “political correctness”.
Good on him for taking up this stance.
Richard Harris,
Gawler
Five environmental drivers set to shape Northern and Yorke landscapes in 2025
CONTINUED FROM FEB 5
3. Urban NRM
Urban NRM (natural resource management) will be an important focus area in 2025.
It’s about promoting healthy, biodiverse spaces that capture and make the best use of water, undeveloped areas and allow residents to create biodiversity in their own backyards.
The Northern and Yorke region has a population of about 150,000 people, with major centres in Port Pirie, Gawler, Nuriootpa, Clare, Balaklava, Peterborough, Orroroo, Burra, Moonta and Kadina.
Engaging with property owners and community groups in townships like these is key to expanding green and biodiverse spaces for both lifestyle and environmental benefits.
Urban NRM will be part of Northern and Yorke’s next 5-year Regional Landscape Plan, but we’re already incorporating its principles in our general work in the region.
We’re also partnering with Green Adelaide to explore water and biodiversity-sensitive urban design principles to ensure they’re part of any new developments in our region.
4. Revegetation
Areas of remnant vegetation hold the key to retaining biodiversity in our region and it’s critical to protect these parts of our landscape that are still in reasonable nick.
That means major revegetation projects that focus on improving the health and connecting sections of existing vegetation across farmland.
80 per cent of our region is used for agricultural production, so it makes sense that we work with producers on this.
Preserving tracts of vegetation not only helps the environment but also offers positive environmental services for crops and animals, leading to more resilient and sustainable farm operations.
The reality is that it’s almost impossible to recreate areas of remnant vegetation.
As a society, we need to better value existing native vegetation and commit to saving the patches we have left.
This year we’d like to progress a threatened plant species seed bank and nursery to support any future broad-scale, biodiverse revegetation work.
Pick up next week’s copy of The Bunyip for part five.
Tony Fox
Northern and Yorke Landscape Board general manager
