Hoping hospital rebuild will not be held up too much

INTERESTING to see the large

$1.4 billion Dunedin hospital is going to now be a midsized Dunedin hospital.

If the pandemic tells us anything, it’s that we need to be prepared for risks of many kinds in the future, and the bigger the hospital, the better.

With massive increases in infrastructure builds coming up across New Zealand over the coming years, I hope the builders are about to be locked in for this build before there is noone left to build it.

It will be very interesting to see whether the build is under way by the election date as promised. We need to remember the Labour leader said (Labour website, 17.8.19) ‘‘We pledge that Dunedin hospital will be rebuilt so that the people of Otago can get the healthcare they deserve’’ and the election posters said ‘‘Build Dunedin hospital now — let’s do this’’.

At that time, there were also the promises that physical building would start by the next election date in 2020. Let’s wait and see whether those statements are true.

A. Anderson

Helensburgh

Distance learning

TOP marks to the creators of Home Learning TV (TVNZ 2 +1). This channel was built in a very short timeframe but the result is impressive with high production values. There are even subtitles.

I was disappointed when one teacher told a class she had lived in Dunedin where it is cold. Northern teachers need to remember the broadcast is being viewed in Dunedin and we have a temperate, maritime climate.

We might not agree with everything being said but it is worth tuning in to Home Learning TV to watch television being used as broadcasting pioneer Lord Reith intended: to inform, educate and entertain.

Graeme Clode

St Kilda

Farmers market

WE all know that businesses are hurting, particularly producers of fruit and vegetables who keep losing out as produce is carted in from elsewhere into the supermarkets.

As we move into Alert Level 3 and later to Level 2, would it not make sense to plan for a larger and more accessible farmers market?

I would therefore like to suggest to discuss the use of the Octagon for the purpose of relocating the new farmers market, with more space to move, more stalls to compete, and space for physical distancing.

Kate and Juergen Gnoth

Waitati ......................................

BIBLE READING: Abstain from every form of evil. — 1 Thessalonians 5:22.