Sth Dunedin has earned its own library and hub

IN response to J. Pearce (Letters, 15.2.21), South Dunedin has fought long and hard for a local library and community hub over several decades and deserves the very best facility the council can provide.

Having lived and volunteered in this community, I see great need for more support of the local residents.

This area is extremely high density and houses many of our vulnerable, both young and old.

The recent alterations to the bus services, including the diversion of buses from George St to the new bus hub, have left many with poor mobility unable to walk uphill to the library or council building. No longer do buses drop folk at the base of the handy escalator for easy library access — a great shame.

If we take the example of another New Zealand city of similar population such as Tauranga, we see that its council provides not one but four community libraries. Each incorporates space that reflects the micro community it serves.

To suggest that a community centre in South Dunedin would be considered a ‘‘touchyfeely’’ place is demeaning to the community that I hugely respect.

I see great isolation, particularly among elderly in tiny council flats, leading to loneliness and even depression. A bright, cheerful shared space, where visitors can connect, chat and celebrate, is long overdue.

I for one, can’t wait for the day this facility opens to its very deserving community.

Susan Broad

Outram

Covid precaution

WHY should we in the South Island be penalised for the Auckland community case?

I’m sure my feelings go with the rest of the South Island.

Also, to stop the spread, all travel in and out of Auckland should be stopped until further notice, or if that fails, all travel between the two islands halted.

We in the South Island should still be at Level 1. We have no community cases here so there is no need to move our alert level at all.

Also, what does closed border mean?

There should be noone returning to New Zealand now. They have had long enough to return home.

Frank Thompson

Alexandra

EV impact

I HAVE concerns for our environment with the push towards electric vehicles as most information I see is related to emissions only and not the full environmental impact of going electric. I fear making a decision based on one aspect only may actually increase harm instead of reducing it.

I would love to see an article on the full impact if all of New Zealand moved to electric vehicles, including manufacture and disposal of EV batteries, how many more power stations would need to be built to charge electriconly vehicles, the environmental impact of building these power stations, and so on. How does this compare to the current petrol engine?

Basically, what is the environmental impact of manufacturing and running electric, hybrid and petrol vehicles? Nancy Robbie

Glenross

Motorsport yarn

I ENJOYED reading the article about Gordon Gregory in the weekend edition (ODT, 6.2.21) under the Southland news section.

However, I must draw your attention to an error.

Errol Hewitt was not the fourth person to own the Ford Special Number 29. In fact, he is the fifth.

The vehicle was first owned by its creator, Gordon Gregory. Then Lyall Martin, myself, then Alan Bryce, and finally Errol Hewlett.

John Noble

Mosgiel ....................................

BIBLE READING: The Lord saves the righteous and protects them in times of trouble. — Psalms 37.39.