Sydney’s traffic is projected to exceed pre-COVID-19 levels within a year or two, with a rebound in vehicle kilometres and CO² emissions. The Minns government’s toll caps and road-building agenda will contribute to this growth, alongside workers returning to the office. Some roads have less traffic due to infrastructure changes, while others have seen an increase in traffic volume. The government must consider how to provide better access to jobs, education, and services for the growing population, whether through driving or public and active transport options.
Affording a home in Sydney requires a high six-figure income, with many Australians being excluded from home ownership. Mainstream renting needs to be made more acceptable and desirable, with a focus on building-to-rent initiatives by both government and industry. Models from countries like Germany can provide insights into solving the housing crisis. Incentivizing businesses, such as insurance companies, to build affordable rental housing with controlled rent rises linked to the CPI could be a solution.
Bullying in schools remains a prevalent issue, with public schools needing to step up efforts to address this problem. Thirty years ago, schools had bullying management programs in place, but the landscape has evolved with the advent of the internet and societal issues. Public schools should consider increasing the ratio of psychologists to match private schools and implement more comprehensive strategies to tackle bullying effectively in today’s context.
The cost of cash transactions includes a 3.9 percent fee, which is already factored into the prices charged by businesses. There is a suggestion that cashless transactions should deduct this fee from the price, making them cheaper. This approach could incentivize the shift towards cashless payments and streamline the cost of transactions for both businesses and consumers.
Concerns about government expenditure on welfare and social security are raised, with a focus on the misconception that a significant portion of the population relies on handouts. The majority of welfare recipients are on aged or disability pensions, with a smaller fraction receiving unemployment benefits. The letter writer, who is now on a good superannuation income, emphasizes the importance of supporting those in need while acknowledging their own fortunate circumstances.
