Talking points: This week’s letters to the editor

Imagine, however, if the entire Margaret River township was a safe haven for cyclists.

One way of making cycling safer is to increase the critical mass of cyclists by encouraging and supporting the incidental use of bikes for errands, commuting and social purposes.

In practical terms, this would mean more people cycling to school, to work, to a friend’s house or to the shops. It might also require community education and cultural change.

However, fewer cars on the road would greatly improve the town’s amenity by decreasing noise, pollution, and physical danger, while more people engaged in physical activity would improve health outcomes.

Creating a cycling culture costs taxpayers nothing but has the benefit of decreasing carbon emissions and decreasing individual fuel expenses.

The first step in making this cultural change is for individuals to ask themselves whether they really need to drive to their destination or whether they could walk or cycle instead.

Tim Hartnett, Margaret River

TO THE brain dead drongos who think they are really, really, really important because they wander the streets aimlessly carrying garden stakes, get a life.

On Saturday, a bunch of turds erupted into a brawl on a suburban South West street because one turd called another turd a name as they rode past on their bikes, or something as melodramatic.

Surely you could find something better to do with your time, anything at all would be more productive than turning the streets into your personal trash can. No-one wants to hear your conversation being screamed at 120 decibels down the streets, no-one cares.

Have more respect for yourselves and your fellow humans.

Name Withheld

I don’t mind people renting out a room in their primary residence and showing people the local hospitality.

Isn’t that a B&B?

Aren’t they meant to comply with certain safety standards and regulations?

But the renting out of an entire house without any onsite management is a recipe for disaster. You may as well let the lunatics run the asylum.

Aren’t residential areas meant to be for residents? Don’t we want to come home at night and know what to expect? If you have neighbours you more than likely know each other and you know their routine.

You feel safe in a familiar environment. It is very unsettling when you are coming home each night and don’t know who is next door, a family or maybe 2 or 3 families, a group of young men or mixed couples. Maybe there is 4 people or maybe 14.

One thing is for sure though, they are all here on holidays, but you’re not you are just trying to go about your daily routine. Residential areas should be and have always been for residents. This renting out of entire homes without any safety standards or management is not conducive with a happy residential environment.

I really can’t believe that the Government is letting Airbnb take over the world!

Nicky Burgess

I READ the article regarding short term accommodation with interest. I love to holiday in the South West. Trying to find affordable and available accommodation on a long weekend or spend a week down south is impossible. I believe that Airbnb provides an alternative to larger more expensive options. It also brings wider benefits to the community because guests are spending money in other hospitality and tourism areas.

Carol Westland

I HAVE two [residential holiday homes] on my boundary and one across the road. I was never asked what I felt about it. At holiday times the small road is packed.

​Ann Mitchell

BLAME the councils [for the number of residential holiday homes] they should never have relaxed the holiday zoning areas to include the likes of Dunsborough Lakes. A concrete jungle abomination not designed for holiday homes.

John Carroll

Visit www.margaretrivermail.com.au/comment to send us your letters and feedback.