Reader NIZAM YOOSUF laments about the design of public car parks in Gungahlin to the extent he reckons he’s found the worst in Australia. A big call. 

After working for many years, I bought my first new car. 

One day I returned to the car park to find my beautiful car badly smashed in the rear by another car.

I see people struggling to park their SUVs and large sedans between cars or between a car and a concrete post. It’s a nightmare we all drivers go through. 

Why? It’s because of the so-called car park “standard” which was defined long before many of the present generation of retirees were born.

To overcome parking difficulties, many people reverse park. Unfortunately, with our car boots backing on each other, some shoppers force their shopping trolleys between parked cars, invariably causing scratches.

Oh, if you like to experience Australia’s worst underground car park, drive into the K-mart carpark in Gungahlin.

I am convinced that the two entry-exit points were designed by primary schoolkids who have just learned about acute and 90-degree angles. What an effort to get our car windows aligned to access the ticket machine.

In a nutshell, car parks in Gungahlin are drama-cabanas! Make sure you are on top of your blood-pressure medications.

Nizam Yoosuf, Gunghalin 

Does ACT Planning do any research?

“So, let’s build a new 86-child Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Centre,” says an interstate developer. 

“Where? Here’s a nice space, right opposite the busy entrance to Weetangera Primary School’s car park on the busy Southwell Street that most days becomes one-way as it accommodates pre-school and sports oval traffic and parking. 

“Set the ECEC Centre on the high side of the street, amongst seven neighbouring homes, front it with a 26-space car park and garbage bin space backed by a one and two-storey, imposing warehouse-like building.” 

Does ACT Planning do any research to plan for future ECEC centres in appropriate locations? 

With its impact on road safety and the suburban amenity of the area, this is most certainly not an appropriate site.

Should the commercial interest of a developer be given precedence over safety and legitimate concerns of residents?

Nola McKeon, via email

Can any local Jew justify the war in Gaza?

“The (army) ordered the destruction of the ghetto, block by block.

People were forced to leap from burning buildings as they were destroyed by tanks and flame throwers. 

“Some tried to escape through the sewers but the (army) injected poison gas. At its peak, 450,000 people were trapped in the ghetto. “Overcrowding exacerbated the spread of disease, and the 

lack of medical supplies meant that diseases quickly became epidemics. 

“Residents were provided starvation rations only. In total, 13,000 people died, about half of them burnt alive or suffocated.” 

Gaza 2025? No! That’s a brief summary of the Nazi response to the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising by 700-750 poorly-armed Jewish resistance fighters trying to delay the final clearance to the death camps.

Reflecting on the parallels between now and then, can any member of the Canberra Jewish community continue to justify the war in Gaza? I assume that at least some have made their opposition known to the Israeli embassy? 

What about a further brave step? Would you hold a demonstration, and invite others to join you outside the embassy, to support the hostage families, the IDF conscientious objectors and the thousands of Israeli protestors defending democracy in Tel Aviv against the Netanyahu government? 

Conor Bradley, Belconnen 

Easy to see Dutton genuflecting to Trump

While Peter Dutton would always protest that he would never kiss Donald Trump’s ass, it is easy to imagine him burbling and genuflecting to the one he quickly and admiringly labelled as “shrewd” and “a big thinker”. 

Imagine, too, the treatment Australia might receive and the requirements imposed if the Coalition’s economic and diplomatic power posse of Dutton, Littleproud, Taylor, Hume and Cash took off for neo-liberal and deal-making chats and negotiations in Washington, aided by a newly appointed ambassador to the US, Scott Morrison, and special trade engagement envoy Tony Abbott. 

Or if not these two individuals, because they are already busily immersed in lucrative right-wing podium strutting, policy advising and lobbying work in the US, then others of their ideological ilk and competence who would be eager for new cosy Coalition gigs. 

Australia would need much more than the “thoughts and prayers” of dozens of world leaders to survive such an expedition and its aftermath. 

No wonder the Coalition parties want voters to think about an LNP world that is no further away than the local petrol bowser and focuses on offering even more economically irresponsible and costly promises of handouts instead of solid, equitable policy development and vision. 

Sue Dyer, Downer