We’re here too!

We have just read, from cover to cover, the first edition of Southbank Local News.

Congratulations on the presentation, content and coverage. This has been a long time coming and we hope that the diversity and community spirit of Southbank flourishes through the future editions.

Eighteen years ago, when Southbank was a jumbled mess of old buildings and derelict spaces, we moved from the eastern suburbs and settled in a new apartment on the site of the old Prince Henry’s Hospital nursing quarters.  For about 10 years we survived in a veritable “war-zone” of frantic construction and re-development sites.

Southbank is now coming-of-age and, over the next 18 months we will enjoy the completion of three new complexes in Sturt St and Coventry St.  The most significant contribution to the local amenity has been the superbly-designed and constructed Grant Street Reserve (see photograph). This is enjoyed by young families through to the elderly who appreciate the excellent seating and rapidly-growing trees and shrubs.

However, this is just not enough!  Friendly, inviting and well-planned open space is still lacking.  The selfish encroachment of high-rise buildings has to be examined very closely before we find ourselves in “little Singapore”.

One concern about the content of edition one:  The “Faces of Southbank” segment is a VERY biased cross-section with the average age of people being 24 years.  What about some balance from residents (not simply workers) who are in their 30s, or 40s, or 50s – wow! – even 70s, like us!

We really appreciate the birth of Southbank Local News.

David and Wendy Beech