South Australia is having a rough go of it.
At a time when regional centres like Whyalla are facing the loss of their primary industries, Adelaide’s northern suburbs are preparing for the same fate. The looming closure of the Holden plant will have an economic impact that the city hasn’t faced in… well, ever, really. And, as it stands, the state already has the worst unemployment rates in the nation.
Still, like any Australian capital city, the economic and societal realities of the City of Churches are felt more profoundly by those experiencing homelessness. The Hutt Street Centre, of of ADL’s largest charities focussing on the issue, say there are nearly 6,000 people in the state experiencing homelessness in some capacity.
That means when the
Bureau of Meteorology issue a
severe weather warning for Adelaide, including reference to damaging winds and intense rainfall, far too many South Australians have to face the elements.
But, if the City’s latest initiative has its intended affect, that number may be lower than usual tonight.
In a Facebook post that’s since gone absolutely viral, it was announced the centrally-located Franklin St bus station would remain open to all-comers throughout the night, in an effort to keep people safe, dry and warm.
Responses to the decision have been overwhelmingly positive – as you’d expect any common-sense demonstration of kindness to be, but it’s still bloody heartening to see.
It’s not the first time the building has been opened during extreme weather, either. Late last year, as the mercury bust upwards of 40 degrees,
the station was opened 24/7 so anyone around could take advantage of the A/C.
While the clouds loom large over the city, it’s worth realising this isn’t the solution to an utterly systemic issue. It is nice to recognise the empathetic actions of a city looking after its own, though.
