There is no local, state or federal government regulations when it comes to these types of businesses as can be seen in the Four Corners expose "Rehab Inc.", which was aired in September 2016. The public must leave it up to fate to determine whether or not these places are run safely or not.

And to address the cash cow side of the argument, by the developers own admissions they will be targeting high and middle income earners who can afford up to $48,000 for a stay at the facility.

I wonder if you took a poll at the local health clinic, how many of those local people seeking treatment would be able to get a room here?

Locals, huh, yeah right!

I’VE got to say it’s beyond disappointing to see our city’s print media yet again leading the charge in some kind of war on public art.

If you’re looking to get clicks on your website, it seems you can’t go wrong by pulling out the pots and pans again for a good old public art uproar.

I’m not sure how often the same defunct argument of roads versus culture (insert any other service or facility here) can ever be a productive or effective discussion.

Let’s stop falling into the trap of false scenarios of “it’s public art versus roads”, we can and will have both.

We’ll also have sportsgrounds and roads, footpaths and roads, airports and roads, a levee bank and roads.

We need to shift the conversation into a debate around what we want from public art, not if we should or shouldn’t have public art.

I’ve seen and heard all the debate and one of the most common statements I hear is “I’m not against public art but …”, so let’s stop debating public art in itself and debate what we want from it.

Is it to be challenged? Is it to find beauty? Perhaps it’s to reflect our own identity as a community.

As far as I’m aware, every city in the country has public art and for crucial reasons. I’d be interested to find a city that doesn’t and has no plans to.

I dream of living in a city that celebrates its artistic achievements through local media, not see an opportunity to stoke a fire purely for the sake of it.

We have a budget in place, we have a policy outlining the importance of having public art in our city.

Let’s keep talking about what that will be.

SHAME on the ignorant, judgemental and utterly selfish people who object to the establishment of an addiction rehabilitation house in Gurwood Street.

You judge and condemn this much-needed facility out of baseless fear and without knowing the facts.

These are the facts: It is a place for people in their final stage of recovery, they are not bad and dangerous.

The patients have done their detox, they are clean and sober before they come into the house.

There is a complete zero drug tolerance, constant monitoring and regular drug tests.

For local addicts, there will be no need to go all the way to Sydney for treatment.

There is therefore no reason for any fear whatsoever by people in the neighbourhood.

We should be grateful that we have caring people in Wagga with the will and drive to restore addicts to a normal healthy life and so fill a gigantic need in our community.