Avenue
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WHAT a great idea to close The Avenue to traffic and open it up to pedestrians.
If this goes ahead, I sincerely hope they change the by-law regarding loading zones.
Too many times you see people using these zones for their own convenience.
A simple solution is to have a recognisable badge beside the number plate of delivery vehicles only and only those to be allowed the use of such zones.
By closing off The Avenue there is going to be 13 less meter spaces,one truck zone and two loading zones lost to the CBD.
— GARY LONG, Hadspen.
Cradle Mountain
GUSTAV Weindorpher’s vision for Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park began when standing on the summit of Cradle Mountain and proclaimed “This must be a National Park for people for all time.
It is magnificent, and people must know about it and enjoy it”.
It was 76 years ago Gustav and his friends set about building Cradle Mountain’s first alpine chalet to house visitors and petitioned the government for road access to Cradle Mountain.
Toady we have inherited Gustav’s vision for Tasmania’s wilderness, which has now given rise to one of Tasmania’s most iconic destinations and a reason for tourists from all over the world to visit Tasmania.
Despite being bombarded with predictable Green negativity and anti-everything brigade and fear campaign the simple truth is Cradle Mountain National Park is a shining example of how wilderness values, tourism, and careful development can co-exist.
Planned Liberal Government changes to WHA Management Plan is a real opportunity for Tasmania and people like Gustav to have an opportunity to create a vision for our abundant wilderness and develop a future for our children.
— LYELL DEAN, Westbury.
Economy
AUSTRALIA has a $1600 billion economy.
Our current debt level of about 15 per cent of that is the second smallest in the rich world.
From day one Australia has borrowed money to grow our economy to provide a high standard of living.
Right now with global interest rates so low we could prudently borrow to finance infrastructure projects that we are crying out for.
These include public transport, housing, education, and renewable energy infrastructure that will provide the key to future economic growth, the capacity to repay debt and reduce the budget deficit via higher revenue that growth provides.
Yes welfare and health costs seem high and can always be better targeted but if our economy grows by 3 per cent a year over the next 15 years that’s an extra $800 billion.
The Medicare cost of $34 billion looks a lot more reasonable in that context. In fact our heath costs are lower than other rich countries and we could easily afford to spend more.
As distinct from the economy we do have a medium term budget problem that needs to be addressed. But it needs to be done fairly and this is what the current lot have clearly failed to do.
Recognising that we have a revenue problem and focusing on developing a fairer and sustainable taxation system might be a good place to start.
— MALCOLM REID, Trevallyn.
John L Grove Unit
I'M LIKE Kellie Shepherd, 'incredibly angry' that the future of the John L groves Unit is in jeopardy.
It’s a fantastic new facility. Staffed by dedicated, thoughtful and skilled professionals, who provide vital 'slow stream' rehabilitation.
I witnessed this first hand when a close family member of mine was in there for five months last year.
I respectfully call on Bass Liberal MHR Andrew Nikolic to work to ensure that the unit is funded on an ongoing basis, to allow it to continue its vital and outstanding work.
Perhaps he could use his new 'whip' to help him.
— D. PITMAN, Windermere.
Select Committee
WHY do our politicians persist in doing these things?
The five person parliamentary select committee that formed the Inquiry into the Triabunna woodchip fiasco was made up of three Liberals, one Labor MP and one Green.
Anyone, with a bit of time on their hands and determined to waste it could have produced the report now presented and at least made it a bit entertaining.
Instead it's boringly predictable and not even worth pigeon-holing-processed.
It might make pigeon food.
The three Liberals generally castigate the previous Labor/Green government for allowing the site to be sold off to tourist developers and the other two committee members say 'rubbish, lies, political charade'.
Presumably all five picked up a committee sitting fee so their time was well compensated but nothing has been achieved.
With Tasmania struggling to save every possible dollar of public money these sort of flights of fancy must be stopped.
— TREVOR COWELL, Perth.
Local Government
THE Auditor General’s Report on Local Government (The Examiner, February 20) makes interesting reading as it details a surplus for some councils.
A family can have a healthy bank account (surplus) but if their house needs extensive repairs or vehicles replaced, these costs should be factored into their overall financial assessment.
It is similar for councils.
If there is not an honest assessment of council assets such as roads, footpaths, bridges etc the life expectancy of these basic assets plus replacement schedules – simple surplus reporting can be misleading.
— GRAEME NEILSEN, George Town.
Polley
SENATOR Helen Polley should think again about her repeated public attacks on Andrew Nikolic – our hard-working Member for Bass.
After 10 years as a Senator, Ms Polley must think her only role is personal attacks on the Liberal Party, and spreading furphies designed to scare students, pensioners and other community groups.
Andrew Nikolic has consistently delivered for Bass since the 2013 election and is always willing to debate local and national policy issues.
Yet when Senator Polley had a chance to debate Mr Nikolic on higher education policy at Launceston College, she sat in the audience while the Labor Party flew in the shadow minister for higher education at taxpayer's expense.
— DAVID HECKSCHER, Newstead.
Risdon prison
THE Risdon prison authorities are to be congratulated on the way the transition to smoke free Tasmanian prisons is being accepted.
The ban is a way of re-normalising smoking and reducing the rate of smoking for prisoners.
Peer mentoring and support programs to assist prisoners and staff through their transition have been implemented.
Prison services are also running activities which include sport and recreation to help with the withdrawal.
It is a start on better personal health and can also give valuable research data.
When a person receives a prison sentence time spent at the taxpayers expense should be put in rehabilitation programs.
Many could gain great benefit as has been shown by the therapeutic work done at Risdon by the New Pin programs.
On completing this program, at a special ceremony to which families are invited, the men are presented with a certificate which they value.
Many of the men lack skills in being a parent, and in relationships, and are in jail for crimes against their wives and children.
Because other inmates sense a change in these participants they tend to gravitate towards them.
So quietly the benefits of this course are spread as others are helped and encouraged to take part in the next program.
Programs have been run by the organisation in the State maximum, minimum and women’ jails.
Sadly funding for the New Pin programs is in jeopardy.
It needs community understanding and support.
— M. CAMPBELL-SMITH, Launceston.