Bypass
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The recent issue of the B Double truck failing to make the roundabout which is an excellent one for normal size traffic, highlights the fact that drivers familiar with Elphin Road regularly use it with heavenly laden vehicles.
Because of its structure, and underlying clay base, heavy traffic is causing on-going damage to homes facing and adjacent to the road.
Complaints do not seem to get action.
The much promised Eastern by pass needs to be activated before a class action is proposed.
The Council believes this is an important project and the opportunity is there to preserve a corridor for it to eventuate.
It is essential that this is done now.
— M. CAMPBELL-SMITH, Launceston.
Cyclists
I REFER to the article in Saturday’s Examiner, reporting on a driver found guilty of driving too close to cyclists in Legana.
It reports that the cyclist “recorded the vehicle’s details in his mobile phone”, thus enabling the transgressor to be identified.
May I ask how do we go about identifying cyclists who do the wrong thing?
I have experienced cyclists passing my vehicle on the inside whilst I was giving way to the right at a roundabout, something a car is certainly not permitted to do.
I have also observed cyclists turning left at intersections through a red light, coming very close to hitting pedestrians crossing the road.
If cyclists had to display number plates, like cars, when using the public thoroughfares, then perhaps their details could be recorded in mobile phones also?
— ROBERT W. CLULEY, Launceston.
Cycling
AS WE are becoming a nation of dobbers, and cyclist are now dobbing in car drivers that get too close to them, taking them to court and having them fined, I think it needs to work both ways.
I am all for cyclists safety.
But, I would like some form of ID put on every pushbike, eg numberplate, so when I see one go through a stop light and nearly have a head on with car legally turning, I can quickly write down the riders plate number and report him and take him to court to teach him he might die doing that.
How do I report a cyclist that might hit my car and just ride off?
Do I have to yell to a cyclist to give me their name and address so I can report them?
What about the ones at night with no lights.
How will I even see their numberplate, it will need a numberplate light.
What about speeding cyclists.
How can the speed cameras get them without a number plate.
Let’s make it even for all road users.
— G. STEWART, Legana.
China trip
I AM surprised to see that Launceston City Council are proposing a delegation to China of general manager, mayor and aldermen to be determined at a cost per person of $3812 per person.
While I accept there may be benefit in the general manager and mayor attending, at a cost of $7,624, I see no benefit at all for other aldermen to attend.
The Auditor General stated recently the Launceston City Council was at moderate financial sustainability risk from asset management and financial operating perspectives, yet they are prepared to throw money away on a holiday for aldermen to China.
I ask what is the cost of a parks employee tasked with cutting verges and keeping our streets clean.
Perhaps if there is money to waste, it could be put to use employing extra staff during this growing season to make our city look tidy.
Any alderman worth his job won’t go on this junket, as they will realise the waste, and accept that their presence will do nothing to enhance trade or other opportunities for this city.
We should all watch with interest and see who does the right thing and saves money for this city.
— LEONIE JESSUP, Launceston.
Treasury
THE new head of treasury has not been slow in coming forward and contradicting Joe Hockey.
John Frazer says there is no debt crisis as well as disagreeing with other Liberal dogma.
How long before the verbal assassination begin?
— PETER M. TAYLOR, Midway Point.
Cradle Mountain
LYELL Dean, (February 24) and Steven Jurgeit (February 26) cite Gustav Weindorfer’s vision for Cradle Mountain: ‘a park for the people for all time, and people must know about it’.
The Weindorfers built Waldheim Chalet for visitors to experience the park. Other huts followed.
Readers may remember smokey stoves, long drops and the scramble for candles at 10pm.
Things changed.
Years ago, commercial interests sought closure of Waldheim Cabins, but an energetic response produced improvements and publicity a renewed clientele .
Now all electric, it’s well equipped for families but occupancy is low.
Have we lost Weindorfer’s vision?
Booking through Kentish Visitor Centre is simple.
Arrive 1pm, park at your cabin door, walk around Dove Lake with wombat watching after tea.
Day two climb Cradle or explore around the huts.
The Day Hut is ideal for groups, meeting friends and a perfect venue for sundowners.
If we don’t use it we will lose it.
— ELIZABETH SMITH, Launceston.
Fisheries
I WOULD like to set the record straight on a number of inaccuracies raised in a letter to the editor by Jim Campbell (The Examiner, February 25).
The Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF), like all Commonwealth fisheries, has conservative catch limits to ensure our fisheries are available for current and future generations to enjoy.
This limit is set at 7.5 per cent for the 2014-15 season which means 92.5 per cent of the estimated fish stock is still left in the water to reproduce.
The size or number of vessels does not affect the sustainability of the fishery.
The number of species in the fishery has not changed
Mr Campbell also raises the issue of bycatch and I would like to assure him that all fishing in Commonwealth fisheries must be consistent with the government’s harvest strategy and bycatch policies, as well as the EPBC Act requirements for threatened, endangered and protected species.
Mr Campbell also suggested banning all factory ships, so I would like to draw to his attention that the use of factory freezer facilities and on-board processing of fish products is a common, longstanding practice in many fisheries in Australia including, the Blue Grenadier, Patagonian Toothfish, Spencer Gulf Prawn, Northern Prawn.
Many larger vessels fish well off shore and cover large distances – so on-board processing facilities offer efficiency gains and maintains the quality of the product by avoiding spoilage.
— SENATOR RICHARD COLBECK, Senator for Tasmania.
Brolly
I READ your front page story about the need for a second security line at Launceston airport today during the seven minutes it took existing security to find my small folding umbrella in my light carry-on bag.
Nowhere did I see or hear advice that these brollies had to be taken out and declared and shown before boarding.
I was a bit miffed as I had so carefully taken out my shaving cream and iPad, taken off my belt (metal buckled) and placed these and my carry on bag in a neat lane as I have done in many capitals and small towns of the world for several hundreds of thousands of kilometres with different airlines in different cities over many years.
I was not the only to be “caught unawares” although there was no special brolly alert as I understand it.
Should not other cities in Australia be alerted to Launceston’s need to hold up travel for yet one other possible item of concern?
Is there anything else they would like to see?
Or is Launceston Airport security just making work for itself?
— TERRY INGRAM (Mr), Randwick, Sydney.