Natural wonders are not good enough on their own. If you have a famous natural asset you can't rely on it being a tourism spinner as a static attraction. You have to plan and fund human enjoyment of its attributes.

The organisers of the Basin Concert have failed to attract Launceston City Council funding. Once again an activity is attempting to use our best natural asset, the Gorge.

The council has a budget to modestly fund a number of public recreational events, such as Festivale and New Year on Royal.

The first Basin concert to resume after a period of absence was a great success. The organisers may have to revisit their presentation to the council to win funding. The council may have to revisit its decision, even for the sake of advising the organisers why and how they missed out.

The money sought was $15,000. The benefits to the region would likely be at least tenfold or more, but something was amiss. Both sides could review that.

The Gorge has a public pool, the first basin natural swimming area, two restaurants, a chairlift, beautiful walkways and wildlife.

The occasional organised event would also help, whether it be a symphony-style concert under the stars, a big event or a rock concert. The natural acoustics would be superb.

Years ago the state government promoted the Gorge as a whitewater canoe venue for the Sydney Olympics, using regulated Hydro water flows. At great added and wasteful costs, the Games' organisers built their own artificial course near Sydney.

However, it showed how lateral thinking was able to promote our natural assets to the world.

There are bland-looking places throughout the planet that are forced to spend a fortune to replicate what we have been naturally blessed with.

Worth keeping in mind.