Improved water
I WAS interested to read in Local Government Association of Tasmania president Doug Chipman’s opinion article (The Examiner, May 30) about the aborted sale of Hydro's gas-fired plant and the $80 million taken from TT-line. It then it goes on to say how the local councils will continue to be accountable and responsible to the Tasmanian people.
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My question then would be in the halcyon days before Ben Lomond Water and TasWater when the councils took over the running of the town’s water from the local water boards, such as the Ringarooma Water board, there was about $95,000 in funds, and similar amounts in some of the other districts, that disappeared into council's’ revenue, never to be seen again.
During this period when the water was under council control very little was ever done to improve the town's water or particularly the infrastructure, not even water testing of any kind. This then leads me to the dividends that councils have been receiving from the water authority, for what? When they have never done anything with the water system in these towns to earn this money. To me it sounds like sour grapes for losing an easy source of revenue for doing nothing.
David Shaw, Ringarooma.
Meander betrayed
ALL Meander Area Residents and Ratepayers Association members feel betrayed by the Meander Valley Council. While the school lays vacant, residents waited for the council to engage with the whole community about its wishes for the site. That consultation never happened.
A check of the council records showed machinations in the council ensured approval for Teen Challenge Tasmania’s proposal. Other research revealed disturbing facts about Teen Challenge. For instance their purely faith-based program means there is no medical treatment or supervision. It is an impoverished program. Complete rehabilitation needs both the spiritual and the medical aspects. According to the published plan for Meander, the program won’t house boys over nine years old or girls over 12 years old, so there is the distinct possibility families may be split or refused treatment. And to be selected, mums will need to commit to Christ and be prepared to be separated from their children while undergoing hours of bible study.
It is not a wide-reaching program deserving of occupying public property. Teen Challenge does not need Meander Primary School. Teen Challenge is worth millions in Western Australia, alone. The council should not have gifted a public property to this private business with easy access to the wealth of allied organisations. The council swallowed the sales pitch and betrayed its own ratepayers and residents. No matter what good Teen Challenge promises, it doesn’t matter. They should have got their own property, not a community asset.
Brian Hillman, Meander.
Kings Meadows trees
I CANNOT believe that City of Launceston plan to plant trees on the medium strip down Hobart Road, from the Kings Meadows Hotel to McDonalds. Firstly, they take out a lane from Normanstone Road leading onto Westbury Road for a bike pass lane that has created a bottlenose effect that banks up Eurella Street and Normanstone Road during school hour pick ups and drop offs.
This second proposal is a case of a council that is mentally bankrupt. Instead of destroying the second most popular shopping strip in Launceston, and wasting ratepayers money, why don't they cut back on their entertainment cost of $126,000 a year for their private catering of canapes, fine wines, and dinner parties that is also paid for by the ratepayer. The junket tours to China is a farce, but hang on, aren't our rates going to increase next financial year? The sad thing about this is these aldermen are elected by us, and are paid by our rates, and we are not being represented in a just way.