Salmon Futures
THE IMAS symposium into the future of Tasmania’s farmed salmon industry comes with the industry at a crossroad.
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In our state we have examples of world’s best and world’s worst practice, a compliant government, which cannot tell the difference, an ineffective EPA, a muzzled Marine Review Panel and an industry element running rogue and thumbing their nose at government with impunity, as the last 12 months of Macquarie Harbour events so graphically illustrate.
The latest chapter in the saga involves the insidious spread of free money deployed to engage with community groups in an attempt to buy back a reputation, which is in tatters for good reason. When deliberate management practice destroys the environment, the brand and public trust in turn - free money is a cynical substitute for a social license while hiding behind so called ‘adaptive management’ self regulation and seeking to punish critics with retribution.
Those of us brought together through the Okehampton Bay fiasco and now networking statewide are shocked to see the Liberal Government’s brazen expansion of the industry to North-West and King Island pristine waters.
So much remains to be addressed with an already 30-year legacy of spoiled coastal waterways and fractured communities as an open sore for all to see, in the name of the almighty dollar.
We welcome the opportunity to engage with stakeholders, but not if the future is about a diet of ‘more of the same’; licensing the state wide pollution of waterways and dividing communities over these farms.
We deserve better, Brand Tasmania deserves better.
We look forward to ‘the science’ actually being about science and not just another corporate strategy designed to see what they can get away with, penalty free thus far.
Jim Playsted, Orford.
Bus stop problem
I CAN’T recall the date but I remember a City of Launceston council person saying the Myer car park would be far too expensive a proposition for the bus stop problem in St John Street.
It seems about $5 million would be needed for land acquisition and any associated remedies work to make the area suitable for purpose.
Here’s a thought: instead of giving away our Willis Street carpark and the old velodrome, sell them to the University of Tasmania and the money problem is solved.
We may even have some change left over. With all the federal and state governments money being thrown at this project, UTAS can well afford the purchase price.
I have been informed on many an occasion: “There’s no such thing as a free lunch”.
Ron Baines, Kings Meadows.
Our Diversity
The festive season is upon us once again.
It is that time of the year when we reflect on our lives. We question our values and doubt our intentions.
We read newspapers that confirm our mortality say storms in Victoria, bombings in Egypt. We wake up each morning and thank the stars that we are not affected.
Our stress levels will now begin to elevate, sleep will not come easily. How about we take a deep breath and just say thank you to ourselves.
We are important and we need to be patted on the back, be it for surviving our politicians lack of purpose or insight or a life threatening illness that we deal with each day.
Some of us have had to deal with personal loss be it monetary or physical. This is our lives and sometimes we wake up and just stop caring.
We have such an amazing diverse culture here So I will say: Merry Christmas
Please note: We can say Merry Christmas in almost every language. Let us get back to understanding:This is a world to be shared.
Felicity O’Neill, Deloraine.
Hospital
I AM NOT a doctor, but I called myself as being very ill four times this year.
Four times I have been hauled into the casualty department by the wonderful paramedics, resulting in four long stays in various wards and departments.
I have always been treated by both doctors and nurses with kindness, first class care, courtesy and respect.
I am 79 years old.
Not all the treasures are in the museum, there are many in the Launceston General Hospital, be they doctors, nurses, caterers or domestic staff.
They all greet you with a smile and top-class care.
I thank you all, not forgetting the paramedics either for all you give willingly.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a lovely New Year. Keep up the good work.
Dave Couszins, Newstead.
Political Party Donations
DONATIONS to political parties are bribes for their own power over the constitution and it is not legal under the Australian Constitution for all Australians (including Aborigines), and not for power pushers of money.
Mrs Valmai Street, Norwood.
Credit When Due
I HAVE on occasion called out some Launceston businesses for bad service and or overcharging, (without naming them ), “resulting in the odd nasty comment by some” so here is a good story for those of you whose car battery has decided to quit.
After several phone calls to various suppliers about the best price for my car (a Ford Territory) was $210, others were over $250.
My very last call was to Goodyear tyres in Margaret Street, whose price was $155 (fitted) for the absolute correct battery, which I was told by one earlier supplier to be a special European style thus, more expensive.
So some news's for that individual - Century Batteries are not only Australian but also affiliated with Yuasa batteries, one of the best known brands worldwide.
So credit given when it is due.
Thanks to Goodyear, and a very Merry Christmas.
Don Davey, Launceston.