Sharing economy
AIRBNB is just that – all air and little substance. Just like in Canberra, whoever bends over far enough will be the winner. Where was local government representatives and or local councils, giving regular short-term rental owners time to re evaluate their investment?
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Yet Tourism North Tas declared in The Examiner (August 22) that a lack of housing is not due to Airbnb. Where I come from we have 270 houses and there's 66 Airbnb listings, because they can. None I reckon have paid for handrails, smoke alarms, car parking, ventilation or wood burn inspections, council inspections for invalid or mobile/disadvantaged tourists. It’s just a free for all. Four hundred Airbnbs in Launceston is ridiculous. If Greens Beach has 66, no wonder local pubs with accommodation are closing.
Rod Stone, Greens Beach.
Merger Mayhem
FRANCES Vinall has written a comprehensive article on council amalgamations (The Examiner, August 26) where she looks critically at NSW efforts and draws the conclusion that these can only happen after extensive consultation with those affected. Ms Vinall is incorrect historically when she attributes the last amalgamation effort to ‘Guy’ Rundle.
Tony Rundle did attempt further amalgamations through his minister Denise Swan who lost her seat in the 1998 election. The last successful reduction in councils happened under Robin Gray, the most decisive, development-geared premier Tasmania has had in recent memory. We need another such premier.
Dick James, Launceston.
Deer
THE fallow deer don't generally colonise new territory but stay in the area where they are born. A small to medium deer has been in the Western Tiers for more than 100 years. They won't colonise further west into wold heritage because the country isn't to their liking, button grass and heath, tee tree peat peat moss; they won't eat that. Deer hunters can hunt in national parks on the mainland China, for example The Great Alpine NP and many others.
I don't think there is any NP or Forestry area in NZ where you cant hunt for deer they have seven different species and the deer hunters and trampers share the same huts. Deer taking over Tasmania is an exaggeration. They range over 10 per cent of the state. They have been heavily culled in the last 10 years and let’s not forget you can be fined up to $2000 for taking one in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Michael Gordon, Swansea.
Council Accessibility
Bob Booth (The Examiner, September 3) brings up the lack of bowls greens within the West Tamar. While West Tamar has made some fantastic inroads within recreational facilities and parks, there is still some deficiencies, lawn bowls obviously being one of them.
The other is the accessible recreational facilities for people living with disability, even at the Tailrace Park there is very limited play space for wheelchair access or liberty swings. Hopefully the voters in the upcoming election will make a clear choice and vote for a candidate who will be their voice in the community.
Jorden Gunton, Trevallyn.
Canberra Chaos
THE unedifying spectacle we are being forced to witness in Canberra at the moment is a reminder of just how low our democracy has sunk in the hands of the Liberal government. The egotistic squabbling, bullying and back stabbing of ministers plotting to save their own political skins shows their only concern is themselves. They are so focused on their own futures they have no regard or consideration for the people in their electorates, or the country they were elected to serve. Their behaviour is appalling, and the example they are setting for the future leaders of this country is atrocious. The sooner we are given the opportunity to vote them out the better.
Anne Layton-Bennett, Swan Bay.
For the lucky country?
The courage of one's convictions, are we seeing this quality in our Federal Liberal politicians? How does the Army treat deserters? Panic stations, jumping ship, men of steel turning into lumps of lead. Drop the “hankie” whose turn to run around, and drop it somewhere else. The events of this year would make for a good soapy. These ego driven politicians are supposed to be working “working” for all Australians. It would be interesting to see what they put on their timesheet. I think they have all lost face with the general public.
Hugh Boyd, Prospect Vale.
Change of Government
OUR new Prime Minister claims we have a new younger government that is for all Australians and will proceed with their current policy ambitions. The Prime Minister, ex-treasurers policy promised multi billions of dollar tax relief for big business and the big banks. The new deputy prime minister ex Energy Minister promoted the NEG policy that ultimately increased the cost of household electricity. Is this what all Australians can still expect? Which policy back-flip can we expect?
Wally Reynolds, Perth.
Turnbull Resignation
TREASURER Peter Gutwein’s decision not to enter debate and remain “mum” (The Examiner, August 24) is sound advice following the comments of Amanda Vanstone on ABC. As a former competent and highly respected Liberal senator Eric Abetz and others should heed her advice as being the malcontents who have fractured Menzies Liberal Party and find another job other than being a member of parliament.
Brian P. Khan, Bridport.