Senate Election
IT’S time we got rid of the deadwood Senators of whom we never hear from one election to another and whom we can’t name. So vote below the line and fully exercise your democratic rights.
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Jacqui Lambie, Steve Martin and Lisa Singh at least appear to do things and speak out on issues and fully represent Tasmania.
To this I add, the surprise resignation of Senator David Bushby, halfway through a six-year term he was elected by the people to serve, to be Consul-General in Chicago.
It is interesting the government made such a “plum” important appointment when it is not likely to be in power after May.
I recall the appointments of Andrew Nikolic, Eric Hutchinson and Brett Whiteley, after the last federal election. Unfortunately, both sides do it. No political affiliation.
Malcolm Scott, Newstead.
Yacht Basin
ALAN Birchmore has absolutely the right aspiration in returning the South Esk flow to the Yacht Basin and adjacent parts of the upper Tamar, that is the Seaport area and lower parts of Home Reach.
I cannot comment on the age or state of repair of the Trevallyn Power Station, but in this day and age where renewable power assets are seen as preferable, then mothballing such a facility would seem a hard one to ‘sell’, at the very least.
That said, there is a way to return that flow to the Yacht Basin, which is to build a return canal from the Tailrace towards the Yacht Basin. The canal would be a waterfront feature in itself and provide additional amenity and recreational utility, as well as being the driver of rehabilitating the upper waterway.
Due to the Great Lake contribution, the current average flow is significantly higher than the historic natural flow and more than sufficient to create a new clean waterway, a clean virtual lake in the Yacht Basin with surplus going to the Seaport.
The most delicious aspect of this is the Great Lake contribution that historically flowed south via the Shannon and into the Derwent now ends up in the Tamar.
What is not to like about that and an easier ‘sell’, in my opinion.
Mike Seward B Eng (Nav Arch), South Launceston.
Wilderness development
ONE can’t but consider that those who see Tasmania’s wild places are only opportunities for attaining personal wealth.
On the other hand, many look long term by wanting future generations to experience and enjoy the wilderness as it now is, not focused on short-term gain for themselves or cronies.
Concern for the future of places like Mount Wellington is not something new but dates back to 1886 when there was concern expressed about the rate of logging on Hobart’s backdrop.
This concern did not stop logging to continue until all millable timber had been taken.
More than 5500 hectares of Tasmanian National Parks have been revoked to allow logging of areas once supposedly preserved in perpetuity.
Parts of the tourism industry appear to view Tasmania’s national parks and reserves as a resource to mine for maximum profit, with the government focused on business opportunities for the private sector.
Bill Carney, Riverside.