Street Tree Mutilation
I'M writing to express my extreme concern and distress at the severe street tree pruning that occurs in Launceston, in particular Newstead Crescent and David Street, Newstead - an area renowned for its beautiful avenues of mixed deciduous species.
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Launceston City Council has a street tree strategy that celebrates the magnificent street trees across many parts of the city.
However, these impressive trees are brutally hacked and disfigured to accommodate power lines, scarring the landscape forever.
These trees will never return to their former glory.
It is truly a painful experience to see such disregard for the grace and beauty these trees once provided through the changing seasons.
I have seen in many other states the use of insulated power lines through established trees with minimal pruning required and the upmost respect shown for the shape and character of the trees.
I have written to the Launceston City Council to request that a new policy be initiated to respect and care for our existing trees and to put a stop to the heartless ignorant abuse of our landscape.
We should be respecting our predecessors, who planted these trees so that we could enjoy their grace and beauty today and into the future.
Jo Wright, owner/manager, Misty Mountain Peonies and The Cob Barn, Lilydale.
Ministry For Women
WHILE it's heartening to note Prime Minister Scott Morrison has chosen to include a Minister for Women in his Cabinet, it's disappointing he failed to make this a standalone ministry.
By choosing to include it as an add-on to the significant Ministry for Defence portfolio is both demeaning and insulting to 50 per cent of the population.
There's now a national awareness about the widespread incidence of domestic violence, homelessness, and poverty, and the sufferers in these situations are predominantly women and children.
The result is a negative cycle of abuse and social dislocation, a cycle that must be broken so current and future generations don't grow up believing abusive and violent behaviour towards women is 'normal'.
The shocking murder of one more young woman recently in Melbourne brings into sharp focus - yet again - the disregard and disrespect too many men in this country have for women.
If this culture of domestic violence and social disadvantage is ever to change then leadership needs to come from the top, so it's to be hoped Mr Morrison will reconsider his cabinet appointments, and establish a separate ministry dedicated towards womens' issues - with a woman at its head.
Anne Layton-Bennett, Swan Bay.
Mental Illness
INSTEAD of spending a fortune on health professionals and disability pensions. Due to an alarming rate of depression and anxiety.
Why don't we just remove all Liberal and Labor party politicians from federal, state and local governments. As well as teaching children at school how to be happy.
Leon Cooper, Longford.
