Very challenging times
VERY sad reading in The Examiner about the terrible vandalism and lack of respect of Launceston's showpiece, our much-loved giant Christmas tree.
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When these muppets are caught and they will be, the full force of the law must deal out severe punishment as a lesson that we as citizens of this beautiful river city have zero tolerance and absolutely condemn this unruly behavior.
When our country is burning, it beggars belief that these culprits show no sympathy in going out to help others, but insist on destroying the pleasure of many.
As a small city business owner going into our 15th year in these very challenging times, I rely heavily on Cityprom in decorating and addressing exciting installations to attract holiday-makers and locals.
This stupidity of vandalising anything topical drives away retail business, thus we all suffer.
As a spokesperson for many businesses, let's hope the punishment will fit the crime.
Shine on Launceston, shine on.
Bruce Webb, Launceston.
Well-balanced opinion
WE believe the opinion feature of Kerrie Butler in (The Examiner, January 8) is the most informative and well-balanced opinion in support of the proposed new prison near Westbury.
We both have had relatives residing in Westbury and surrounds for over 160 years.
Robin and Christine Blundell, Kings Meadows.
No to pill testing
NOT knowing a great deal about illegal drugs and narcotics, I watched the DVD Drug Policy from Dalgarno Institute, who are the experts, which states prevent, don't promote.
In this documentation it states the effects of drugs on our family, community and hospitals, plus increased crime. In one scenario a man from NSW who was in a drug induced state killed his mother and brother, and when arrested asked police to contact his mother. He had no idea what he had done. This man first started taking drugs at a music festival.
Another case in New Zealand parents were cooking meth in their kitchen high on drugs and murdered their children. This DVD clearly states pill testing does not work - every drug affects people differently.
I for one will take notice from the experts' advice. One slogan states quit smoking, while another is drink alcohol in moderation. But not much is said about illegal drugs.
Government's should promote the slogan - prevent, don't promote.
Councillor Paul Spencer, Launceston City Council.
Fire Disaster
THIS writer does not disagree with helping other countries or the protection of Australia, but I question strongly the timing and priorities of the federal government.
Australia gives away billions in aid to other countries and billions in building submarines, yet we continually face such devastation within our country, pertaining to the bushfires. Priorities are wrong.
Serious money must be spent to prevent this fire devastation from ever happening again. Australian lives depend on it.
This is a disaster that could have been minimised by proper advanced costly planning. We have the money, but give it away strutting our generosity and good will on the world stage.
Politicians must understand and accept the call on all taxpayers money is to be spent on the welfare, benefit, and protection of Australians.
Droughts could be eased by the building of hundreds of expensive dams catching the billions of litres of fresh water wasted flowing into the sea in the rainfall season.
It does not make sense we have the solutions and even the money, but do not act.
I understand it sounds too simplistic, but at least it is a plan for future protection against the fire disasters and droughts that is now upon us.
And then when the problems are solved and Australian lives and livelihood are protected, Australia can afford to be charitable and caring on the world stage, and really would it hurt to delay the submarines for a few years.
The $2 billion assistance package given now is a wonderful start, but think of the benefits, if it had been spent at the front end, on prevention to save heartache - priorities.
Peter Doddy, Trevallyn.
Rectify the damage
IN (The Examiner, January 8) it advised that the Cataract Gorge is now permanently on the Tasmanian Heritage register and we can only wonder why it took so long.
But the Tasmanian Heritage chairwoman Brett Torossi said "few cities had a ruggedly beautiful white water reserve within a few minutes walk of the city centre". The trouble is there has been precious little white water for the past 65 years since 97 per cent of our second largest river was diverted from the Gorge to the small Trevallyn power station.
Hydro Tasmania is now Australia's largest green energy supplier and water manager. It has added to its 31 hydro stations with wind farms and has further ambitions to be a major mainland supplier through the "battery of the nation" project. It has also received support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to conduct ongoing feasibilities.
With such bold plans and a seemingly never ending source of funds for renewable energy, Hydro's glowing future would seem to offer an ideal opportunity now to rectify the damage to Launceston's iconic river.
Hydro has captive Tasmanian customers, free use of our lakes and streams and their great success is supported in that way. Their achievements are applauded and should be used to restore what was carelessly taken away from our city by the government of the day without proper consideration of damaging consequences.
Alan Birchmore AO, Newnham.
