Trevallyn Power Station
ALAN Birchmore, you labour under the delusion that the Cataract Gorge will be magically transformed into a "white water reserve" by the removal of Trevallyn Dam.
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That simply won't be the case, except perhaps after periodic heavy rainfall in the South-Esk catchment. With our climate becoming warmer and drier those events are likely to become less frequent. Trevallyn Power Station is not small. Hydro Tasmania does not have "free use of our lakes and streams".
Hydro Tasmania holds a special licence under the Water Management Act of 1999. In 2000 Hydro Tasmania entered into an agreement with the Primary Industries Minister, which applied conditions to this licence and Hydro Tasmania agreed to abide by statutory regulations under the Act.
I am sure the parliament of Tasmania gave proper consideration to the proposed Trevallyn power scheme and did not act carelessly when granting its approval.
Ross Warren, Devonport.
Australian of the Year
I WISH to raise two points for general discussion. Firstly, do people think it would be a good idea, that instead of selecting a single person as "Australian of the Year", the honour goes to the volunteer firefighters in recognition of their extraordinary efforts and sacrifices, on behalf of their fellow Australians?
This should be interpreted to reduce the contribution of professional firefighters, but recognition of the sacrifices required of volunteers. Secondly, state politicians appear committed to returning the House of Assembly to 35 members.
The reduction from 35 to 25 based on the supposed increase in responsibility and workload resulted in a 20 per cent salary increase. Does it therefore follow that a corresponding increase in numbers will result in a decrease in salary. I am interested in the opinions of the general public.
Derek Holden, Newstead.
Drug testing
COUNCILLOR Spencer's disapproval of drug testing is interesting.
We should see more of this commentary from our civic leaders. It might not have been Voltaire who said "'I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,' but I agree with whoever did. However, I absolutely disagree with Councillor Spencer.
It looks like he didn't grow up watching the Untouchables on TV and didn't learn that prohibition just did not work in America. The evidence is clear that in trying to stop an imagined crime you create the environment for others.
Councillor Spencer should go to Portugal to see just how they, the first country to decriminalise the possession and consumption of all illicit substances, have won out against international nay-saying.
The prevention of drug taking does not work but education about its downside does.
If he did his research the councillor would be singing a very different song. Even parents whose children have dodged the bullets know that prevention does not and cannot work. There are no win-wins.
When Councillor Spencer advocates drug and alcohol testing before council meetings, his workplace, we might see how seriously committed he is to his stance.
Jon Bower, George Town.
