Metro Changes
I TOO would like to express my disappointment at the removal of some Metro bus routes. I have lived in this area for more than 30 years; now as a retiree and a regular Metro user I find the route that serviced Mulgrave Street/Meredith Crescent/Normanstone Road has ceased, therefore for me to travel to Prospect for appointments/shopping it makes it very difficult.
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The new schedules are promoted as making the journey time shorter, but instead it will now more than double the time for this trip. I have the option of a 15-minute walk to Westbury Road to catch the bus from the city or travel via the bus from Kings Meadows to the city to connect with the Prospect bus.
I question the need to remove this service as anyone wishing to travel to Prospect can also use this bus. Even if the number of daily services were reduced at least this route would still be operating. At a time when we are being encouraged to use public transport it seems that not everyone's needs are being considered. I wonder how many of the people who make these decisions ever use public transport?
Lorraine Littlechild, South Launceston.
Burn Off Planning
NOW is the time to prepare and build a plan for the control of wildfires.
Recent fires have given a clean slate to draw up an effective control program.
Much of the overload of debris on forest floors has been taken away in many areas.
Unfortunately lives and livelihoods have also been taken away and we must ensure that these losses don't become something that is expected to happen every few years.
Aerial mapping should be carried out immediately to clearly define burnt areas.
This may also provide details on the direction of burn and identify unburnt areas that at present give shelter to wildlife, but may need to be considered for controlled burns in future years. As the burnt areas recover we should monitor wildlife corridors and movements. When the rejuvenated forest is capable of supporting bird and animal populations careful consideration can then be given to reducing hazards in other areas while leaving suitably sized areas untouched as a wildlife habitat.
Trained foresters would be able to monitor the regrowth areas and strategically remove excess forest floor debris with low impact slow burns leaving very little short term damage but plenty of food and shelter for our forest dwellers without damaging or killing the saplings that will shoot and grow in the burnt out areas.
If we just talk about these things for a few years without taking action we will surely suffer these horrific scenes again.
Please support government agencies, councils and fire authorities who try to devise efficient fire control procedures.
Be prepared to smell a little smoke in autumn or winter from safe, controlled burns.
It could be you, your livelihood, your home or your loved ones that are saved as a result of such activity.
Trevor Stebbings, West Launceston.