One respects the significance heritage items like these have to the descendants of the first Tasmanians, but the fact is that they are Tasmanian relics and should not be the property of any one person or group.

Such heritage items must be protected but it does not follow that they therefore need to be locked away out of sight of the general community.

The petroglyphs and similar heritage items give the opportunity for interaction and conversation between all of us and the Tasmanian Aboriginals, something which would be a significant step towards reconciliation.

Sadly however, there seem to be many in the Tasmanian Aboriginal community intent on claiming exclusive ownership of these Tasmania heritage items so the general community is prevented from access.

The politicisation of Tasmania's early history and associated heritage items is preventing interaction with the rest of us and is further accentuating divisions between those of us who have some Aboriginal heritage and those who do not.

This is against any concepts of genuine reconciliation.

There are stories to be told of our ancient history and they belong to all Tasmanians, not just those with a claim to a particular descendance from the first Tasmanians.

Are the TAC and Reconciliation Tasmania prepared to respond positively to this challenge?

WHEN it's safe to do so, legally and healthwise, I'd like to see BWRM protest rallies organised around the nation. That's for Biological Women's Rights Matter.

It seems that Tasmanian Federal Senator Claire Chandler is to be hauled before the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimintaion Commission for her views opposing transgender women (and that would include persons who are 100 per cent physically male yet legally recognised as a woman) using female toilets and changerooms and being allowed to enter women's sporting competitions.

It's been reported that the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner advised the Senator that separate toilets for men and women were no longer necessary.

I am confident that view would go down like a lead balloon with the majority of Australians, so perhaps it is the Commission that is no longer necessary.

For even allowing this ludicrous complaint against the Senator to take place, this body is showing it's totally out of step with Australian values.

This is just another classic attempt to stifle sensible free speech.

SOMEHOW we must get all state premiers to give equal weight, especially on TV, to economists and epidemiologists to air their views on how to confront the twin threats of the COVID-19 virus and the imminent collapse of our economy.

Only then can we assess what is best for the country we live in, Australia.

WHAT a joke. Yes, the Dorset council is at it again. The council is going to sell the rails to make up the shortfall for building their bike track for only a select band of riders.

But then even that will not be enough.

The ratepayers will make up the shortfall, $1.47 million of taxpayer's money to fund biking infrastructure that will make no money. Or are they going to charge every rider that uses it? I hate to say it but I think Bridget Archer has hopped on the wrong style of horsepower for this one and could be a game changer next election. Commonsense has gone out the window on this one.

IT WILL be a great mistake [by the Dorset Council] to tear up the North-East railway lines. A short sighted thing to do, in my opinion.

It would be much better to run the heritage railway to at least Wyena, to allow trains to access the historic rail tunnel there.

The City of Launceston council surely can see the potential when the infrastructure is there already. The bike path can follow from Wyena to Scottsdale.

I JUST read that funding for the removal of the existing rail line from Lilydale to Scottsdale was reinstated.

I think the destruction of this asset would be a terrible waste of money and a loss for the people of Tasmania. I ask you please to consider the following:

A bike trail will not be used. Just look at the existing Scottsdale rail trail, it is not used. I ride mountain bikes and I have done bike camping. They are two totally different experiences. Only experienced and fit people would be able to use a bike trail. Heritage rail is a viable alternative to a bike trail and more accessible.

Most tourists are older and train travel can accommodate people with different physical abilities. A tourist train would create jobs in the hospitality industry: restaurants and hotels. It will provide jobs for the maintenance of the line and jobs for the restoration of existing infrastructures.

Puffing Billy, The Ghan, and Strahn railroads, as well as the Canadian Rocky Mountain and California Napa Wine train are all examples of successful heritage railroads. The Scottsdale to Lilydale rail line is intact. This line is an asset, it costs nothing to leave it in place. The only people to make money are the removalists and salvagers.

We will be left with nothing but an overgrown pathway to nowhere.