Are we seeing the levee paradox?
IS THERE really only one Launceston city councillor who expresses concern about the continuing development and expansion along the Tamar river edges behind the levees at Invermay?
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For example approval of a 200-seat function centre at the Silos (The Examiner, December 11). Have none of the city councillors heard of the levee paradox where the construction of flood levees leads to a lowered community awareness of the risks of flooding with increased development in the protected area.
Our River - Exploring the health of the Tamar Estuary:
- How the Tamar became polluted and what is being done to fix it
- Chamber calls for independent body to oversee river cleanup
- Why the Tamar Action Group want more done to fix the river
- What scientists say about the health of the Tamar River
- Swimming in the Tamar near Launceston may never be safe
- 'We refuse to learn to love Tamar River's mud'
What we have now along the river edge has beautified an ugly area but please can our elected councillors start considering the big picture of what the Tamar estuary really is, rather than just a bend in the river.
Edna Broad, Invermay.
Reform starts at the very top
IT IS no surprise public administration is rated in the top five industrial sectors in Mr Eslake's report on Tasmanian gross product and employment figures.
The state with barely 525,000 people must support two houses of parliament and in excess of 25 municipal councils. Compared with Australian Capital Territory, which has a population of more than 400,000 and is fast catching Tasmania. A comparison with the other Australian states and say New Zealand, equally makes us look dilatory. The buck stops at the top, where we could do well with a reduction by one house, namely the Legislative Council, which is an anachronism, and pay our MHAs more in the hope of attracting high achievers, then it can look at the local government structure.
Nick Gee, Low Head.
All cultures honour the dead
ALL human cultures honour their departed. To disrespect burial customs is truly comprehensible. I stand by the action taken by the Tasmanian Aboriginal people at Eaglehawk Neck to protect their dead. Much damage has been done in our past European history. We have chances to put things right and this is one of them.
Elsa de Ruyter, East Devonport.
Vote for VAD done in good faith
RON Baines (The Examiner, December 11) is extremely offensive, to the many thousands of Christians, who hoped and prayed that the assisted suicide bill would not pass the Upper House. Many of those people voted in good faith at the election, that all our elected members would use their God given faith to assist them in discerning the honourable way to vote. Many Upper House members purport to be Christian, if they are, they will believe in the commandment "thou shalt not kill" - the very words of God himself. To incite targeting certain members of parliament, to vote the way Mr Baines wants, is little short of a threat to their jobs and to the Christian community of Tasmania. It is right and proper our elected members vote for such important legislation on its merits and on its value. This Bill, Mr Baines, does not have merit, nor does it have value, because it is not for the common good. Those members of the Lower House who voted against it did so in good faith.