Bikes part of transport solution
PETER Needham (Letters, August 21) talks about rail as a future transport option “for when petroleum supplies run low, fuel has to be rationed and priority given to the most efficient uses that give the greatest social benefit”.
It sounds like a pretty cogent argument for that other transport option — the bike. No one suggests the bike is the silver bullet for our urban transport problems but it is an important element.
Hobart’s InterCity Cycleway is a shining example of local government looking over the horizon. Hobart’s Rivulet Track is another success story, with Bicycle Network’s Super Tuesday bike count showing strong growth in people riding and walking.
Employers are already responding to that demand with better bike-parking and end-of-ride facilities, chief among them the University of Tasmania. The Hobart City Council has a bold plan to get more of its workers walking, riding, car-sharing and using public transport.
As for social benefits, consider a more physically active population, a substantial cut in transport costs for individuals, less urban congestion and a less polluted urban environment. Garry Bailey Bicycle Network came from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, not from our Premier Will Hodgman.
Since the last State Election in 2014, the Liberal Government has displayed no interest in any of these and even failed to put its hand up for any federal infrastructure funding in the May Budget.
No new wind turbines have been commissioned and they have not provided incentives to encourage the use of solarpower generation, by encouraging households and business to install rooftop panels, and have also maintained extremely low “feed-in” tariffs.
Their lack of interest in alternative energy was demonstrated when they tried to sell the Tamar Valley gas power station in the middle of a prolonged drought and with our dams at record low levels.
Readers will probably conclude that these “visionary” ideas are being put forward right now because Will Hodgman is no longer leading the opinion polls as our preferred Premier, campaigning is hotting up and they are now desperately trying to persuade us that they actually do deserve another term running our state.
Les Crawford
Cygnet there were a number of talented young Tasmanian cricketers who were somewhat over-awed and overwhelmed by opposition players from other states. A policy of recruiting experienced cricketers was introduced.
These included players such as Greg Shipperd, Dave Gilbert, Chris Matthews, Dirk Whellam and Mick Taylor. They gave young Tasmanian players such as Jamie Cox, Dene Hills, Michael Di Venuto, Shaun Young and Danny Buckingham the courage and the confidence to match it with other state teams. This successful model of recruiting seems to have been replaced by selecting talented junior players from other states and hoping they will fulfil their potential in Tasmania. Apart from Shane Watson, who returned home once he became an established player, there have been few notable successes. Many experienced players have achieved notable success in moving between states. A few include Don Bradman to South Australia and Alan Border and Greg Chappell to Queensland. There are players in other states who have proven ability at the highest level who would be able to extend or revitalise their career in Tasmania. Successful examples of this include Colin Miller, Ed Cowan and Michael Bevan. By using carefully selected established cricketers from other states, allied to extending opportunities to young local players, Tasmania may once again become a competitive team which is successful at the highest level. Bernard Knight Howrah