Give them room to move
WHAT a pleasure on these spring evenings from our west-facing balcony to hear and see the happy play of primary-age children in their backyards and even on their footpaths. Children at play in the safety of their home environment has to be one of the best child-rearing strategies. Michael Carr-Gregg’s timely comments and Chris Welch and the Becoming Men workshops (TasWeekend, October 28) are reminders that children of any gender or orientation need both adult support and also space for learning and growing. Tasmania’s Steve Biddulph is also worldrenowned in this area. It was disappointing in the same edition to read yet more about State Government and councils trying to make rules that potentially reduce the size of what was one house on a quarter-acre block as the standard for residential planning. How often do we hear complaints that kids don’t play any more, don’t get exercise, but where will they be able to play when politicians’ and developers’ dreams of total infill, multiple units on blocks and McMansions are the norm? We need planners and politicians to achieve a people-based suburban environment rather than a developers’ heaven. so much influence. We need these gifted personalities with their ingenious ideas, together with our indispensable taxpayers to help get our state going in the right direction. What disturbs me most is that we have millions and even billions of dollars in our state yet cannot provide a basic ferry service. Surely our Government can sit with these people and work out something, even if it means only one ferry commuting between Hobart and Bellerive. Tourists give their time and money, so why can’t we give something back.
Eden Project
I SEEM to hear of Macquarie Point and what will be built there quite often. I wonder what happened to the concept of the Eden Project. The visit of the man who built it in Cornwall seems to have disappeared into the big blue yonder. Perhaps the project was too intelligent for government to grasp. After all, there are no poker machines, sport or anything of the like. for all parties — more bus passengers delivered for less bus mileage, the long hauls being on the ferries. Good luck convincing Metro. Why deprive visitors of midday services? Do it right or don’t do it at all.
Housing converted
WE read much of the determination and resolve to preserve the demographics of historic villages of Tasmania — and yet we see long-term residents being booted out and entire blocks being converted into what are obviously being marketed as Airbnb investments at inflated prices. One bedroom, one bathroom and a kitchen. No lounge. Clearly not a residence. Properties at Battery Point are sold within days, even hours, and within weeks the development application for visitor accommodation is up on the fence.
Independent way to go
THE way forward in Australian politics is through independent candidates who are not tied to appalling big-party policy. Regardless of whether we agree or disagree with the differing values of Wilkie or Lambie, for example, what we see is what we get. When we vote for Labor or the Coalition, we get policies based on favours owed to supporters and self-interested vagabonds who look forward to their retirement perks. Thankfully the days of Labor and the Coalition appear numbered.