Schools, health, freight the keys

Tasmanians are passionate about their state and its future. There has been no shortage of feedback from Mercury readers on the direction we should pursue, reports DAVID KILLICK

TASMANIANS have had their say on the future they want for their state.

More than 700 Mercury readers have responded to a survey calling for their vision on key issues that face us all.

The common theme to emerge from responses was the need to place a greater value on education — in particular an emphasis on completing year 12.

Readers suggested a range of measures to improve educational outcomes: from statefunded preschool, to cuts to university fees, and strong support of revitalisation of TAFE.

One of the key messages to come from the survey responses is that improving Tasmania’s educational opportunities will be the key to sharing the state’s wealth more fairly.

Almost 70 per cent of respondents say that improving educational opportunities would be “very important” to improving equality.

It was followed by improving digital connectivity — rated as “very important” by 40 per cent of respondents and lifting minimum wages, rated as “very important” by 33 per cent.

Readers said the key to boosting the state’s economy was improving freight links to interstate and overseas markets, with 50 per cent rating freight as “very important” and 20 per cent rating it “fairly important”.

There was strong support for improving air links in particular, but many readers also pointed to the ability of broadband internet to tackle the tyranny of distance and a need to cut the burden of red tape on business.

The cost of living resonated strongly with survey participants, who nominated utility costs such as water and elec- tricity bills as overwhelmingly their greatest concern, followed by a lack of wages growth. Fuel, transport and parking costs were also nominated by many readers.

There was strong support for public transport as a way to improve Hobart’s worsening traffic congestion, with nearly 50 per cent of respondents nominating them — along with peak-hour clearways as solutions.

The strongest support was for increasing opportunities for active transport, such as walking and cycling, rated as “very important” by 41 per cent of people.

Building more roads was rated as “very important” by just one in five respondents — the least popular option — although the need for a Hobart bypass was a common suggestion from many who left com- ments accompanying their response.

More detail of the survey response will be featured at themercury.com.au during our Tassie 2022 campaign.

TOMORROW: The great debate between environment and development.