Growth, not return to quiet life
FUTURE OF TOURISM
THE Lord Mayor’s warning of the challenges posed to our wonderful Tasmanian lifestyle by tourism, Airbnb, unfettered festivals and, gulp, population growth run the risk of derailing the gravy chain for those who prize their comfortable and quiet existence. Apparently our lifestyle is so envious we value it above those mainland lifestyles that we demand hundreds of millions of dollars from each year in fiscal equalisation grants to replicate.
We value comfort and quiet above jobs, healthcare, longevity, education and most importantly opportunity. It is one thing to ask for support for improving our living standards if we are striving for the growth required. It’s another to say you owe us.
Tasmania’s greatest export is its youth, principally for want of opportunity. The vibrant and growing Hobart I returned to after years overseas is infinitely preferable to the stagnant Slowbart I left. As to the housing boom, that is another indicator of private sector under-investment in a historically poorly performing economy and mismanagement by all levels of government, too little infrastructure investment and not enough houses. Hobart needs these problems addressed by councils and state governments, not a return to the indolent quiet life of the past. tion of the island by these, but mitigate against further introduction of seeds, insects and fungi to this fragile environment. The Guidelines for Tourist Visits to Macquarie Island Nature Reserve and World Heritage Area must not be watered down to permit further invasions by tourists, thereby threatening this delicate location. It must not become a playground for the rich — let them go to Disneyland instead!
Heritage disappearing
HOW right you are, Lord Mayor Ron Christie (“Leave us alone, Mercury, June 25). Hobart has indeed begun to groan under the collective weight of mass tourism. House prices are being driven up to unaffordable levels for locals by mainland and overseas buyers and investors. Our heritage is fast disappearing as Chinese investors buy up big. The traffic gridlock worsens, our chosen lifestyle becomes compromised, and the collective groan gets louder! So thank you Alderman Christie for having the courage to quietly lay your head on the block. No doubt there will be an outcry from those politicians, A new way to have your say themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website. tourism elite and others of their ilk who refuse to acknowledge the problems we locals are now experiencing in our once wonderful, liveable city.
Suffering locals
WHILE real estate operators rake in the dollars, the State Government sits on its hands and Airbnb investors watch their profits (in investment properties which shouldn’t be allowed), Hobart is suffering. Excessive tourism is not good, so are we killing the golden goose? Ask people from Amsterdam to Queenstown, New Zealand what they think. There, excess tourism has led to resentment and increased prices in essentials and lease costs for the locals, many of whom have moved elsewhere. We need to be aware of the greedy dollar before it’s too late here as well.
Majority rules
SENATOR Nick McKim has criticised the state Liberal Party for selling the tourism assets of our national parks and world heritage areas as trinkets. He says these belong to all Tasmanians and the Liberal Party has no right to “sell them off”. Whether I agree with the decisions or not, I need to accept and respect the fact the Liberal Party formed government after a majority vote. We elect our politicians to make decisions regarding the use of the state’s resources. If we are dissatisfied, the vote will be different at the next election.
Leyonhjelm envy
CAN Tasmanians elect a senator the likes of David Leyonhjelm? Please?
Gun story
DONALD Trump demonstrates “the other side” of the immigration story by standing with a small number of people whose loved ones have been killed by illegal immigrants. Will he now demonstrate the other side of the gun lobby by standing with the hundreds of parents whose children were murdered by “real Americans” while they were at school?
Get serious, Labor
THE community has had enough of the dysfunctional Coalition Government; the opinion polls make that clear. Labor could help us out by getting serious with a leader and alternative prime minister people could have confidence in.
A vital resource
THE ABC must be publicly owned, well-funded and free of political interference. It provides quality entertainment and is a vital resource in times of national disasters such as bushfires and floods and asset for those who live off the beaten track. Despite being financially cut to the bone for many years by conservative governments the ABC has made great contribution to the community over a long period of time.