CSIRO site the perfect parkland
CHANGING FACE OF HOBART
THE CSIRO sits on reclaimed land which originally provided a terminal for Empress of Australia, which entered service between Sydney and Hobart in 1965. Reports the CSIRO will move to Macquarie Point could leave a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for redevelopment, but hopefully not the type the Government will probably come up with. Just imagine if that land was given back to the people, by turning it into an extension of Princes Park. The area could be lawned with winding pathways and bench seats and a path at the southern end could access Finlay St and Clarke Avenue. Carparking would be needed, eg for yacht club officials in the start and finish box for racing. There could be car spaces for the disabled. I can see visitors and people on their lunch hour using the parkland and it would be a perfect place to watch the end of the SydneyHobart, or simply any movements on the River Derwent. It would present well for those arriving by sea. It would need suitable fencing along the shore. But please, no big trees or shrubs. Keep the view open. in the process losing all the charm that made Tasmania what it is, or was. Simple, charming and unspoilt. Is it too late? I think maybe the horse has already bolted.
Only the bling different
WHAT is it with architects and developers who rock up in Hobart to try to badger us into buying their tower blocks? What they are spruiking are ugly, oversized and (apparently) all produced from the same mould, a rectangular box. Incidentally, why are different architects needed to produce virtually the same towers? Only the bling differentiates them. Mr Scanlan assures us a pale blue glass tower is going to activate one of our streets ( Mercury, June 27). Thank you, but our streets are quite active enough. Any a bit on the quiet side provide welcome relief from the racket of traffic on our very active thoroughfares.
Mortgage reality
BEFORE we start crowing about the huge profit we can make selling a once reasonably priced home, think about what you have to pay to buy another. I have ob- 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. served people blown away by the price they achieve, but quickly brought back to reality when they become buyers. Some have to take out a mortgage to buy a house that meets their requirements. These prices force first homebuyers into bigger and bigger mortgages. The Australian dream is becoming harder and harder. Is this what we want? I don’t want a country where so many are homeless and can’t afford the high rents.
What sort of government have we got that constantly pats itself on the back and boasts the “Tasmanian tiger is roaring again after a 100 days in office” if it is leaving many behind? Any community that turns its back on those in need is morally bankrupt. Such a society is doomed to high rates of crime and unrest as the havenots take action to survive. Any one of us could find ourselves in a desperate situation and wouldn’t we want help?
Beauty and ugliness
THOSE who protest that a cable car on Mt Wellington will spoil its great beauty are applauded, even though their stand hinders economic and tourism benefits. Those who protest the increasing ugliness of Dark Mofo are denounced for jeopardising economic and tourism potential. Great thinkers claim beauty lifts the spirit but ugliness destroys hope. The ever-increasing ugliness of Dark Mofo is at odds with the promotion of Tasmania’s pristine beauty. At Hobart Airport visitors are welcomed with vistas of beauty only to be confronted by Mona’s red and black pentagram, symbol of the occult.
On the spot for a cause
WHEN you go into a shop, then go to the counter, it is not fair that the person who is serving asks you would you like to donate a dollar to a cause. It puts you on the spot. What would the people waiting in line think if you say no?
Keep it down
IT would hardly be surprising if Tasmania’s share of the GST carve-up is reduced. The State Government has been crowing for weeks about how well we are doing economically and how successful we have been compared to other states. It would have only itself to blame.
Carpark not traffic lights
CLARENCE City Council must have had a surplus from its budget because it has installed another set of traffic lights in Bayfield St. Seems to be a waste of money on such a short stretch (lights already at the intersection with Cambridge Rd and at the Eastlands end with Bligh St-Rosny Mall). What is really needed is a carpark where city commuters can park then use public transport to the city.
Volunteers and mountains
I FORGOT to mention in my first letter about Queenstown that every second person I have met, young and old, working or retired, is a volunteer with organisations such as St Vinnies, the Red Cross or the ambulance service. This demonstrates tremendous kindness and community spirit. Yes, Stephen Jeffery (Letters, June 30), a cable car sounds great. We have several big mountains to choose from.