In turmoil over icon’s future
LEAVING Cradle Mountain National Park after three glorious days I am in turmoil as to how I now view this iconic symbol of the Tasmanian wilderness. In the words of Gustav Weindorfer in 1929, this is a place for the people and must be protected for future generations. How I agree with those words and the efforts he made to ensure it became a national park. Like all precious and beautiful places today, the pressures of easy access from affluent tourism is now the greatest threat. Beware of creating a Disneyland type atmosphere. I am not critical of the efforts already being made. The access road to Dove Lake must surely be by shuttle bus only and limited numbers of walkers allowed on the Overland Track.
Despite the influx of people we must cater for all visitors. Thank goodness for the unpredictable climate and hostile environment that above certain heights will ensure Cradle Mountain’s survival as both a beautiful and challenging destination. Parks Tasmania should be commended for protecting areas with broad walks and pathways. The alternative is irreparable damage. There is a limit to how much infrastructure can be allowed and cable cars, widening roads or other ways of increasing access must be controlled. There may be a time when numbers may need to be limited to ensure its survival.
Ransomed by ferry
HOW would you like having to book with a private company to use your public road, to go home or to your rate-paid property, and pay company rates? If your plane is delayed you will miss your booking, lose the fare and find the last boat booked out! Bruny Island is a holiday destination but primarily the ferry should serve the increasing homes and businesses. Building costs and difficulties will rise astronomically. Taking a trailer or builders and supplies will be costly. These sleek small vessels do not have the present or future capacity. The weight of a few large laden trucks will displace ordinary vehicles. Fuel and labour efficiency, capacity and seaworthiness increase with vessel size. We will be ransomed by ferry fees and access will decline. As a ratepayer and property owner I should have been consulted and not be held to ransom to visit my home. This is a gross form of discrimination. and bridges constructed following the Tasman Bridge disaster. By leaving the present Bridgewater crossing infrastructure in place we would preserve the navigation channel needed for permanent water access to New Norfolk, maintain the rail crossing which would guarantee light rail to the many subdivisions planned for Bridgewater/Brighton, and facilitate local road access. Oh yes, and a lot of taxpayer money would be saved for other and perhaps more pressing needs.
Piece of my heart
I HAVE recently returned from a holiday on your lovely island. It was quite a nostalgic trip for me as I grew up in Tasmania during the 1950s. And although I have been back several times I had all but forgotten just how beautiful it is. My father worked as a journalist and court reporter on the Mercury from 1953 — 1956. Thankyou for the wonderful memories; I have surely left a little piece of my heart behind. High, New Town High, etc, but maybe Peter Gutwein could make available his chauffer-driven limo. How dare you allow overcrowding. You spruik a budget surplus and how great a job you lot are doing, not hard when funding is restricted to safely carry our kids.
What is he thinking?
LUKE Bowden’s picture of Premier Will Hodgman and Treasurer Peter Gutwein ( Mercury, July 6) shows a serious Treasurer in deep concentration seeing the responsibility he has for the state finances. Could he be giving due consideration to economist Saul Eslake’s recommendation “If I were a state or territory treasurer I would be seeking some explicit guarantees to that effect before signing up”. Well could he be thinking Labor could be the alternative government in 2019. I must be aware, not to put my faith in princes.