Mercury (Hobart)

CHANGING FACE OF HOBART

Now for Battery Point walkway

- Chris Needham Blackmans Bay Rose Wade Sandy Bay L. Hudson Hobart John Herbert Sandy Bay Stephen Jeffery Sandy Bay Phil Manzi Midway Point Tony Mulder Clarence alderman Paul Duncombe Sandy Bay Gus Steinbauer Acton Park

NOW that we have a new council in Hobart it’s time to get going on constructi­ng the Battery Point walkway to connect the University of Tasmania campuses in the city and Sandy Bay. NIMBYs shouldn’t delay this vital connecting infrastruc­ture. One only has to see what has been achieved on the Brisbane River to see what must happen on our beautiful Derwent Estuary. long-term developmen­t of Hobart city, and as they are also lucky enough to live here, it is incumbent on our newly elected council, under the leadership of Anna Reynolds, to retain our heritage, lifestyle and liveabilit­y. We do not want high rise developmen­t overshadow­ing our streetscap­es. Neither do we want our beloved Mt Wellington/kunanyi turned into a Disneyland. We do not need to be overrun by tourists or inundated by floating mansions of cruise ships. Yes of course we need developmen­t and growth but let’s keep this in line with our current city, its cultural heritage and geographic­al limitation­s.

No stranger to chaos

THE thought of a building project on the corner of Davey and Harrington streets and Sandy Bay Rd fills me with dread, irrespecti­ve of the appropriat­eness. I remember the projects in Macquarie and Murray streets which resulted in lanes being closed for months and years. The Welcome Stranger intersecti­on would cause traffic chaos if lanes were closed. and country and city views. And here’s backward little Hobart keeping its views and mountain experience­s for fast-paced Lycra-wearing pushbike riders and fit, calorie-counting mountain climbers, bushwalker­s and birdwatche­rs plus snowthrowi­ng young families (quite entitled of course) but bother the rest of humanity or if you’re a middle-aged-plus, high disposable income tourist, maybe even with arthritis … on your bike! PS Launceston naturally will grab a ropeway first.

Elderly and disabled

IT’S all very well for Yvonne Stark to wax lyrical with highly emotive language such as rape and desecratio­n in regards to putting a cable car to the summit of Mt Wellington, but some people like the idea (Letters, November 9). Maybe the elderly and disabled for example. The unemployed, perhaps, they might want a job serving drinks or food up there. What a nice novelty that would be, enjoying a beverage out of the cold gazing upon one of the best views on planet Earth.

One word missing

THE roaring silence? Six hundred and fifty-odd words from Tourism Industry Council CEO Luke Martin around the suitabilit­y of the Lake Malbena tourism developmen­t proposal as a model of “sensible” tourism in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (Talking Point, November 8). Alas, not one use of the word “helicopter”. Shhhhh.

Brilliant care

DO not hesitate a visit to the Royal Hobart Hospital emergency department despite poor reports. After sustaining a minor injury, I decided to present to the Royal. Wait time was minor and care received was brilliant. Thank you.

Taxes for battlers

REPLACE residentia­l negative gearing with interest deductions for first-home mortgage and abolish deductions for commercial properties. Taxes to support battlers, not business!

Roll up: Hanson v Latham

I’VE booked a ringside seat for the bust-up fight between Pauline Hanson and Mark Latham. Coming soon to a circus tent near you, this not to be missed encounter.

Promises to China

NOTE to Marise Payne: Don’t go making any promises or deals with the Chinese Communist Party on Australia’s behalf, thank you. In fact it would be a very good idea for all Australian pollies to keep right away from there. You are not in their league when it comes to negotiatin­g.

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