GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Only amalgamation can fix this

ESTIMATES of population growth and car use predicts upward of 45,000 extra vehicles over the next 30 years in Hobart. Traffic light synchronisation, a few more bike and bus lanes, perhaps ferry and light rail, will not resolve congestion. The northern suburbs need a western route to and around the CBD linking with the Southern Outlet. Eastern suburbs need the South Arm Highway continued to the Bowen Bridge, and light rail will underperform unless it passes west of the Domain from New Town to the CBD. These and other needs will not happen without council amalgamation. Amalgamation of Launceston, St Leonards and Lilydale councils was forced by state government, creating the largest city in Tasmania.

The same government left amalgamations in the South to popular choice. They knew there were too many people in each municipality being paid well or having local positions of influence working to retain the status quo. It worked, 35 years on we are no closer to amalgamation in the south. What government would want a southern council making up 42 per cent of Tasmania’s population; imagine the leverage the council would have and worse, they would no longer be able to apportion 70-80 per cent of road money to the North. Amalgamation will only happen if forced by state government. one step in the planning process for the Cambria Draft Amendment and Specific Area Plan. The Amendment and all 623 submissions will now go to the Tasmanian Planning Commission. This is where the final decision on the proposed Cambria Amendments sits. What is particularly disappointing was the apparent disregard for those 623 submissions shown by councillors who voted in favour of the Cambria development. The vast majority of the submissions were against the planning scheme changes and included representations from highly regarded state and national organisations concerned about potential impacts. The East Coast Alliance is looking forward to the opportunity to present all concerns to the Tasmanian Planning Commission. The fight to protect the East Coast from a large-scaled, inappropriate development is far from over.

Not ready for this

“STATE flying high as boom surges”, the Treasurer informs us ( Mercury, November 21). The roads are approaching third world state, teachers and others are protesting against low pay increases by going on strike. The health system is a shambles, the parliament becoming a laughing stock. Valuable areas are being opened to mass tourism and businesses questionable to the long term benefits of this state. Housing is unaffordable to the locals along with sky high rents. Developers and big business seem to influence many decisions. A call to put the brakes on was dismissed by many yet the infrastructure is not in place nor are the roads, hospitals or much else for forecast increases in population and Minister rules out energy rebate repeat I can understand why — $125 is a massive amount isn’t it? Not for a pollie but it would mean a hell of a help to my family. Thanks for nothing. tourism. It is not good government that has led to the strong economy, it is a result of other factors our government should not be trying to take credit for. Fresh faces are needed to govern, not the recycled party candidates we continually get offered. Previous applicants need not apply.

Don’t sell pier

PLEASE don’t sell our iconic Elizabeth Street Pier into private hands. This historic part of Hobart’s waterfront is priceless. So many nostalgic memories abound. The big battleships, flamboyant sailing boats, exhibitions of tall ships, merchant ships laden with boxes of apples and more have all moored here. Many fishing tournaments have taken place here. Those who think they can sell it off for private use should be removed from office. Next they will be selling our public beaches.

Register the whole lot

SO the usual whingeing minority want the Kunanyi/Mt Wellington Organ Pipes heritage listed! Why stop at the Organ Pipes? Place the whole location on the register. Demolish buildings, roads, tracks and other structures around the mountain including Fern Tree, Ridgeway and South Hobart. Stop all human interaction with the mountain (including climbers, walkers, bike riders, photographers and abseilers). As a footnote I am 100 per cent pro cable car development.

Right to vote for PM of choice

STRANGE that the current Liberal leader seemingly wants to fight an election based on Australian’s right to vote for the PM of their choice (an erroneous assumption), especially when the only poll that he’s winning is on preferred PM. Coincidence or clutching at straws? You be the judge!

Airbag replacements

FINALLY I had my faulty Takata airbags replaced after months of nervous waiting, only to be told it was replaced with a Takata airbag which would need to be replaced in 12 months. Not happy.

Climate tin ear

MINISTER Matt Canavan’s suggestion that striking students should be in school “learning about how to build mines, do geology and how to drill for oil and gas” is further evidence of the government’s tin ear when it comes to the public’s mounting concerns about climate changes. These young people are our future leaders and scientists, etc. They will bear the brunt of climate change and we hope will force government action to take action to arrest this.

Citizens of Australia

I DREAM of the day when we breathe free as citizens of Australia, not as subjects of a foreign monarch on a slither of land off the coast of Europe.