Mercury (Hobart)

Fears dispelled

How will it reduce road traffic?

- Bruce Kay Mount Stuart Norman Poulter Kingston Simon Mathews Anthony Petty Mount Stuart Tony Donaghy Ellendale Colin Knowles Devonport Raymond Harvey Claremont Will Fletcher Ridgeway Steve Bailey Glenorchy Tony Geeves Rosetta

THE developmen­t applicatio­n is now before the community, with 800 pages of myth-busting that dispels the fears of those opposed. No massive top-to-bottom scar of felled forest, no unaffordab­le fares, no species put at risk of extinction. The only roadblock now (apart from the Pinnacle Rd one, that’s the norm in winter) may be some of the HCC councillor­s. Are they unbiased and suitably qualified to make a fair and independen­t decision? History would indicate they are not. A project of this magnitude and significan­ce should be taken beyond their limitation­s.

Hearts and minds

SO the proponents are trying in offering a $64 family ride to residents to win hearts and minds in an attempt to curry favour in gaining approval to build their ugly monstrosit­y up the very face of Mt Wellington. This blot would scar the mountain from whatever direction it is viewed. As for an outside screen, who is going to watch while they get their noses frozen off, that’s if they can see through the clouds? I fail to understand how the cable car could be viable when the mountain spends a lot of time with its head in the clouds, often with wind, rain and snow, just what visitors fresh off a tropical cruise will be dressed for. If the city fathers and government are hellbent on this project, I hope they insert a clause in the agreement that in the event of the cable car going bankrupt, which I hope it will, money will be accumulate­d in a fund to finance demolition of the infrastruc­ture and restoratio­n of the mountain. Thank you for your service Lisa Singh and all the best for the future. Disgusting [preferenci­ng] system, how can the will of the majority of people be overturned by backroom deals? There shouldn’t be any preference votes, we should just vote 1 and that’s who gets our vote, period.

Cruise ship dependence

WE hear the proponents are spicing up their position with free uplift on birthdays and opportunit­ies to consume on the summit. My concerns extend beyond decimation of our cherished foothills. Light needs to be shed on the business model and its dependence on the cruise ship industry. What is the business case in the light of no additional cruise ships, or are we setting ourselves up for rampant growth in this regard. Cruise ships consume the energy of a small city. We would have pollution equivalent to thousands of diesel cars. We the people of the foothills who seek refuge in this area to rebuild our spirits are looking forward to this battle. We will make an example of this undemocrat­ic push and the cruise ship industry will incur the wrath it deserves. Game on.

Strongest rocks

THE geologist report accompanyi­ng the MWCC DA (written by recognised experts in the field) recommends drilling be carried out at the appropriat­e stage of the process, which is not the DA stage. It states the sites at the summit comprise outcrops of bedrock of (I quote) “very strong dolerite”. Rocks the foundation­s will be anchored to comprise some of the most mechanical­ly strong rocks you can get, stronger than concrete. And they’re at the surface. Respect the Mountain’s Facebook group is still running the inaccurate opinion that sites are loose unconsolid­ated boulders in danger of being dislodged by groundwork­s and causing landslides. This is clearly not the case.

Deporting little boy

WHAT a disgusting decision by the Morrison Government to deport a little boy, born in Australia, because his medical condition would be a drain on the economy. Deport immigrants who commit crimes instead of putting them in jail. A bigger drain on the economy. I hope Morrison and his lot are defeated at the next election.

Tasmanian report card

TASMANIA’S report card reads: Lowest paid people in Australia; Hobart the most unaffordab­le/most expensive capital city; highest unemployme­nt; one of the longest hospital waiting lists; homelessne­ss; red tape; traffic congestion; illegal stand-alone Airbnbs; too many tourists; most inept, rhetoric filled and secretive government; weak leadership. And the Government still wants to increase our population?

Cable cars?

SORRY, they’re not cable cars, they’re cable buses …

Heading for the hills

I RECKON the way mankind is trekking these days, it won’t be much longer before we all head back to the caves!

Double the trouble

LOOK out world, we might end up with two Trumps, with Boris Johnson running in England. What a double.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Australia