A few tourist tips, and thanks

I WAS holidaying in Tasmania before Christmas and interested to read the Charles Wooley article and letters about the impact of cruise ships on Hobart. I can see how the numbers could become a problem but responding to the suggestion of moving passengers to the outer suburbs, as they are usually only in Hobart for a day, I don’t think this is a good idea. Overseas tourists are interested in seeing a bit of Hobart and Tasmania and the wildlife parks. Having been on a bus tour to Richmond and a wildlife sanctuary with a bus full of Canadian tourists, I can say they appreciated that tour. A suggestion they be moved away from the Brooke Street Pier area I don’t think is workable as many tours go from there and it is a lovely part of Hobart, which is a very pretty city and I very much enjoyed it. I think there is a need for some refreshment stands for drinks and snacks.

I was amazed, after 20 years in Sydney, that the harbour area was so beautifully uncommercialised, so unlike Circular Quay, but there is pressure on the few restaurants. I had been looking forward to Salamanca Market but it was so overcrowded it wasn’t pleasant and the lack of seating was a big factor. I wondered if more could be done to create a space with chairs and tables as I saw at the Harvest Market in Launceston, set up by volunteers. Could the markets run over more than just Saturday in summer or busy periods? I hope Tasmania and Hobart and Launceston stay as beautiful as they are for a long time and also that the heritage is valued as it is so special and beautiful. ter, so do you try to contact her or me by phone? “No.” This bank still issues passbooks, a strange mix of past and present. Luckily I detected the fraud when we received her November statement. Because the amount was below $100, the bank waited for a customer to complain. With a bit of luck, we might get a refund. This bank (not one of the big four) obviously has no desire to make a phone call. This isolationism of a large company from its customers is due to the dependence on computers for communication. I would say staff in the branches have as much trouble communicating with head office as the customer does. “Your call is important to us” is the biggest lie an organisation can make. Tassal has to explain the expansion as it will have positive and negative effects on our small community. The community rightly has concerns.

It was informing to hear the company’s plans and questions were asked and addressed but the elephant in the room was the absence of the Environment Protection Authority. Where was it, the regulatory body? Where were the politicians of the major parties, listening to concerns? This is a problem of the wider Australian community. Until we get politicians who represent communities and government regulatory bodies which are truly independent, what is the hope for the future of democracy?