Another disappointed visitor

TOURISM

LAST weekend I had another international work colleague visiting our state for two days, wanting to head up the mountain and guess what? The road was closed at The Springs. This guest was from Sweden and his first comment was: “Why the hell would they not have a cable car up here?” He was in disbelief.

I work for a German global company in a national role out of Tasmania and this is the third time I’ve had an international guest visit my home and haven’t been able to take any of them to the top this year.

Saturday was a particularly nice day and I couldn’t see why the road would be closed. Not much snow, sun out and cars everywhere at The Springs. It was beyond a joke, so frustrating. He did see the large sign at the airport with an amazing view from the top on his way out of the state. His comment was: “How disappointing not to be able to experience that, it looks amazing.” There are many pristine, protected places all so easily accessible from Hobart that should be protected and I fully agree to this. The mountain is in our state’s capital city showcasing our beautiful home. Let’s give everyone the opportunity to access and enjoy it. Come on Hobart and Tasmania, let’s not lose this amazing opportunity for our beautiful state that has been put before us. liament Square development, no cranes permanently in the air over the city, no rampant tourism all around the island, no MONA, no healthy live music scene and theatre, no festivals like Falls, Festivale, Cygnet, Festival of Voices, no Targa, no cruise ships, no world class bushwalking, no over the top property market, no huge fishing industry, no development in wilderness areas (bit suss that one). Honestly, I could go on and on. What do you people want? Does it all hinge on this one contentious, secretive, divisive project that could have been handled so much better?

Hardly anti everything

LAZY politicians and greedy developers like to dismiss those who challenge them by labelling them part of the “anti everything” brigade. Most of us are not against a cable car but rather against it crossing the Organ Pipes. We welcome salmon farms but not pollution of pristine bays. We welcome development in our city and suburbs but only when it is well designed and of appropriate size and enhances the lives of the community. We are very much against ugly excessive development and greed. off area is a safe haven for tourists and there are even clean toilets. People like Chris Merridew would be far more effective on the Hobart City Council than the Greens push, who hinder any ideas or suggestions to further enhance Hobart as a must visit for tourists.

Take long-term view

UNLIKE John Cleary’s article (“MPs must step in to save the latest cable car”, Talking Point, August 23), Kevin Kiernan backs up his argument with evidence (“Turning the double-backed sword”, August 23).

Kiernan refers to tourism impacts in Bali, Iceland, Venice, Barcelona, which disregard their cultures and promote tourists ahead of local citizens. His choice of examples is astute: islands like Tasmania and cities with a rich heritage, like Hobart. Consequently, he can apply the lessons to be learned from rapid development of tourism to cable cars and accommodation (Airbnb). Cleary only considers the viewpoints of developers and government, both clearly biased in favour of tourist developments. The juxtaposition of the two articles starkly contrasts the strengths of their arguments. Kiernan argues successfully for “connoisseur rather than conveyor-belt tourism”.

It is not time for the State Government to step into the cable car debate. Instead it should consider a long-term view, a lesson for all politicians, which considers the best interests of residents and seeks a more balanced economic outlook for Tasmania which does not rely on the tourist boom.

Live up to the name

HOW dare so many politicians call themselves Christians when they support the asylum seeker policies we have?

Near miss

IF Peter Dutton has been bending the immigration rules for his mates, thank God he failed to be PM.

Seaplane drone

UNLIKE Chris Davey (“Seaplane gracing skies”, Letters, September 3), I think it unfortunate that the peace of our skies and harbour will be disrupted by a seaplane operation. While the unfettered tourism industry might be delighted, the community will be forced to listen to the ongoing drone.

Better petty than lethal

SIMON Behrakis says “petty politics and silly squabbles have taken over from serious debate” in councils (Talking Point, September 3). But doesn’t he work for Eric Abetz? Does he want to replace that with factional back-stabbing?

Just fix cliff fence

KINGBOROUGH Council won’t fix the fence around Blackmans Bay cliffs because they don’t know who is responsible ( Mercury, September 3). I bet if rates were owing they and others would be lining up to say, pay up or else!