Landscape changes in one afternoon

It would be no surprise that bulldozing around 10 massive, landmark gum trees on Warragul-Korumburra Rd, Warragul, would produce anger and disgust. That is certainly how I and many others I’ve spoken to have felt.

Such wanton destruction of native vegetation is also no surprise, given the abundant evidence that some developers in the region can only work with a scorched earth policy.

What continues to amaze me is the total lack of imagination and consideration. An inability to genuinely consider the environment, community, heritage, innovation or even the future.

All these things are negated by the ‘whatever it takes’ attitude to bring about profit. Cynically, these developments are promoted in full page ads with idyllic rural scenes of abundant pastures and plentiful trees. We’re invited to purchase their plots with the promise of enjoying such views everyday and forever but tomorrow they bulldoze them.

Of course, the accelerated push for development doesn’t happen without state government need to spread city congestion. This has allowed the carving up of prime agricultural land and council has leapt on board.

The fact that Baw Baw Shire contains the highest quality land not only in the state but also the country, barely rates a mention these days, it’s inconvenient for so called progress. What happened to the consultations and planning schemes that valued the land and protected the environment?

Time after time the community response was ‘do not create another Pakenham’ and ‘retain the rural character of the towns and agricultural productivity of the region’. Change the land and its use and you can change the population. Nothing like a bit of social engineering to push the agenda.

As for the magnificent, enduring trees that were destroyed in an afternoon, they survived and provided habitat for probably 100 years. That is of immense value and iconically Australian which can not be replicated.

Anne Lorraine, Warragul

Gone forever

Who will stand up for the natural environment in Baw Baw?

This week a number of significant mature gums were bulldozed on the Warragul-Korumburra Rd. I am told that this southern hill on the boundary of Warragul is earmarked for another housing estate. Was there any assessment of these trees to either retain or incorporate them into the development? Apparently not, they are gone forever.

While I understand the housing pressure that we currently face with increasing population, can we not consider some innovative planning that retains what little vegetation is left?

Sally Baker, Warragul

Shake heads in despair

David Baylis presents an excellent response, (Only One Chance, Gazette 18/4), to Lynton Malley’s climate change denialism, but sadly, to what end?

Generally, the response in The Gazette to views on the climate, by the likes of Lynton and Marc Schellekens is minimal. My view is that there would be a general eye rolling from readers, especially the medical and scientific communities, but little written response, as the vast majority recognise that there is simply no debate.

The science is rationally undeniable, and has been for years. The debate is long gone. Even some former Gazette denialists, as well as Fox/Sky presenters, have conceded the reality, though most simply don’t want to do anything about it.

If Lynton and Marc have continued to ignore a mountain of irrefutable evidence, supported by close to 100 per cent of the world’s scientists, over many years, their minds are clearly set and closed, and David, there is no ‘’what if you are wrong Lynton?’’

In Lynton’s case, of course, he also denies the existence of the pandemic, and insults both believers , for their ‘’naivety, gullibility and stupidity’’, and the memory of the 750 Victorians who have died from COVID, as well as being a danger to himself and others.

I seriously question the appropriateness of The Gazette printing such fallacies, any more than views such as smoking is good for you, or red traffic lights should be ignored.

Denying the existence of both the pandemic and climate change fits neatly into the conspiratorial views of Qanon, including the ‘’fake’’ moon landing, Sandy Hook massacre and election results.

So climate change knowledge, Marc Schellekens, is not religious, it’s not theory, emotion, fantasy or faith, it’s not ‘’cherry picked’’ events or data, power or control, not a popularity poll, a political or scientific and world media conspiracy. It’s simply scientific fact and prognostications, continually verified daily across the globe, and you can ‘’yeah, but...’’ all you like, to no effect.

It’s interesting that you quote extensively from a US political survey, of fewer than 1000 voters, where almost half of the country voted for Trump, who asserted that COVID may be cured with bleach, that the pandemic would disappear in weeks, and that climate change is ‘’mythical, non existent and an expensive hoax’’. So many are happy that climate change has been politicised, and Marc is happy to quote a popularity poll, from the’’ Land of the Free’’ and the loopy Qanon cult.

All this while scientists shake their heads in despair.

It’s so ironic that Marc supports his arguments with ‘’people are turning back to evidence based science’’. They have, Marc, which is why your views, and Lynton’s, are already in the dustbin of history. By the way, Lynton, would you like to do a bit of research on polar bears?

Disbelievers should just get out of the way, and let the adults tackle the problems.

John Duck, Trafalgar