UPward & ONward!!!
Monday, October 30, 2017
Saturday, October 28, 2017
The Examiner And Launceston’s Hurtling Towards Oblivion
When the 'citizen's press' get going you find the answer to quite a few questions nobody seems to be, or seemed to have been, asking. Who was it who said "nobody is really paying attention, so …"? An Alderman?? So, here's a selection of 'LETTERS TO THE EDITOR' that might just tell us something …. Well a thing or two anyway!!
Decisions, decisions
It could be argued that the City of Launceston has lost the plot.
All too often recently light-weight decisions, that should not have been made in the first place, are being revisited.
For example, the proposed relocation of St John Street's bus stop is being reworked.
And at the last meeting a car park at Inveresk was allocated to the university before a parking study was carried out, even though that study was on the council's work list, but at the time, was not started.
The pedestrian bridge was unanimously approved a few months back. At the time it was stated the original design was the only one that could meet all the design criteria.
Out of the blue two more designs were before the council. But only one could be voted on.
The preferred option was a lively design looking rather like the Batman Bridge. But it was ruled out because it was stated it would require another planning application taking some two weeks.
So the other option was approved, seven for, four against. Not convincing.
But what was the rush? Better to get it right? No, the debate was cut short by one alderman saying let's get it over with, make a decision now (I know – I was at the meeting).
Now in The Examiner (Monday, October 16) we read that the Brisbane Street Mall is to be redesigned.
That is after years of City Heart, public consultations and the current design documents already well underway, there is to be a myriad of improvements made including for events and activities, public art, shelter, security, and all to be attractive and inviting.
You could say just as well because it seems the original design must have been a real dud.
But this ad hoc decision making process is simply not good enough. Launceston needs consistent, logical, robust, intelligent decision making from its council.
Jim Dickenson, Launceston.
Invermay Should Be Abandoned
No matter who won the last Federal Election, blatant pork barrelling by both major parties, is the cause of the unfolding Invermay mess (Basil Fitch 27/10 refers).
We may never know what/whose agenda put the Lib/Labs up to it but we do know that tax and rate payers will pay for it!
Due diligence, so called, has conveniently overlooked the inevitable seismic event; the best levees in the world are not immune.
Launceston has an active history of such events. Unfortunately LCC's independant risk management consultant is no longer with us but his legacy "..truth is beauty, beauty truth" remains.
Sincerely, Ken Partridge (West Launceston)
Invermay abandoned
THE SES flood siren test on Thursday, October 5 brought back grim memories of 2016 flood on Invermay and Inveresk where evacuations, flood waters going through houses, ruining carpets, furniture, gardens, Inveresk Hotel closed for weeks along with Charles Street and Tamar Street bridges closed.
The tramsheds at proposed UTAS campus also affected with flood water.
The City of Launceston are responsible for all stormwater not TasWater.
It is incomprehensible, beggars belief and logic that mayor and aldermen, UTAS, Peter Gutwein, Liberal government, federal government would spend $260 million on a project knowing the 200 year history of 36 significant floods (SES) and numerous minor floods have occurred on a floodplain at Invermay and Inveresk.
Geoff Smedley's letter (The Examiner, October 5) "Woes of Launceston" are so correct.
Basil Fitch, South Launceston.
Woes of Launceston
IT HAS been pointed out that the relocation of the National Auto Museum of Tasmania has not been thought through in a manner befitting its value to the city.
One can only imagine the consequences of permanent sand and worse still, cement dust, in copious amounts plaguing the exhibits. I really can't imagine a worse scenario to be put upon a display of valuable cars.
Surely this situation must have been looked into before such decisions were made, or is it just another big blunder in the whole mishmash of flustered planning that is taking place in Launceston today?
To have cars constantly exposed to such harmful elements would be a huge detriment to the ability of featuring valuable vehicles, and cause great harm to the museum's ability of frequent exhibit change.
Launceston looks like it's about to undergo a torrid time, particularly with the up-and-coming university fiasco and the great changes that will bring to an already chaotic traffic flow situation.
There are so many other unforeseen problems that it's quite scary looking at these straight off the cuff decision being pushed through by a few rather than the true needs of Launceston. I am truly concerned at the thoughtless so-called progress that is happening at this time.
One has to worry about the tears that will undoubtedly follow this decision that seems so far from the real needs our little city, which is begging for real basic and urgent items of need.
Geoff Smedley, Launceston.
Launceston Show
CONGRATULATIONS to Lucy Stone (Sunday Examiner, October 22), for some very creative "outside the box" ideas for a possible re-vamped Launceston Show concept.
As for a future venue – the "old" University of Tasmania Newnham complex?
Margaret Hosford, Windermere.
Central Bus Stops
WHAT A sensible suggestion from City of Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten to move the northbound bus stop near Civic Square and the Town Hall in St John Street.
It is then adjacent to the library, post office and Civic Square, which, as the mayor points out, is ideal in many ways.
This site is removed from shops and the negative impact waiting passengers can have on these businesses.
The redeveloped Civic Square will provide children's play areas, seating and a peaceful place for those waiting for buses.
It is hoped council will carefully consider this matter.
Dick James, Launceston.
Political Privilege
I, AND the majority of the community seem to be sick to death of lies being trundled out by politicians in Australia.
I suggest that the long held practice of parliamentary privilege be abolished and all politicians be made accountable for the words they utter.
The practice of filming and recording of all sittings would then mean that politicians would need to be able to verify their statements or be held liable for any untruths or slander uttered in the name of politics.
To the public, hearing the truth for once would be a God send.
Ken Terry, Bridport.
Pedestrians
AN ARTICLE (The Examiner, October 4) mentioned the council would give away half the circular carpark at Inveresk was an interesting statement: "It will allow for greater pedestrian movement."
Presumably this is after the dozens of drivers have parked somewhere else and then magically transformed into pedestrians.
Ron Baines, Kings Meadows.
Sunday, October 22, 2017
LCC's Recalcitrance In Regard To QVMAG's Governance
Review of Governance Practices - Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery Establishment of Working Group <<< Click on the link to read the full post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
The following information is on the Launceston City Councils website but there is no opportunity there to leave a comment, critique, observation, whatever. It is posted here to allow that and for easy access. The information for intending working group applicants is as follows:
"Proudly owned and operated by the Launceston City Council, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG) is the largest regional museum in Australia and is the arts, cultural and creative heartbeat of Tasmania.
The Council is undertaking a review of the governance arrangements of the QVMAG. Following the review, the Council will establish an appropriate contemporary governance model which addresses QVMAG's obligations to the Council, State Government and community.
The Council wishes to form a working group of appropriately qualified people to research, evaluate and make recommendations to Council regarding the appropriate governance arrangements for the QVMAG.
The Working Group's considerations are anticipated to include, but not be limited to, the following:
1) Calling for public submissions on relevant matters;
2) Interviews with key stakeholders relating to the QVMAG, such as employees, and Friends and Foundation members;
3) An assessment of the current governance arrangements;
4) Discussion of alternative governance models, including the relationship with the City Council; and
5) A recommended governance model for QVMAG.
Friday, October 20, 2017
Glenorchy And Amalgamations
GO TO: https://www.facebook.com/CitizensforGlenorchy/photos/a.1231708626905182.1073741827.297096220366432/1556571744418867/?type=3&theater
CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE TO GO TO
SOURCE AND BETTER READABILITY
CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE TO GO TO
SOURCE AND BETTER READABILITY
Monday, October 16, 2017
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Call for submissions to Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce
The City of Launceston has a lead role exploring future options for the city's combined system as part of the work being undertaken by the Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce.
The Council is working with Taswater and other experts to identify improvements that will benefit the health of the Tamar Estuary.
The Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce has been established by the State Government as part of the Launceston City Deal; a strategic partnership between all three tiers of government designed to guide the future of the city.
Submissions are currently open for individuals and organisations to help shape the future of the Tamar River Estuary.
To find out more, visit:http://www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/h…/about_us/infrastructure
Letter to Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation
11 October 2017
Committee Secretariat
Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation
P.O. Box 6021
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
By email to rdd.reps@aph.gov.au
Dear Select Committee Members,
Regrettably, we only learned of the Hearing conducted in Launceston on 10 October, from the local press report published today.
Accordingly, we wish to make a submission in writing to your Committee, based on concerns about Launceston projects that we referred to in an earlier submission dated August 2017, to the Committee inquiring into the Australian Government's Role in the Development of Cities (see copy of attached submission).
Whilst we appreciate that the Terms of Reference for your Select Committee are different, we never-the-less see some synergy in how officials allegedly representing the best interests of Launceston, have been promoting the Australian Government's support for funding huge capital works projects in this area, without consulting ordinary citizens and gaining their unequivocal support.
The Launceston community has many needs, and the public purse is justifiably limited. We are concerned that funds already agreed by the Australian Government have not been applied to capital works projects that would be of the highest rating and priority able to be given by our ordinary citizens.
Our citizens have simply not been properly consulted, and no argument undoubtedly already put to you by Launceston City Council, Launceston Chamber of Commerce, Tasmanian Property Council, State Government et al, that there has been consultation (unverified, anonymous social media traffic only) can be demonstrated.
We are particularly concerned that the future of the Australian Maritime College at Newnham in Launceston, once an independent and vibrant institution, now absorbed into the ownership of University of Tasmania so as to prop up their University accreditation, is not going to be sustainable and able to expand into the future. Already changes in the funding of the AMC by overseas shipping companies has significantly dropped, and the 'independent' commercial operation of AMC Search has been annihilated.
Unfortunately time and a shortage of resources prevent us from presenting a proper submission to your Select Committee, however we hope that from what we have been able to say, and from what we have already said to the other inquiry, you may be able to glean our sentiments in relation to your Terms of Reference.
Yours faithfully,
Lionel Morrell
President
Tasmanian Ratepayers Association Inc.
NOTE: Ratepayer who wish to receive a ocopy of the submission please indicate so in the comment section below.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)