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.