The next Council meeting will be held on Wednesday 23 April 2014 at 10am in the Council Chambers, Georges Bay Esplanade, St Helens. Minutes from Council meetings are available online.
Miscellaneous
Gas BBQ
Window, door and cupboard
Launceston Country Club Casino bus trip
The Fingal Valley Neighbourhood House Inc has organised a trip to the Launceston Country Club Casino on Thursday May 1st 2014
Have a nice affordable meal at the water garden and a flutter if you want
Bus fare: $15 pp (does not include meal) The FVNH Commuter Bus will leave at 5.30pm. If you are interested in going on this trip call into the office or phone 6374 2344 to book your seat.
The Say
by Cagerattler
I’ve resisted the temptation until now to mention the Tasmanian Election but…regarding the Regional Forestry Agreement surely the new government won’t cancel the whole thing after the mountain of work it took to reach an agreement. That would be an insult to everyone involved on both sides. This agreement required some fairly major concessions on both sides and whilst not perfect by any means (the stated opinion of the various groups involved) it is as good as it can be.
Why do you think that a ‘mandate’ exists to pull apart this. The election result was probably a result of many things, not just the RFA, and to use the mandate excuse is presumptuous at the very least.
I already know this new mob will struggle to implement many of their promises in the timeframes they suggest but this Forestry deal is extremely complex and difficult, and to say they will throw it out before there’s been any chance of seeing what might happen is pretty short sighted.
It deserves some sort of consideration surely. We’ll wait and see what happens next.
On a local matter… Now that the bottom reservoir is drained for safety reasons (apparently a gushing issue as a good friend was told) would someone from TasWater please put up more safety fencing. There is a very rickety walkway, a pretty steep drop and other matters there; whilst it’s being repaired it could be a risk to small children or pets especially. I only ask because I know that any potential risk needs to be identified. I hope TasWater can attend to this sooner rather than later as it would probably be considered a workplace and new regulations are pretty uncompromising in workplaces these days.
What do you think? Rod McGiveron
The Say
By Cagerattler
Last night ABC TV showed a story that revolved around the Australian car industry’s demise, focusing mainly on GMH.
I am in real fear of this current philosophy of the Federal Government’s policy on no longer subsidizing heavy industry. I think not helping these companies out is SO WRONG.
The main issue for me whilst watching this thought-provoking report was concern for the parts manufacturers (which number in the hundreds as it happens) that supply components to Ford, Holden and Toyota. One industry analyst said that 44,000 jobs were directly affected and about 198,000 indirectly. How can this happen?
Our Government has this seeming preoccupation with returning the economy to surplus, to the detriment of manufacturing industries. If I ever get the chance to ask a serving Federal Liberal member how they can sleep at night by supporting such policies I will. And it’s not just the car industry either unfortunately – this stupidly selfish government policy is affecting, or will affect, so many other manufacturing arms and just so the Prime Minister can say “Oh good, we returned the economy to surplus.”
Australia is one of the world’s most resource-rich economies, yet downstream processing of our own resources jobs is being sent offshore so we can buy it back at cheap prices…Why can’t Australian governments, of all persuasions, take a more holistic approach and definitely a much longer term look at things instead of all this rubbish? When we lose across-the-board manufacturing industries we lose our skills base too and become a country reliant on imports as time goes on; if we continue to pander to countries buying our country right from under our noses what do we finish up as?
It has to stop. We have to say to this crazy government ‘You can’t do this… Stick up for us… Don’t sell us off’.
I have a clear conscience. I didn’t vote for this mob whose lack of support for the car industry hasn’t helped at all.
Time to reflect on ANZAC Day…I was telling my US friend about ANZAC day and how we ‘commemorate’ rather than ‘celebrate’ this hugely important part of our identity as a nation, and how the sacrifices by the original diggers on April 25th 1915, the weeks and months before that day at the very early part of the Great War and in World War II, and all conflicts right up until now are not and never will be forgotten.
The ultimate sacrifice by so many, but also those who lived the rest of their lives with terrible handicaps and disabilities, cannot be allowed to be taken for granted – not ever.
What do you think?
Rod McGiveron.
Falmouth’s on sale!
Easter Monday 21st April 2014 8am ~ 3pm
The Falmouth Community is “on sale”. Any property that displays balloons is taking part in this Garage Sale Extravaganza! Come to Falmouth on Easter Monday and grab a bargain!
The Blue Cave Café will also be open at the Falmouth Community Centre with delicacies for all to enjoy!
What’s happening in your backyard?
Skyline Tier Project Launch
All welcome
6pm Tuesday 8th April
Scamander Sports Community Complex
1 Old Coach Rd, Scamander
The Scamander Pine Plantation at Skyline Tier covers a total area of 2160 ha. Since July 2007 the Northeast Bioregional Network has been restoring the site by promoting native vegetation regeneration.
Environment Tasmania is project managing the continuation of this work with funding from the Australian Government.
Come and learn more about this unique and significant project. Refreshments provided.
For more information contact:
[email protected] 0429 216 730
Todd Dudley 6376 1049
Greater Esk Tourism
