“You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till its gone!” This is true whether we’re “putting up a parking lot”, nailing up sheets of medium density chipboard; or whether we’re running with the global, and locally manic, population centralisation ethos. The latter is my point here; another key concern to Tasmania.

1. Dear Ed (forwarded already to the mercury and provided to
greens as impromptu message only)
TASMANIAN TOWNSHIPS
“You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till its gone!” This is true whether we’re “putting
up a parking lot”, nailing up sheets of medium density chipboard; or whether we’re
running with the global, and locally manic, population centralisation ethos. The latter
is my point here; another key concern to Tasmania.
There’s nothing wrong with the traditional Aboriginal solution to seasonal changes –
up and move to greener hunting and collecting (if you have been frugal enough to
afford it). But when we’ve got hard won infrastructures, a treasure of an island and
cosy roots (once cleaned with apologies or explanations) there’s every reason to be
politic about the starvation of our diverse townships. This is the case if only we want
people to enjoy driving about the countryside spending – whether it us at home, or
visitors who may eventually return to settle.
Where is the program we need? Consolidate Tasmanian townships. They are not
‘regional’. What we want here is island(s)-wide centralisation – a consolidated
Tasmania – a democracy prone to vibrant authentic local communities in vibrant
authentic landscape. The lifestyle that we all know is rare and precious. At least we
need less centralisation – a balance going strategically to centrally enlivened
townships that regard our cities as handy resource, rather than big brother or the only
bread bin.
Tasmania is a ‘regional’ state getting ‘regional’ treatment and stupidly is dishing out
‘regional’ treatment to its towns. Of course Australia too is ‘regional’ and dishing out
‘regional’ treatment. We’re all innocent of course because all we’re doing is giving
the nod. Cut it and put it where they say. The logic is good but the wisdom is
wanting. Somebody gets a dollar, something is gone and things aren’t working as
well as they were. (To say the least).
M. J. Latham
Sorell